High End 1911's

[Rockrivr1]

I'd recommend going custom if you're going "High End". I was in the same boat a number of years ago and after going back and forth I decided to go with a custom build. I worked with Derr Precision and they spec'd out a 1911 for me. Caspian Carbon frame and Slide, Kart barrel, Wilsom Combat and Custom parts, Novak sights and the finish I wanted. Best money I ever spent. You can't go wrong going in this direction. Not to mention an absolute tack driver.

 

[Otto]

^Greg is an exceptional smith.

 

[lightman]

Save your money and look for one of these: https://classic.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=13186600. It has sold for 2,297 so I have no dog in the fight. It was made by Armond Swenson.
This gun was a Colt Combat Commander in it's first life. Swenson would shorten a standard 1911 or 1911A1 to commander length, but stopped when Colt started to make the Commander.
A very good friend of mine sent Swenson a prewar 1911A1 for a full custom job back before of the Commander's introduction. I think it took about 4 years to get it back. It was a piece of art as well as a great shooter.
I think the full list was:
Shortened to commander length, S&W J frame adjustable rear sight, squared and checkered trigger guard, checkered front strap, stippled top of slide. Ambidextrous safety. Checkered mainspring housing, trigger job and satin hard chrome finish.
I don't know what it cost then.

I actually had a Bullseye gun built by Mr Swenson get away from me. It wasn't for sale when I looked at it and it got sold later without me hearing about it. It may have had the best trigger that I have ever seen on a 1911.

 

[The Glockodile]

This was my stable a year ago….Wilson…Colt Custom…Alchemy…Dan Wesson…Nighthawk Colt…. Today, I only have the Nighthawk Colt and the VBOB. There’s something about that simple Government look of the Nighthawk that pushed me to keep it. Don’t get me wrong, I’d absolutely tell a friend to get an ACW as one of the best guns out there today, but I just didn’t love mine….probably the mag well. I don’t like Magwells.

Nice!

Not a single flared magwell or fenestrated trigger!

 

[WVsig]

Nice!

Not a single flared magwell or fenestrated trigger!

Nothing wrong with a proper magwell. #stanchengen2 It adds no length or width to the frame. but give you a nice landing point for your mag. It is the ultimate "carry" magwell.

 

[guyfromohio]

I look back at the tens of thousands of dollars I spent on the high-end semi-customs and I’d take it all back. I’m comfortable calling it my “1911 phase”. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE the 1911. For me, these guns were at their peek of my satisfaction when I was researching them, discussing them with others on 1911 forums, doing the “build” with the retailer, placing the order, and then opening the box. The range equalized them for me. I always practice the quick draw from holster (dry). With my high hold, many of them wouldn’t go bang due to my quick high hold not pressing the grip safety. Not the gun’s fault by any means. A few went bang every time….the classic series 70 Colt, the VBOB, the Nighthawk Colt, and the Wilson ULCC. This relegated the others to range toys. When actually firing them, the tack-driver was definitely the ACW, but the most enjoyable….can’t describe why….has been that Nighthawk Colt and the VBOB. They stay and I’m cured of my addiction. Of course, a kid in college and two more knocking on its door plays a part in my cure.


PS…. When you go to buy, contact George at Migunslingers.com. You will save money. I promise.

 

[WVsig]

I look back at the tens of thousands of dollars I spent on the high-end semi-customs and I’d take it all back. I’m comfortable calling it my “1911 phase”. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE the 1911. For me, these guns were at their peek of my satisfaction when I was researching them, discussing them with others on 1911 forums, doing the “build” with the retailer, placing the order, and then opening the box. The range equalized them for me. I always practice the quick draw from holster (dry). With my high hold, many of them wouldn’t go bang due to my quick high hold not pressing the grip safety. Not the gun’s fault by any means. A few went bang every time….the classic series 70 Colt, the VBOB, the Nighthawk Colt, and the Wilson ULCC. This relegated the others to range toys. When actually firing them, the tack-driver was definitely the ACW, but the most enjoyable….can’t describe why….has been that Nighthawk Colt and the VBOB. They stay and I’m cured of my addiction. Of course, a kid in college and two more knocking on its door plays a part in my cure.


PS…. When you go to buy, contact George at Migunslingers.com. You will save money. I promise.

George is a great seller!

 

[KYamateur]

I went down this road about 10 years ago…………what I found was - “The Law of Diminishing Returns”. If you can afford high end than by all means shop at your pleasure. For myself, I found out that stretching my budget more than I should be spending didn’t really gain me anything. I won’t mention brands because everyone can put out a pistol with issues (and all of the high end custom pistols are high quality 99% of the time), but I had functioning issues as well with one higher end pistol. When the dust settled, I ended up keeping two mid grade 1911s and parting ways with the rest. I now have a Colt 1911 that Jim Garthwaite made a few minor modifications to and replaced some parts, and a Dan Wesson Valor. To me, the Valor was at the price point where quality (fit/finish) and value intersected each other. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve considered selling the Valor and just keeping the Colt and buying a Ruger. Again, if you can afford them, they are all very nice pistols, but you can get accuracy and reliability without going that route. The best pistol shooter I know shoots a stock Sig 1911.

 

[Skylerbone]

I was disheartened when Cabot enticed Rob away before I could have more work done on my 1911s but ACW does a fantastic job of putting out full house customs for near semi-custom prices. My re-barreled S&W E-Series is far more accurate than I but the biggest change was in feel; it felt like an entirely different pistol.

Whatever you decide I whole heartedly believe everyone should go through the process of purchasing a custom firearm at least once. In that queue myself with a custom flintlock for dad which I hope is delivered before he retires from hunting.

 

[WVsig]

I went down this road about 10 years ago…………what I found was - “The Law of Diminishing Returns”. If you can afford high end than by all means shop at your pleasure. For myself, I found out that stretching my budget more than I should be spending didn’t really gain me anything. I won’t mention brands because everyone can put out a pistol with issues (and all of the high end custom pistols are high quality 99% of the time), but I had functioning issues as well with one higher end pistol. When the dust settled, I ended up keeping two mid grade 1911s and parting ways with the rest. I now have a Colt 1911 that Jim Garthwaite made a few minor modifications to and replaced some parts, and a Dan Wesson Valor. To me, the Valor was at the price point where quality (fit/finish) and value intersected each other. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve considered selling the Valor and just keeping the Colt and buying a Ruger. Again, if you can afford them, they are all very nice pistols, but you can get accuracy and reliability without going that route. The best pistol shooter I know shoots a stock Sig 1911.

Absolutely. The Law of Diminishing Returns really kicks in at the DW level price point when it comes to gains on the target but I think misses part of the equation that makes a High 1911 worth what they cost. There is a pride in ownership factor which comes into play. Having something built for you exactly the way you wanted it has "value". Working with a mastercraftsman can be a joy. I was talking to the wife last night about custom guns and she said to me you collect "Art". The art you happen to collect also shoots bullets. When you move beyond something like a Dan Wesson when done right you are buying a functional piece of art. This may or may not appeal to you but the Law of Diminishing Returns does not account for that value. IMHO

 

[Nature Boy]

There is a pride in ownership factor which comes into play

This is a point often overlooked in the debate over whether it’s “worth it”, or not.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I handled a DW Valor and it’s just right … I would buy

I handle a Les Baer and it’s TIGHT … I would buy too

 

[PzGren]

Nowlin Custom should not be forgotten:

 

[qwert65]

I have 4 1911, a SA GI, SA mil-spec, a colt new agent, an an Ed Brown
Taking out the new agent(just has trench sights) the rest are all 5 inch barrels- The Ed brown - for me is a much better shooter, I’m thinking of changing the sights on the mil- spec which may narrow the gap - but the Ed Brown really does seem to point better for me
Now do I shoot 5x better then the mil-spec ? No not even close- but there is a noticeable difference

 

[tarosean]

The best pistol shooter I know shoots a stock Sig 1911.

Anecdotal evidence aside.

The best 1911 shooter in the world, proven by decades and decades of world championships, shoots Springfield Custom Shops.

Then again it's likely the Indian and not the arrow..

 

[KahrDriving]

I have been thinking about buying a high end 1911 and I'm pretty serious about a Nighthawk. So, what do you have? I'm open to other suggestions.

Don’t have one, but took a tour of Nighthawk factory in Arkansas- very impressive- 1 gunsmith builds entire gun, very modern factory and very nice people- they make beautiful guns!

 

[horsemen61]

I’m fond of Luke Volkman’s work I will have one someday!

 

[JR24]

I don’t have a ton of experience with higher end 1911s, but I’ve shot a few of the nicer brands and Wilson extensively and if I was buying something more expensive than a Dan Wesson, I’d get a Wilson. I very much like my near-1911 EDC X9 and my next 1911 will be a Wilson.

Quality and performance aside, their customer service’s patience and responsiveness to my fathers myriad beginner questions about his CQB and reloading for it put them over the top for future business from me.

My big debate will be CQB vs XTac

 

[Mark_Mark]

I look back at the tens of thousands of dollars I spent on the high-end semi-customs and I’d take it all back. I’m comfortable calling it my “1911 phase”. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE the 1911. For me, these guns were at their peek of my satisfaction when I was researching them, discussing them with others on 1911 forums, doing the “build” with the retailer, placing the order, and then opening the box. The range equalized them for me. I always practice the quick draw from holster (dry). With my high hold, many of them wouldn’t go bang due to my quick high hold not pressing the grip safety. Not the gun’s fault by any means. A few went bang every time….the classic series 70 Colt, the VBOB, the Nighthawk Colt, and the Wilson ULCC. This relegated the others to range toys. When actually firing them, the tack-driver was definitely the ACW, but the most enjoyable….can’t describe why….has been that Nighthawk Colt and the VBOB. They stay and I’m cured of my addiction. Of course, a kid in college and two more knocking on its door plays a part in my cure.


PS…. When you go to buy, contact George at Migunslingers.com. You will save money. I promise.

anybody here appreciate a cheap 1911 and polishing and stoning and light springing it? I do!

But I do have a Soft Spot for the Colt Logo 1911’s, something about them just looks right

 

[tarosean]

anybody here appreciate a cheap 1911 and polishing and stoning and light springing it? I do!

Wrong thread.. I wouldn't give 0.01cent for a Turkish or Filipino gun Period.

 

[d'zaster]

Dan Wesson bobbed commander has the best rigger of all my 1911s. It's also the most "hi end" 1911 in my corral.

 

[WVsig]

I bought this one recently along with a few others built by some guy with the initials JG built in the 90s. Unfortunately he is no longer with us. #jimgarhwaite

 

[WVsig]

2 of the others in the batch.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

There is a pride in ownership factor which comes into play. Having something built for you exactly the way you wanted it has "value".

Some people don't and will never get "it".
As a guy that does metal fabrication on custom cars, some which come close to 7 figures, that law went down the drain long ago.

That new 50K Toyota Camry will get ya where you want, but won't be any where as enjoyable as living that boy hood dream of owning an American graffiti inspired 32 Ford coupe.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Some people don't and will never get "it".
As a guy that does metal fabrication on custom cars, some which come close to 7 figures, that law went down the drain long ago.

That new 50K Toyota Camry will get ya where you want, but won't be any where as enjoyable as living that boy hood dream of owning an American graffiti inspired 32 Ford coupe.

A Camry with 30” rims are fun! Same as a $300 1911 with fake ivory grips and a polish job by Bubba