High end 1911s worth the cost?

[Alpena]

I'm getting my first "high end" 1911 soon and I've looked at several Nighthawks and this has crossed my mind. I'm new to "custom " 1911s so I'm basically looking for someone to give me a succinct description on these guns. I'm looking to spend $3,500 on a range/carry pistol so model recommendations would be appreciated too. Thanks.

[WVsig]

Gotta tell us more so we can help you. When you get to that level of 1911s a lot of which custom shop is best comes down to subjective crteria based on style and features you want.

So describe your perfect custom 1911. Then we can tell you a maker which might suit you.

[Gahaha]

Depends on how much you want out of it. You can pretty much achieve the same accuracy with a low end 1911.

If you want to hit steel plates at 30yds then a low end 1911 will be more than enough. If you want to hit the center of that steel plate reliably every time then a high end 1911 is what you are looking for.

If that little bit in accuracy is important to you than go spend the extra 1-2k and get yourself one. I have a Kimber 1911 that shoots steel plates as well as any high end 1911. But once I handled an Ed Brown, I found myself hooked, that difference in accuracy to me (although numerically little) is well worth the extra money I am about to spend for one.

PS I've decided to leave out the reliability/quality factor as it may incite too much heated discussion.

[Alpena]

I don't really have a "perfect" 1911. The only 1911 I have experience with has been an old stock Colt Government Model. I'm really just looking at fullsize 1911s, any other features are debatable. But I'm more or less asking if these 1911s were worth the money.

[WC145]

It's tough to go wrong with any of the higher end production guns, though if you're wanting a custom build you can expect a wait to go with the price.
Check out the 1911 addicts forum (1911addicts.com) if you haven't seen it, a lot of the members there a rocking some very nice upper echelon production and custom iron, lots of good info.

I don't really have a "perfect" 1911. The only 1911 I have experience with has been an old stock Colt Government Model. I'm really just looking at fullsize 1911s, any other features are debatable. But I'm more or less asking if these 1911s were worth the money.

Yeah, they're worth it. especially if you're familiar enough with the platform to know what you're looking at, what goes into building them, and what sets them apart from your old stock Colt Government Model. Just be aware that the good stuff spoils you for anything else.

[buckhorn_cortez]

But I'm more or less asking if these 1911s were worth the money.

That's an undefined, open-ended question. What do you mean by "worth"?

Is this features? Workmanship? Looks? Performance? Reliability?

What "worth" do you want to know about?

Without some type of better definition of what you want to know, this will devolve into the, already hashed over at least 50,000 times debate, that basically breaks down into:

"No, they're not. My $500 Brand XXX shoot just as well as a $4K custom" - versus - "Yes, they're worth every penny because the gun has specific features I wanted, looks like I wanted it to look..." etc., etc,

So, specifically - WHAT do you want to know about a high-end 1911?



Yes, they're worth every penny you spend from $500 to $9,000 or more.

[Ruger45LC]

What is worthwhile to some isn't to others because some see spending $3500 on a pistol as being rather silly, but it's your money.

I've not owned a 1911 that costs that much, but I have owned about a half dozen Dan Wesson 1911's that run in the $1500 range. Even then I seen it as a lot of money for what it is, despite them being VERY nice handguns.

Worth it? Not in the sense of it being a practical investment, no. Worth it if you like holding high quality craftsmanship in your hands? Depends.

[Hunter0924]

I have shot a few Wilson Combats and they are damn nice pistols but can get spendy in a hurry.
It will take skill to exploit the level of accuracy those pistols can deliver.

[James K]

A major point is the purpose of the gun. If you want a pure target tack driver, the high-end may give you that extra edge at 50 yards that means a winner instead of an "also ran". If you want a defense gun that is totally reliable but which need only shoot a 4 inch group at 25 yards, that is another story. But note that one is often the enemy of the other; tight target guns often come up short on reliability, while looser guns may be more reliable but less accurate.

Either way, you can get what you want for a lot under $3500.

But if you want a braggin' gun, a high end gun just so you can tell your buds that "I have an ABC and I paid $XXXXX for it, then the maker and the price are of most importance - how it shoots or even whether it shoots are secondary.

P.S. You might not want to carry that top end gun, either. If you ever have to use it, and some cop tells you to "drop the gun", better do it, no matter how much money you put out for it.

Jim

[cslinger]

As a weapon? Nope. Plenty of other guns way, way cheaper will work as well if not better.

Now as for pride of ownership, appreciation of craftsmanship, industrial beauty etc. then yes if that's your thing.

I do own a high dollar 1911 so I do speak from some experience.

[James K]

I like cslinger's words better than mine. So for "braggin' rights" above, please substitute "pride of ownership" and "appreciation of craftsmanship."

Jim

[Tony C]

...but I have owned about a half dozen Dan Wesson 1911's that run in the $1500 range. Even then I seen it as a lot of money for what it is, despite them being VERY nice handguns.

I just want to give a +1 to Ruger's comment about Dan Wesson 1911s. I own a DW CBOB 4.25", all steel, and it is not only a work horse but a very accurate and reliable pistol. It is as close to "custom" as production can deliver. (It's also a very sexy handgun!)

I'm not trying to talk you out of investing in a mor custom firearm like Wilson, Ed, or Nighthawk, but if you aren't sure give a look at Fan Wesson.

Have fun in the process.
Tony.

[1stmar]

Is an Audi or a bmw worth 60k? A Chevy or a ford will get there just as fast or easily for 30k or less... As others have said depends on what you are looking for. Fit and finish will be much better and it can be exactly what you want... Worth $3500?? You paying for craftsman and a name. Alchemy custom builds some very nice weapons, as do many others.. Just doesn't say Wilson combat on it, but will probably cost you much less. There are plenty of non custom guns that are just as reliable and accurate. There are also plenty of non big name gunsmiths who can build something you want for less. I'd treasure a chuck Rogers build, would I spend 5-6k... Not sure. I'd have to be all done buying anything else cuz I'd probably never shoot it.

[Siggy-06]

Might I suggest maybe building your own? Start with a nice colt or springfield and add the parts you truly want. It'd be a bit more personal and customized to your liking.

Trigger, beaver tail, night sights, grips, plus a nice holster will have you set for a long time. You could also duracoat it to whatever colors you like.

(Or have a gunsmith do all the work you want.)

[Hunter Customs]

I'm getting my first "high end" 1911 soon and I've looked at several Nighthawks and this has crossed my mind. I'm new to "custom " 1911s so I'm basically looking for someone to give me a succinct description on these guns. I'm looking to spend $3,500 on a range/carry pistol so model recommendations would be appreciated too. Thanks.

I've built a lot of custom 1911 pistols and for the life of me I can't see $3500 in any range/carry 1911.
The only exceptions I could see to that would be a high polished blue, fully engraved gun or a full house open division gun with compensator, red dot sight and a lot of machine time that would have a lot of man hours involved.

To give you a little breakdown, figure about a $1000 in parts and $1400 in labor including the latest shake & bake finish of your choice.

Another thing to consider is, if you buy a $3500 gun; have to use it to shoot someone it will most likely spend some time in a evidence room, if that's the case it will not be handled with tender loving care.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter

[Urban_Redneck]

I believe you should do that which brings you happiness.

Were it me, I'd sit down and figure out what I'm planning to do with the pistol, IDPA, USPSA, casual target, bullseye, carry, BBQ, etc. Know that no one pistol will be ideal for all of the above.

Boil it down to one sentence, decide on a budget, and start shopping/ calling
the gun makers and see what they recommend. Check some shops and handle some pistols, figure out if you like 20, 25, 30 lpi checkering. Is a high cut frame or ambi safety a "must have"?

What's nice about the $3k bracket is the well known players consistently deliver solid, accurate, pistols, or they make it right in short order.


YMMV

[Ritz]

Kinda like the age old "is a Porsche better than a Volkswagen" kinda thing. They both perform the same basic function. Assuming you have the financial wherewithall, it boils down to what exactly you're buying it for and whether or not you want to spend money on additional attention to detail, looks, brand, etc. There's no right answer here.

[X_shooter]

I jumped for a Les Baer when I had some surplus funds. $1700 and a year later I had a fine shooting firearm that in my mind is perfect. Looking back I can't say I needed it and had some remorse over the cost. It was something I always wanted and could afford it at the time. It is totally worth the price point, but the money could go to other things right now in my life.

I shoot it occasionally, and dont carry it too often. I am concerned about confiscation in the event of an actual defense situation. I doubt it would be treated as well as I treat it.

I guess you really have to ask yourself if its worth it. My LB shoots better than my $800 and $1000 1911's. A thousand to nine hundered better? Not really. Would I pay another $2000 on top of that for a more custon gun and feel I recieved value? No.

[James K]

"...you should do that which brings you happiness."

"It was something I always wanted."

Both are perfectly good reasons for buying anything, from an Old Master painting to a candy bar. But the OP asks if a high end handgun ($3500 and up) is worth it in terms of a range/carry gun. My view is that in any objective sense, the answer is no. And not only that, a range/carry gun can be subject to damage, loss, or confiscation that would hurt a lot more for a $5000 gun than for a $800 gun.

Jim

[FairWarning]

I would never consider a $3500 gun a carry gun, but that's just me.

For carry, I like compact 9s, and you can get an ultra capable gun for that purpose for well below $1000 (same for other popular calibers). My tolerance for handgun prices tends to trail off around $1500, which, not by coincidence, is also about where increased functionality tends to trail off (diminished returns on your investment). I don't particularly care about bragging sessions, so that isn't a motivation for me.

So my personal answer is NO. I'd rather get 3 VERY nice guns for $3500.

[Mrgunsngear]

Worth is relative but if you've got the money and a love of the 1911 then sure. I've only owned Wilson's of the high end 1911s and I can tell you there absolutely is a difference. Just like a Mustang GT vs. a Corvette Z06. Both are fast and will get you from point A to B but if you drive the two you'll know the difference.

[Z400ACDC]

I have shoot a lot of 1911s. IMO. it is not that much difference in a mid grade and the big boys. Most of them feel great in my hand and have a nice trigger. I am not talented enough to tell the difference in accuracy off hand. A 1911 is a work of art. I just love the way they look! But for reliability, They are the first to have problems at my back yard range. It just breaks the guys heart that bought them for a fashion statement.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

My all stock Colt 1991 Series is tight and can shoot better than me. A more expensive gun would just be a more expensive gun.

[fiveninestexas]

As others have stated, I wouldn't DREAM of carrying a true custom 1911, or even some of the pricey semi-customs. There are tons of less expensive and very capable pistols out there.

As for bragging rights, most of the gun owners I know have never heard of Nighthawk, Baer, Wilson, Brown, etc. They would say "Man, that's a sharp pistol!" and that would pretty much be it.

But... I think you ought to get whatever you want and can afford. Fine craftsmanship is never a bad thing!

[Urban_Redneck]

If my gun has been confiscated, it has most likely saved my life. I can earn more money.