Posted: 1/19/2007 5:22:34 PM EDT
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With so many big names out there such as Les Baer, Nighthawk, Wilson Combat, and Ed brown, im having a little trouble deciding on what to go through. My budget is around $2000 but will go a little bit overboard if needed. I'm not too picky on accessories and such, I just want a well built reliable 1911 that will work with whatever I throw at it. Right now my eye is leaning torwards the Nighthawk GRP series, but I've got about a month to make up my mind so I'm just going to continue researching around until then. |
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I would go w/any of those that you listed. I own a Wilson Combat, plan on getting a Nighthawk fairly soon, and wouldn't mind an Ed Brown. I really don't have a desire to own a Les Baer although they are quality guns. Look at the features/fit that you want and get the one that fits the bill the best. |
Ed Brown Special Forces $1995 Les Baer TRS $1748  Wilson Combat CQB $2185.00  NightHawk GRP $2195 *  I've handled and fired examples of all the above and they are all outstanding products, any of which I would proudly carry. My personal preferance though would be the NightHawk GRP, but then that's just me.  |
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I'm going to have to +1 for the Les Baer TRS. It's a simple, no-nonsense combat 1911. Front strap checkering yields a positive grip, and the high grip keeps it very stable. My favorite feature, though, has got to be those grip panels. LBC went with slimline grips, which in wood are very elegant, and when in aluminum, are definitely functional and attractive. It doesn't have a wonder-finish like Wilson Combat does, but there's something classy about a blued-steel 1911.  If you're willing to wait in line, look into Valtro 1911s. |
+2 on the Les Baer. I picked up my Wilson CQB used and I love it. That being said, if I was in the market for another 1911, I'd get a Les Baer (for diversity?). Nighthawk? For that kind of coin, IMO, the frames and slides should be forged. Nighthawk is using Caspian cast slides and frames IIRC. others will flame me for the cast vs. forged comment, but I've owned a cast pistol in the past (Para Ordnance) and didn't care for the casting voids in the underside of the slide. With my kind of luck, I'd be the guy to drop a cast pistol and be the first to find a void in the frame. |
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The most important factor is what YOU want in a semi-custom 1911. At this level it's hard to go wrong, so pick something YOU will be happy with. For example, I like Baers, and if i were in the market for another $1500-2000 1911, would likely buy a TRS. I don't particularly care for Wilson, Brown, or Nighthawk simply due to aesthetics. It helps to be able to handle and shoot them all and make your decision based on that information. |
| The Baers certainly give you a lot of 1911 for the money. Sporting Arms has the TRS right now for $1620 and the PII is under $1400. Another you might consider is RRA as they offer a high quality 1911 for less than some of the others. As someone stated it's hard to go wrong with any of those you've narrowed it down to. |
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I'd have to go with Baer. Not only does he make an accurate gun but he stands behind his product 100%. I bought a TRS in 2001 and after a few thousand rounds noticed a hair line crack around the dust cover. This was three years later. I called the shop to ask what should be done and Les traded out the gun for a brand new one. While this may scare some as a potential quality issue I think the important thing is the Les made things right and he did it within a week with no hassle whatsoever. I've got about 2k rounds through the new gun with no problem. I should also add that I never had a single malfunction of any kind with either gun. They go bang every time and are capable of incredibly tight groups. On an unrelated note, isn't Nighthawk basically all of Bill Wilson's ex-gunsmiths. I thought he had a falling out with some of his top guys and they left to start their own company. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. |
Colt Special Combat Government 
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That is what I was going to suggest. I have a Springfield Armory TRP that I love, but I lust after one of their Pro's. Jay |
That is my understanding as well. I don't know that I would say for certain they had a falling out as perhaps as much as they wanted to make the $$$$ as company owners that Wilson was able to make thru the years. Obviously, since I wasn't there, this is purely guesswork on my part. |
Wow, that Ed Brown is awfully pretty...That finish looks great. |