Racer's Lounge - 1911 owners come in

Does anyone here own one of the high end ones? Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Dan Wesson, Night Hawk, etc.? Right now I own a Kimber 1911 which is great, but I came across some high end ones at a local gun store and they were just over $3,000. I'm wondering if that price tag is worth it. I really like the Wilson Combat CQB, but $3,000??? I definitely don't plan on buying one unless I can hit the lottery. $3,000 is also the cheaper high end 1911's (CRAZY)! If you shot one of the higher end 1911's post up on what you thought of it.

My $400 dollar Rock Island 1911 does the same thing...sure it weighs a little more but that weight aint worth $2600.

My $400 dollar Rock Island 1911 does the same thing...sure it weighs a little more but that weight aint worth $2600.

I'm with this guy i have a American Classic commander 1911, and only paid 380 for mine!

Taurus 1911 if I'm spending 3000 it better be on a rear end for my car or a nice rifle.

I dont see paying that much unless it was for competitive shooting or something like that. My $350 Charles daly hasn't given me one problem in the year ive owned it

Only thing I know about those high end guns is that they have they craftsmanship and been worked over to be a super reliable, HP feeding, nice daily carry weapon. My Springfield GI sometimes can be picky with some hollow points when, though lately I haven't really had any feeding issues with it. But those guns, it's ambi controls on most of them, beautiful pieces of work, and damn good guns....If I had the kind of money where spending $3k on a pistol wouldn't be bad, I would own one. Right now though, fuck that :lol:

Those type of guns are like high end watches, exotic cars, etc, sure, there are cheaper options that can pretty much do the same things, but they are designed and built for an entire different type of buyer than the lower end models, period, end of story. It's not just prestige, but also an appreciation for true craftsmanship. Sure, hand stitched leather interior doesn't improve the performance of a lambo, ferrari, pagani, etc, but that is just one of the many small details that put those cars on another level vs say a zr1 or zo6 that performs on the track just as well, if not better in some instances.

I bought my Colt Government Model in 1985 for $525.00. Still have it today, and it has never given me problems.

Around the same time a buddy of mine had a .45 Randall, which was one of the first companies to make a custom stainless 1911. It was a nice piece, and a great shooter. The company stopped production in the late '80's, and they are now are considered quasi collector items.

$3k for a 1911 is on the expensive side. If competitive shooting is your thing then go for it, otherwise a plain-Jane Colt series 70 runs for about a grand.

Good luck!

I bought my Colt Government Model in 1985 for $525.00. Still have it today, and it has never given me problems.

Around the same time a buddy of mine had a .45 Randall, which was one of the first companies to make a custom stainless 1911. It was a nice piece, and a great shooter. The company stopped production in the late '80's, and they are now are considered quasi collector items.

$3k for a 1911 is on the expensive side. If competitive shooting is your thing then go for it, otherwise a plain-Jane Colt series 70 runs for about a grand.

Good luck!

70 series isn't drop safe though are they? No firing pin block?

I loved the trigger squeeze of A Dan Wesson 1911, but it was only like $1500.

Loved the look of my old Kimber crimson carry II, but absolutely hated the gun itself. Took it out three times and had to eject a round manually due to it jamming up every time. Actually pissed me off so bad i took a $200 loss and sold it. Beautiful gun to have though.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh71/NastySS806/153.jpg

Ive shot 1911s of all types. Some of the custom ones are really nice, but you need to evaluate your budget. Personally...i wouldnt..as long as the pistol functioned well. I can always tune it up if needed.

70 series isn't drop safe though are they? No firing pin block?

Correct. The series 70 has a floating firing pin retained by a spring, and if dropped hard enough it can be accidentally discharged. The series 80 has a firing pin block.

best bang for the buck high end 1911 is a Dan Wesson, or even better a Fusion Firearms (used to be the top guy @ dan wesson, now has his own company). Fusions are at or better than a les baer or wilson for a LOT less $$$.
dan wessons are awesome though, theyve got several models under 1500$ and the feature list on them is impressive.

I would definitely look into a Dan Wesson. My budget for a hand gun is $1,500 and that's already pushing it. My most expensive gun will be a Benelli M4 and I'm looking to get one of those by Summer. My Kimber 1911 has been great and I've had zero problems with it. Despite all the negative things I read I would pick up another Kimber (Desert Warrior). With that said... Sig Sauer 1911 is definitely my next hand gun and I'll be getting one around the same time I get the M4

I would definitely look into a Dan Wesson. My budget for a hand gun is $1,500 and that's already pushing it. My most expensive gun will be a Benelli M4 and I'm looking to get one of those by Summer. My Kimber 1911 has been great and I've had zero problems with it. Despite all the negative things I read I would pick up another Kimber (Desert Warrior). With that said... Sig Sauer 1911 is definitely my next hand gun and I'll be getting one around the same time I get the M4

I loved the desert warrior I shot, but I have been hearing issues lately with the QC. They seem (used used to be) excellent guns, just on the higher price range. For a few hundred more, Dan Wesson seems to be the way to go.

my carry pistol is a Springfield EMP....9mm 1911, also available in .40. it's extremely accurate for such a short barrel and looks awesome. i paid $1130 for it. never had a problem with it, but i shoot decent to good ammo and clean it after every use.

it just depends what you're looking for in a gun...bragging rights? tack driver? reliability? bang-for-buck? My dad has a Kimber Pro Carry II and i really don't care for it. it shoots ok but has FTF and FTE issues. i preferred to use the laser on it to play with the dog more than i cared to shoot it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/thunderstruck507/Guns/Defense003.jpg

Has worked fine for me...stock grips were too thin so I got some Desert Warrior clones on ebay cheap and now I love it.

Been dead reliable so far and is very accurate, but the site window on the back is too wide so it makes it easy to aim left or right.

Kimber is as far as I go "high end".

Kimber is as far as I go "high end".As far as I'm concerned, the only thing "high end" about a Kimber is the price.

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing "high end" about a Kimber is the price.

I've read a lot of things very similar to your comment on Kimbers. Thank god me, cousin, & friend have never experienced any issues with ours. Even before I purchased a Kimber I read all these comments, but I took it with a grain of salt and bought one anyway and I couldn't be any happier.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q148/smallfroddy/guns/kimbertle2.jpg

I guess I can post my beloved Kimber too
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7058076493_9cc83415ce_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flawls1/7058076493/)
[/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/flawls1/] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flawls1/7058076493/)