Posted: 12/1/2012 9:12:05 PM EDT
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Hello,
I will be looking for my first pistol over the next year, and I have already decided that it will be a 1911. The problem though is that I can't decide on which one to get due to the large choice of manufacturers and models. I previously was looking at a Kimber Custom Covert II, but all the Kimber bashing has left me unsure on dropping that much money on a gun that may or may not work every time. Anyways, I started to look at other alternatives, and became swamped in all the choices, so I came here looking for your guys' help. I would like the pistol to have the following: 5" barrel Front/backstrap checkering No rail SFront/rear serrations on slide Skeletonized trigger No stainless steel .45 ACP Price: below $2k Other than that, basically anything is an acceptable suggestion. Thanks in advance for the help |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the reply. Is there any specific reason for looking at Les Baer's instead of other companies? Not necessarily. I just went by your specifications. The Les Baer Custom Carry retails for $1920 according to their website: 
Really the only other 1911 in carbon steel with checkering I can think of is the Springfield TRP, other than Kimbers. Most are stainless steel nowadays. |
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Give a look at COLT , talk to people that own them
They brought back the carbon steel Gold Cup National Match 05870 NM I am not a fan of the wrap around rubber grips , but put a nice wood double diamond grip or VZ grips - this ones on my short list Some upgrades can be ordered from custom shop too Colt special combat is a nice one to! A little high priced for me but with a $2000 price you would have to look at this too maybe . Good luck with your choice , have fun shopping :) LOTS of people will comment both good and bad , but in the last 25 years I have seen COLTs always command a high re- sell price . None of us plan to sell when we buy something , but it happens ..I have gotten back all my investment and even made money on every colt I sold . .lots of very expensive used pistols from big name custom 1911 companies can usually be had a very good deals on the used market . I have seen $2500 1911s for sale for 1700-1800. |
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As the happy owner of three Baers, all bought new, I'm a big advocate. Easily the best value in the high-end lmited production market. That said, I'm not sure a Baer is the best idea for a first 1911 (the "tightness" could be frustrating). A Springfield Range Officer would be a good alternative at less than half the price and a Customer Service department ready to help at the drop of a dime.
Goimg even further, I'd question whethee any 1911 is the best idea for a first handgun. Lots of quircks out there ready to possibly take the fun out of the experience. If a friend were to ask, and they have, I'd recommend a Glock 9mm (lots of configuration options) or maybe an M92/M9 to break into the handgun business. Cheap ammo, just about guaranteed reliability out of the box, simple operation, aftermarket goodies to satisfy tha craving, and best of all cheap entey price at $600ish. |
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Thanks for the suggestions.
Anyways, I decided to look around online at the brands mentioned along with a few others. I came across the Springfield Armory TRP Armory Kote, which meets the specs that I wanted, and it seems to be at a fair price. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this particular pistol, as it seems to be a good choice. As I said earlier, I have heard a lot of the Kimber bashing, but I haven't heard any complaints about the particular model i was looking at, the Custom Covert II. Would you guys suggest to stay away from the Kimber still, or have you guys had any feedback about it? Just curious about that one. As for the Colt, I went through their catalog and it appears as if none of their pistols have the front/backstrap checkering, unless I'm missing something..... If so, please let me know, since I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Colt 
The Les Baer's look like a good option, but they are pushing the limit for my budget. Thats not to say that they are out of consideration though, since it looks like they are a good value for what you're getting (from your guys' opinions) |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the suggestions. Anyways, I decided to look around online at the brands mentioned along with a few others. I came across the Springfield Armory TRP Armory Kote, which meets the specs that I wanted, and it seems to be at a fair price. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this particular pistol, as it seems to be a good choice. As I said earlier, I have heard a lot of the Kimber bashing, but I haven't heard any complaints about the particular model i was looking at, the Custom Covert II. Would you guys suggest to stay away from the Kimber still, or have you guys had any feedback about it? Just curious about that one. As for the Colt, I went through their catalog and it appears as if none of their pistols have the front/backstrap checkering, unless I'm missing something..... If so, please let me know, since I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Colt
The Les Baer's look like a good option, but they are pushing the limit for my budget. Thats not to say that they are out of consideration though, since it looks like they are a good value for what you're getting (from your guys' opinions) I haven't shot a TRP, but I've looked at them in some shops. To me the 20lpi checkering is too aggressive without wearing gloves. Some people don't mind it though. You could always get either a Parkerized Springfield Loaded (~$900) or a Blued Colt XSE (~$1000) and send it to the factory for front strap checkering. It would add around $200 to the price plus refinishing cost. |
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You could order now, with money down, and save a little more if you want to break into the semi custom world. An Ed Brown will take about 4 months to build right now from my understanding, nighthawk is 14-16 months, and wilson combat is 12-16 months. Those are all over 2k, though. Shop around, you can get these weapons for less than retail usually. For a Les Baer, call crazy john at cj1911heaven.com . He will get you a good price, and has some custom carry's coming in within a couple of weeks, he orders all of his with no front cocking serrations, though. He has an awesome deal on premier II's with the 1.5 inch guarantee if you order before the end of the year I think, but you'll have to wait about 10 months for the pistol to get built by Les Baer customs.
You have to decide if you want a semi custom or a production gun. The Dan Wesson Valor is a nice weapon as well, but the way the prices keep going up on them... I'd rather get a Baer for what most places are asking for the valor in duty coat(black). The TRP is a really nice production pistol, but you should go hands on with one, I just handled one yesterday, and as mentioned the front strap checkering is aggressive. 1911's are addicting. I had one a few years back, and recently decided I wanted a new one. It started out as "ahh I'll just get a gi replica range beater", then it was "Nah I want something a little nicer, I'll look at a TRP, kimber warrior etc". Then it was "well maybe a DW Valor"... I almost pulled the trigger on a Baer, and had they been in stock I would have. I decided to go ahead and go all out, get what I want, and have a gun I would keep for life most likely. I ended up placing an order for a Nighthawk GRP Recon with some options. It is expensive, but in the end it was what I wanted in a gun. The hard part is going to be waiting, but that's what I have my springfield xdm and ar-15 for... it'll give me time to get some toys for my much neglected ar-15. My best advice I could give you is, be patient and make sure the weapon you purchase is the one you really want. If the one you really want is a little out of your range, save up a little longer and then purchase it. Most of the semi customs (Les Baer, Nighthawk, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, etc) you just have to put a small down payment on, and pay the balance when the pistol gets in. So that gives you time to save... it's what I did. I have to say CJ was a pleasure to deal with, and if I get a Les Baer in the future I'm surely going through him. For my nighthawk I went through George at migunslingers.com and he has been a pleasure to deal with as well, even answered his phone at 5 in the evening on a saturday to discuss prices and options and ultimately in the end take my order. It's hard to find a person that has that kind of commitment to their business. |
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Quoted:
You could order now, with money down, and save a little more if you want to break into the semi custom world. An Ed Brown will take about 4 months to build right now from my understanding, nighthawk is 14-16 months, and wilson combat is 12-16 months. Those are all over 2k, though. Shop around, you can get these weapons for less than retail usually. For a Les Baer, call crazy john at cj1911heaven.com . He will get you a good price, and has some custom carry's coming in within a couple of weeks, he orders all of his with no front cocking serrations, though. He has an awesome deal on premier II's with the 1.5 inch guarantee if you order before the end of the year I think, but you'll have to wait about 10 months for the pistol to get built by Les Baer customs. You have to decide if you want a semi custom or a production gun. The Dan Wesson Valor is a nice weapon as well, but the way the prices keep going up on them... I'd rather get a Baer for what most places are asking for the valor in duty coat(black). The TRP is a really nice production pistol, but you should go hands on with one, I just handled one yesterday, and as mentioned the front strap checkering is aggressive. 1911's are addicting. I had one a few years back, and recently decided I wanted a new one. It started out as "ahh I'll just get a gi replica range beater", then it was "Nah I want something a little nicer, I'll look at a TRP, kimber warrior etc". Then it was "well maybe a DW Valor"... I almost pulled the trigger on a Baer, and had they been in stock I would have. I decided to go ahead and go all out, get what I want, and have a gun I would keep for life most likely. I ended up placing an order for a Nighthawk GRP Recon with some options. It is expensive, but in the end it was what I wanted in a gun. The hard part is going to be waiting, but that's what I have my springfield xdm and ar-15 for... it'll give me time to get some toys for my much neglected ar-15. My best advice I could give you is, be patient and make sure the weapon you purchase is the one you really want. If the one you really want is a little out of your range, save up a little longer and then purchase it. Most of the semi customs (Les Baer, Nighthawk, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, etc) you just have to put a small down payment on, and pay the balance when the pistol gets in. So that gives you time to save... it's what I did. I have to say CJ was a pleasure to deal with, and if I get a Les Baer in the future I'm surely going through him. For my nighthawk I went through George at migunslingers.com and he has been a pleasure to deal with as well, even answered his phone at 5 in the evening on a saturday to discuss prices and options and ultimately in the end take my order. It's hard to find a person that has that kind of commitment to their business. Wow, lots of good information here. I too looked at the Nighthwaks and Wilson Combats, but those are way out of the budget, even though they are pretty much what I want. As for the Dan Wesson's, I couldn't find one that had the options that I wanted on a 1911. As for the TRp, I will look for one when I go to the gun shop next. I have already handled a Kimber Covert II, but that had 30 LPI checkering, and it felt a lot better than the Remington R1 that I handled that had no checkering at all. So the checkering is a must for me, but I would definitely handle a TRP before if I choose to get one, since everyone seems to complain about the checkering. |