Looking at a new 1911

[Magnumite]

Let's see...if I call a custom smith and order a highly fitted, tight 1911 with a beavertail, BoMars, good action work, highly accurized and with a hi tech finish, is it custom. If I buy the same thing in a standardized format, then its a production gun?

The semi custom and production moniker on the Wilson, Brown and Baer guns is really a slam on those guns. I recall that being started on another website by...I'll say an envious customsmith who didn't have the clout of those brands. And still doesn't.

Each of those guns are hand fitted, just like you ordered it from any custom 1911 smith. They are custom all the way. Built the same way.

A SA Trophy Match costs about $1400 new, retail. Good gun, alot of gun, but not in the same class as a Baer PII for a couple hundred more.
Look at it this way...buy a new Kimber or Trophy Match for $1300 and then sell it. $1000 maybe. Buy a Baer for $1525 and you can easily sell it for $1200. They are that much better.

 

[atlanticfire]

Some of the guys on the pistol team for our police department had purchased Baers, after 3 times back to them for several defects they went to Wilsons. Just my bit..... I cannot afford either. I'll stick to my STI's and S&W PC....

 

[9mmepiphany]

The semi custom and production moniker on the Wilson, Brown and Baer guns is really a slam on those guns. I recall that being started on another website by...I'll say an envious customsmith who didn't have the clout of those brands. And still doesn't.

Each of those guns are hand fitted, just like you ordered it from any custom 1911 smith. They are custom all the way. Built the same way.

if you believe that a 1911 that you can order from the shop of Ned Christiansen, Stan Chen or anyone else at LTW would be the same as one from Wilson, Brown or Baer, you are mistaken.

by you logic, a 1911 hand built by Bubba at the local shop would be the same as one from Baer

 

[mbopp]

I too have been bitten by the .45 1911 bug. The local dealer has a NIB Kimber Target II for $900 or a (slightly) used Clark / Colt Series 70 stainless pin gun for $700. And that was just the first place I looked.
No, I'm not going to ask which is better. I'm just saying for the money either will do me just fine and I'm not dropping $1500+ on it.

 

[Patrick R]

For the money you want to spend a Valor would be a good choice if you can find one.

A gun you can find is the Springfield TRP. Well made, good looking & nice shooting gun.

I have the SS finish.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Dan Wesson Valor, Baer, Ed Brown or a Springer TRP.

I wish I could recommend a Colt, but not since the last 2009 production Gold Cup I owned, or the XSE's I've inspected.

I'm done with Kimber.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Dan Wesson Valor, Baer, Ed Brown or a Springer TRP.

i'll just point out that the TRP, while a very nice gun, and one i recommend often. isn't out of the Custom Shop like the others are...a more valid comparison might be the Springfield Professional, but then that's more money too

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

the valor isn't out of a "custom shop" either.

 

[230therapy]

High end is probably the best way to go. Make sure the shop has a very good warranty and has a good reputation for customer service.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

you can get a les baer TRS cheaper than a springer PRO

 

[9mmepiphany]

the valor isn't out of a "custom shop" either.

that's odd.

i had two friends order Valors last year and they were each contacted by the smith who was about to build their gun about anything they wanted added or deleted during the build.

one friend happened to mention that he really liked the bob-tail of the CBOB, but understood as the Valor was a full-sized gun rather than the Commander length. the gunsmith said "This is a Valor, we can do whatever you want before we apply the finish"...he was offered the option of a bob-tail or just a rounded butt on the frame.

CZ might not call it a custom shop, but what else would you call it

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

they can be ordered out of the DW custom shop, like any springer 1911....

 

[LaBulldog]

There are a couple for sale on SIGforum.

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/350601935/m/265107592?r=265107592#265107592
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/350601935/m/673103592?r=673103592#673103592

 

[9mmepiphany]

they can be ordered out of the DW custom shop, like any springer 1911....

does that differ from what i posted?

 

[Krusty]

Kimber Desert Warrior

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=503623

 

[SSN Vet]

well you can say this about 1911 guys...

....they take their pistols very seriously

If I had the $$ I'd deal with Bob at Fusion...

When it comes to DW 1911s, he essentially IS Dan Wesson... he's the guy that resurected the company and made it what it is today. CZ bought it (and is screwing it all up), but Bob made it.

Since I don't have the money, I have to content myself with blowing the center out of targets with a series 80 Colt, that has a very nice trigger and has flawlessly handled every HP, RN and SWC that I've fed it.

 

[EddieNFL]

Have any of you guys even held a Kimber manufactured in the last year?

Held, disassembled, reassembled and fired.

If it has to be a Kimber, look for a pre series II.

 

[Hk Dan]

Your exact pistol is listed for sale in the classifieds section of this website. Kimber Desert Warrior, and you can afford to buy some ammo within your current budget at the price he has listed.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I'm a big Kimber fan, but for a full-size gun at that price, I'd be looking at STI and DW.

 

[Balrog]

I did a poll a week or two ago about whether Kimber owners would consider buying another.

Only a little over 50 percent said they would buy another Kimber... make what you want out of that statistic, but I think Kimber has some problems if only about 50 percent of their former customers would buy their product again.

Here is a link:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=503570

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

does that differ from what i posted?

the valor is a production gun, not a custom one. however, it can be ordered with custom add ons.

 

[ttheel]

I did a poll a week or two ago about whether Kimber owners would consider buying another.

Only a little over 50 percent said they would buy another Kimber... make what you want out of that statistic, but I think Kimber has some problems if only about 50 percent of their former customers would buy their product again.

Here is a link:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=503570

I dont think I would call a poll on an online message board where you dont know if the people responding have actully ever owned one a very scientific poll.

 

[EddieNFL]

I dont think I would call a poll on an online message board where you dont know if the people responding have actully ever owned one a very scientific poll.

You mean the kind where they knock on your door or call and ask carefully constructed questions in order to get the "right" response? To participate you have to promise to be honest, cross your heart, hope to die and all that stuff.

 

[Balrog]

I dont think I would call a poll on an online message board where you dont know if the people responding have actully ever owned one a very scientific poll.

Nope, its not scientific and I never said it was. Take it for what it is worth.

I posted a similar poll about Glocks. About 77% of respondents said they would buy another Glock. Only about 55% of Kimber owners would buy another Kimber. I do not claim the poll to be scientific, but it is interesting why there would be a 22% difference. How would you explain it?