Ed Brown 1911's

[JoeG]

Seems to me that when you look at a 1911 you have to think about the fact that they are pre-polymer era guns. Back in the day cheap steel guns were cheap and needed lots of work to make them run. Revolvers = Reliability was the rule for a reason. Getting a customized gun was the only way to get that same reliability in a semi. For the money you get a beautiful gun that runs like a sports car and feels great.

It is hard to argue with the value of $500 polymer service pistol, but it is not a Ferrari. Pick any polymer gun these days and you can get a very nice reliable gun. there are also some very good base 1911s out there. But in the end, I still like the way my Kimber shoots and feels. Is it worth the extra $, it depends on your "needs". A high end custom 1911 is still on my wish list, just because and an Ed Brown, Wilson, Kimber or Dan Wesson I keep coming back to when I fondle them

I would be sad to have it taken away by the PD if I ever had to use it in real life. This leans me back to the practical poly gun side of things.

[wheels]

I just purchased a springfield TRP for $1k. I am finding that I got one heck of a deal. In store it sells for 1600. This is the most amazing gun I have ever owned. I hit exactly what I want with this gun. The springfield xd always takes corrections. There is something about shooting a poly gun that is soo much different than a steel gun. I don't know what it is. Maybe because of the single stack grip, the way your had fits the grip - I just don't know.

I do know I am much more accurate with my 1911 than with my xd. My groups are much tighter. 

[billt]

The TRP is a great pistol, no doubt. But if you are purchasing this gun as primarily a paper puncher don't overlook the Springfield Trophy Match. It runs around the $1,300.00 mark, give or take, and is a hell of a pistol. Since I got mine I rarely shoot my Colt Gold Cup anymore. The Trophy Match comes with a lot of the bells and whistles that a lot of .45's costing hundreds more have.

[PegLeg45]

A big plus one on the SA 1911's...... don't overlook the "Loaded" models. I bought one of the Loaded Black Stainless guns for less than a grand a few years ago (probably more now) and right out of the box it will shoot very good groups with factory hardball all day long.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=18

[2HOW]

From some of the comments here I feel that the bottom line is the gun makes you a better shooter and its worth any price to reach a more proficient level. I would think any polymer pistol shooters would find this is true. The shooters that have always used 1911s have known this as long as they have been shooting them.
And a low dollar 1911 with a few modifications will shoot with the best upper $ 1911.
 

[Sponsor]

[JoeG]

And a low dollar 1911 with a few modifications will shoot with the best upper $ 1911.
 

I can't agree with that. I have gotten to shoot a few of the race guns at our club and they are amazing. Not something that you might carry but very fun to shoot. Just like lugging a 3# steel 1911 all day is not as comfortable as a light poly gun.

I think the real change in the last few years is the dramaitic increase it the quality of guns in the $500 range. CAD design has made getting a design that is cheap to machine, works well and fits well much easier. CNC machining has brought the production costs  and fit and finish up to a degree that custom gunsmithing is not "required" the way it was in the past to get reliability. the extra money gets you a Ferrari, but don't drive it in the snow!

I was looking at the Ruger American rifle the other day and was amazed at the level quality for $400. They did some really neat design things to take advantage of high end production techniques. The bolt starts as a steel rod and they take away enough metal to make the lugs etc. instead of adding material to build up a thinner bolt tube. The action mount to the stock is also a new design that is robust but easy to make. Then they put the savings into giving it a decent trigger. Hard to argue that I have to have a Browning X bolt at 2x the price.

We are living through a high point in gun design.

Next step is a home CNC machine that lets you tweek the ergonomics to suit your measurements. You can already do it in plastic.

Joe