OK guys, I have saved for a while and am considering buying a custom 1911. Which do you reccomend? Wilson, Les Baer , Springfield Custom, etc. This gun will be used for target and uspsa tournaments. I just shot my first ipsc event and i think i'm hooked. By the way, I have 45's by Para, Springfield and Colt.
which "custom" 1911????
- Thread starter 45acp
- Start date
I have a Wilson (used to have two) and I've shot the Baer and Springfield. Kimber also does custom work. Most of these are "package" guns and are far better than box stock but they aren't always built by Bill Wilson or Les Baer.
Another option is a true custom gun built just for you by Dane Burns, Brian Bilby or Bob Cogan (there are others). You could even get Richard Heinie but there's about a three year wait for him.
Yet another option, if the IPSC bug has bitten, would be one of the package guns from STI or SV. That way you have the hi-cap option.
Most of these (except Heinie) will run $1500 to $1800.
Mikey
Another option is a true custom gun built just for you by Dane Burns, Brian Bilby or Bob Cogan (there are others). You could even get Richard Heinie but there's about a three year wait for him.
Yet another option, if the IPSC bug has bitten, would be one of the package guns from STI or SV. That way you have the hi-cap option.
Most of these (except Heinie) will run $1500 to $1800.
Mikey
That's right! Sid Post brings up something I forgot to mention.
If I didn't have a custom 1 man smith build me a 1911, I'd definitely get in touch with Rock River. They are actually a true custom shop, using their own frames and slides.
They have an excellent reputation as well, and can give you a pistol that is at least as good, if not better, than Wilson or Baer, for a much more reasonable price.
If I didn't have a custom 1 man smith build me a 1911, I'd definitely get in touch with Rock River. They are actually a true custom shop, using their own frames and slides.
They have an excellent reputation as well, and can give you a pistol that is at least as good, if not better, than Wilson or Baer, for a much more reasonable price.
I can't recommend Baer based on my customer service problems with them. Others have fared better than me. Roll your dice and take your chance. I had good luck with Cylinder and Slide. If you really want to compare models Terry Peters will give you give you his two bits on some of the models you're talking about, www.pt-partners.com
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We are the people our parents warned us about.
[This message has been edited by mark lee (edited March 08, 2000).]
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We are the people our parents warned us about.
[This message has been edited by mark lee (edited March 08, 2000).]
Steve Clark Custom
New member
Please do not include price "or less than" when refering to CUSTOM SHOPS, And Dick does not have a 6-7 year back log. I have seen Brians work, he is a good gunsmith,do not discount the other gunsmiths because ot a "few" problems.Please do not take this the wrong way , but I have been building Custom combat handguns for many years, and have worked for many of the top custom shops after selling my shop. I now run my own shop after leaving Wilson as their Custom Shop supervisor, If my price is too high, then I'm sorry, the 3-4 mo wait, sorry but you get what you pay for. SC <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shamster:
Brian Bilby can build you a true custom gun at a decent price (less than what a Wilson or Baer would cost you). He has an excellent reputation. In fact, he's working on a custom 1911 for me now.
BTW, Heinie now has a 6-7 year backlog.[/quote]
Brian Bilby can build you a true custom gun at a decent price (less than what a Wilson or Baer would cost you). He has an excellent reputation. In fact, he's working on a custom 1911 for me now.
BTW, Heinie now has a 6-7 year backlog.[/quote]
Steve Clark Custom
New member
By the way Mark, what ever happened with the "Gun from hell" that you purchased from BAER? Did you get it fixed and by whom???SC <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mark lee:
I can't recommend Baer based on my customer service problems with them. Others have fared better than me. Roll your dice and take your chance. I had good luck with Cylinder and Slide. If you really want to compare models Terry Peters will give you give you his two bits on some of the models you're talking about, www.pt-partners.com
[/quote]
I can't recommend Baer based on my customer service problems with them. Others have fared better than me. Roll your dice and take your chance. I had good luck with Cylinder and Slide. If you really want to compare models Terry Peters will give you give you his two bits on some of the models you're talking about, www.pt-partners.com
[/quote]
Well, unfortunately, price is often a concern for many people who still want a custom gun. There is a gunsmith (I won't name him, but maybe you can guess) who charges almost 3 grand for a full house gun (same features I'm getting from Brian Bilby for less than half the price). This is just frankly ridiculous if you ask me, as I cannot imagine his work being twice as good as any other smith out there.
Also, unless Heinie is lying to me and others, you do have to wait 6-7 years for him to build you a full house gun. Don't know what the deal is with minor things, but a full custom gun will have you waiting that long.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steve Clark Custom:
Please do not include price "or less than" when refering to CUSTOM SHOPS, And Dick does not have a 6-7 year back log. I have seen Brians work, he is a good gunsmith,do not discount the other gunsmiths because ot a "few" problems.Please do not take this the wrong way , but I have been building Custom combat handguns for many years, and have worked for many of the top custom shops after selling my shop. I now run my own shop after leaving Wilson as their Custom Shop supervisor, If my price is too high, then I'm sorry, the 3-4 mo wait, sorry but you get what you pay for. SC [/quote]
Also, unless Heinie is lying to me and others, you do have to wait 6-7 years for him to build you a full house gun. Don't know what the deal is with minor things, but a full custom gun will have you waiting that long.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Steve Clark Custom:
Please do not include price "or less than" when refering to CUSTOM SHOPS, And Dick does not have a 6-7 year back log. I have seen Brians work, he is a good gunsmith,do not discount the other gunsmiths because ot a "few" problems.Please do not take this the wrong way , but I have been building Custom combat handguns for many years, and have worked for many of the top custom shops after selling my shop. I now run my own shop after leaving Wilson as their Custom Shop supervisor, If my price is too high, then I'm sorry, the 3-4 mo wait, sorry but you get what you pay for. SC [/quote]
Funny you should mention the "Gun from Hell" Steve!! Being the good dealer he is Terry Peters asked me to send the gun to a guy named Steve Clark and guess what, the gun magically worked when I got it back. In fact, I just got the chance last night to try it out since getting it back. Did I mention I got the gun back in three days from this guy named Steve Clark? That's one day to him, one day shipping back, so this guy Steve Clark must have fixed the gun in one day. On top of that Steve also called me before working on the gun to make sure what needed to be done, he called to tell me he was done, then called to make sure I got it back OK and everything was to my satisfaction. All on his phone bill.
I should have mentioned Steve in my first post. My apologies to him. He took care of me and I am at fault for not sharing that with you all. Give him a try if you want a one man custom job. I was only thinking of "Production custom" because of the way the original question was asked. My bad.
Mark
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We are the people our parents warned us about.
I should have mentioned Steve in my first post. My apologies to him. He took care of me and I am at fault for not sharing that with you all. Give him a try if you want a one man custom job. I was only thinking of "Production custom" because of the way the original question was asked. My bad.
Mark
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We are the people our parents warned us about.
Rob Pincus
New member
Someone looking for a custom 1911, particularly for carry should be careful not to overlook Clark Custom (founded by the late Jim Clark, Sr.) in Louisianna.
Rob,
How's that Meltdown working for you? Be sure to let me know ahead of time if you are going to shoot the Tennessee Championship with it so I can enter a different class!
By the way...your shirts have been ready for a while but Fred lost your e-mail address. Please contact him at FRG1@blomand.net (or e-mail me and I'll forward it)
Mikey
How's that Meltdown working for you? Be sure to let me know ahead of time if you are going to shoot the Tennessee Championship with it so I can enter a different class!
By the way...your shirts have been ready for a while but Fred lost your e-mail address. Please contact him at FRG1@blomand.net (or e-mail me and I'll forward it)
Mikey
Steve Clark Custom
New member
I don't know what I was thinking when I said "price" but I do know it is very important, thats why I started in this buss. in 82. 3grnd? HMM. My top of the line ATP( Advanced Tactical Pistol)retails from 1850.-3250. Which needs to stop, There are no hidden costs w/ the ATP YOU tell me what you want and if I feel that it will work then I will build it for info or spec sheet on all my guns contact Terry Peters @ P-T partners.ThanksSC
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