[Officer's Match]

Originally Posted by Short Cut

I find it intersting what has changed on this list. ~10 years ago it was pretty solidly Wilson, Baer, Brown. Springfield Custom Shop and Guncrafter Industries are now on everybody's list who owns one.

Well, sort of... My SACS is from 1991 and it is as Brian mentioned "Baer-tight". 'Course that could be because Les ran SACS at that time.

[GVFlyer]

Using the marginal utility, iTunes descriptor - in this case not how often I play the tune, but how often I shoot the gun:

1. Wilson Combat.
2. Ed Brown
3. Les Baer
4.Nighthawk Custom.

I have to agree with the others who have stated that Les Baer offers best value.

I know that this doesn't count, but I find that I shoot this hard chrome Colt .38 Super more than any of the above listed guns.

[tsmo1066]

Originally Posted by bac1023

In no particular order...

Springfield Custom

Wilson

Guncrafter

Les Baer

Out of curiosity, why would you not place Ed Brown in your top 4?

[NEOH212]

Originally Posted by MD357

Take you pick....

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

I agree 100% About the only difference I've seen between these manufactures (aesthetics aside) are the levels of refinement. All shoot very well, are super accurate and dead nuts reliable.

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.

I must say I'm disappointed with Nighthawk. I've handled and shot a few of them and I'm just not impressed. The fit and finish on the ones I fired wasn't what I'd expect on a gun with that kind of price tag.

They also didn't seem to be the most reliable and that's something I would not tolerate in a gun that costs over $3,000.

The Ed Brown I once had never malfunctioned once through the several thousand rounds I ran through it. That's not counting what the previous owner fired out of it.

Nighthawk makes some nice stuff but IMHO, they are not on par with Wilson, Brown or any of the other big boys. They a high end production gun with a custom price tag with Kimber reliability, fit and finish.

In other words, they have a long way to go before I'd drop the coin they are asking for.

I know that comment will piss some people off but that was my experience with two separate guns from Nighthawk.

Sorry.

[SpringerTGO]

Originally Posted by bac1023

Wow, Nighthawk first?

You guys have heard my gripes about Nighthawk so I won't recite them again.
Let's just say after my experience with Nighthawk I would rate them just below Kimber.

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by SpringerTGO

You guys have heard my gripes about Nighthawk so I won't recite them again.
Let's just say after my experience with Nighthawk I would rate them just below Kimber.

Ouch!

[20South]

Wilson
Guncrafter
Springfield
Baer

[glock2740]

Originally Posted by NEOH212

I agree 100% About the only difference I've seen between these manufactures (aesthetics aside) are the levels of refinement. All shoot very well, are super accurate and dead nuts reliable.




I must say I'm disappointed with Nighthawk. I've handled and shot a few of them and I'm just not impressed. The fit and finish on the ones I fired wasn't what I'd expect on a gun with that kind of price tag.

They also didn't seem to be the most reliable and that's something I would not tolerate in a gun that costs over $3,000.

The Ed Brown I once had never malfunctioned once through the several thousand rounds I ran through it. That's not counting what the previous owner fired out of it.

Nighthawk makes some nice stuff but IMHO, they are not on par with Wilson, Brown or any of the other big boys. They a high end production gun with a custom price tag with Kimber reliability, fit and finish.

In other words, they have a long way to go before I'd drop the coin they are asking for.

I know that comment will piss some people off but that was my experience with two separate guns from Nighthawk.

Sorry.

The Lady calls it likes she see's it. And I agree with her.

[SpringerTGO]

Originally Posted by bac1023

Ouch!

Bac....
At least Kimber didn't accuse me of lying, their 1911 had the features they promised, and I didn't have to read about what parts they supply that they don't warranty.

[Tophatter]

I've only shot Baers, Nighthawks, and Wilsons, so those are my only basis for comparison. All three impressed me. I own a Baer, a Custom Carry with the 1.5" guarantee. The finish is starting to wear a little, but frankly, I think a worn blued 1911 looks a hell of a lot better than one that stays murdered-out for its lifetime. It's also not nearly as tight as a non-1.5" gun; that seems to be a common report.

It has been the most reliable gun I've owned. It's gone 2000 rounds without cleaning, ate everything it's been fed, and failed exactly zero times since I bought it. It doesn't have the cosmetic appeal of a Wilson or a NHC, but that works for me. The gun just runs.

[devildog66]

All are superb quality but everything can break and that is where WC is superb. No questions - great weapon and unmatched customer service.

[SpringerTGO]

Originally Posted by devildog66

All are superb quality but everything can break and that is where WC is superb. No questions - great weapon and unmatched customer service.

Very good point.
Isn't customer service a major part of what we are paying for with a custom build?
Springield bent over backwards to treat me well when the ambi safety broke on my TGO1. They paid shipping both ways, bought a Wilson Bullet Proof Safety, and took care of the install within a few days.

Nighthawk????? Even though I was told their safety is as reliable as Wilson's bullet proof safety by their rep, the owner accused me of lying about those conversations, and said they don't warranty ambi safeties.
It would be laughable except the joke is on me for buying a $3000 1911 from such a jerk.

[devildog66]

Originally Posted by SpringerTGO

Very good point.
Isn't customer service a major part of what we are paying for with a custom build?
Springield bent over backwards to treat me well when the ambi safety broke on my TGO1. They paid shipping both ways, bought a Wilson Bullet Proof Safety, and took care of the install within a few days.

I had also heard the same about SA customer service but have no direct experience with them. Though I loved my loaded lightweight 1911.

[Clutch Cargo]

Originally Posted by Officer's Match

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.

I agree, Ed Brown is one of the elite.

[broncobuddha1]

Not on par with Wilson or Brown but I woud think DW before Springfield.

[Rinspeed]

Originally Posted by broncobuddha1

but I woud think DW before Springfield.

The mention of SA are of the Custom Shop which is a couple steps up from a DW.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by broncobuddha1

Not on par with Wilson or Brown but I woud think DW before Springfield.

Do you put a Cadillac above a BMW M3?

[glock2740]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Do you put a Cadillac above a BMW M3?

That depends. Does the Cadillac have a big ole set of longhorns on the hood?...

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by broncobuddha1

Not on par with Wilson or Brown but I woud think DW before Springfield.

I'd put Springfield Custom above Ed Brown and at least on par with Wilson.

[MD357]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Do you put a Cadillac above a BMW M3?

I'll take a CTS-V 7 ways till sunday over an M3 or M5.

[broncobuddha1]

Depends. Are you over 65? Me neither.... M3.

Not real familiar with SAs Custom Shop stuff.

And unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to shoot a Wilson or Brown. Maybe someday. Though I'm very happy with my 10mm CBOB.

[Wyoming]

Originally Posted by bac1023

You have to go with stainless or hard chrome when buying a Baer, in my opinion.

I am glad to you have such praise for Les Baer. I just bought one last weekend off of Gun Broker in stainless steel. Mailed everthing off Monday and will have to wait. As you know I don't get to see the selection of guns that you can find locally so I have to take my chances with Gun Broker.

BTW, it doesn't have any idiot marks.

[ca survivor]

Originally Posted by 38 Super Fan

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

[bac1023]

Originally Posted by Wyoming

I am glad to you have such praise for Les Baer. I just bought one last weekend off of Gun Broker in stainless steel. Mailed everthing off Monday and will have to wait. As you know I don't get to see the selection of guns that you can find locally so I have to take my chances with Gun Broker.

BTW, it doesn't have any idiot marks.

Awesome

Which model is it?

BTW, I use Gunbroker all the time and never had a bad experience.

[Officer's Match]

Originally Posted by Rinspeed

The mention of SA are of the Custom Shop which is a couple steps up from a DW.

Yes, a couple of Usain Bolt steps.