lightman
Member
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.
Make sure your gunsmith of choice will work on those pistols. Not all gunsmiths will work on all 1911-ish guns.SDS 1911A1 and send it out to get reworked!
My work is typically performed on customer supplied base guns from Colt or Springfield Armory
I didn’t know that! thanks! I always wanted to make a “Sleeper 1911”. Get a “Laugh at 1911” send to a smith and have him turn it into a Corvette. Then shoot 1/2” group at the BBQ!Make sure your gunsmith of choice will work on those pistols. Not all gunsmiths will work on all 1911-ish guns.
For instance, Heirloom Precision https://www.heirloomprecision.com says the following
Utility, art, and craftsmanship combined and the end result was that pistol.I own multiple examples of Alchemy, Baer, Colt, Nighthawk, Springfield Armory, STI, and Wilson. My first choice of all these is Nighthawk. Their TRS is a work-of-art.
View attachment 1072186
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.
So there are "High End" and then there are "high end" 1911s. IMHO I currently own 1911s from Colt, Dan Wesson, ACW, Les Baer, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, A Don Williams Custom Colt, WWG custom CCO and a Ted Yost Custom Colt.
None of my factory Colts are what I would consider a high end gun. They are 100% production guns. Some of them have some custom touches or features but they not "high end". I am a Colt fan boy and I love my Colts but they are what they are.
The next step us is Dan Wesson which is a nicer production gun. These are still assembled in a production environment with very little hand fitting. The production line is smaller and does less volume with higher quality parts but it is still a production gun. I consider them the gateway drug to high end 1911s. Here you are paying in the $1500-$2000 range and it is 90% of what a true "High End" 1911 can be.
The next level are the semi-custom shops like Wilson, Nighthawk, GI, ACW, Ed Brown, Les Baer etc.... These guys are building gun with some customization within their universe and their built philosophy. Some places on one gun one smith types of shops. Other like Les Baer are small format production where one individual does one part of the build and some else does the rest. Most of the time you cannot call these guys up and ask for something outside their "normal" builds. You can also buy them off the shelf through dealer networks. Here you are in the $2500-$5,000 range depending on the builder.
The next step is large custom houses like Novak, Cogan and C&S. They are in the part business and they build guns on your base gun or a frame of your choosing. Generally the guy or woman whose name is on the sign is not working on your gun. They have a team of smiths doing the work but that does not mean you are getting a lesser product. These shops have build their rep on knowing how to build a gun.
The final level is bespoke custom work with a one man custom shop of your choice. This IMHO is the Pinnacle of 1911s. Custom builders like Jason Burton, Ted Yost, Don Williams, Chen, Hilton Yam, Chuck Rodgers, John Harrison etc.... These guys are taking your base gun or a bare frame and building you a one of a kind functional piece of art. When done right they are next level. They will cost you $5,000 to whatever is in your wallet.
Now when this stuff comes up I always bring up the law of diminishing returns. Is a Yost 1911 10X better than a factory Colt Competition? In practical terms not really. I am not more accurate with a Yost then I an with a stock Colt. I might shooter a little better because the trigger the sight and the ergos are better for me but not 10X better. I am always the limiting factor. In the end my advice is to pick a price point you are willing to spend. Then look at all the builders who work in that space.
When you are moving out of production guns like DW it really becomes more about aesthetics and intended use more than one gun being better than another. I personally like ACW and GI aesthetic better than Nighthawk but they all make a great gun. Find a builder who suits your look and your purpose. There is no one right answer for everyone. That IMHO is the whole point of "High End" custom 1911s. Oh and because threads like this are worthless without pics here is my current favorite 1911.
View attachment 1072312
View attachment 1072313
I didn’t know that! thanks! I always wanted to make a “Sleeper 1911”. Get a “Laugh at 1911” send to a smith and have him turn it into a Corvette. Then shoot 1/2” group at the BBQ!
Super Sleep GI 1911! that sound like my style!Has been done. I have seen some fine shooting USGI 1911s from when they were Army Surplus and not Significant Historical Artifacts and Valuable Collectors' Items; and there were some Norincos fixed up with all mod cons while they were cheap.
I have not yet seen a highly refined gunsmith project on a Filipino or Turkish copy, but I bet there are some around.
Lots of folks will use SA Mil Specs or Colt Government models for exactly that. A base gun for mods.Super Sleep GI 1911! that sound like my style!