What makes a custom 1911 expensive?

S

Sambonator

New member
In particular, I saw that the Springfield "Loaded" 1911 has a list price of around $800. Compared to this apparently "Loaded" model, the Springfield TRP Pro is very expensive, with a list price of around $2400!

What makes the TRP Pro so expensive?

They say it has been tuned for maximum reliability. What makes it so reliable? What is so different about the TRP Pro compared to the standard "Loaded" models that justifies the price being tripled?

Does this imply that the "loaded" Springfields are not reliable?

Thank you!
Sam
 
its advertizing, a Essex made 1911 is cheap to make and custom as much as you make it, Springfields are forged instead of cast
like Essex, but to justify the price increase is BS.who's got the bucks to spend for the Springfields?its like the Colt O's to the
1991 cast, theres no reason for the high prices, buy a Argentine
1911 and build from there, and you'll have a better gun than Springfield.
 
Checkering, Ambi Safety, etc are just some additional features not found on the standard loaded models. In addition, there's more handfitting and attention to detail.

To some people, the price can't be justified. To others, it's a fine gun and worth every penny.

Would you rather own a Ferrari or a Camero? The answer to that question should answer whether a 'custom' gun is for you or not.

All the best :)
 
Custom guns are made by hand. Everything is tight, nothing binds, every part fits perfectly together. All surfaces are blended and flush, inside and out. You really need to handle a custom made gun side by side with a factory pistol, the differences will be very evident.
 
"You get what you pay for"

Ok...so what do I get for $1600 more than the standard Springfield 1911 "loaded" model, with the Springfield 1911 TRP Professional?

I'm curious as to exactly what the real differences are... Springfield's website doesn't help... they just say that the TRP Pro meets and exceeds the contract requirements for arming the FBI Hostage Rescue Team.

Thank you!
Sam
 
(CAST) CUSTOM CASPIAN <> WORTH ALL THE MONEY

My extremely expensive custom 1911 got that way by having humans do the work, using expensive custom parts made by highly skilled humans.

Springfield offers an expensive custom gun because highly skilled humans do the work. Skilled handwork requires time, time equals money, so we pay more.

Sounds fair to me.
 
I have handled just about every type of 1911 out there, Colts, Kimbers, Para's, Wilsons, even a nice Les Bear. While the higher priced guns, are VERY nice, I cannot, for one second see a $1500 difference for a Wilson compared to a nice Springfield or Kimber. You are paying for the name and prestige. A $500 Springfield with a good ramp and throat job will serve you every bit as well as the wilson. I won't say they are a rip off, but they are certainly taking advantage.:barf:

By the way a Ferrari would rip the doors off any camaro.
A Wilson won't "rip the doors off" a good, solid, slightly modified 1911.
 
Trying to explain custom made, hand built, tuned 1911's to unbelievers is like trying to explain fine art to cretins.

If you have handled one of these and still have to ask the question, you are going to be better off just buying a Ruger and seeing whats on TV.

Of course, I have been called a gun snob, but I take that as a compliment.
 
Well said, lonegunman.

I own a Wilson CQB and a Kimber and can definitely tell as far as where the hundreds of dollars difference is applied in the production of the pistol.
 
YEAH, WHAT HE SAID

I have handled and fired a fair amount of 1911's; that's why mine is an expensive totally custom 1911.

Oh, it's really really reliable and it's really really REALLY accurate.




----------------------------------------

"all my gun-stuff is custom gun-stuff"
 
All this proves the point that I have been trying to make for a long time, mainly that in order for a 1911 to work right, you have to fiddle, and fuss with it, and dump a bunch of money on it, also!! No thank you very much!!! My Glock 30 has done quite well for me so far...right out of the BOX!!!!:p
 
Hi, guys,

AFAIK, Springfield frames and slides are cast, not forged.

My main home gun is a Colt Model 1911A1 made in 1941. It works. Every time. Anything that doesn't is junk, no matter how many gadgets it has or how much it costs or how shiny it is or who made it.

Jim
 
All this proves the point that I have been trying to make for a long time, mainly that in order for a 1911 to work right, you have to fiddle, and fuss with it, and dump a bunch of money on it, also!!
Click to expand...
denfoote:

How does any of the above prove your statement? The argument is on why custom 1911's cost so much. Not whether you need a customize a 1911 to be 100% accurate.
 
It's terrible not to be able to come to this site & enjoy all the post, & share information with other gun enthusiasts without being compared to a "CRETIN" because one prefers a more basic gun which may be just as reliable as a very expensive gun, & some of these people do sound like "gun snobs" & thats not a compliment. A gun forum broken down into social classes ? Yeah your gun may cost 3 times as much, but a 1911 with throated & polished feed ramp & nice trigger job & good mag will likely hang with you shot for shot, So don't be lookin down your nose at anyone in here.

OK Big Ken off his soap box now.:rolleyes:
 
To figure out why they are priced so differently look at what it would cost to have the TRP Pro mods done to the "Loaded" 1911:

  • Grip frame checkering + refinish
  • Hand fitted barrel bushing
  • Hand fitted ejector
  • Hand fitted sear
  • Hand tensioned extractor
  • Hand fit slide and frame rails

I'm sure this isn't everything, but if you called a few gunsmiths for the price of these mods alone and add that to the cost of the gun you may begin to see why the cost is higher.
 
Another factor in hand fitted guns is that a lot of parts that can't be fitted properly go in the trash bin. You pay for that wastage. But hand fitted does not necessarily mean better (Some Spanish guns are an example), and it may mean paying a lot more for spare parts and/or having to send the gun back to the factory for work.

In addition, there is a sort of war between accuracy and reliability. Closely fitted auto pistols are generally more accurate, but also more susceptible to being shut down by any dust or dirt that gets into them, or even by the normal crud from firing.

Jim
 
I am not trying to pick on anybody's gun choice. If a Ruger makes you happy, man, go for it!


But dont pick on people who can appreciate better made guns.
 
Before I get flamed............not trying to make enemies in here, just feeling a little defensive I guess with all the devestation today...:(
 
lonegunman, the thread is on 1911's & your the only one referring to a Ruger, & seems to be a matter of opinion as to who is being picked on.
By the way I own a Colt but for the record there is nothing wrong with a Ruger.
 
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