Recommendations for Very High-End 1911s

[AKDrillo86]

I don't really understand the point of the thread if not interested in actually buying something, but need more details regardless. Wall hanger? Race run? Duty capable?

Ever go to a car show to look at cars? Same idea. I like to look and learn so one day when I'm ready I know what I want.

I guess you would call it a wall hanger, but I'd have every intention to use it and carry it on property. I want a usable looker.

 

[PapaJohn]

I wish I could unsee this thread. Never knew I needed a $5k 1911... then I went to the Nighthawk website. Make mine a double?

 

[lifeandliberty123]

Lionheart is knowledgeable on high end 1911s

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Ever go to a car show to look at cars? Same idea. I like to look and learn so one day when I'm ready I know what I want.

I guess you would call it a wall hanger, but I'd have every intention to use it and carry it on property. I want a usable looker.

Yeah, no. Not a car show guy. I research what I need and go from there.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Something like a Staccato would fit the bill. About 2100 for a P, up to 4500 for an xc or XL depending on options. They were engineered for reliability.

 

[ReservoirDawg10]

Why not?

Because Jesse James.

 

[Lionheart]

I am falling down the rabbit hole that is the 1911 and wanted to get some names of top makers of custom high-end 1911s to look at. I don't really know the threshold for "high-end", but I am seeing 4K - 5K+ newly manufactured 1911s. I found Cabot Guns, Ed Brown, Nighthawk...But not sure if these are really amazing 1911s or just pricey flash. Any other notable names to look at?

Not really looking at rare, historical 1911s, or collectors; more interested in newly manufactured, high-end pistols. For clarity just looking and dreaming, not wanting to purchase at this time.

Any names you can provide for eye candy is appreciated. I am completely new to the 1911 platform and already feel like its a good fit for my interests (history, beauty, caliber).

Thanks!

Go to 1911addicts forum and join. Much knowledge there.
I have collected and used 1911’s for a few decades. Of the current high end builders Ed Brwon has become my favorite. You should know that Brown, WC, NH, etc are not really true “custom” 1911’s...the definition of which is a gun built by one person. Not to say they are not nice guns...but a truly custom gun is hand-fitted by one smith, not on an assembly line.
Some names you might consider in a custom gun are John Harrison, Ned Yost, Jim Stroh, etc.
I think only Yost is still taking orders. Jim Stroh is no longer around and John Harrison stopped taking new orders a couple of years ago. He had a 5 year backlog at that time lol.
These guys produced hand-fitted works of art...slide/frame fits that give the “ball-bearing” smoothness to a 1911 action that is unmistakable once you rack one.
Of course, I would be remiss for not mentioning the early Colt custom shop guns...the Colt Gold Cup National Match 70 series guns were the holy grail for many years...and they are still fine guns.
Fair warning...1911’s are highly addictive. Handle one at your own risk lol.

 

[glock dude]

Atlas

 

[Horsehat]

Carried a Wilson Combat CQB for a number of years, would feed ANYTHING closely resembling a .45 acp round. Very accurate.

 

[Lionheart]

Ever go to a car show to look at cars? Same idea. I like to look and learn so one day when I'm ready I know what I want.

I guess you would call it a wall hanger, but I'd have every intention to use it and carry it on property. I want a usable looker.

For a “usable looker” the 1911 is a great platform. You can put thousands of rounds down the pipe, replace a spring or two, maybe slap a new black Teflon finish on it...and it will bring good money. Because they are so damn indestructible if you take care of it,
Good entry level to higher end is Dan Wesson Valor or Les Baer.
Stacatto and STI’s are great guns...but 2011, not 1911.