I've handled and shot one of the more conventional Cabot pistols, it was a vintage classic with some engraving on it, kind of a BBQ gun, but still something you could carry and use, and it was smooth as butter and about as perfect as it gets for fit and finish, I was impressed. Of course, that doesn't mean every pistol they make will be perfect.
-
If you enjoy the forum please consider supporting it by signing up for a NES Membership The benefits pay for the membership many times over.
Best 1911's - Top Tier - Looking for recommendations
- Thread starter fencer
- Start date
Tallahassee
NES Member
Those people never shoot more than 2-3 boxes through their gun usually.
Except @andrew1220 , he'll break just about anything. So I hear.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 47,518
- Likes
- 33,531
Various manufacturers have improved (or sometimes "improved") on the classic 1911 design in ways that go beyond cosmetic. Omitting any changes to accommodate widebodyness, here are some to consider:
Colt Gold Cup - Wide non-standard trigger; non-standard sear; added sear depressor spring and sear depressor (not sure if they still do this)
S&W - External extractor that cannot be ordered as a spare part for the range bag, must be factory fitted (or more likely, they pull one from a bin until they get one that is a match)
ParaOrd - "Power extractor" - larger diameter extractor channel; cannot use standard extractor. Not sure if they still do this.
SVI - Interchangeable breech face (only impact on other parts is that firing pin spring is a bit shorter); internal extractor in breechface and no extractor channel. The nicest looking of the new extractor designs (cannot be seen when action is closed), and differentiates SVI guns from the various clones of their design. I like this design and and sending my SVIs back to the factory for this (the breechface often requires a little fitting on the bottom to fit the slide perfectly). Mine will still have the extractor tunnel, so I won't have the seamless rear of slide look.
Cabot - If you break a part, you may be reliant on Cabot having chunks of the source meteorite available to machine a matching replacement.
When you buy a 1911 today, be sure you are aware of any vendor specific tweaks to the 1911 and be sure you are comfortable with possible single source replacements for what could be critical parts. (note: EGW makes an aftermarket Para power extractor, so you can't assume a vendor-specific part is sole source without investigating)
Colt Gold Cup - Wide non-standard trigger; non-standard sear; added sear depressor spring and sear depressor (not sure if they still do this)
S&W - External extractor that cannot be ordered as a spare part for the range bag, must be factory fitted (or more likely, they pull one from a bin until they get one that is a match)
ParaOrd - "Power extractor" - larger diameter extractor channel; cannot use standard extractor. Not sure if they still do this.
SVI - Interchangeable breech face (only impact on other parts is that firing pin spring is a bit shorter); internal extractor in breechface and no extractor channel. The nicest looking of the new extractor designs (cannot be seen when action is closed), and differentiates SVI guns from the various clones of their design. I like this design and and sending my SVIs back to the factory for this (the breechface often requires a little fitting on the bottom to fit the slide perfectly). Mine will still have the extractor tunnel, so I won't have the seamless rear of slide look.
Cabot - If you break a part, you may be reliant on Cabot having chunks of the source meteorite available to machine a matching replacement.
When you buy a 1911 today, be sure you are aware of any vendor specific tweaks to the 1911 and be sure you are comfortable with possible single source replacements for what could be critical parts. (note: EGW makes an aftermarket Para power extractor, so you can't assume a vendor-specific part is sole source without investigating)
Last edited:
100% Zero.
nstassel
NES Member
That's not true. $1000 will get a springfield range officer or a used trp, used sti Trojan maybe even a dan wesson for a bit more. All of those guns will hold up.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 550
- Likes
- 603
A friend of mine has been running a ruger SR 1911 for a few years in uspsa and it seems to be holding up quite well (those are 70 series and he did have the trigger done for competition)
Retired-LEO
NES Member
Lou from Business End Customs (on the north shore)
Makes fantastic custom 1911's.
He was even hired to make a pair of 1911's out of meteorite!
His craftsmanship is phenomenal.
Makes fantastic custom 1911's.
He was even hired to make a pair of 1911's out of meteorite!
His craftsmanship is phenomenal.
Substandard product and clown show customer service when a customer calls them out for dangerously defective products. @Rob Boudrie can tell you about them offering a $50 credit on a replacement firearm when they got caught selling a customer a 1911 which Kaboomed from negligently not being heat treated.
I would not spend more than a grand a 1911 unless it was being custom built by local gunsmith that would be accountable.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 47,518
- Likes
- 33,531
It was more than just heat treating but the type of steel according to the analysis.
I would literally buy a RIA 1911 before I bought a Baer.
nstassel
NES Member
I'm playing around with a Les Baer Premier right now. It's a well made gun. I got a very good deal so wanted to give it a try. The trigger is sub par. I've read that Baer allows alot of creep and they do not consider it a defect.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 47,518
- Likes
- 33,531
I don't have the metallurgical report for the Baer, but I do have a Baer slide factory engraged "40S&W" that we clearly build with a 45 breechface rather than one sized for fotay.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 47,518
- Likes
- 33,531
Almost double
![[rofl]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/013.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
Almost double
Well i phrased that wrong, you can literally have some build a simple gun for a couple of grand or so, or also easily drop 4 to 6 grand on one, too. Too many variables.
jasonj84
NES Member
I reflect the latter part of that sentence.
I think there are really a few perspectives to consider when deciding what you want. First and foremost is budget and a more in depth understanding of what you want in terms of the gun and who/why does the work. Your goals are typically going to fall somewhere on a two axis spectrum.
Axis 1 really relates to the gun. For instance, a good semi custom gun can be really nice. I've found it a lot less expensive to modify a commercial gun that is close to what I want. My last custom 1911 was a Colt GCNM - all the plastic came out, action job, trigger job, beavertail safety, slightly bigger thumb safety, barrel was fit properly with NM bushing. The gun shoots great for what I do with it. In terms of accuracy, it is almost as accurate to more a more custom 1911 with Kart NM barrel. The other 1911 is '43 Colt USGI frame with a Caspian slide, etc... This second gun was built by the same gunsmith and cost a bit more to build - a lot more fitting was needed. In fact, it probably cost about the same as a Caspian frame & slide build with great parts properly fit from the beginning. On the more expensive end of the spectrum is typically cleaning up a "basic" gun e.g. making a Colt Government Model something really special. From my perspective, in this area Greg Derr's pictures show works of art.
Axis 2 relates to who is doing the work or is named for doing the work. A lot of people really confuse me in this space. Different gunsmiths obviously have different overheads. So Nighthawk is a lot more expensive than a typical local gunsmith. What confuses me about this space is what you get for the significant premium, I want to talk to the person doing the work. If it is going to cost really significant money - I don't want a production approach, it should be somewhat unique for me (within some reason). So to continue picking on Nighthawk - they name retired gunsmiths not doing the actual work and everything is a formula. Who knows who actually did the work - why spend a premium for an unknown person you couldn't even talk to to figure out exactly what you need? I would much rather work with someone like Dave Santurri who will get to know me and help figure out what will work best. Others also fall in to this category to various degrees - e.g. Greg Derr, BEC, Evolution, etc...
In terms of 1911s, a lot of people do really great work. The platform is really developed. In terms of the gun, where do you want to start? In terms of who does it, which approach resonates with you?
With all of that said, You may also want to look at non 1911 custom guns. This is an incredible time to check out other platforms and price points are also really great. Many other platforms are rapidly developing a following. Here are a few examples:
- Traditional Sig's with a Gray Gun's trigger, SRT sear, and an action job are really outstanding
- Langdon is doing eye opening work with Berettas at great prices
- I've heard Cajun can make a CZ eye opening
- Sig Legion X5 actually feels really nice out of the box - especially for the money
Anthony
Axis 1 really relates to the gun. For instance, a good semi custom gun can be really nice. I've found it a lot less expensive to modify a commercial gun that is close to what I want. My last custom 1911 was a Colt GCNM - all the plastic came out, action job, trigger job, beavertail safety, slightly bigger thumb safety, barrel was fit properly with NM bushing. The gun shoots great for what I do with it. In terms of accuracy, it is almost as accurate to more a more custom 1911 with Kart NM barrel. The other 1911 is '43 Colt USGI frame with a Caspian slide, etc... This second gun was built by the same gunsmith and cost a bit more to build - a lot more fitting was needed. In fact, it probably cost about the same as a Caspian frame & slide build with great parts properly fit from the beginning. On the more expensive end of the spectrum is typically cleaning up a "basic" gun e.g. making a Colt Government Model something really special. From my perspective, in this area Greg Derr's pictures show works of art.
Axis 2 relates to who is doing the work or is named for doing the work. A lot of people really confuse me in this space. Different gunsmiths obviously have different overheads. So Nighthawk is a lot more expensive than a typical local gunsmith. What confuses me about this space is what you get for the significant premium, I want to talk to the person doing the work. If it is going to cost really significant money - I don't want a production approach, it should be somewhat unique for me (within some reason). So to continue picking on Nighthawk - they name retired gunsmiths not doing the actual work and everything is a formula. Who knows who actually did the work - why spend a premium for an unknown person you couldn't even talk to to figure out exactly what you need? I would much rather work with someone like Dave Santurri who will get to know me and help figure out what will work best. Others also fall in to this category to various degrees - e.g. Greg Derr, BEC, Evolution, etc...
In terms of 1911s, a lot of people do really great work. The platform is really developed. In terms of the gun, where do you want to start? In terms of who does it, which approach resonates with you?
With all of that said, You may also want to look at non 1911 custom guns. This is an incredible time to check out other platforms and price points are also really great. Many other platforms are rapidly developing a following. Here are a few examples:
- Traditional Sig's with a Gray Gun's trigger, SRT sear, and an action job are really outstanding
- Langdon is doing eye opening work with Berettas at great prices
- I've heard Cajun can make a CZ eye opening
- Sig Legion X5 actually feels really nice out of the box - especially for the money
Anthony
jasonj84
NES Member
Dude, Spot on.Great insight and I wish you posted on this forum more frequently.
I’ve shot several nighthawk 1911’s and I can say is wow. Everything about them is gorgeous. That being said I’m not a huge 1911 nerd so I’d personally just buy a Dan Wesson specialist and put the rest of the $$ into a black rifle, optic or suppressor. As noted above id also consider letting Greg Derr build a pistol. It will be far more unique of a 1911 with a cool story behind it.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2014
- Messages
- 23,910
- Likes
- 30,033
The clap
I mean you did say top tier!
cabotguns.com
The Big Bang Set - Cabot Guns
The Big Bang Set The timeless design of the 1911, the ageless significance of interstellar materials, the innovative techniques of an all-American gun company – a trinity of circumstance, fused together into the perfect embodiment of a transcendent vision. We present Cabot’s magnum opus: The Big...
cabotguns.com
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 47,518
- Likes
- 33,531
One of the guys at the Hopkinton club got a new SVI 38 Supercomp with all high end options. Cost him over $9K, but the factory training class was a bargain at $750 (multi day, covers maintenance of the gun and a day of training from a high-end competitive shooter). The factory has a building and range of the back/side acreage that would in and of itself be a very nice gun club.
Last edited:
silversquirrel
NES Member
Omfg holy shit!
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 47,518
- Likes
- 33,531
The scope added a few hundred, the mount a bit more, and the physical deposition coating hundreds more. This was a 38Supercomp USPSA open division gun.
