Where to send 1911?

[ddj8052]

Well for those of you that read my SS Springer milspec question, I have decided to buy it and I have another question. I really want to send this gun out and have a custom job done on it. So I am wondering where to send it. I spoke to Greg at Wilson Combat today, and he said it would cost me about $1400 to get all the things I wanted done. He said that it would take about 2 months to get the pistol done. So I ask you all if this is the place to send it or should I consider another custom shop? My FFL suggested I send the gun to Novak, Smith and Wesson, or King gun works instead. What do you all think? Here is what I would like to do:

-Two Tone finish Black over Grey
-Night sights dovetailed onto slide
-Reliability "package" done
-Trigger Job w/new trigger
-New hammer
-Flat maispring housing installed
-Full length guide rod installed
-New match Barrel
-New extend Beaver Tail
-New Thumb Saftey

Thanks for any suggestions. Juan

 

[HSMITH]

Bob Cogan at Accurate Plating and Weaponry did my last 1911 for me, and aside from plating some parts that I didn't ask to be plated (free, their mistake) it was superb. Trigger pull on a series 80 was within 2 ounces of requested weight, 100% reliable etc. Skip the barrel and the FLGR, both are a waste of money. The barrel MAYBE for a bullseye gun but for a reliable accurate gun that is just 250 bucks plus fitting labor wasted. Only 1 in 1000 shooters can get close to the limits of a quality stock barrel.

$1400 is INSANE. Call around. Ted Yost is another that springs to mind. Cylinder and Slide would be another good candidate. Dave Berryhill?


You might want to pose this question over on the 1911 forum too, there are probably 20 guys that can do what you want with impeccable quality, some MUCH cheaper and faster than others.

 

[shooter1]

Put three times the purchase price into mods!! Holy Cow!! If I really wanted to put that much money into a 1911, I'd just buy the Wilson pistol in the first place. Might even be a little cheaper.
str1

 

[Shmackey]

It's not at all unheard of to put three times the purchase price into mods--but not for those mods. $1400 is ridiculous for that work order. Maybe Mr. Wilson was just hinting that you should get a Wilson.

Any of the top smiths out there can do what you want much more reasonably. The trick is finding one who can do it in your time frame.

 

[Old Fuff]

I think ....

That before I poured $1,400.00 into a new .45 I'd play with it a bit first to be sure I REALLY liked it. Custom guns are fun, but one seldom recovers the money spent if they have a change of heart. Also if I was going to do what you propose I'd start with a Colt because the name itself would help protect my investment. That much money for work and accessories is not chicken feed, so I'd think long and hard, starting with a question: Exactly what do you plan to use this gun for? The answer to that should direct your choice of modifications.

 

[sm]

$1400 !!
I'm sorry not a Wilson gun or parts fan, and he is in -state to me. Wilson's of recent not the Wilsons of yesteryear. I just recently tried shooting 3 of his guns...they all went back. Maybe it was the green finish ( whassup with this anyway).

Agree with Fuff. Whatcha gonna do with it. HSMITH is right, most shooters can't shoot the spec's of most guns anyway...especially in a defensive situation. Of course I lean towards the gun always running and me hitting what needs hitting in a defensive situation rather than 1 1/2 " groups.

Heck too many folks can take a basic Colt, Springer, Kimber , and replace the MIM and make reliable for $1400 and less. Especially a good used one.

The old series 80 range gun that has not been cleaned in forever I'd carry before a Wilson personally ...the old Colt runs.

IMNSHO and being practical again.

Given monies , going custom, I'm starting with a Caspian Frame and Slide.

 

[Siggyboy]

I agree with the others here. I'm not aware of your story but I'd suggest more research on 1911's and what you want. Here are some thoughts:

$1400 for that kind of work is way too much, about twice what it really should probably cost.

Any extensive modifications you make on a Springer Mil-Spec will be money thrown away should you later decide to sell the gun because you won't recoup even half that.

You might want to first just make some low cost slight modifications such as installing a beavertail, extended thumb safety, maybe different sights and get a trigger job and see how you like the gun. Maybe it doesn't need a "reliability package" etc.

If you are willing to spend big money on modifying a 1911 (as you apparently are) then you have to do it right or be taken to the cleaners. You should start out with a Caspian or Colt slide and frame. A Springer mil-spec base just doesn't have the marketability. Then have your list of parts and features that you know you want (for instance, Novak sights, 25 LPI checkering, Nolin barrel, Wilson extended thumb safety, Videkki long trigger etc. etc). Then you give that to a well known and respected smith and wait many months (or even a few years!) until it is done. IMO you are just wasting your money otherwise.

 

[Sean Smith]

$1400 for that kind of work is way too much, about twice what it really should probably cost.

I have to agree. I'm working on my 3rd custom gun project, and that is enough money to have a gun built for you from scratch if you provide the frame & slide (which would cost you, say, $400 from Caspian). For the work you've described it is a bit excessive.

For some perspective, the Yost 1* package is under $800.

Ted Yost is getting pretty busy, big projects have about a 1 year wait (I know, I'm having him do one to mark a "special occasion"), but since yours isn't too elaborate he might get it done quicker. Of course, there are alot of other 'smiths out there who could do the work you described.

To get a good idea of pretty reasonable prices for custom work, check here:

http://www.yost-bonitz.com/pricelist/pistol

 

[cratz2]

Well, I'd be the last person to try to talk you out of customizing your current 1911 dream gun but looking down your list, the one thing I see that could be left off to save several bucks is the new match barrel. The accuracy of many guns will surprise the heck out of many folks and unless you can consistantly hold some other gun to 1.5" groups at 25 yards, I'd be willing to bet your stock Springfield barrel is more than likely to do a lot of things pretty darn well... and if you do have a new barrel fitted, you should also really have a new bushing fitted and installed. You might consider having the crown recut.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is parts installing and there is oversized parts fitting. Almost anyone that owns a 1911 should be able to replace your mainspring housing, but to make it fit perfectly and be radiused to properly match the gun requires effort. Same with the grip safety. To cut the frame to allow for a high ride grip safety is requires cutting the frame... A good guess should make it look as nice as a standard Springfield but many custom smiths wouldn't think of putting their name on such work... Lots of detail fitting and radiusing go into a proper custom grip safety fitting.

I mean, it's up to you... But it sounds to me like you want a Springfield Loaded with night sights. I've probably owned 5 or 6 Loadeds and my Stainless 45 was so nice... well, it was really nice. I think I paid $660 for it and it had adjustable Bomar type sights. Novak type night sights would be about the same price and you should be able to get $400 out of your Springfield pretty quickly selling it on this forum. That means you could get pretty much what you're looking for for about $200 to $400 more than you have invested right now (maybe adding night sights and having the slide blackened) and save about $1,000.

If doing all the custom work is what you really want, knock yourself out, but unless you have somthing you're trying to achieve... what's the difference?

Good luck.

 

[uglymofo]

1

 

[uglymofo]

What they all said, but especially Fuff and HSmith. Don't rebarrel, and think this through before you customize, no matter who you choose. A customized SA is still an SA. If you're gonna go that route, do it to a Colt. You're gonna loose money in either case, but if you decided to sell a customized SA, it'd be a one hellluva bath.

There shouldn't be a premium for a flat MSH and FLGR. Those are drop in parts you can do yourself with no 'talent' required.