[GOOFA]

We've kicked this around for years, but in light of price increases and the current economic situation, how would you rate the top 4 mfrs. of semi-custom 1911's?

Guncrafter

Wilson Combat

Springfield Custom

NightHawk

[bac1023]

In no particular order...

Springfield Custom

Wilson

Guncrafter

Les Baer

[glock2740]

I would rate the top 4 IMO and in no certain order as:
Guncrafter
Wilson
Brown
SACS

Tie for fifth:
Baer
Nighthawk

Although I would classify all 6 of the above mentioned to all be in the same class, with all worthy of owning. I own some of each.

[38 Super Fan]

All great shops for sure, when economics are figured in, Baers are hard to beat IMO.

[PlasticGuy]

In no particular order, based a good blend of price/quality/uniqueness:

Les Baer
Nighthawk
Springfield
Wilson

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by 38 Super Fan

All great shops for sure, when economics are figured in, Baers are hard to beat IMO.

[R0CKETMAN]

Originally Posted by 38 Super Fan

All great shops for sure, when economics are figured in, Baers are hard to beat IMO.

True words Cody

None mentioned so far are built like a Baer...none

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by glock2740

I would rate the top 4 IMO and in no certain order as:
Guncrafter
Wilson
Brown
SACS

Tie for fifth:
Baer
Nighthawk

Although I would classify all 6 of the above mentioned to all be in the same class, with all worthy of owning. I own some of each.

I would agree with this,.....assuming price was not a factor.
I have owned a Brown, Wilson, Baer, & Guncrafter.
The GI is by far the best semi-custom when pricing is a consideration.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by R0CKETMAN

True words Cody

None mentioned so far are built like a Baer...none

I feel Guncrafter and Springfield Custom build them tight like Baer does.

I hear what you're saying though.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by 38 Super Fan

All great shops for sure, when economics are figured in, Baers are hard to beat IMO.

Never cared for the way Les cares to finish his 1911s.
Bluing is nice, but prep work is sub-par........IMO

[Officer's Match]

Originally Posted by R0CKETMAN

True words Cody

None mentioned so far are built like a Baer...none

I agree. My list, in order, would be:

1. Les Baer
2. SACS
3. Wilson Combat
4. Ed Brown

I've no doubt Guncrafter would be on there (displacing EB - don't know where GC would rank) if I ever get around to owning one.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Never cared for the way Les cares to finish his 1911s.
Bluing is nice, but prep work is sub-par........IMO

The standard finish on Baers is not up to some of the other semi-customs, but the build quality is awesome.

[HexHead]

Again, no particular order...
Nighthawk
Wilson
Baer
Brown

On second thought, I'd say in that order.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by HexHead

Again, no particular order...
Nighthawk
Wilson
Baer
Brown

On second thought, I'd say in that order.

Wow, Nighthawk first?

[HexHead]

Originally Posted by bac1023

Wow, Nighthawk first?

Yeah, I've got one I ordered direct from them in 2008, to my specs. I've yet to see anything nicer.

[bac1023]

Nice.

I've got one from 2007 and one from 2008. They are great 1911s for sure.

[glock2740]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

The GI is by far the best semi-custom when pricing is a consideration.

I agree. They cost a little more than most Baer's, but you get your money's worth. Plus, Alex is hands on.

[glock2740]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Never cared for the way Les cares to finish his 1911s.
Bluing is nice, but prep work is sub-par........IMO

Originally Posted by bac1023

The standard finish on Baers is not up to some of the other semi-customs, but the build quality is awesome.

I agree with both statements. I think Les is more about the performance than the aesthetics. Might be why he can turn them out for less money.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by glock2740

I agree with both statements. I think Les is more about the performance than the aesthetics. Might be why he can turn them out for less money.

Exactly

[MD357]

Take you pick....

Baer, SACS, Brown, Wilson, GC... you're splitting hairs.




























Nighthawk. Sorry, they've just gone downhil IMO. I don't understand asking big boy money for a 1911 and slapping a Kimber ambi-safety on it.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by glock2740

I agree with both statements. I think Les is more about the performance than the aesthetics. Might be why he can turn them out for less money.

Very well stated

[bac1023]

I wish Unertl still built 1911s. They were awesome.

[HexHead]

Originally Posted by MD357

Nighthawk. Sorry, they've just gone downhil IMO. I don't understand asking big boy money for a 1911 and slapping a Kimber ambi-safety on it.

Not an issue for me, I won't have an ambi safety on a pistol I carry. In any event, if you order custom built they will put on whatever safety you want. At that price point, I'm not going into a LGS and buying one off the shelf.

[MD357]

Originally Posted by HexHead

Not an issue for me, I won't have an ambi safety on a pistol I carry. In any event, if you order custom built they will put on whatever safety you want. At that price point, I'm not going into a LGS and buying one off the shelf.

I'm eluding to an example of their mentality. Why put a sub-par ambi on a $2500+ 1911? Why pay that much for a Remsport frame and slide with shyty checking, sometimes with no undercut? What parts do they honestly make? Sorry they just don't measure up for the price they want. Nice guns...... but for the money you might aswell be lookng at a DW.

When the competition is making their own stuff and charging the same amount it's a no brainer.

[bac1023]

You bring up some good points, MD. Both my Nighthawks were built years ago. They both have ambi safeties, but strangely, only one uses the Kimber version.