why no less expensive bobtail commander 1911s?

[19-3Ben]

I recently got a govt model 1911, and I've been carrying the gun and loving the chance to learn the 1911 platform. I didn't really "get it" before, but I do now. Wow, what a great design, even 102 years later.

I have already started to look at commander sized 1911s for carry in seasons where it would be more difficult to carry the full sized model. One thing I see being very popular (trendy perhaps?) are commander sized guns with the bobtail, but they are only available in the pricier models. The least expensive one I can find is the Sig Nightmare Carry, which I see locally for about $950. Then it goes up from there to the S&W E series, up to Dan Wesson, and then on up to the likes of Nighthawk and Ed Brown.

Why in the world hasn't or Ruger, or Remington made a bobtail commander at the $650-700 price point? It seems like a no brainer. I can't imagine it costing more to make a bobtail than to make the traditional backstrap. If you're making it from scratch anyway, what's the difference?

I'm not 100% sold on the bobtail, personally, but I do like the way they fit my hand, and it seems silly that there isn't one at a lower price than what we have just from a pure economics perspective. If I had the option to buy a $700 Ruger or Remington bobtail Commander or the $950 Sig Nightmare Carry, I'd go with the Ruger/Rem every time. Even factoring in the cost for night sights, I'd save about $150, and would get to use standard holsters which I couldn't with the Sig due to the non-standard slide dimensions.

Long story short- why the heck doesn't someone make a $700 Bobtail commander and clean up the market with them? They seem popular enough at higher price points that I can't imagine them not selling like hotcakes if less expensive.

 

[PhotoBiker]

Have you seen this thread?

 

[Combat Engineer]

Ben you are right, at some point the Philippine gun makers will start producing them and others will follow. Think there is a clone (budget) model out there but IIRC it has real ugly billboard printing on the slide.

I prefer a bobtail grip, but they are not for everyone, as the arched/flat MSH is not there to help with control. I like a bobtail in a 1911, a birdshead in a Ruger Vaquero, and a round butt in a S&W 29.

PS: Thanks for the link PhotoBiker, wonder if that would work on a micro 3" 1911.

 

[19-3Ben]

Have you seen this thread?

Yes I did. nice to have that incredibly high level of skill needed to create that beautiful piece. Unfortunately, Ii have neither the skill set nor the tool set, so I'm looking at buying stock.

 

[bannockburn]

Over the years I have found the flat mainspring housing to feel and work the best for me, from the full size Government to Commander and Officer Model size guns.

 

[9mmepiphany]

why the heck doesn't someone make a $700 Bobtail commander and clean up the market with them? They seem popular enough at higher price points that I can't imagine them not selling like hotcakes if less expensive.

They aren't sure (yet) that there is a demand at the budget level, while they were pretty sure there was a market at the current mid-level...as it would undercut the cost of the Ed Brown guns at the higher level. IIRC Dan Wesson was the first to introduce the Bobtail to the mid-price level.

The thing is that the demand for the Bobtail isn't as high as that for the normal frame, it gives less gripping area at the heel. If they are already at capacity, there is no advantage to offering an additional frame...and the initial tooling change would be expensive. The bobtail also limits your options as it is already using an OACP length MSH

When options become very popular, they can become the norm...see: flat MSH, beavertail grip safety, long trigger, Commander hammer. All of these were once extra cost (aftermarket) options

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yes I did. nice to have that incredibly high level of skill needed to create that beautiful piece. Unfortunately, Ii have neither the skill set nor the tool set, so I'm looking at buying stock.

Ed Brown sells a jig for the conversion and, with that jig, it can be done with a file...how pretty it ends up is a matter of skill

 

[19-3Ben]

Thanks 9mm. I appreciate the insight. I just see this as being such an untapped market. It's amazing to me that in a market that abhors a vacuum that we have this void.
I guess it's just a new enough thing that they haven't responded yet.
I guess Sig came as close as anyone with the Nightmare.

As for that jig… I am notably lacking in skills. I'll just buy one "pre-did" and be happy with it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I just looked and I think I confused the beavertail jig with the one for the bobtail...never mind, I don't think I'd take a cutting wheel to my frame either.

I just see this as being such an untapped market. It's amazing to me that in a market that abhors a vacuum that we have this void.

I just see it a bit differently.

They aren't leaving the market untapped, what they are doing is moving the buyers upmarket. I would think that their demographic research has shown that entry level 1911 buyers won't spring for a bobtail model in enough numbers.

 

[smalls]

I would think that their demographic research has shown that entry level 1911 buyers won't spring for a bobtail model in enough numbers.

Possibly, I'm still kinda surprised no one has tried it. RIA puts out some guns I wouldn't think a budget priced company would.

Speaking of RIA, I've seen them customize a few of their guns; I wonder if a bobtail job is something they'd be willing to do?

 

[Greg528iT]

I think the bobtail market is just new is all. I expect the low end market will get one shortly.

As to the 3" micro guns? Most of them are on an officer frame with the shorter butt and main spring housing. The bob tail MSHings use the shorter officer spring. That being said, one should be able to round the end of a officer frame and MSH pretty darn good to get a semi bob.