New shooter... $2K+ 1911?

[Captain America]

I am a relatively inexperienced guy with 1911s, and that is what I want to get for my first firearm. I've done a lot of searching on my own, but I am leaving myself at the mercy of the forum to figure out what I am going to settle on., and I'm looking at around the $2K price range.

I know that I can get a great, lower-priced 1911 from Springfield and they have some good upper end models, as well. And there are Kimbers for only a little bit more. However, I am really looking into a Wilson Combat CQB. I don't mind paying extra for it, as I am extremely interested in it. Some people have told me to go with a Les Baer, but I just don't like the feel of them, and that's very important to me. What do you guys think? I need some ideas I haven't thought of myself yet.

Details:
I will CCW this pistol, at times.
I will eventually compete IDPA with it.
I am willing to pay more for quality and great customer service.

PS- I used a Beretta 92FS for 4 years in the army, and owned a Glock 27 for a few months, if this has any bearing. I didn't like the lack of power in the 9mm. And in the glock I didn't like the small grip.

 

[ugaarguy]

$2K is way beyond my budget. However, if you want the Wilson and it feels better to YOU than the Baer I'd go for it. You're the one shooting it not any of US. I like the 1911 (would like one to go with my BHP soon) as a fighting handgun and if I could afford a Wilson I'd be looking at one very hard. You might also look at Nighthawk - they were started by a group that left Wilson - you might like them as well. For the money I'd get a nice $1k or so Springfield and put the other thousand into ammo and a good class at Gunsite, Thunder Ranch, or somewhere like that. Do you have a good shotgun for home defense? If not I'd look into that too. Wilson Combat's Scattergun Tech. 870s and 1187s are well liked, but a basic 590 or 870 will easily do the job. If you want a top end 1911 though, go for it, get the best you can for what you're willing to spend.

 

[Ala Dan]

I'd go back and re-handle the Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911. FWIW,
I like the slim grips, and the high, undercut 30 lpi checkering. Also, I
love the "Tactical Look" of the Thunder Ranch gun, but thats just me.

 

[XavierBreath]

If I'm going to spend two grand on aything, I will buy what I want, not what a bunch of anonymous internet friends think I should buy. You say you want a Wilson CQB, get one.

Before you order though, take a look at the 1* 1911 by Yost~Bonitz. $2000 can buy a lot of gun. It can also buy a lot of hype. Shop wisely.

 

[sgtdevildog]

Lots of choices - so little time. I love my Ed Brown Executive Carry and the Kobra Carry is in your range. Many good reports on the Kobra and the commander length may be useful in CCW yet should be plenty accurate for IDPA. I also really like my Nighthawk - which was started by a group from Wilson. Good luck.

 

[KIMBER45TLE]

Wilson/Nighthawk

Call Wilson or Nighthawk and ask them how much it might cost to have them customize something like a Springfield MilSpec. They can fit it to your needs and specs and probably in about the same price range. Berryville, AR, the 1911 capital of the world. The CQB is a nice piece though. They shoot really good.

 

[distra]

If you are wanting a custom 1911, check out http://www.ontargetcgw.com/basefile/caspian-xtreme.htm
This one has some sweet parts and Jess does some great pistol work.

 

[Cousin Mike]

$2000 can buy a lot of gun. It can also buy a lot of hype. Shop wisely.

+1 and Amen.

My next 1911 will more than likely be a Springfield or Colt.

I've seen a few guys at the range with beautiful, custom 1911's that they had a decent amount of trouble with. My ugly, cheap, plain ol' Auto Ordnance keeps right on firing. I've heard stories from my gunsmith and others about these fancy, hi-end 1911's that basically go straight from the NIB, to needing to be serviced so it will work properly, etc. etc. My gunsmith and my range owner/employees (guys who know their stuff when it comes to pistols) all carry Springfield 1911's, FWIW. These guys could easily afford $2000 pistols.

On one hand, I wish I had the discipline to save up for a $2000 1911. They look so darn purty! If I could find an original Colt 1911 (made between 1911-1913) in excellent condition, I would definitely pay that kind of money for it. One day I will buy a few fancy 1911's after tons of research, but... I would be awfully upset if I bought a high-end gun and had to take it right to a gunsmith for tuning, etc., being that it was my first 1911.

On another hand, as much as I love 1911's, it would be hard for me to spend $2000 knowing that for that same price, I could get 2 or 3 Sigs or 1911's that would be just as accurate and probably even more reliable. In defense of the space-age 1911's, I will say that a Kimber Pro someone let me shoot was just amazing. It felt wonderful to shoot, recoil was very light and accuracy (in my hands) was dead-on.

If I'm going to spend two grand on aything, I will buy what I want, not what a bunch of anonymous internet friends think I should buy.

+1 again. 2 stacks is a nice amount of cheddar, my friend.

On the other hand, when I first came to THR, I wanted a Desert Eagle - and thought I could never be convinced otherwise. In the end, with help from anonymous internet friends, I came to the conclusion that a $1500 super-pistol was just something I didn't need at this stage of the game. Being that I still consider myself a new shooter, my priorities lean more towards becoming a better shot first, then start collecting the big, fancy raceguns. Whatever you do end up purchasing, I hope it is everything you've ever wanted in a pistol.

Practice, practice, practice.

Edited to add: I thought IDPA required the use of 'straight-from-the-factory' guns. Maybe the expensive 1911's are okay for IDPA. Obviously I don't shoot professionally (yet), but I watch a decent amount of pro-shooting on OLN. I'm pretty sure that ported or compensated pistols, extended mags and all the other 'tricked-out' accessories common in those special 1911's are not allowed to compete in IDPA. There are other professional shooting associations that allow such pistols in competition.

 

[progunner1957]

I have a 1* Elite built by Ted Yost - I recommend it 100%. Click on "prices" then "packages" at www.yost-bonitz.com The 1* Enhanced would be a great choice, too.

At around $2000, the Wilson CQB is also a great choice - I have read some really good things about it. I would also look very hard at the Ed Brown Special Forces 1911. Ed makes some truly outstanding 1911s that are built and finished like fine Swiss watches.

The Les Baer Thunder Ranch 1911 is also a contender, as are any of the 1911s built by Nighthawk. The Springfield Armory Professional is another outstanding 1911. I just got a Springfield TRP Operator which is the economy version of the Professional - it is just outstanding.

There are so many great 1911s available at around $2000. 1911 makers are fiercely competitive and at $2000, there are no bad 1911s as far as I know.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

If I'm going to spend two grand on aything, I will buy what I want, not what a bunch of anonymous internet friends think I should buy.

+1......If it were me, I'd buy 2, or 4 1911A1s......a RIA, a Springfield, a Colt, and maybe one more, depending on how wisely I shopped.

 

[Chipperman]

I'll cast my vote for the Springfield TRP.

Well under $2K, with ambi safety, beveled mag well, etc.

Pay for quality and features, not hype.

 

[TomFromTheShade]

Well, I might be a bit more frugal than the rest of you guys, but if I was going to invest $2,000 in a pistol you had better believe that I am going to get a lot more than just the pistol...

Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911-A1 (parkerized).............$660.00

Wilson Combat Tactical Magazine Release (blue)...............$18.95

Wilson Combat Extended Slide Release (blue)....................$27.95

Wilson Combat 1911 Versa-Tool.....................................$29.95

8rd Wilson Combat Magazine 47D x 3..............................$89.95

Wilson Combat Tactical Thumb Safety (blue)....................$31.50

Galco NSAII IWB Holster................................................$66.95

Galco DMC Double Magazine Case....................................$54.95

Galco SB3 Dress Belt....................................................$69.95

Federal American Eagle 230 grain FMJ x 1,000 rounds........$249.00

CCI Blazer 230 grain FMJ x 1,000 rounds.........................$195.99

Federal 230 grain Hydra-Shok JHP x 200 rounds.............$139.90

Speer Gold Dot 230 grain JHP x 200 rounds...................$139.90

total = $1774.94

tax @ 7% = $124.25

total money invested = $1899.19

This leaves you about $100 to get a shooting range membership to practice!

 

[MICHAEL T]

I'd buy a good Springfirld ,Colt, Kimber, any of them out of the box will shoot a tighter group then you can hope to. Why waste money other than I want. Buy one of the above and invest rest in learning . Then after you know what your doing might rethink about spending 2 K on a pistol . All the pistol does is start the bullet on way to target.

 

[Freddymac]

If you are serious about spending that kind os cash...

Pick up the July issue of Guns and Ammo. On the cover is the Ed Brown Special Forces 1911. I am seriously thinking about blowing this quarters' bonus check on this amazing piece.

Keep in mind, that when you buy these "semi-custom" pistols, that you will get an amazing gun no matter who makes it. Weather its Wilson, Yost, Brown... or whoever's name is on the slide, you will get a top of the line, first class, (insert flattering adjective here), gun. The main difference will be the style. I personaly like ED Brown and Lary Vickers styles when it comes to 1911's, but as I said, that is my personal preference. You should seriously try to actualy handle some of the guns that you are considering (I know... I know, easier said than done). Good luck in your search, and I hope that you find the right one that makes you happy.

Fred

P.S. Let us know what you got. Pics... we love pics...yea

 

[Captain America]

So I looked at Nighthawks like you guys suggested and I am impressed. I can see that they used to be Wilson Combat guys. But I have been studying the Talon and the GRP... what are the key differences?

I'm thinking about getting a Springfield Mil-Spec and then saving up for a premium custom pistol. That will help me be more patient and help me learn a bit more about the beauty of 1911s and maybe make me appreciate my custom better when I get it. Anything I might want to keep in mind when I get my Springfield? Anything that I should not hesitate in having added?

Oh and thanks for the fantastic advice so far!

 

[Waitone]

<Waves hand in the air>
Contrarian wants to speak.

You're just starting in the world of shooting. You have a lot of things to learn. You also have a lot of things to buy. Consider this. It will take time and development of your skills before the quality of your equipment makes any real difference in your skills. In the beginning you will shoot the same regardless of the quality of your platform. Instead of sinking beaucoup'd cash into something that goes bang, consider sinking less money into the banger and more more into things like top notch professional instructions. Spend money on learning the fundamentals. Build a skill set that will allow you to challenge the performance of your equipment. Then when you know what you are doing, spend the beaucoup'd bucks on a banger.

You are obviously an intelligent, thoughtful, and perceptive shooter because of your choice of a .45ACP

 

[KIMBER45TLE]

Mil Spec

Being a new shooter in the 1911 world I still think you can't go wrong with the MilSpec. Although it's not as accurate as some of the higher end 1911's on the market, it will still shoot well surprisingly. It's a good "learner" 1911 and I speak not only of shooting but of taking it apart. Not just field stripping but taking it down to bear frame. Taking a 1911 down to bare frame will show you just how much of a genious John Browning was when he built the original. How most of those parts inside there do more than one function and how they all inter react. While you go through this cycle you can be saving up to send it to a custom shop. It won't look the same when it comes out.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I have wasted more money on custom/high end 1911s than any other single type of gun.

There is nothing wrong with getting a $2000 1911, but I think the best reason for owning them is simply pride of ownership, and not much more.

The law of diminishing returns definitely applies to expensive. A $2000 1911 is not 4 times as much gun as a $500 one. They look good to show off to your friends though.

 

[lycanthrope]

How about the STI Eagle? Less weight than a standard 1911 and twice the capacity. My STI grip was worked over at home and is now the same width as my Kimber single stack with Carbon Creations grips.

Legal in IDPA ESP division and if you choose .40 you'll have the platform of choice in USPSA Limited and L10 divisions.

They run about $1700 from Brazos or Dawson and you can afford the custom reliability packages from those smiths as well as a top notch trigger job.....and still be under budget.

 

[45auto]

Wise choice to buy a good quality "production" model first. I think Springfield is a good choice.

I would decide whether you want a beavertail, Novak sights, etc. If you do, buy their "Loaded" model and save yourself a lot of money and time. If not, the Mil-spec.

 

[Derby FALs]

If you haven't done much shooting yet I would advise getting a .22 for a first pistol. You can learn to shoot for cheap. You could easily pay for it in what will be wasted .45 ACP you will send down range.

 

[bootcamp]

Glad you decided on a milspec. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with it out of the box. Accuracy is awesome on SA pistols!!

 

[Cousin Mike]

Someone always has to say this, don't they?

If you haven't done much shooting yet I would advise getting a .22 for a first pistol.

LOL. The first gun I ever shot at the tender age of 12 was a .357Mag/.38special with a 2" barrel. I liked it just fine. My girlfriend learned to shoot on a .45ACP and a 9mm - and she's a good shot, as is her teacher On a serious note - someone always seems to bring out the .22 argument, and I think a lot of people (myself included) just find the .22 plain ol' boring. He's not going to learn as much if he doesn't like learning, and if he was considering a $2,000 1911 as a FIRST pistol, he's probably not worried about saving a few bucks on ammo.

Captain America, I think you'll be happy with a Mil-Spec, although Springfield makes some really nice 1911's in the $700-$1000 range that have a lot more of a custom-type look, and nicer sights. You might want to look around, as Springfield seems to have a lot to offer in the way of 1911's, and no one I know who owns an SA-1911 is unhappy with it. I think if you decide on the Mil-Spec, you'll be pleased with your choice of weapon.

This thread has actually had me pricing some Springfield 1911's.

 

[kbheiner7]

I'd never go with a Wilson over a Baer, but that's me. Feel is also important to me and goes a long way in instilling confidence. If you like the Wilson that much more and have the cash - go for it.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Having paid $2k in work on a Colt Commander, and spending a week with the same gunsmith building another in his shop in a "build our own" class . . . Let me share my story, and you decide what you want to do.


I wanted to see what the 1911 was all about. I had SA/DA autos, a Sig 229, Beretta 96, but I couldn't understand the big deal over 1911s and actually, for a while, got sick off hearing about them as the be all/end all of handguns in the guns magazines. I eventually wised up and stopped reading those, about 5 years ago.

I also wised up and tried a 1911, first shooting a buddy's, then got my own. I got a used Kimber Custom Classic. I learned on that, enjoyed it, discovered what I liked, but more importantly, what I DIDN'T. When I decided I was ready to get something really great, I could articulate what it was I wanted, and could APPRECIATE it. Had I gotten a highly customized piece first, I wouldn't have.


You can't buy into good shooting. You might benefit more from a less expensive piece as a first gun, learn on it, then upgrade.


Wilson, Nighthawk, Les Baer . . . those packages are not full custom. They are high end package guns. For that money, you can get an actual custom, you spec the parts, caliber, fit to you, . . . handgun. I went to Jim Garthwaite for mine. When I look at my two that came from his shop, and compare those to the several Wilson's the guys have at our group . . . the Wilson clearly looks like just a slightly higher end production piece, with some better parts. I've seen about 2 dozen Garthwaite guns now, and other actual custom guns from other shops. The price is about the same, but the quality, service, and level of personalization are better.


And, for me, those $2500-$3000 guns ARE worth it. Yeah, yeah, guys, a $300 import will shoot, too. But, I got awesome carry pieces, that carry good > 12 hours a day, every day. They don't tear me when I shoot a 1k round class, or my clothes up, and are just . . . . well, let's just say if you you can't appreciate the difference, then to you, its a waste of money.



And, I couldn't care 2 sh....s about impressing my buddies with them. Comments like that reflect more on the speaker than the audience.