High end 1911, worth the money?

[Karl]

I carry a 1911 as my EDC. Right now I use a Government model for winter carry and an Officer's model for summer. I'm thinking about changing this and splitting the difference with at 4.25" Commander model year round. So (like I need an excuse to look for a new gun) I'm looking.... I'm not opposed to going high end.... (Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Wilson) but is it really worth the money? I'm an average shooter, not a professional. I carry a lot and shoot less than I'd like. I'd like a bobtail so I'm thinking Kimber or S&W on the low end. Has anyone here owned and shot both? I know S&W 1911 are popular here but how do they stack up against the big boys for the average shooter?

 

[ivarr]

i can only speak to ed brown.
it's worth every cent.
quality
function
fit
long life

it's just like a tool
some people are happy with cheap " harbor freight " crap
i'd prefer to spend the $$ and go snap-on

 

[Rob Boudrie]

It's like cars ... you can get one for a reasonable price that will get you from point A to point B, or you can get a refined driving machine at a higher level of quality and elegance. I go for "basic" on cars - leave more money for other stuff. Your question is sort of like asking "Is an Audi better than a Hyundai". No, if your concern is getting to work every day. Yes if you concern is riding a refined machine instead of decent basic transport.

The high end stuff is extremely good, and has the something "extra" that puts them in a league by themselves. The three brands you mentioned are all good (I do not like Les Baer ... long story)

Another 1911 in the "if you have to ask you can't afford it" category is SVI (Infinity Firearms). These are 99% built right in their shop in Texas - I leave the 1% to account for the fact that they don't wind their own springs or single stack magazines (the supply Wilsons last I checked). Everything is machined from bar stock, and the barrels are also done in-house (gain twist or conventional, your choice). It takes a while (figure a year +/-) to get one, however, you get to choose from dozens of options (including the serial number) to get a gun made exactly how you want.

If you want to check out a few, PM me. And, if you order one, let me know and I will check on the status from time to time and also check out your "kitting bin" the next time I am in Texas. And yes, I am biased towards SVI since I do various projects for them (including their on-line gunbuilder).

As to the average shooter - I have several Infinity guns and they are very accurate and reliable, however, I know quite a number of people who shoot beat up generic 1911s who will always show up way above me on the scoresheet at any USPSA match where we go head to head. A great gun will not make you a great shooter - but they are still way cool to own.

 

[Karl]

I agree.... I have no doubt the high end 1911s are worth the money. I guess the real question isn't "High end 1911, worth the money?" it's is the $1500 1911s worth the money? Is it a waste of money to buy a Kimber Super Carry Pro HD or a S&W SW1911SC compared to a standard 1911 or a high end one? Especially with the way thing 1911 manufacturers are recently I consider that you can now buy a decent 1911 starting at about $650 (think Ruger, Remington,Springfield, etc) is the $1500 1911 truly a middle of the road 1911 (price and quality wise)?

 

[usp45ct]

I have an Ed brown and it is a carry and man it feels great. I also picked up a Volkmann carry and it is simply amazing.

 

[shiggi1]

The question shouldn't really be is a high end 1911 worth it, cause that is a silly question. Yes they are worth it, but the real question is do you need a high end 1911 for carry and that answer is no.

I bought a Kimber Super Carry PRO HD for carry and never took it out of the box. My Glock 30 suits me very well for carry and I still get a nice trigger, durable and reliable carry gun.

I do own a Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, and a Les Baer I refuse to buy a Ed Brown. I will also soon have a Volkman Custom Colt.

 

[Pilgrim]

why spend big bucks for a carry gun which will get binged, banged and bumped with everyday use, and taken away if you have to use it, when a S&W (which is a fine gun in its own right) will do the job just as well?

 

[ColdDayInHell]

why spend big bucks for a carry gun which will get binged, banged and bumped with everyday use, and taken away if you have to use it, when a S&W (which is a fine gun in its own right) will do the job just as well?

This. Except the part about S&W. it's a good gun but external extractor. Smith chose the cheap and easy way with their 1911s which pushed me away. Just do not get a Crapber. If you're in MA, you know Springfields are unicorns but they make some good 1911s for the cost. The SR1911 is one of my favorites for sure. Do your homework and it will pay off.

 

[zbomb]

I'm thankful I don't carry a high end 1911 every time I round a door a little too close and bash the sights on the door frame.

yes, I'm slightly uncoordinated and yes, I'm always in a hurry with no where to go.

 

[BigBill]

In '05 I purchased a brand new springfield armory GI Mil-Spec 1911a1 as it was called back then for $424 NIB. At the same time i purchased the brand new auto-ordnaqnce army ww2 copy 1911a1 for just $389. I purchased the new AO first but was torn between the new SA too so i went back and got the new SA to compare them together since there basically the same no frills, no bels or whistles GI models. Both of these lower budget priced 1911a1's functioned and cycled the way a 1911 should right out of there boxes. My point is you don't need to spend big bucks to get a gpood functioning 1911. If you want one high dollar 1911 thats ok but i got two new 1911's for the cost of one high dollar 1911 at that time. Remember all the SA's are forged steel frames and slides, the colts and norinco's too. The investment casted 4140ht steel isn't too shabby either. My new '05 AO now has 500rds thru it with no sign of wear yet.

I wanted an affordable 1911 for a shooter/beater but these are better than the shooter/beater i'm looking for. I may take a look at a new turkish 1911 next.

 

[BigBill]

i can only speak to ed brown.
it's worth every cent.
quality
function
fit
long life

it's just like a tool
some people are happy with cheap " harbor freight " crap
i'd prefer to spend the $$ and go snap-on

First being an auto mechanic i have broken many snap on tools too. After owning a 70's colt 1911 and an 80's colt 1911 that gave me problems right out of there boxes jamming and stove piping I putchased a well ridden chinese norinco 1911a1 that showed me what all the 1911 hype was all about. It gave me renewed faith in purchasing another new 1911a1. I installed a new SPG $59 barrel and a CDNN national match IAI barrel bushing and my norc shoots 1 clover leaf per 8rd mag using russian wolf ammo. I haven't tried my 45acp target loads yet. The reworked norc is quite the 1911 now. My point is with a little tweeking any 1911 can be made better than what it is at any cost. To eliminate wear i use moly to lube my guns. Its not the quality of the steel its the lube were using that makes the difference.

 

[Gammon]

Another consideration is options. Very often a more expensive pistol with the options you want will be less expensive than the bargain model after you pay a gunsmith to install these options.

 

[June4th]

My gun ownership years are limited, but for all the stuff I own, it's extremely rare that I said to myself: I regret that I spent that much money to get this quality item. What happens more often is for all the money-saving options I chose, later I looked at that POS and wished I had spent more $$$ to do it right the first time.

Buy things within your means, stay debt free, but live a little, because you only live once.

 

[Karl]

why spend big bucks for a carry gun which will get binged, banged and bumped with everyday use, and taken away if you have to use it, when a S&W (which is a fine gun in its own right) will do the job just as well?

Yeah.... that's a concern too.... As I friend of mine once noted, "I'd like to own a high quality 1911 but if anything ever happened and I lost it to the police impound, I'd weep openly...."

I love the quality and I don't mind spending for it, but I kinda feel like I'm carrying to protect me and mine, I'm not a professional, it's going to be holstered and sitting on my side a lot more that it's going to be used so holster wear is more of an enemy that any bad guy. For my EDC I want it to be at least middle of the road, so I'm steering away from the $500 or less crowd. They're great plinkers for the range but I'm looking for more in a carry gun.

I've always liked the Kimber Super Carry Pro HD since they came out. I know Kimber has gotten a bad rep in the past but things got better didn't they? The only thing I had a hard time swallowing was the price. (abt. $1400ish)

 

[M1911]

why spend big bucks for a carry gun which will get binged, banged and bumped with everyday use, and taken away if you have to use it, when a S&W (which is a fine gun in its own right) will do the job just as well?

My competition 1911 is a Wilson. So it goes into and out of kydex holster dozens of times each night that I dry fire. Is it beat up? Sure is. I don't care. It is a working gun and it looks like. It is also very accurate and reliable.

I don't get the argument that you shouldn't carry an expensive gun. If you are afraid to carry or use it, what's the point?

 

[drgrant]

I'm thankful I don't carry a high end 1911 every time I round a door a little too close and bash the sights on the door frame.

yes, I'm slightly uncoordinated and yes, I'm always in a hurry with no where to go.

I wouldn't care about it, frankly. All my guns are working guns. I'm not going to run around dropping it on the pavement or intentionally abusing it but I care very little about holster wear and day to day wear.

The only case I would make an exception is if something weird happened like I inherited a family heirloom or something
like that. Then I probably wouldn't carry it, but I've never been in that position. If I came across something stupidly collectible and I had bought it, I'd turn around and dump it for the money/profit rather than worry about scuffing the thing up.

-Mike

 

[drgrant]

Yeah.... that's a concern too.... As I friend of mine once noted, "I'd like to own a high quality 1911 but if anything ever happened and I lost it to the police impound, I'd weep openly...."

If you're in an SD shooting the last thing you're going to care about is your gun missing. Chances are if they go full retard they are coming to your house right afterwards to steal everything you own anyways, and it's all going to end up in the same place. (except at least the stuff not in evidence might be saved, so I suppose thats an argument.. but its like a drop in the bucket compared to what everything else will probably cost you anyways. )

-Mike

 

[herdbull]

I would rather weep openly after they took my expensive and extremely reliable carry gun ( a Nighthawk T3 that I will carry some day but not now) than to be buried and mourned by my Wife and Son. drgrant just stated what most people don't think about and all of my guns would be taken away if that shooting occurred so it doesn't really matter which gun is on me at that time.

 

[M1911]

If I actually use my gun for self defense, I'll be weeping openly after I write a $100k check to Attorney Reddington to try to keep my skinny white butt out of jail. The fact that the police have my ~$1500 Wilson isn't going to be on my radar.

 

[Karl]

Wow.... you make a comment.... forget I said it.

The point is, it a $3000 investment. I'm not saying I'm not willing to make it, just that it's a big investment. Is it worth the extra compared to one that sells for half that.

 

[Greschner 4]

If I actually use my gun for self defense, I'll be weeping openly after I write a $100k check to Attorney Reddington to try to keep my skinny white butt out of jail. The fact that the police have my ~$1500 Wilson isn't going to be on my radar.

Reddington still practicing? I thought he lost his fastball a couple decades ago (if its the same guy).

 

[drgrant]

Wow.... you make a comment.... forget I said it.

The point is, it a $3000 investment. I'm not saying I'm not willing to make it, just that it's a big investment. Is it worth the extra compared to one that sells for half that.

That's a question that only you, the buyer, can really answer for yourself.

The other option is you can "split the difference" and try to find something like a Dan Wesson Valor... costs almost half of the lot of the other high end guns and delivers on value in a hand fitted 1911.

-Mike

- - - Updated - - -

Reddington still practicing? I thought he lost his fastball a couple decades ago (if its the same guy).

I think you have the wrong guy. The Reddington he's talking to is the attorney that helped keep the quite-obviously-abused wife out of jail on the cape after she shot her abusive husband for threatening her son.

-Mike

 

[herdbull]

Wow.... you make a comment.... forget I said it.

The point is, it a $3000 investment. I'm not saying I'm not willing to make it, just that it's a big investment. Is it worth the extra compared to one that sells for half that.

It was well worth it to me (seven times actually) but it may not be to you.

 

[M1911]

Reddington still practicing? I thought he lost his fastball a couple decades ago (if its the same guy).

Yes. No.

Kevin Reddington is still a very highly regarded criminal defense attorney. I don't know who you are thinking about.

 

[Greschner 4]

I can't believe its the same guy. This cat was "the guy" in the 80s & 90s. I saw him testify many years ago and it was not pretty.

 

[M1911]

I can't believe its the same guy. This cat was "the guy" in the 80s & 90s. I saw him testify many years ago and it was not pretty.

Nope, he is not that old.

 

[Karl]

That's a question that only you, the buyer, can really answer for yourself.

The other option is you can "split the difference" and try to find something like a Dan Wesson Valor... costs almost half of the lot of the other high end guns and delivers on value in a hand fitted 1911.

-Mike

Was the Dan Wesson stuff always good? I thought they had a point where their quality wasn't the greatest.

 

[drgrant]

Was the Dan Wesson stuff always good? I thought they had a point where their quality wasn't the greatest.

Not sure about many years ago but I know the stuff in the past few years has been excellent. Even their "cheap" guns (like the razorback) with the cast frames are excellent.

-Mike

 

[ivarr]

(I do not like Les Baer ... long story)

i have heard this from at least 2 other people myself.

I refuse to buy a Ed Brown

i have NEVER heard anyone say THAT before.

 

[Jrjr]

Ed Brown is not loved by the 1911 community, nothing to do with quality.

My advice is buy a Springfield Trp. For the money, the best out there.

If you want to drop $3000, can't go wrong with Wilson, Brown, nighthawk, etc.

One day, I will own a Rogers Precision full custom. Guy is the most creative, meticulous smith producing quality 1911's.