Higher End 1911 options/ Mass Compliant

ryanmlt1

ryanmlt1

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So I am in the market for a higher end 1911. Im almost sure I want to go with the S&W 1911 Performance Center with the bobtail and scandium frame. Im looking at commander size 4.25" and prefer a bobtail grip. This gives me limited options out there unless I went full custom. So what else is out there? I wish I could find a kimber or Dan wesson but I didn't even find a website for Dan Wesson.

Thanks for any input in advance!

FYI Im selling my R1S Enhance Stainless in the classified's if you're interested.
 
ryanmlt1 said:
So I am in the market for a higher end 1911. Im almost sure I want to go with the S&W 1911 Performance Center with the bobtail and scandium frame. Im looking at commander size 4.25" and prefer a bobtail grip. This gives me limited options out there unless I went full custom. So what else is out there? I wish I could find a kimber or Dan wesson but I didn't even find a website for Dan Wesson.

Thanks for any input in advance!

Dan Wesson has been doing a lot with CZ USA check out http://cz-usa.com/product-category/danwesson/
Click to expand...
 
No, not necessarily. it wouldnt be EDC but I like to carry my pistols to the range and the full size 1911 is just to much for me to carry.
 
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Do you own a 1911 now?

I've had decent luck with smith 1911s, but my buddy just got a total lemon (4.25, steel, ported) from the performance center. Thing won't run, after getting back it from repairs, the extractor literally broke off. Unreal!

I'd watch the classifieds for a springer (my choice), a Dan Wesson, a colt etc.
 
ryanmlt1 said:
No, not necessarily. it wouldnt be EDC but I like to carry my pistols to the range and the full size 1911 is just to much for me to carry.
Click to expand...

Carrying a full size 1911 occasionally is not really a big deal with a good belt and holster. What he's driving at is lightweight frame 1911s suck to shoot if you're not trying to save weight.

-Mike
 
Not trying to hijack this thread, but I am in a similar boat.
Looking for a 45. Debating between a 1911 and a Glock 21, or SR45.
Lately I have been leaning more towards a 1911, perhaps because of the "coolness" factor, or because it is different from all the striker fire pistols I have.
I shot a Remington, had a few FTE's but it was brand new.
I am thinking of a Ruger, or a Sig 1911. I am wondering what I would get if I forked out another $500.
I don't care about carry (I have my LCR and Shield for that) but I am looking for a reliable 1911 for home defense and matches.
In the USPSA matches, there were so many malfunctions with the 1911s that it turned me off.
But then, there are many who swear on their reliability.
Rob
 
Robert1 said:
Not trying to hijack this thread, but I am in a similar boat.
Looking for a 45. Debating between a 1911 and a Glock 21, or SR45.
Lately I have been leaning more towards a 1911, perhaps because of the "coolness" factor, or because it is different from all the striker fire pistols I have.
I shot a Remington, had a few FTE's but it was brand new.
I am thinking of a Ruger, or a Sig 1911. I am wondering what I would get if I forked out another $500.
I don't care about carry (I have my LCR and Shield for that) but I am looking for a reliable 1911 for home defense and matches.
In the USPSA matches, there were so many malfunctions with the 1911s that it turned me off.
But then, there are many who swear on their reliability.
Rob
Click to expand...

You won't like the SR45, there is no coolness factor, it just does the job every time, I have sold two just because they were so damn boring. The SR1911 is awesome, low price and just a fantastic firearm for the money. Plenty of cool factor.
 
When I said High End I meant $1,400 and up. Im starting at $1400 and looking to see what I could get MA compliant. That rules out Kimbers. Does Ed Brown make compliant guns? I notice you guys with the E series have the steel frame. Anyone have experience with the scandium?
 
Personally I think the Sig 1911's are a tiny bit more high end than S&W. While not Bob tailed, I love my 4.25" Sig Carry Scorpion (and I do own a SA&W 1911 PD 4.25 which shoots great!)
 
ryanmlt1 said:
When I said High End I meant $1,400 and up. Im starting at $1400 and looking to see what I could get MA compliant. That rules out Kimbers. Does Ed Brown make compliant guns? I notice you guys with the E series have the steel frame. Anyone have experience with the scandium?
Click to expand...

You'd be limiting yourself for no good reason if you worry about dealer compliance. Why not start with a stripped frame (STI or Caspian) and have it built exactly to your specs by a local gunsmith?
 
ryanmlt1 said:
When I said High End I meant $1,400 and up. Im starting at $1400 and looking to see what I could get MA compliant. That rules out Kimbers. Does Ed Brown make compliant guns? I notice you guys with the E series have the steel frame. Anyone have experience with the scandium?
Click to expand...

My S&W 1911 PD has the Scandium frame. Nice and lightweight, its an aluminum alloy, it will wear more than steel. As the slide on these are steel (so steel rubbing on AL). Great for carry, no so much for a high round count range toy.
 
bill o said:
You'd be limiting yourself for no good reason if you worry about dealer compliance. Why not start with a stripped frame (STI or Caspian) and have it built exactly to your specs by a local gunsmith?
Click to expand...

I would rather just buy a nice gun. I don't know enough about custom parts to pick out what I want, other than Ed Brown and Wilson Combat make great stuff. I am also impatient.
 
If you want to go really high end, there is the Cabot Arms meteor gun.

- - - Updated - - -

11_fingers said:
Contact Business End Customs he's building on his own frames and slides so should be able to get you what ever you want.
www.businessendcustoms.com
Click to expand...
This is really cool.

Is Business End making their own frames from bar stock, or do they have an BATF variance allowing an external manufacturer to put the BEC name on the frames?
 
ryanmlt1 said:
When I said High End I meant $1,400 and up. Im starting at $1400 and looking to see what I could get MA compliant. That rules out Kimbers. Does Ed Brown make compliant guns? I notice you guys with the E series have the steel frame. Anyone have experience with the scandium?
Click to expand...

Your assumption is incorrect. You can by non-compliant guns Just not from a dealer. Their prices are not terribly high. I tried last year to sell my Les Baer Premier II in MA for what it would cost me to re-purchase the gun new from a free state (I am a resident of multiple states), and I could not do it.

Nobody would pay me $1700 for it. That is fine. I'm glad I still have it. I just wanted to spread the love. But the market would not support a roughly $300 premium on the gun. (Its worth $1400 used in a free state).

I was able to sell a pristine Nighthawk Custom used for what it would cost new in a free state. So you CAN buy these guns for a relatively small premium.

- - - Updated - - -

ryanmlt1 said:
I would rather just buy a nice gun. I don't know enough about custom parts to pick out what I want, other than Ed Brown and Wilson Combat make great stuff. I am also impatient.
Click to expand...

Then buy an Ed Brown Used.

cfbackrow said:
Dan Wesson has been doing a lot with CZ USA check out http://cz-usa.com/product-category/danwesson/
Click to expand...

Dan Wesson is a wholly owned subsidiary of CZ USA.

ryanmlt1 said:
Im surprised there are not more Dan Wesson fans.
Click to expand...

I think there are a fair number. I posted a pic of my Pointman 9 in a recent thread about 9mm 1911s and it seemed to be universally liked. Mine is made with what seems like primarily Ed Brown parts.
 
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ryanmlt1 said:
Im surprised there are not more Dan Wesson fans.
Click to expand...

There are a bunch of us here we just keep our mouths shut because nobody will listen to us. [rofl] People are too busy petting their Krapbers, Less Beer, or whatever. I don't think you can really beat DW and STI for value. I just got a DW Specialist black not that long ago, best 1911 I've ever owned.

The only thing that pisses me off about DW is they stopped making the 10mm Cbob stainless... that was a great gun, and not so many years ago that was only a $12-1300 pistol.

-Mike

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Rob Boudrie said:
Infinity is high end, well beyond any of the S&Ws, and has some models on the roster.
Click to expand...

I'll second this, the SVI Traditional that I got to shoot some years ago was, "instrument grade" there's no other words I can use to describe it. It's one of those things where you just have to handle and shoot it to appreciate it.

-Mike
 
chris_1001 said:
My S&W 1911 PD has the Scandium frame. Nice and lightweight, its an aluminum alloy, it will wear more than steel. As the slide on these are steel (so steel rubbing on AL). Great for carry, no so much for a high round count range toy.
Click to expand...

Wear honestly isn't that big of an issue, having one of these in my possession with a much broken in (5K+) round count. It's the whole "beating the shit out of your hands" thing that might be an issue.

-Mike
 

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