Expensive M1911's worth it ?

AKguy1985 · May 20, 2019

I am a blue collar guy, it does not make sense to me to buy a 1911 that costs more than the car I drive to work daily. I do have a couple decent 1911's but they were all less than $900. The ruger night watchman commander cost the most. That being said if you want to buy a wilson, Ed brown, or nighthawk go for it.

adamsredlines · May 20, 2019

If you have to ask, its probably not for you. There's guys who daily drive their $2,000 Honda and guys who daily drive their $85,000 Hellcats and more. Both get you through stop and go traffic on that 10 mile commute the same....some guys just like to do it differently.
I would not put Kimber in the same category as the others mentioned by the OP. (Not a Kimber hater...my only current 1911 is one, but they're not custom like most of the others mentioned...they just have lots of different styles available)

Leggett71 · May 20, 2019

Have a Colt that is over 100 yrs old way before the day of premium 1911's, Arsenal rebuilt & went through no telling how much mud & grime, or how many many wars & shoots just where you point it without a hick-up because it is John Browning's 1911.
My go to for personnel defense is a Springfield Compact tuned by Mike at 2A years ago that has consumed an untold number of rounds without a stoppage.
Dependability is my #1 factor.
The pretty custom $3000+ ones I see in the showcase at Collector's Firearms in Houston I would be afraid taking them to the range I might scratch them.

Leggett

JD8 · May 20, 2019

Hangfire said:
Lasher subtle or otherwise I was not attempting to put down anyone down nor was my post directed at any particular person about how they do or don't spend their money......it's funny how sometimes things can be read between the lines of a persons post if one looks hard enough.

Since I know the whereabouts of a low mileage tricked out Les Baer that is available the sole purpose of my post was to get opinions on weather or not, with me being just a casual M1911 plinker, if I should consider spending the money.

Now if y'all will excuse me I'm going to go hop in my car and make a quick run to Homeland.

View attachment 136863

Buy it. Given its a good price. I have I dunno how many round through mine and it's still locks up like a vault.

retrieverman · May 21, 2019

Hangfire said:
To the average Joe Blow, non competitive shooter are the expensive M1911's worth spending the money ?

By expensive I suppose I'm talking about the upper end, well over $1000.00 guns made by STI, Wilson, Kimber, Les Baer, Nighthawk, D.W. (Bruin) and H & K etc.

So to the average skill level weekend shooter do you feel that an expensive M1911 is worth the money ?

If you’re a “1911 guy”, your answer will more than likely be yes, and if not, the answer will more than likely be no. I’ve been a “gun guy” since I was a teenager and owned a few 1911’s early in life, but I didn’t become a “1911 guy” until I bought my first Wilson. I’ve now own A BUNCH of 1911’s and am currently in possession of a Wilson, a Brown, a Baer, a STI, a S&W, and a full custom Colt. After finally getting a full custom gun built, my interest in semi-custom 1911’s has waned greatly.

For what it’s worth, the used semi-custom 1911 market is pretty soft, and there are some bargains to be had if you’re watching for them. I’ve bought good, clean used Wilsons, Browns, and Baers for the same price as a new Dan Wesson (which IS NOT a semi-custom 1911 even though some want to claim they are).

Personally, having owned and shot “low end” production 1911’s, yes, I think a semi-custom 1911 is worth the extra scratch, but then again, I shoot literally every day and want to own the best I can afford.

SPDguns · May 21, 2019

Hangfire said:
To the average Joe Blow, non competitive shooter are the expensive M1911's worth spending the money ?

By expensive I suppose I'm talking about the upper end, well over $1000.00 guns made by STI, Wilson, Kimber, Les Baer, Nighthawk, D.W. (Bruin) and H & K etc.

Having competed in IHMSA handgun silhouette matches for many years I feel the most important thing (to me) was having a light, smooth and crisp trigger but then a good trigger job can be done by a competent gunsmith on a M1911 costing considerably less than what some of the expensive guns cost.

Someone is probably going to say that the upper end M1911's are like comparing the difference between a Ford Pinto and a Jaguar but when it comes right down to it is average guy really going to notice that the Jaguar got him back and forth to the grocery store any better than the Pinto ?

So to the average skill level weekend shooter do you feel that an expensive M1911 is worth the money ?

Since you asked, no. Buy a Ruger SR1911. It has all the features of a lot of guns twice the price. Lowered/flared ejection port, adjustable trigger, beavertail safety off the top of my head.

POKE1911 · May 21, 2019

To answer the original question, I believe the average gun guy will notice and appreciate the quality of a high-end 1911. It then becomes a question is it worth it to you. Over the past 10 years or so, I have owned (traded or sold most) - I trade a lot

- 2 Rugers, 1 Colt, 1 S&W, 1 Taurus, 4 Sig, 1 Para, 2 Springfield and 1 Dan Wesson. I have had the opportunity to handle a Wilson, Cabot, and Nighthawk. I can tell the night and day difference in quality, so much so that I really want a Wilson. That being said, I’m also into ARs and other dude stuff. I also have a smoking hot but high maintenance wife that loves to travel and 18 month old daughter in daycare. To me the price is absolutely worth the quality and personal satisfaction I would get from owning one. I don’t yet because I have other priorities and obligations that have prevented me from pulling the trigger. Like Lasher, I have personal professional goals. Using a high-end 1911 as motivation to achieve these goals is great because it drives me to be better. Like anything in life there will be a cheaper suitable alternative. There will be people who think it’s dumb to spend money on the finer things and there will be people that believe you can always make more money and you can’t take it with you when you die.

All said, my suggestion is that if makes you happy - go for it! Life is to short to not have fun. If you’d rather have a cheaper 1911 and a trip to Cabo, go for it, that’s fun too. Just don’t sweat the decision or the people that want to hop on you for your decision.

Expensive M1911's worth it ?

AKguy1985

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adamsredlines

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Leggett71

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JD8

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retrieverman

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SPDguns

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POKE1911

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