1911 Prime Choice Cut

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Cobalt said:
**snip** I have never ever heard of an SA 1911 frame or slide break or crack. **snip**
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Not relevant to what the OP is looking for, but I was once standing next to a fellow shooting a Bren 10 when the slide basically broke in half, the front portion of which ended up on the floor several feet in front of him. He was most fortunate in that he was not hurt at all, but it was still quite the eye-opener.
 
A lot of good choices out there for 1911's.
Brown, Baer, Wilson... maybe someday... for now, over $1500 for a handgun is of no interest to me, but then I don't like mercedes or porsches either, I'm an old GMC truck guy.
I figure there are custom knives more expensive than Busse, but that doesn't make them better, tougher or more reliable.
My next 1911 will more likely than not be one of these little gems to go with my bruiser busse slabs. ;)
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My understanding is that with more expensive 1911s come tighter tolerances in fit and finish, which makes them more finicky and require more break-in and fine tuning. That's why I'm completely satisfied with my run of the mill Springfield Loaded Champion. It goes bang every time I pull the trigger and has done so ever since I took it out of the box.
 
The cult of the .45 continues unabated. There are some really good choices out there, but these days, prices are soaring. It is safe to say that there is not any pistol with a more devoted and opinionated following than the Colt 1911 and the many pistols based on this proven and honored design. I think even John Browning would be amazed that his autolaoding genius would have been copied by Norinco!

And the stories continue. Hot on the trail of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, famed Texas Ranger Frank Hamer was never caught without his .45, Alvin York was a crack shot with one, and of course Herbert Hanneken shut down Charlesmagne Peralte with a sole well placed pill. Jeff Cooper was probably responsible for generating the huge and lasting commercial interest in this pistol as he made every day a quest to convince others of its superiority...and today, the appeal burns hot. Kimber is doing a massive business as well as Baer and Wilson. The tables at various gun shows always draw attention to the tricked out .45 guns.

These days there are so many good ones to choose from. I even have shot an older Taurus clone that was 'a better shot' than I am, and certain Norinco guns can be strikingly accurate. I would stay away from the ultra high price tags though unless you are raking in the dough in pin gun matches or other professional shooting events where there is green to be made.

My favorite is a pre-series 80 Colt that seems to punch holes better than anything from Ithaca and Remington-Rand. Mileage may vary of course, and everyone has their own idea of what the best 'knock out the Moros' pistol should be.
 
Go full custom:

[video=youtube;i2WQGxRNpBc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2WQGxRNpBc[/video]
 
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I think it really depends on your finances, and your reasons for purchasing the gun. Les Baer are great functioning guns, but they are not very tactical, i.e. picatinny rails, adjustable night sights, and heavy checkering. Wilsons are absolutely wonderful, and they have a few tactical versions. As you can see guns have to be tactical for me, as I use them for duty. I also have a nighthawk aac, and wilson does not make a gun that is comparable. With my can on it this gun shoots like a dream. Most people I see that have problems with the more expensive guns have personal issues, i.e. cheap ammo, and cheap mags, and small bank accounts. My TRP operator loves wilson mags, and never malfunctions, but if I put in chip mccormick mags it is going to misfeed. Rule of the story, buy what YOU like, don't shoot CHEAP ammo, and know your gun, i.e. mags.
 
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If you're looking for a VERY well made full-up custom 1911 that will eat just about anything and take a licking, but keep on ticking, I would highly recommend Dave Berryhill or Chuck Rogers. Two of the best 'smiths in the business. No regrets.
 
Good comments and suggestions all. Having settled on Baer some time ago, I was looking for their equal OVERALL, and I thought that the Nighthawk might be the ticket. They are certainly expensive, but they seem to hold their value pretty well. And, at their price point, they would have a difficult time staying in business if they didn't deliver the goods. Wilsons and Browns are also highly regarded by me, but I prefer the Baers. One is not necessarily "better" than the other. It's just a personal preference. Some of the other manufacturers referenced also make very good 1911's; however, just as every knife is NOT A BUSSE..., every 1911 is NOT A BAER!!!:)
 
wolfdad said:
rafa1, no front cocking serrations!! great choice and the only one for me.
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I also upgraded to the gold bead front sight with rear black battlesight on both guns.Wilson's are worth every penny,to me at least.Wilson's 1911s and Busse kinves are an incurable addiction :D
 
RRA is getting into the 1911 market with a new polymer framed 1911. I guess someone was bound to do it. I still like my mine steel.
 
rafa1 said:
I also upgraded to the gold bead front sight with rear black battlesight on both guns.Wilson's are worth every penny,to me at least.Wilson's 1911s and Busse kinves are an incurable addiction :D
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I guess I'm sick then. I got the gold bead as well with a U notch rear-excellent! ............. I've owned and shot the CQB, a tactical elite 10mm and a super grade, all of which were stolen from me-(long agonizing story that I don't want to get into right now) but anyway, once you shoot a super grade, it's hard to look at anything else-I think your with me on that one bro. I really do love all 1911s though--if I was looking at a table with a bunch of glocks and other good quality handguns and one low end 1911, I would pick up the low end 1911 and leave the rest (wait, I'll take the glock 10mm for back up as well......and the hi-power)
 
I hear ya, maybe I stooped a little low...how bout a mid level like say a nice colt or SA...:D
 
Wicked Sharp said:
Ok..., Ok, I have had extensive experience with Baers, Browns, Wilsons, Kimbers, Springfields, Sigs, and Colts. I had made up my mind (Baers) until I saw the relatively new Nighthawk AAC. I have read that the company was started by Wilson's ex-wife. I don't know if that's true, but I suppose it's irrelevant. Both companies are, however, located in Berryville. To the point..., is Nighthawk just a better looking Wilson??? Not fair??? Ok..., is Nighthawk the equal of a Baer??? ANY Baer??? I KNOW they can't be better, so I will leave my question as is............:). Comments? Bring 'em!!!:D
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Nighthawk was started by some ex-Wilson Combat smiths who were dissatisfied with their former employer.

In this price range, I think all of the major semi-custom brands will function fine. These guns need some breaking-in, good mags and ammo. I haven't heard of any problems with these pistols that can't be attributed to mags/ammo or User error.

If someone wants a pistol that is pretty much as good as you'll ever need, look at the Dan Wesson of M1911 pistols. Their top-of-line Valor is the best bang for the buck nowadays at ~$2000 with all the bells and whistles. They have several other models priced much more fairly.

I love full house customs, but if I had to narrow down to one single semi-custom, I'd pick Dan Wesson over the other guys (I pretty-much own all of the other guys, btw).
 
wolfdad said:
Para, colt-awesome 1911s for the money. Have you ever driven a new Honda? Awesome car for the money--great gas mileage, extremely dependable, I just wish we made them here in the US. Wilson Combat.......well have you ever driven a Maybach Mercedes Benz or a Porsche 911 turbo. Expensive, excessive, not something you need but something you really want because........just because. No matter how practical you are, there is just something about driving that luxury car that the Honda just can't touch. Can you tell I'm a WC fan?
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We do make Hondas in America. Between Honda and Toyota, they have 5 of the top 10 most American made vehicles. Number 6 most American made vehicle is the Toyota sienna of which I own one. The engines/transmissions...all the big stuff is made here and they are assembled here. So you don't have to wish anymore.

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0611
 
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Well, I can't let a 1911 thread go by without saying that at the end of the 1970's my ex-husband said to me: "Women cannot shoot .45s well at all." Needless to say, I went out and got some instruction and have been shooting them ever since. I loved the Wilsons I've shot, but I am extremely happy with my "baby" the Brown.

I don't know from Porsches or the really fancy stuff (well, I have a peculiar taste for Blue Label thanks to the Bossman! ;)) but I live alone and if anybody gets past my dogs I know I can defend myself. I could never borrow one to shoot, and I waited a long time for her: "Baby" is the smoothest, most accurate 1911 I have ever had the pleasure to shoot, much less own!

I think it is wonderful that there are so many options available. Wasn't like that when I started shooting the 1911. Had to settle for an old surplus rattletrap that I wish I still owned!
 
My Wilson Super Grade sits in the safe, ALL the Baers are gone and my Kimbers are forgotten about. My Ed Brown leaves the house with me every time I walk out the door and it NEVER misses what it shoots at.
 
Wicked Sharp said:
Ok..., Ok, I have had extensive experience with Baers, Browns, Wilsons, Kimbers, Springfields, Sigs, and Colts. I had made up my mind (Baers) until I saw the relatively new Nighthawk AAC. I have read that the company was started by Wilson's ex-wife. I don't know if that's true, but I suppose it's irrelevant. Both companies are, however, located in Berryville. To the point..., is Nighthawk just a better looking Wilson??? Not fair??? Ok..., is Nighthawk the equal of a Baer??? ANY Baer??? I KNOW they can't be better, so I will leave my question as is............:). Comments? Bring 'em!!!:D
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Are you set on the quasi-premium production model or would you consider a true custom? None of those mentioned above will approach Heirloom Precision, Chuck Rogers, CT Brian, etc. I'd buy a Colt and then send it to my gunsmith of choice and have it built to meet my desires, not some generic, one-size-fits-all compromise.
 
I have a Nighthawk T3. I really love it so far!
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