A good 1911 is worth spending a couple a' grand

[AllenM]

There's probably much more of a difference between a $500 1911 pistol and a $1000 model than there is between a $1000 one and a $2000 one.

Also, as with anything, "inexpensive" doesn't necessarily mean "cheap" - and vice-versa.

IF I were a 1911 guy, which I'm not, I'd be happy as a pig in poo with a Dan Wesson VBOB or CBOB.

-J-

Yes you would

 

[glockednlocked]

I agree 100% I have decided to only buy higher end 1911s. Why have a cupboard full of guns that kinda work when you can have 1 or 2 "or whatever your budget alows" that you just love. I think alot of the hate the 1911 gets is do to cheap crap imitations. Imagine if Glocks cost $1000 and some smow said I can build them for half that in crackistan (or Alabama I bet the knock offs would not run or not aim or break but would that be Glock's fault?

 

[Woodrow]

I make something like $75/hr.

Congratulations, brother. Glad you are doing well for you yours.

 

[LPMan59]

it's a lot buying a Gibson Les Paul. I much prefer the Custom Shop to the USA Line. A 59 Reissue is (generally speaking) a better guitar than a USA Standard. But is it $3000 better? Well only you can answer that. The law of diminishing returns applies imo.

I would also add that if you can't tell the difference between a $2 hamburger and $20 filet (or better yet, don't think the filet is worth it), then by all means buy the hamburger. Afterall, both are tasty beef and both will stop your hunger.

Buy what you can afford and what makes you happy. I know guys that play a Chinese Epiphone through a SS amp that sound better than me with my Gibson Historic and Marshall tube amp. But it makes me happy, and that's all that matters.

ymmv

 

[jgreiner]

I agree. I had a really nice 1911 made by Kimber. It was so nice I didn't like shooting it even though it was my favorite gun to shoot!?! I ended up trading it away so it could be with someone who would keep it in a safe and just look at it. Someday I'll get another one just to drool over.

Not me, I am dead set on getting a S&W 1911sc E series bobtail......and it will be my daily carry gun. I dont buy guns to be safe queens. I shoot them.

 

[jgreiner]

There's probably much more of a difference between a $500 1911 pistol and a $1000 model than there is between a $1000 one and a $2000 one.

Also, as with anything, "inexpensive" doesn't necessarily mean "cheap" - and vice-versa.

IF I were a 1911 guy, which I'm not, I'd be happy as a pig in poo with a Dan Wesson VBOB or CBOB.

-J-

what about this one?

 

[Woodrow]

There is just something about a slicked up, tight 1911 with a slide like ball bearings and a natural point of aim. Wifey and I (yep) want to collect a few rarities. Shoot a less expensive 1911, and one built by a master and tell me there is no difference. Waterford crystal or a Rolls Royce...there are less expensive items that function, but I want more that. I am willing to oay for what I want. I like reading that others feel the same.

 

[Floater]

I have to admit I may be a bit of a snob about 1911's myself, but have moved past the RIA's and mil spec Springfield's. Nothing wrong with them but you can't compare them to a quality 1911.

I don't own any 1911s. So please forgive me if this is a complete newbie question, but why can't you compare a RIA or mil spec Springfield to a "quality" 1911? If the gun functions as it's supposed to and goes bang when you want it to and doesn't when you don't, then what's the point in spending the extra on the "quality" 1911?

Quality in my mind means that the gun functions properly.

 

[AllenM]

I don't own any 1911s. So please forgive me if this is a complete newbie question, but why can't you compare a RIA or mil spec Springfield to a "quality" 1911? If the gun functions as it's supposed to and goes bang when you want it to and doesn't when you don't, then what's the point in spending the extra on the "quality" 1911?

Quality in my mind means that the gun functions properly.

I believe quality goes well beyond just function. Accuracy, feel, smoothness longevity, Sights, trigger pull, grips, finish fit. If all your looking for is something that goes bang. plenty of guns fit that even Hi Point.

But if you enjoy owning something nice, then a hand crafted 1911 could fit the bill.
I shoot everything I own I have no safe queens. it nice nice to pick high end gun and go to the range. Although extreme accuracy can get boring

 

[AverageMidwest]

Hey, if it makes you happy and you can afford it, knock yourself out. I'm with the commentator who figures there's more difference between a $500 piece and a $1000 piece than there is between the $1000 piece and a $2500 piece, but...on the other hand I could be way off base since I've never been lucky enough to shoot a $2500 1911.

I'm still wondering about the appeal of a $4950 1911 as made by Cabot Guns...a maker you might want to look into just for giggles if nothing else. Cabot Guns, an American Gun Company, precision 1911 pistols

 

[Glock19]

I have a Kimber Compact CDP II and a Kimber Pro CDP II, been shooting the Pro, even got wolf springs for the pair. Still havent shot my compact, it looks so nice being unfired. No marks or anything. I hate not shooting it but love the way it looks. The Pro has a few tiny marks that only I probably notice, but yeah if you have the money a good 1911 is priceless.

 

[Woodrow]

I don't own any 1911s. So please forgive me if this is a complete newbie question, but why can't you compare a RIA or mil spec Springfield to a "quality" 1911? If the gun functions as it's supposed to and goes bang when you want it to and doesn't when you don't, then what's the point in spending the extra on the "quality" 1911?

Quality in my mind means that the gun functions properly.

Quality and function are not the same. As a platform, the 1911 lends itself to modification, improvement, and undividual design. Browning designed it with the necessary high tolerances for a combat pistol. Peacetime, competition, and skilled machinists led us to where we are now. Today's 1911s are the result of years of design and evolution. Basr guns do go bang, and are 1911s, but there is much more potential within this particular platform than over the counter provides.

 

[Woodrow]

Hey, if it makes you happy and you can afford it, knock yourself out. I'm with the commentator who figures there's more difference between a $500 piece and a $1000 piece than there is between the $1000 piece and a $2500 piece, but...on the other hand I could be way off base since I've never been lucky enough to shoot a $2500 1911.

I'm still wondering about the appeal of a $4950 1911 as made by Cabot Guns...a maker you might want to look into just for giggles if nothing else. Cabot Guns, an American Gun Company, precision 1911 pistols

Cabot, Burton, Yost, Chen...I am willing to spend the money. Put a little away over time while on a 4-5 year wating list, and there you have it. No reason to pony up all the dough at once.

 

[GBuck]

Sure, I sound like a snob, but to rach his own, and it is worth it to me.

Thoughts...?

I rach my own all the time, and it's always worth it to me.

 

[melensdad]

Yeah yeah...you have no sense of what is unique and innovative.

Are you talking to me

 

[Floater]

As a platform, the 1911 lends itself to modification, improvement, and undividual design.

How so? Are you implying other platforms don't? I'm not trying to be snarky or argumentative. I'm honestly interested. I've always loved the 1911 and one day plan to add one to my collection.

The 1911 is a machine, plain and simple. In what way does it lend itself to modification, improvement, and individual design that any other handgun does not?

 

[Bruizer13]

I'm saving my $$ for one as we speak. I just know that once I buy one though I will want two for double shoulder holster. Too bad I dont have 4 shoulders! I know my wife is going to stop me at 2.

 

[Grelber]

Quality and function are not the same.QUOTE]

I think that depends entirely on your own particular mental gearing. To me pride of ownership comes first from how well something works, second from how much value I think I got for my dollar, and third from the cosmetic aspects.

Not meant to imply that one type of mental gearing is better or worse than another. To each their own.

An old cult classic book "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance" went in to the mental gearing/value systems discussion with an example of repairing some slipping handlebars on a BMW motorcycle. The fixer kept the bars from slipping by using sections cut from an old tin can as spacers between handlebars and bar support brackets. The fixer thought this was great, bars worked better than new, cost was free, you couldn't see any difference after the repair, perfect. His buddy the owner thought this was terrible, "I've got this state of the art expensive motorcycle & now there is a chunck of cheap tin can stuck in it".

 

[Woodrow]

A Mosin Nagant always functions, a Mosin Nagant is not "quality."

 

[Woodrow]

Are you talking to me

When it comes to 1911s, you are perhaps the most intuned to what is unique and innovative. I have just never used purple.