Purchasing higher end 1911's in the Carolinas

JimB said:
You are not the first person i’ve Seen do something like this, but you’re the first I’ve asked...why not start with a caspian frame and slide vs a full donor gun? The frame and slide on the Colt won’t be any better than the Caspian.
Click to expand...

This is a pic of Jason Burtons work. I would love to have him, Yost or Harrison build be a 1911 one day but its a long wait and a lot of $$$$.


JS_CC_1.jpg


JS_CC_2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Oh yes, I agree! Les himself is a piece of work and will never admit ANY deficiency - let alone take responsibility. And if you want a second opinion, a shave and a haircut wouldn't hurt him either. ;) Regards 18DAI
 
JimB said:
Perfectly acceptable to want the pony. I shoot a handful of Colts, a Wilson and an STI (just had to try an Apeiro, but haven’t actually shot it yet). Next on the list is a guncrafter no name commander, not quite ready to go full custom.

About the Dan Wesson 1911’s, they were originally a crazy good deal for what they were, but they leveraged that to increase prices. Not that they aren’t good value, they just aren’t the bargain that they once were.
Click to expand...

You have to remember the original guns were cast frames. There are other cast parts but no-mim. Bob Serva built the brand from the ashes and then sold it to CZ. I still think if you take a $1500 Dan Wesson detail strip it down and put it against any other $1500 1911 it wins. Part for part it beats a Colt Combat Govt, anything in the SA line except for full house custom stuff, Mimber etc... They are still the value leader they just moved up a little bit in price point. They saw that the 1911 market that had $$$ and would pay wanted tool steel parts, no MIM, forged frames and slides etc... They move the price point up but again I contend they are a gateway drug.

6pilb06.jpg


z5tCWA5.jpg


UD8NUOt.jpg


l7ShSdp.jpg
 
Last edited:
wvsig that is a beautiful 1911! Functional work of art right there! :) Regards 18DAI
 
18DAI said:
wvsig that is a beautiful 1911! Functional work of art right there! :) Regards 18DAI
Click to expand...

Yeah and if you want to talk about point of diminishing returns I paid $1200 for that gun after DW discontinued it. I am 100% sure my full house custom from Don Williams will not out shoot it in my hands but I am also willing to bet that the gun itself is not the weak link in the chain. LOL
 
Last edited:
wvsig said:
You have to remember the original guns were cast frames. There are other cast parts but no-mim. Bob Serva built the brand from the ashes and then sold it to CZ. I still think if you take a $1500 Dan Wesson detail strip it down and put it against any other $1500 1911 it wins. Part for part it beats a Colt Combat Govt, anything in the SA line except for full house custom stuff, Mimber etc... They are still the value leader they just moved up a little bit in price point. They saw that the 1911 market that had $$$ and would pay wanted tool steel parts, no MIM, forged frames and slides etc... They move the price point up but again I contend they are a gateway drug.
Click to expand...

I had indeed forgotten that the early ones had cast frames.

Your custom Colt above is very nice, but it reminded me of my preference for finer cut vertical cocking serrations, any idea why they have fallen entirely out of favor?
 
JimB said:
I had indeed forgotten that the early ones had cast frames.

Your custom Colt above is very nice, but it reminded me of my preference for finer cut vertical cocking serrations, any idea why they have fallen entirely out of favor?
Click to expand...

BatteryOaksBilly said:
Hate to repeat to the point of parroting BUT Yousa picture takin rascal!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the pistol and the pics are not mine on that particular gun. That is a Jason Burton gun. That one would cost you a bit north of even what a Wilson or a Guncrafter would cost. He makes functional works of art that happen to be able to fire 45 ACP projectiles. LOL

https://www.heirloomprecision.com/the-maker/

The Dan Wesson Valkyrie is a 9mm commander and is stock.
 
Last edited:
Just get rid of all these guns you have and don't shoot use the money for a good competition gun hand built by the best guy you can find. It's gonna cost 3000+.

But it will still be cheaper than five 1000$ dollar guns that you don't like and spent too much time on.

Or buy a CZ.
 
Last edited:
NKD said:
Just get rid of all these guns you have and don't shoot use the money for a good competition gun hand built by the best guy you can find. It's gonna cost 3000+.

But it will still be cheaper than five 1000$ dollar guns that you don't like and spent too much time on.

Or buy a CZ.
Click to expand...

You just shut your big mouth!! :mad:
 
Last edited:
dmarbell said:
I bought a CZ, 75 SP-01. I haven't shot it yet, but even so it's cured my ED, my hemorrhoids are almost gone, and I've lost 5 lbs. I think if I had gotten a Shadow 2 my aging would have started to reverse.
Click to expand...

The problem with Shadows or SP-01's with custom triggers is that it is like cheating. Anyone can hit a target with those guns. Plus who the heck would ever carry one of those? You need 2 fatboy belts to hold the thing up. :D
 
dmarbell said:
I bought a CZ, 75 SP-01. I haven't shot it yet, but even so it's cured my ED, my hemorrhoids are almost gone, and I've lost 5 lbs. I think if I had gotten a Shadow 2 my aging would have started to reverse.
Click to expand...

Don't forget: they also cure male pattern baldness!
 
JimP42 said:
A high end 1911 is just the hook to get you in. Multiple STIs, Infinitys, and custom 2011s are the end of this path...
Click to expand...

I think that is only true for people who shoot competitions. 2011 setups do nothing for me.
 
wvsig said:
I think that is only true for people who shoot competitions. 2011 setups do nothing for me.
Click to expand...

That's true. I used to be a 1911 lover, and since starting competition I have no use for one.

Still people soldiering on in Single Stack division though.
 
fieldgrade said:
If one wanted to see 1911's in person like Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Guncrafters, etc, where would one go? I see the occasional used example at a few places from time to time, but where would one shop for one? Maybe you can't.

I've bought the majority of my "run of the mill" pistols "sight unseen" in the recent past because that was sometimes the only way to get them, but for the kind of jack the referenced pistols above cost, I'd sure like to see them first.
Click to expand...
I have a wide range of semi-custom and custom 1911s (including the ones you listed); you can see/handle/shoot any of mine.

Unfortunately, for purchasing a higher-end 1911, a LGS isn't typically an option (in the RTP area).

Incidentally, I think you might be spending too much time on the 1911Addicts site--it's a slippery slope with 1911s.:p
 
Last edited:
Stentor said:
I have a wide range of semi-custom and custom 1911s (including the ones you listed); you can see/handle/shoot any of mine.

Unfortunately, for purchasing a higher-end 1911, a LGS isn't typically an option (in the RTP area).

Incidentally, I think you might be spending too much time on the 1911Addicts site--it's a slippery slope with 1911s.:p
Click to expand...
Thank you sir. I think I have answered some of my own questions, because it will end up being a match blaster, and get some holster wear.
 
NKD said:
Still people soldiering on in Single Stack division though.
Click to expand...

It's like @scmoose says, it's an oldmangun. We just like 'em. And are loyal to 'em like we are to Harleys, and Buicks. :D
Well, my old Buick customers used to be loyal, back when you could still buy a living room on wheels.
 
Last edited:
fieldgrade said:
It's like @scmoose says, it's an oldmangun. We just like 'em. And are loyal to 'em like we are to Harleys, and Buicks. :D
Well, my old Buick customers used to be loyal, back when you could still buy a living room on wheels.
Click to expand...

I have always loved them, and was raised by a Colt loyalist. Was programmed young to like the Pony.

And, don't get me wrong: I'd love a nice 1911. But, somewhere along the line I stopped pining for them. I do admire them, but the mystique has long left.
 
I think I'm gonna just keep playing Barbie dolls with my $800 1911's.

For my Fusion I bought two weeks ago I've already changed the front sight to a Dawson, modified the rear sight, installed a new S&A mainspring housing and mag guide, VZ grip panels, Wilson extractor, and just ordered an Ed Brown match style thumb safety this morning.

I have almost as much fun futzing around with them and not worrying about the consequences as shooting them.
Sorta like AR's.
 
Last edited:
fieldgrade said:
I think I'm gonna just keep playing Barbie dolls with my $800 1911's.

For my Fusion I bought two weeks ago I've already changed the front sight to a Dawson, modified the rear sight, installed a new S&A mainspring housing and mag guide, VZ grip panels, Wilson extractor, and just ordered an Ed Brown match style thumb safety this morning.

I have almost as much fun futzing around with them and not worrying about the consequences as shooting them.
Sorta like AR's.
Click to expand...

Just take some time perusing gun stores and pawn shops until you stumble on a used one that you don't mind tinkering with. Maybe one that has been carried and shows its age. Since you have the Fusion no need to be in a hurry.
 
fieldgrade said:
I think I'm gonna just keep playing Barbie dolls with my $800 1911's.

For my Fusion I bought two weeks ago I've already changed the front sight to a Dawson, modified the rear sight, installed a new S&A mainspring housing and mag guide, VZ grip panels, Wilson extractor, and just ordered an Ed Brown match style thumb safety this morning.

I have almost as much fun futzing around with them and not worrying about the consequences as shooting them.
Sorta like AR's.
Click to expand...
Perhaps it's time to buy a raw frame and slide and build one from ground up, check bar- sto for the barrel,
 
S4f said:
Perhaps it's time to buy a raw frame and slide and build one from ground up, check bar- sto for the barrel,
Click to expand...
Im following some build threads on 1911 addicts.com. If we can get moved to our next house and I can set up a real workbench again, perhaps. I do my “smithing” in all sorts of odd spots in the temporary rental house right now.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NKD
Last edited:
That class is really really tempting... Not the July, but maybe the October.
 
I haven't seen it mentioned but look at a Springfield professional. $3,000 but it's good enough for FBIs swat team and HRT and it beat colt, kimber, Wilson, Baer, and a few more for the job.

I'm looking for another 1911 to carry. I was thinking about another loaded because I'm poor folks and I can't afford to spend over a thousand.
 
Last edited:
I gotta concur with the recommendations to check out Dan Wessons. Had a Wilson CQB Compact. Great pistol & everything you'd expect from a Wilson, but after I shot it side by side with my DW CBOB, I sold the Wilson. At the time, the "consensus" on most 1911 forums was that the DWs were too tight & that the s/s guns liked to choke. I ran over 2500rds of everything I could find through it, to include dirty-ass reloads with W231 & 230gr LRN, to see how just how long it'd run without cleaning. The closest thing to maintenance that gun received during my little experiment was a drop of oil on the barrel link & on each slide rail after each range trip. I finally felt bad & cleaned it. Gun never did choke.

I bought it for carry & IDPA, but sold it after learning my F-d up back won't tolerate that kinda weight all day long & that I'm just not a competitive/match shooter. I do still have my Pointman-7, however & that one will be buried with me.

If you can get your hands on one, the CZ 1911A1 is a steal. A bud was so impressed with his first that it's become the basis for a full-house custom & he bought a 2nd, just to have such a kick-ass "milspec"/GI-ish 1911A1 in the arsenal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom