Someone talk me down from a semi-custom 1911 purchase

[OneBagNomad]

Ok, let me preface this by saying I've been around the block a few times when it comes to handguns. I've had a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with the 1911 but it just won't stop calling to me. Now I'm in the market for a new .45 acp semi-auto and I happen to be in a position where I can finally afford a semi-custom 1911 (thinking Wilson Combat CQB or Ed Brown special forces).

My left brain is telling me to go with one of the (reportedly) dead reliable polymer options, HK USP, HK45, M&P 45, etc... At a fraction of the cost and invest the rest in ammo and some high quality training (probably Gunsite).
My right brain has entered into an alliance with my "other head" and is telling me that I NEED that 1911. Even though I've had bad experiences in the past that left me with 1911s that, as much as I liked them, I couldn't trust to work reliably as a CCW.

I'm not even sure whether I want to be talked into this or out of it. At this point I'm looking for "the gun" (I know, I know) that I can carry for the rest of my days. Should I take the plunge or keep on searching? Is it worth it? Oh my god, somebody help me...

 

[MICHAEL T]

You need a Wilson Combat CQB or Ed Brown special forces They are reliable I have no unreliable 1911's I trust any of mine for carry . Only 1911 I ever had that was unreliable wasn't really a true 1911 It was a Para Ord and they only look like a 1911.

I would go with the Wilson. Then get a Ed Brown Bobtail for when I just want to be a little different. Save the Special Forces for a bithday present for my self. Then next birthday another Wilson.
But I'am poor I can only afford my Colts and Dan Wessons .

 

[ForumSurfer]

I've had nothing but positive experiences with 1911's...so I'm not going to talk you down, brother.

A few days at Gunsite sounds awesome, too. I say go ahead and go to Gunsite, maybe that will give you a better idea of what you want?

It's your money, not mine. You can buy me a reloading press while you're stuck trying to decide, though.

 

[Nushif]

I do like my 1911 ...

But think the amount of shooting you could do with more ammo!

As a matter of fact:
I have been thinking of consolidating both my beloved Glock 26 and my amazingly awesome LCR into one .45 Glock (the singlestack variety) just so that the wife and a friend of mine and myself can pitch in and start reloading .45 for cheaper and more plentiful shooting.
Because at the end of the day ... what good is a gun you can look at when you could shoot another one.

 

[dom1104]

My Opinion? 1911 as a CCW is not worth the price of entry. Both in cash and in frustration and in weight.

1911 as a competition gun? THAT would be worth it.

The route I am going is, M&P for carry, 1911 for gun games.

I wouldnt even consider toting around 2 house payments as a CCW, when their are OTHER options that are A: much cheaper. B: easier to care for. and C: more reliable.

 

[akadave]

Of all the semi-autos I have owned...and man its been a bunch. The 1911 is the most consistently reliable, comfortable to shoot and accurate pistols I have owned. I have had nearly a dozen 1911's and currently only have 5 but I will never not have one. I have owned a few Glocks and dont own any currently, they just cant stand with the 1911 for me.

My next pistol will be a Les Baer Premier II. Whole lotta gun for the money!

 

[inherentical]

Yeah, you definitely shouldn't get one. The action on my Nighthawk T3 is as slick as snot on a buttered plate, and the trigger breaks like a glass rod. A thin glass rod. Fit and finish are superb, and it makes the rest of my 1911's look like they were cobbled together by blind gnomes wielding 4 pound sledgehammers while drinking heavily. The perfect balance of form and function, I can shoot the thing like I point my finger, if the end of my finger spewed 230 grain chunks of lead right where I pointed. I would definitely not recommend a good semi-custom or custom 1911 for you. Because then you'll be where I am, and want more of them.

 

[Nushif]

I'd wager to say though, that after a few days at a real academy you'll be able to chuck 230 grain chunks of lead more accurately with what you have.

 

[Shipwreck]

If you want it - go ahead and get one. Or, you'll always be thinking about it...

Whenever someone shows off their Nighthawk, Wilson, Ed Brown or some other gun that is $2k+, there is always the guy who will go on and on about what a waste of money it was - and how their $500 Rock Island Armory is just as good.

My first 1911 was a Springfield Mil Spec I bought around 1997, and I think I paid like $425 or $450 for it. I owned several other 1911s over the years, each one a little more expensive.

In 2008, I sold 4 guns to help pay for a high end one, and I researched and asked questions for about 2 months. I then ordered a Custom Shop Springfield. When it came in almost a year later, I broke down and got an Ed Brown Special Forces.

Are they worth the $? Heck yes! You CAN tell the difference both in how they shoot and how they feel. Likely, I won't buy a regular production model 1911 again.

But, until you own one, it really is a hard feeling to understand. I was once one of those guys who couldn't understand why someone would spend that much money. I've since learned that when people like that jump into a discussion and try to start an "argument" on why their gun is just as good at $500, there is not point in even trying to explain it.

 

[230therapy]

A gunsmith tuned 1911 is the way to go for 1911's.

I wouldnt even consider toting around 2 house payments as a CCW, when their are OTHER options that are A: much cheaper. B: easier to care for. and C: more reliable.

HAH! Neither is ONE payment where I live. I wish I had your payments.


Nushif: Don't get rid of the Glock 26! It's a great gun and too versatile. You may wish to shoot the Glock 36 before jumping on it. It's low capacity and high recoil....

 

[Vonderek]

I would go with your left brain. Especially given your "love/hate, mostly hate" statement. I love 1911s and appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of a custom but would rather have the ammo and/or training you mentioned. For me money's too tight to blow on a $2000 handgun. A factory (insert brand here) 1911 will serve fine as a SD/CCW piece and the other makes you mentioned would do so as well.

 

[ForumSurfer]

1911 as a CCW is not worth the price of entry. Both in cash and in frustration and in weight.

My ccw 1911 has been flawless. But that's a very good point, not all are flawless. I wouldn't carry one unless I've run a whole bunch of rounds through it and practiced some drills. I love a sweet performing 1911, but it has to earn my confidence before I carry it. That could be said of any weapon, though.

But weight? On paper the difference between my loaded glock (19) and my loaded 1911 ccw piece is substantial. But in daily carry, I really can't tell the difference. If anything, the thinner profile makes the 1911 more comfortable for me at the end of the day.

Now if I were lugging around a pistol, tons of spare ammo, a rifle, tons more ammo and all that other gear...then I could see the weight saving as as a plus. But for day to day life...my 1911 doesn't strike me as particularly heavy. If I wear a cheap belt, it shifts, sags and is a total pain to carry...but then again so does my glock with a cheap belt.

Edit::

For me money's too tight to blow on a $2000 handgun.

I feel your pain! My next firearm investment will be in reloading equipment so I can shoot what I already have more often. But I'll still keep dreaming about that bob-tailed ed brown ccw piece I've always [strike]wanted[/strike] drooled with envious passion over.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Asking the members of a gun forum to talk you out of buying a gun is like walking into a bar and asking them to talk you out of having a drink.

 

[EddieNFL]

My wife refuses to carry a 1911. She says it makes her purse too heavy. The Glock is a better fit for her.

 

[Jed Carter]

I have enough SIGs, Glocks, Berettas, CZs, etc (for now), I do not have enough Colts, Les Baers, Wilsons, STIs, probably never will. I'm hooked, I'm hooked my brain is cooked. I am currently waiting on my STI Custom 1911 9mm to arrive sometime in Sept, ordered it in April. I've been patient , only 2 pistol purchases and a trade of a S&W revolver for a Colt 1911... well it's patient for me.

 

[Thorgrim]

I'll try to help. Please, please don't buy a semi-custom. Start with a blank piece of paper and design exactly what you want.

 

[Zerodefect]

I'd get a Wilson. But it's weird scratching up a $3000 pistol. You better do some research on some refinishers out there. LOL.
Insist on not having billboards ingraved into your slide. Keep it clean looking. Still, you'll need to spend time with breakin, ammo selection, maybe a different recoil spring, etc. before it's CCw trustworthy. Like any 1911.

Don't forget about Dan Wesson, especially the Valor. Or Fusion 1911's.

Even though I like 1911's, when I cut the safety down to fit my grip, I prefere Glocks. If you have doubts about 1911's working for you, maybe get a Springy GI or something cheaper to get used to before making the jump to a $3000 pistol. Taking a loss selling a used Springy is a lot better than a huge loss selling a used Wilson.

 

[Oceans]

Buy a band new stock Colt 70 series re issue, you will be getting a fine reliable firearm for half the price or better than what you would pay for a Wilson etc, and you will be getting a "Colt .45 auto" take the money you saved, get into reloading, and take a class with the piece, you wont be sorry. You need a good trigger, and visible sights on a 1911. Now if you want to compete with it in specialised matches well that is another story, but from what you describe, that is not an issue.

 

[SSN Vet]

these are personal decisions...

I can relate to the frustration associated with a faulty 1911 (old Auto-Ordinace bought second hand for me).

But a smooth running, reliable 1911 with a clean trigger is a pleasure.

CCW decisions go deep. Get a stone cold reliable piece that you will carry every day without hesitation, and shoot well with confidence.

Good luck and congrats on your good fortune to even be able to seriously consider one.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Are they worth the $? Heck yes! You CAN tell the difference both in how they shoot and how they feel. Likely, I won't buy a regular production model 1911 again.

But, until you own one, it really is a hard feeling to understand. I was once one of those guys who couldn't understand why someone would spend that much money. I've since learned that when people like that jump into a discussion and try to start an "argument" on why their gun is just as good at $500, there is not point in even trying to explain it.

I couldn't have said it better myself.


There is no better trigger than the 1911. Period. That good trigger press is what makes the design so timeless. To say it in the converse - one of the main factors why shooters will miss their target, or get poor hits, is a poor trigger press. That straight-to-the-rear pull, with comparatively no real reset and almost no slack to take up makes it much easier to master.

If you have one that's been given the attention of a custom shop, you will appreciate the difference. Especially if you've been around the block a few times with a handgun. Those who say things like "it's too much money" simply cannot appreciate the difference.


Like Shipwreck, I have a nice Kimber that's been sitting in my safe for years. I stopped shooting it when I put out the money for custom 1911's.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Best $1,700 I ever spent (that was a few years ago, they are $1,900 or so now), been carrying it ever since.

 

[labhound]

I'm at the point that you are. Having bought my first non-1911 .45 and really liking it, and having rented a Nighthawk GRP at a local range, I'm having the same problem as you. Do I jump into the 1911 market with a S&W 1911 for around $1000 or go with a Nighthawk or Wilson Combat for around $2500. Mine would be for range duty and not CCW. My thoughts are if this is going to be "the gun" for you, and if you feel the semi custom would be more reliable than a production line model, then go for the semi custom or a custom model. You only go around once in life, get what you want. Geee....I think I just talked myself into a custom. Thanks for the thought provoking post!

 

[Magnumite]

I wouldn't buy into claims that all 1911's point well. Not true in my experience. So from hard learned experience and many 1911's here's my .02:

Since you are looking at custom 1911's (and all the Wilsons, Baers, NH, Browns are custom) make sure you handle and if possible, shoot a few. You are about to fork out some major US $$$ for one handgun. They are worth the money, but only if you can really afford it. There are lower priced (not cheap) 1911's that will serve you just a well. No sense making a major purchase like this if you're not sure which one you want. And I think you would want the one that is most shootable for YOU. And that's the point of a custom...is it is yours.

The feel of a Wilson or Baer in your hand will be different than an Ed Brown or STI gun.
A large aspect of these differences in fit in the hand is due to the profile of the grip safety, the frame blend around the grip safety and the cut under the trigger guard.
This is true especially if you shoot with the strong hand thumb on the thumb safety for better recoil management, and you'll eventually get there. This is also dependent on your hand and finger size. I've been there.

So I won't suggest to you which make and model to buy. You're getting information on accuracy, reliability, finish and value per dollar. Sounds like you have enough experience with handguns and 1911's to guide you through it. Just sounds to me like you haven't found the right 1911 for you.

 

[akadave]

I wouldn't buy into claims that all 1911's point well. Not true in my experience. So from hard learned experience and many 1911's here's my .02:

Since you are looking at custom 1911's (and all the Wilsons, Baers, NH, Browns are custom) make sure you handle and if possible, shoot a few. You are about to fork out some major US $$$ for one handgun. They are worth the money, but only if you can really afford it. There are lower priced (not cheap) 1911's that will serve you just a well. No sense making a major purchase like this if you're not sure which one you want. And I think you would want the one that is most shootable for YOU. And that's the point of a custom...is it is yours.

The feel of a Wilson or Baer in your hand will be different than an Ed Brown or STI gun.
A large aspect of these differences in fit in the hand is due to the profile of the grip safety, the frame blend around the grip safety and the cut under the trigger guard.
This is true especially if you shoot with the strong hand thumb on the thumb safety for better recoil management, and you'll eventually get there. This is also dependent on your hand and finger size. I've been there.

So I won't suggest to you which make and model to buy. You're getting information on accuracy, reliability, finish and value per dollar. Sounds like you have enough experience with handguns and 1911's to guide you through it. Just sounds to me like you haven't found the right 1911 for you.

The feel is subtle. We are talking about a 1911. For the most part you can swap parts with any other 1911, the specs are very close. I find the biggest issue is the grip safety. Make sure that with your grip you can engage the grip safety every time. There are lots of different types. Also, the trigger length. I have seen everything between short to long. Its a personal choice for sure. The way it points, the weight for the most part, point of balance etc...almost all identical, materials being the same.

 

[Skylerbone]

For $1400-$1900 you can purchase a S&W Performance Center 1911 which will be Reliable, Accurate and Good Looking. Plunk down another $90 or so for a set of Sarge grips (The Finer Grain and Sarge's Grips) and you'll have $500-$1000 to spend on training and ammo.

Spend $800-$950 on a standard S&W 1911, find a gunsmith to replace the trigger on it <$200 with parts and $90 for grips and you'll have nearly the same set up.

For ccw, reliability and concealability are paramount, the name tag and dual slide serrations make no difference if it doesn't function.