If you had 2k-3k to spend on a 1911, what would you do/get ?

[glocke12]

Title pretty much says it all...Wilson Combat? Nighthawk? Les Baer?

Or would you get something like a colt gold cup or SA 1911 and send it off to a 'smith to have any mods you wanted done to it?

[justsayno]

2 remington R1 enhanced, with threaded barrels. and 2k rounds of ammo.

The Rems are starting to get noticed on value for money.

Second choice, 9mm Full size, JP Sales kit , for Tok. Re-bullet with sabot, and .22cal , 55 grain bullets. This puts the little chits to almost 2200 feet per sec, from the muzzle. To hell with the overpriced FN.

[DClan]

If I had that kind of money, and I was looking for a high end 1911 for carry ( no safe queen ), that I would be staking my life on, three options immediately pop into my head.
The first one would be the Nighthawk T3 ( available as blue or stainless, with or without integral compensator ). This is a commander length upper on an officers frame with G10 grips and integrated mag well.
The second one ( not necessarily second in any term but this reply ) would be a pistol that has been in the back of my mind for over 20 years, and still remains a carry gun by which many are judged, the Wilson Combat SDS ( Stealth Defense System ). This has long been considered by many to be the ultimate in concealable 1911 goodness, and set the bar for small 1911's when it debuted. Its design did away with the traditional barrel bushing and used a 4" tactical tapered cone barrel with a fixed/contoured stop. Like the T3, it is built on an officers sized frame. The only downside here is if you have large hands, the grip surface may be too small, necessitating examining other options ( such as the Nighthawk Predator , the Wilson Combat Professional )
The third one is one of my favorites, its Ed Brown's Kobra Carry 1911, the original bobtail badass with custom touches. There are lots of options, these are 3 of my favorites.

[glocke12]

Dont want this to get sidetracked...so to clarify, this only pertains to 1911's chambered in 45 ACP...

also, this isn't for me...trying to help a relative with some cash to burn decide what to get.

[crlovel]

A Smith and Wesson or Sig 1911 for just under a grand, and ammo with what's left.

[PA1936MN]

What is it going to be used for?

- Target shooting in different types of matches?

- Conceal Carry & Practice sessions?

- Or a safe queen?

[sigarms229]

Dollar for Dollar I'm a big fan of Ed Brown's pistols.

1. I love the beavertail.

2 They produce every part in house, no blaming a 3rd party for an inferior part.

Don't get me wrong, all of them are great pistols, but I'm currently saving for an Ed Brown myself after looking the field over....

[wellcraft]

Dont want this to get sidetracked...so to clarify, this only pertains to 1911's chambered in 45 ACP...

also, this isn't for me...trying to help a relative with some cash to burn decide what to get.

what's the gun going to be used for? does your relative have any experience with firearms? i wouldn't recommend spending 2-3k on a 1911 if the buyer isn't expereinced with firearms or the 1911 platform. if he/she is plannning to shoot competitions where 1/10 of an inch may be the difference between winning and losing then a high end les baur, wilson combat or ed brown may be the best choice. i believe all of the high end 1911 manufacturers produce a excellent product and you can't go wrong no matter which one you decide to purchase.

if the buyer is just shooting paper or cans then a nice Colt, Springfield Armory, S&W, Kimber, SIG priced between 1000-1500 is a better choice then the remaining 1500 can be spent on ammo and accessories.

[mike12_nguyen]

my top choice would be Ed Brown. but honestly if you are going to spend that much save a little more and order it custom. why pay 2-3k for a custom order gun spec'd out by the gun shop. It takes longer and cost a lot more but you'll get exactly what you want.
this is just my opinion:

1. ed brown (kobra) my absolute favorite
2. wilson combat (tactical elite)
3. nighthawk custom (talon)
4. les baer (thunder ranch)
5. dan wesson (valor)
*if you can find one, i really like the rock river.

form mid price:
1.s&w e-series
2.sig mia pow
3.kimber raptor
4.remington r1 enhanced

any mid-price 1911 can out shoot you. is it worth getting a high end 1911? unless you want to waste money i would stay with the mid-price. (that being said, i just ordered an ed brown kobra )

there are also very high end custom shops that are local and don't get a lot of press but are just as good.

here is my new baby, just got her yesterday. has trijicon night sights , i'm going to change out the grips (just ordered new vz's and change the trigger (creep is a little long)).

[IMG][/IMG]

[87hurricane]

I'm also in the "why spend that much" crowd. I understand the cool factor, but unless you are a serious competition shooter, the extra money between a really nice mid/high grade 1911 to a custom is kind of a waste IMO. Btw, I know this is .45 exclusively, but....I'd buy a Coonan .357mag