Posted: 1/28/2007 9:48:46 AM EDT
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I posted awhile back asking for opinions on a few 1911's in the $ range of around 1K. I was mainly looking @ the Spring' TRP, STI Trojan, and Kimber TLE, and got some really good feedback, thanks. It seems the more mags I read, and internet sites I view, I've all but decided to step up on what I originally planned to spend. I can't bring myself to even think of going over 2K. I realize "you get what you pay for", but surely I can get a damn fine pistol for under 2K. I had stated I wanted a gov' 5", all black (proprietary teflon finish), wood grips, Novak adj "fixed style" combat sites, and still hold true to that. The Nighthawk Talon, and Ed B. Special Forces are lookers as well as the Wilson's & Baer's, so enough with the blabbering, I'll cut to the chase and ask the open end question; Which one gives you the most for the least on an upper end pistol. |
Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special MSRP $1748  The new Les Baer CustomThunder Ranch 1911 is a serious, no-nonsense self-defense pistol conceived by Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch, one of the premier training facilities dedicated to teaching people how to survive in a tough, unfriendly world. Clint Smith cares about good guns and he's concerned that his students are equipped with reliable, accurate guns they might one day have to trust with their lives. That's why Clint Smith approached Les Baer about developing a dependable, combat-proven 1911 with which he and his students could feel completely confident. So, Clint Smith specified the features he wanted and Les Baer built it. The result is a distinctive yet practical 1911 that's ideal for personal defense and a source of price for the owner. Features include: Baer steel NM frame • Baer forged steel NM slide with front and rear serrations • Slide fitted to frame • Baer forged NM barrel with stainless match bushing • LBC deluxe fixed combat rear sight with Tritium inserts • Baer dovetail front sight with tritium insert • Lowered and flared ejection port • Baer checkered slide stop • Baer extended ejector • Standard style thumb safety (extended ambi for left handed shooters) • Baer aluminum match trigger • Baer deluxe Commander hammer and sear • Crisp 4 lb. pull • Baer tuned bar stock extractor • Baer beavertail grip safety with pad • Deluxe high checkered front strap at 30 lpi • Flat checkered mainspring housing • Beveled magazine well • Polished feed ramp and throated barrel • Complete pistol rounded for tactical use • Blue finish on complete pistol • Deluxe special slim line grips with thunder Ranch logo (not available with extended ambi safety) • (3) Stainless steel 7-round premium magazines • Special Thunder Ranch logo engraved on slide • Special serial numbers with "TR" prefix Rock River Arms Basic Carry MSRP $1555  The TRS will most likely be the easyer of the two to locate. My step son picked his up used LNIB for $1400.  |
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Thank you SGB. Both are very nice pistols indeed, although if I read correctly, the TR is blued and the RR is parkerized which I prefer neither finish. I must have some really dumb posts, cause I get very few responses as opposed to most on here. I'll just keep reading everything I get my eyes & hands on, and decide from there. This will be my second and possibly last 1911 purchase so I want to really get this one right. |
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your posts arent dumb, its just that most people arent here arent in that price range for a pistol (not for lack of want). from what you listed, I ask you, why do you keep looking up and up in prices? good 1911s dont have to cost 2k to be worth their salt. but a good base pistol, with most of the stuff you want already on it, and have it fisished, and the sights installed. if you get a kimber TLE II, then all you need to do is sight swap, and finish of your choice. (Id go melonite) -GP |
| I'll take a stab at your question. Now this is just from my experience and only my opinion, nothing scientific. The Wilson, NH, Brown, baer and RRA 1911s are all great 1911s. The RRA and Baer are a little cheaper and offer a great deal of 1911 for the money. They also have a little less finesse, if you ever hold or play with one IMO. I think of them more as the working high end 1911s. A friend of mine had a Baer and it was a great handgun. The Wilsons, NH and Ed Browns seem to be a little more show and some more money. Of the ones I have owned the Ed Browns had he best fit and finish but one did go back to Brown two times for problems. The Wilson and NH are the closest to being the same fit and finish. At this price range they are all great but each have there own look and feel. Like there own personality. You just need to find the one that fits your personality and needs. I have been looking for my next and RRA seems to fit alot of what I'm looking for in a commander 1911 for carry. Then again I will probably buy one of the new Colt Commanders from Budsgunshop for about $650.00 and send it to YoBo for his elite package. |
| I also forgot, there are great $1000.00 1911s out there. One of my favorite 1911, I paid only $900.00 for. It was a NIB Kimber warrior a few years ago. Has been great and I have not done a thing to it. Not saying that it has to be a Kimber. I also have a Colt rep. 70 that has been 100%. That all sounds like maybe you don't need to spend the $2000.00 on the semi custom. Most IMO in the $500-$1000 are going to need some reliabiliy work or custom work done to make it what you want. Not saying that they all need reliability work. People always get up in arms about someone saying that. As an example, I would like my warrior to have the front of the grip checkered but since it would need to be refinished I have not done it. Little things like that will need to be done and as you add things the finish wont match or the drop in part will not ever fit just right. It just makes a better 1911 if someone does it all right the first time, hence why alot of people say to start off with a semi custom. |
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"Words of wisdom". Thank you gentlemen. I guess I started reaching thinking that the more I spent, the better gun I would get, which has SOME validity. Problem is I live in a rural area where I don't have access to hold much less test shoot the upper-end pistols before buying. Hell, the nearest Kimber dealer is over an hours drive away, and not many shops keep 4 digit 1911's in the case. I understand the concept of adding & modifying over time to a lower-end pistol, but I'm really a novice in this area and figured my best bet is a complete package. Thanks again & good shooting. |