This is a discussion on I was thinking of a semi-custom 1911, but... within the Defensive Carry Guns forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Originally Posted by WC145 Come on, if you think you can qualify with a Seecamp you can qualify with a j-frame. Hah! I would never ...
SA XD45C, XD40sc (SA Combat Trigger Job, XS Big Dot Sights)
The #1 goal of police work is to go home at the end of your shift!
I do, however, also have an older M1911, a Springfield Armory. Aside from a Videcki trigger, nothing much has been altered on it. No cool cocking serrations on the front of the slide. No beveled mag well. Not even a pair of decent Novak sights that glow or anything. Parkerized ... with an old standard hammer on it instead of a much sexier Commander style skeletonized job.
But, wow, does it work. Always has, with every kind of ammo. And more accurate than I can hold to. I wish I'd taken a picture of my last target with 150+ rounds of hardball thru it ...
My point is this: it's all good. As long as they work and you're happy with it, all that expensive, fancy stuff - while admittedly nice and something to dream about - doesn't really make all that much difference.
A Les Baer can be had new around or under 2k. I've seen them for 1800. CJ at 1911heaven may have a great deal in stock with no wait if interested.
I used to want guns in numbers, but decided each one would have a purpose and each would be a 1911 except for snubbie. I have a semi custom CCO due to ship Monday, and a full custom due around summertime. I sold quite a few others in order to get what I want for the purpose they will serve. Don't settle if you really want the 1911.
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I carry a Les Bear, it's under $2,000, but they are what I like.Great weapons for the money.
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I've got 2 Baers, for probably what a high end Brown goes for. I've played with Wilson's and a Brown and the fit & finish is outstanding, but while I can afford one I can't see it based on how I'll treat them. I carry my Baer Stinger and after 5 years it shows it, my Concept V is my range/match pistol and it too is showing holster wear and scratching up nicely.
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paying more does not always mean getting better--
sometimes it just means you paid more
there are a lot of really good 1911's made, many used that come in under$1,000
check out a 1998 Kimber 1st gen Custom Stainless Gold Match. no mim parts (that i know of--and after 47,000
rounds...just springs been changed). still groups 1.5" at 25 yards and besides carrying it, it does IDPA and all the games.
there are a lot of older guns, and some newer ones that deliver way more quality than their price would have you think.
You plug 'em, I plant 'em
...kid can't read at 17 (Garcia/Hunter 1985)
Lack of preparation on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on mine
A top-end 1911 is an heirloom gun..something to be treasured and past on. Having said that if you are more on the practical side(and not looking to spend that kind of $ on a single weapon)maybe invest in a new Colt 1911. It will be ready to go out of the box, and down the line you could throw on a set of personalized stocks and call it your own "custom". With the leftover dough pick up a compact blah_blah_blah and you are a happy camper. Just my $.02
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82d Abn(1983-86)OIF 2007-08
Glock 19&26/ Colt Gov't & OM/Ruger SP101
Retired NYS LEO / NRA Life Member
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"no kidding,gun slinging,spurs hitting the floor"
I've been carrying 1911's for the last 3 decades, this Springfield Pro has been my EDC for the last 7 years.
"There is a secret pride in every human heart that revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you." William Hazlitt (1778 - 1830)
Best Choices for Self Defense Ammunition
One day I WILL own one of the 1911's mentioned!! Still have one more daughter to get through college. I do however own a Springfeild 1911A1 S/S loaded. Came in under a grand and is an excellent shooter!!!
It has everything to do with what you expect to get for the money and if you in fact get that. So, very nicely-made handguns with a lot of attention to fit and finish--they look great, sound great, feel great. Very nice. Do they shoot twice as accurately as guns costing half as much, are they five times as reliable as guns costing 1/5 or less? Are these things even important to you? There isn't any 'justification', to my mind, other than what you want and feel you can afford. These aren't investments...they're simply hobby expenditures...and they're not capital equipment for the business. So...no justification is needed or even makes sense. Only you can decide if you 'get what you pay for'...the price does not determine if you get what you paid for.
Handguns that are finely-finished, beautifully adorned and meticulously assembled from parts that can't be interchanged with any other gun because they're hand-fitted have almost no appeal to me, but these things are very important to others and I respect that--I'd prefer duct tape on my grips over rosewood, others would prefer a handsome piece of craftsmanship. I've handled and fired the Wilsons and Ed Browns...wow. Makes you feel like you're holding a precision surgical instrument in your hand. But, I'd prefer my $500 M&P and the other $2,500 in the bank. That's just me.
“If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.” T Bankhead
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If I had to use my carry gun for SD I'm not gonna cry too much when they book my Colt Commander into the evidence vault,but if they took a $25-3500.00 gun I would cry like they were taking my kid
"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country,"
--Mayor Marion Barry, Washington , DC .
So...have you decided to go with a Les Baer?
That would be a great choice for a high quality 1911.
They are hand built with each part being fit to each individual pistol.
If you could see exactly how they are put together. (I did ) you would know that they are worth every penny spent on one.
They also are all individually and fairly extensively "test fired" for function before they get shipped out and that is a huge plus.
I would love to have that job.
If I didn't enjoy playing around with my own Colt pistols so much...I would probably opt for a Baer.
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