Glock_Racer
New member
In your opinion, which one of these companies stand by their product with quality control and excellent customer service in making a solid-built 1911 in the $1000-$2000 range?
Best semi-custom 1911
- Thread starter Glock_Racer
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PreserveFreedom
Guest
$2000 for a handgun...it had better be gold plated or be able to do my laundry and cook.
I voted for Wilson (based on their overall reputation), however earlier this year I bought a Springfield TRP in ArmoryKote. The TRP's fit, finish, quality, durability, reliability and accuracy are first-rate -- simply outstanding. This is one tight, well-manufactured 1911A1.
At ~$1100, the ArmoryKote TRP is at the low-end of the $1000 to $2000 range specified in the thread. I am not certain that spending another 700 or 800 bucks for a mid-grade Wilson or Baer would be worth the marginal investment. I am not knocking either for these fine manufacturers; rather, I respectfully suggest that -- for me -- the incremental differences may not be worth the additional cost.
Our friend, ArmySon, has commented on this question before -- I suspect he disagrees with my opinions (above) -- and I will be very interested in his views.
At ~$1100, the ArmoryKote TRP is at the low-end of the $1000 to $2000 range specified in the thread. I am not certain that spending another 700 or 800 bucks for a mid-grade Wilson or Baer would be worth the marginal investment. I am not knocking either for these fine manufacturers; rather, I respectfully suggest that -- for me -- the incremental differences may not be worth the additional cost.
Our friend, ArmySon, has commented on this question before -- I suspect he disagrees with my opinions (above) -- and I will be very interested in his views.
lonegunman
New member
RWK: I will disagree with you on that.
I dont doubt the TRP is an OK gun, but Springfields customer service is no where near Wilson's.
I dont doubt the TRP is an OK gun, but Springfields customer service is no where near Wilson's.
Wild Romanian
Moderator
You get what you pay for. Spend less expect less, a lot less. A good target grade 1911 should shoot 1 inch or less at 25 yards.
I currently shoot a well used Sig P210 9mm. It will shoot 1 inch groups with cast bullets all day long and 1/2 inch groups out of my ransom rest. It cost me $1,200 used and in my opinion it was worth every penny of it. Far better to own one good gun than half a dozen blasters. Once you own a first class weapon wether it be a custom 1911 or super built race gun ( CZ or High Power or whatever you have custom built),you will never go back to the pedestrian accuracy of the average out of the box blaster. There is just no comparison between them period. W.R.
I currently shoot a well used Sig P210 9mm. It will shoot 1 inch groups with cast bullets all day long and 1/2 inch groups out of my ransom rest. It cost me $1,200 used and in my opinion it was worth every penny of it. Far better to own one good gun than half a dozen blasters. Once you own a first class weapon wether it be a custom 1911 or super built race gun ( CZ or High Power or whatever you have custom built),you will never go back to the pedestrian accuracy of the average out of the box blaster. There is just no comparison between them period. W.R.
Make Mine a Wilson!
I recently traded in my Glock 23 towards a Wilson Millenium Protector. It's their base model, and retails at the lower end of your price range.
The Wilson just felt more smooth and solid to me when I compared to the high end production models.
Ran 200 rds through it this morning without any malfunctions. I shot it better than my Glocks (23 and 30) and HK Tactical...and it was the first time I'd ever shot a 1911.
I considered the higher end Wilson's as well, but for my purpose, CCW and training, I couldn't justify the higher price for the additional .5" accuracy improvement.
I recently traded in my Glock 23 towards a Wilson Millenium Protector. It's their base model, and retails at the lower end of your price range.
The Wilson just felt more smooth and solid to me when I compared to the high end production models.
Ran 200 rds through it this morning without any malfunctions. I shot it better than my Glocks (23 and 30) and HK Tactical...and it was the first time I'd ever shot a 1911.
I considered the higher end Wilson's as well, but for my purpose, CCW and training, I couldn't justify the higher price for the additional .5" accuracy improvement.
We have three project guns going in the shop right now: a Caspian frame/Caspian slide gun for a customer, a Caspian frame/Les Baer slide gun for a co-worker, and my about-to-begin STI frame/SVI slide project.
If you know a really good smith locally (ask around IPSC/IDPA clubs; the guys with the good guns will have someone they brag on) there's no substitute for getting to spec out every single bit 'n' piece to your liking.
If you know a really good smith locally (ask around IPSC/IDPA clubs; the guys with the good guns will have someone they brag on) there's no substitute for getting to spec out every single bit 'n' piece to your liking.
Green Republican
New member
All of them with my favorite being Rock River Arms (Elite Commando).
lonegunman . . .
No argument from me.
I believe Springfield's customer service is excellent, but I agree it is not Wilson's.
Further, I was not suggesting the TRP is quite as fine a 1911A1 as a ~$2000 Wilson or Baer. My point was -- and is -- that FOR ME the approximate $1000 price difference appears not to provide a 1911A1 that is twice as good.
No argument from me.
I believe Springfield's customer service is excellent, but I agree it is not Wilson's.
Further, I was not suggesting the TRP is quite as fine a 1911A1 as a ~$2000 Wilson or Baer. My point was -- and is -- that FOR ME the approximate $1000 price difference appears not to provide a 1911A1 that is twice as good.
CastleBravo
New member
Depending on how much work you want done you can get a good gunsmith to work up a basic 1911 for as much as you will be charged for a middle-of-the-road "Semi-Custom" by Les Baer or Wilson Combat anyway.
John Forsyth
New member
There is not a single factory gun that equals one put together by a good smith. I have two Kimbers, both worked on by the late Brian Bilby, would not trade them for any Wilson or Baer.