$3875 1911 - Is it worth it?

[Romad7]

Hi All,

 

So far I like carrying my RIA CS Tactical and like the 1911 style a lot.  I am looking at what I will eventually invest in for a beautiful, custom 1911 for carry and Wilson Combat keep coming up.  The Ultra-Light Sentinel and others like it look awesome and probably shoot better than I can but at what point is the price tag too much?  I am a believer that you get what you pay for and usually end up getting the more expensive model of whatever I am looking at.

 

Not really asking about what 1911 should I get or what is the best carry gun, more like am I getting my money's worth or should I just get a normal priced 1911 and add some parts / get work done on it?  I don't mind paying a lot for my dream gun which will become a family heirloom (my goal anyway).  Also not worried about any wear from carrying it, that will happen, its a tool.

 

Here's my example:

 

[URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/romad7/media/ULCSentinel.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[Garufa]

For $3,875 you better get a gun that loads and shoots all by itself producing .5 inch groups at 50 yards while you relax in a lounge chair sipping your favorite beverage.

 

Or a GI museum piece.

Edited April 30, 2013 by Garufa

[Spots]

$2k is about my limit for any firearm, short of a few high dollar Battle rifles that are on my "someday" list. I love my 1911's, but $4k is way more than I could ever afford to pay for one.

[tnhawk]

Is a $60,000 vehicle worth it?  A $15,000 vehicle will go faster than the law allows.

 

Only the buyer can determine if a automobile or a gun is worth the price.  Many factors are involved in that decision.

[Lowpower]

_{You guys are too rich for my blood. IMHO there is nothing like a hand smithed RIA Govt with adjustable sights and tigger.}

 

_{Buy the gun for $300-350. Stick another $50 in it and you're in business.  And you will have money left over for ammo.}

 

_Lp

Edited April 30, 2013 by Lowpower

[East_TN_Patriot]

Not even close to being worth it IMHO.  If one has the money to spare, have at it, but I can think of hundreds of things that I could buy with the money I'd save by getting a high-end Kimber or Springfield that will perform just as well.

[jgradyc]

I waited until someone else posted because your thinking is so alien to the way I see purchases. With that in mind, here is my take...

 

1. You don't get what you pay for when you are paying a lot more than the average price for an item. Usually, you are just paying for a name and bragging rights, in my opinion.

2. Your heirs won't care a fat rat's behind about how fancy your handgun is. They'll only care that it is something to connect them to you.

3. Who buys a gun to keep it forever? Geez, I'm old enough to not buy green bananas and I don't buy a gun with the intention of owning it for the rest of my life.

 

Why not upgrade to another 1911, if you really feel a need to, and get something to make it really unique, like Marschal grips with your initials on them? Some fo these grips are really works of art. http://www.marschalgrips.com/hires/hires.html and http://www.marschalgrips.com/

 

If I had a spare $3895 to spend on a 1911, I'd buy a good 1911 and use the cash left over to buy a 15 year-old Harley Davidson Sportster for a holster. :rofl:

[Guest mechanically]

Like many things, the incremental improvements at the top of the food chain become very small, and very expensive. 

 

Many folks think I'm nuts for having owned several "very expensive" bicycles in my past. I'd say they were worth every penny. However, those works of art weren't my first bike. They were purchased after logging many miles deciding what I wanted. 

 

You've already got a 1911, so if this is the jewel that you think deserves coming home with you, then I for one say go for it. Trying to define value with a group of shooters opinions is going to be challenging!  :cool:

 

Just as a potential addition, if $4k is in the budget, and your intention is to leave something special behind, what about a set of 2 (or more?!?!) matched 1911's? I think you could purchase several very nice guns, and have some awesome work done to them to make them special. Maybe not identical, but highly complementary? I just think that would up the "wow" factor years from now. Plus, all the family could get together and bring their part of the collection...

 

Regardless, I'll drool with the rest of us! 

[tnhawk]

..... Who buys a gun to keep it forever? Geez, I'm old enough to not buy green bananas and I don't buy a gun with the intention of owning it for the rest of my life......

I buy every gun with the intention to keep it forever!

[npgunner]

If its in the budget, you've got the cash on hand, and you want it ... why not? I would if it was something I was willing to part with that much cash on it. Enjoy the money you've saved how you want to enjoy it. If that's with a $4K 1911 then do it.

Whether or not the "improvements" are worth the extra cash is up to you. It'll probably go bang when you pull the trigger just like a $500 dollar model, and like you alluded too, only shoot as well as the guy pulling the trigger.

This is about your personal gun collection and if its something you want ansd can afford, go for it. Could you spend $4K on any other number of things that would look pretty in the safe? Sure you could. But get what you want ... and please post pictures.

[TripleDigitRide]

I can't afford one, and even if I could, I wouldn't buy one. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't spend a ridiculous amount of money on something else, if I wanted something and had the money.

[The Average Joe]

http://www.gunnuts.net/2013/04/12/1911-ratings-list/

[Slappy]

If you can afford it thats about the nicest 1911 you can get.  Is it "worth" it?  Well thats relative.  For me no, because I cant hardly afford a $500 gun but if I made a bunch of money, you better believe I'd have a couple Wilson Combats!  

 

For what its worth, I have shot a few Wilson's and Nighthawks.  They are awesome.  Very smooth and more accurate than I will ever be.  

[MacGyver]

Make sure you work with a Master Dealer. They'll save you a lot of money off that list price.

[Romad7]

http://www.gunnuts.net/2013/04/12/1911-ratings-list/

Great link and my favorite part:

Rock Island/Armscor/other Filipino makes: I would much rather have a Rock Island 1911 than a Kimber. Take that for whatever you think it’s worth.

That really breaks it down in a simple way, I love it! I am a fan of history and it got me thinking about a Colt again.

[Romad7]

Make sure you work with a Master Dealer. They'll save you a lot of money off that list price.

How much are you talking about? Just ballpark percentage.

[Caster]

Uhh no. Not in a thousand years. I can buy three Glocks and enough components to shoot a LOT for that money. And no matter what anyone says, the ONLY thing that gun can do a Glock cannot is look pretty. Whoopedy do. When I scratch my Glock, I say one mild swear word. You drop that on the ground or roll around with it in the holster and you'll be one sick customer.

My two cents, which figuring in inflation ain't worth more than three pesos.

[glock55]

Anything is only worth what your willing to pay for it. If you can afford it and are willing to pay the price then it's worth it to you regardless what anyone else thinks. My only question in carrying a gun like that would be if I became involve in a shooting. It would be taken for evidence. But I'm sure you would get it back. Just be sure to post pictures on whatever you buy.

[tercel89]

I carry a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec in just plain jane flat black. It has a lowered ejection port for reliability and I did take out the "key lock safety" in the main spring housing. I put in a new flat main spring housing with no key lock safety.

 It has been ssssooooo reliable and has great character since it is so plain looking yet so relaible. I say go with a cheaper one and save some money but it is really up to you. My friend at work just got a STI brand 1911 and he paid well over $1200 for it and loves it . Our Armorer at our department even liked it . So there are plenty of good ones out there. I like the light weight ones but when it comes to a 1911 I feel that you MUST get an all steel heavy fullsize one .

 Good luck buddy !

[bubbadavis]

Uhh no. Not in a thousand years. I can buy three Glocks and enough components to shoot a LOT for that money. And no matter what anyone says, the ONLY thing that gun can do a Glock cannot is look pretty. Whoopedy do. When I scratch my Glock, I say one mild swear word. You drop that on the ground or roll around with it in the holster and you'll be one sick customer.

My two cents, which figuring in inflation ain't worth more than three pesos.

 

The 1911 can be carried cocked and locked... :stir:

[Romad7]

You guys are great, all good honest opinions and a lot of great points.

I'll be saving up for this purchase so the money issue is just a matter of time. If is worth it then I don't mind paying for it, "worth it" being a personal thing as mentioned. I'm also the guy who spent $7200 on a dirt bike and it was worth it to me (7 yrs ago).

Having worked in a machine shop I know that these kinds of thing are measured in cost per hour per person. When you have a team of skilled specialists taking time to make every single detail perfect, you get a Wilson Combat 1911. And then there's the name that adds some to the cost. Maybe I can find an acceptable level of perfection for cheaper, elsewhere. I'm leaning that way.

And to answer a point made, yes I plan on keeping this gun forever but I agree that the name that means the most to my heirs will be mine and not Wilson:-) (good points in that post though, thanks)

I am hesitant to spend that much on a "production gun" (I use that loosely) when I could have a custom gun built for me that will meet my requirements probably for less. Or take a nice older gun and have it worked over and personalized for less.

It seems that this a wonderful gun but I am not sure it has the edge over other choices that is worth the extra cost.

Again, great comments from everyone. I really appreciate the candid input.

[glock55]

The 1911 can be carried cocked and locked... :stir:

So what's your point? Possibly that there is still one step more involved in firing a 1911 than there is to fire a Glock.

[Caster]

The 1911 can be carried cocked and locked... :stir:

Is that worth something? LOL


At the end of the day, no matter what any of us tell you, let your money bring you happiness. What good is money if you don't have what you REALLY want.

[bubbadavis]

So what's your point? Possibly that there is still one step more involved in firing a 1911 than there is to fire a Glock.

 

Just pointing out that there is something the WC can do that the Glock can't... I just couldn't resist stirring the pot a little.

[Romad7]

The 1911 can be carried cocked and locked... :stir:

This is why I carry a 1911 although I love Glocks. I know that a Glock can be carried locked and cocked but I do feel safer with the 1911 safeties.