Best Semi-Custom 1911 Poll

[CDR]

I would appreciate any input regarding these particular semi-custom 1911 manufacturers.  I am in the market for a full size semi-custom 1911 and have been looking at all of these for a few months now with a preference towards Les Baer Thunder Ranch (hard chromed version) or the Ed Brown Special Forces or Kobra.  Many people also love Nighthawk Custom as well as Rock River Arms.  Wilson Combat appears to have lost some ground as of late with respect to overall quality, perhaps since having lost their top gunsmiths to Nighthawk Custom.  Any opinions welcomed as all of these 1911s seem to hover around the $2,000 mark, give or take, and I would like to select the best option available.

Alternatively, I am considering getting a Colt Series 70 reissue and sending it to Yost-Bonitz for an "1* Elite" Package which would run about $1,500 over the cost of the Colt.  Just not sure if that would result in a pistol that is equal to or better than the alternative options I have listed.  I hear good things about the Colt Gunsite Pistol as well for around $1,500.  This is a Series 70 that has been modified to Gunsite's specifications which, essentially, removes the Colt MIM parts and substitute them with forged.  Also some modifications to the safeties to allow for a high thumb hold.  The primary Gunsite objective with this pistol is utter reliability.  As I will use it for carry, naturally, this is of primary importance to me.

Many thanks gentlemen.

[DonWorsham]

CDR, you can't go wrong with a 1911 from any of those folks. Hopefully you will be able to shoot some them before you decide. I would choose the one that fit my hand, shot to POA and looked the prettiest.

[texcaliber]

I can not vote for you due to the fact that I would not chose one over the Smith&Wesson DK two-tone 45ACP and if you want to spend more cash they have the Preformance Center pistols for you. I personally had a SVI dot-tracker that i feel i traded up to the DK45 S&W........NO JOKE. If you want more combat geared 1911 then Springfield's TRP or the Operator series would also save you some $ and time. Just saying man 

Tex

[ratcatcher55]

If you consider buying a 1911 and spending the money to upgrade it consider Jim Garthwaite in PA.
He took a new Springfield Fully Loaded that was IMHO a piece of dung and turned it into a reliable  and pretty carry gun.

He came highly recommended and finished the project on time and on budget. Jim carries everyday and is of a more tactical than gamer mind set about firearms.


http://www.garthwaite.com/

Give him a call or email him.

Good luck

[hodman]

I live about an hour from both Night Hawk and Wilson. I have 2 Wilson 1911's currently and would tell you they IMHO are the best guns on the market. I also have 2 Kimbers and think they are great guns as well. BTW I have an STI that I shoot USPAS limited with and it is a great gun and shoot it more than my other 1911's. OK I am not sure that I have met a 1911 that I don’t like.
Not sure I helped but admitting I have a problem with 1911's is the first step

Jon

[Sponsor]

[texcaliber]

I live about an hour from both Night Hawk and Wilson. I have 2 Wilson 1911's currently and would tell you they IMHO are the best guns on the market. I also have 2 Kimbers and think they are great guns as well. BTW I have an STI that I shoot USPAS limited with and it is a great gun and shoot it more than my other 1911's. OK I am not sure that I have met a 1911 that I don’t like.
Not sure I helped but admitting I have a problem with 1911's is the first step

Jon

   LOL 

Yes first step but in which direction hodman?

[IDPAshooter]

I think we all have a problem... too many items on that "if I just had a couple extra dolllars" category.  All I can speak of is my Kimber, which has been an absolute dream, since I got it back from the gunsmith with a triggerjob and reliability package.  Whereas my Springfield, which I basically gave away, went back many a time and was never worthy of competition much less carry.  Truth is any of those choices will be plenty good.  My advice would be to get the GUNSITE  version at Gunsite and take the class too, that will do more than the difference between one gun or the other IMHO .

NEMASTE
Lock & Load! 

(I really love that quote!) 

[WymoreWrangler]

I've got a Colt 1911 XSE, straight from the factory it's a good one, lots of custom features at factory prices...

[hodman]

take the class too, that will do more than the difference between one gun or the other IMHO .

I could not agree more train all you can and then train some more. Buy a lower priced gun and invest the rest in a good class.

Jon

[2HOW]

For the money it looks like the new STI is very good. But any platform can be made into a great shooter on a budget by a good gunsmith.