Has the 1911 "buying spree" of the past couple of years ended?

glock2740 · 10-10-2012, 19:59

I seem to see a bunch of not only just 1911's in general, but upper end 1911's for sale these days. Surely the economy isn't just now catching up to the 1911 crowd? I'm sure the whole 100 year thing has peaked. I wonder how much the semi-custom shops have seen in slowing down on a monthly basis of orders? Wilson got into the 5-6000 range of back orders. I will be interested to see what that number is a year from now. I'm glad that the 1911 world has been so flooded with buisness. But it seems to have hit it's high point and now may be starting to level off, if not start to slowly start slowing down. I don't think it's an economy thing, as I don't see "great" deals out there on high end guns. But I do see a lot more for sale than I used to. Just an observation. What are your thoughts?

20South · 10-10-2012, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock2740

I seem to see a bunch of not only just 1911's in general, but upper end 1911's for sale these days. Surely the economy isn't just now catching up to the 1911 crowd? I'm sure the whole 100 year thing has peaked. I wonder how much the semi-custom shops have seen in slowing down on a monthly basis of orders? Wilson got into the 5-6000 range of back orders. I will be interested to see what that number is a year from now. I'm glad that the 1911 world has been so flooded with buisness. But it seems to have hit it's high point and now may be starting to level off, if not start to slowly start slowing down. I don't think it's an economy thing, as I don't see "great" deals out there on high end guns. But I do see a lot more for sale than I used to. Just an observation. What are your thoughts?

Im not sure Joe. For me personally Ive got a new baby coming and a new business that's been growing slowly. The guns I am selling is just a quicker path to capital for me. If I get to my number and no guns have sold, they wont be. However, I have no plans to buy any new 1911's - that includes the Pro...

bac1023 · 10-10-2012, 20:11

Quite possibly, Joe

In my case, I just wanted to focus on some other handguns, as my collection was a bit unbalanced.

glock2740 · 10-10-2012, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20South

Im not sure Joe. For me personally Ive got a new baby coming and a new business that's been growing slowly. The guns I am selling is just a quicker path to capital for me. If I get to my number and no guns have sold, they wont be. However, I have no plans to buy any new 1911's - that includes the Pro...

Does that mean I get TWO PRO's when Dave finally gets them in?!?!?

glock2740 · 10-10-2012, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20South

Im not sure Joe. For me personally Ive got a new baby coming and a new business that's been growing slowly. The guns I am selling is just a quicker path to capital for me. If I get to my number and no guns have sold, they wont be. However, I have no plans to buy any new 1911's - that includes the Pro...

If I hadn't been buying so many damn 1911's lately, I'd be picking up a couple of yours and have an even more awesome Guncrafter collection, with several consecutive serial numbered guns. We have the first two round butt GC NN Commanders. Ever. 2 of the first 3 SS NN's. Ever. And we haven't checked for consecutive SN's, but 2 of the first 10 NN CCO's. Ever. And the cool part is, that the Commanders are Melonite and Hardchrome. Stainless NN's are brushed and polished slides. And NN CCO's are Melonite and HC.

RetailNinja · 10-10-2012, 20:20

I think the markets been flooded to the point where the demand has been somewhat satiated. Everyone seems to be able to get their #1 or #2 choice of 1911 with a quickness.

glock2740 · 10-10-2012, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

Quite possibly, Joe

In my case, I just wanted to focus on some other handguns, as my collection was a bit unbalanced.

Personally, I think it's slowing down. I also have concentrated on a few other types of guns myself. I do have a few 1911 buys and projects in the works, but nothing like what I've been doing over the past 2 years.

Ruggles · 10-10-2012, 20:48

The prices increase of the last year plus at the semi custom shops have made me not plan on any more from them. I have a Wilson due to be finished in Nov or Dec and that will be my last I think. $3000+ just is too much in my mind.

brianfede · 10-10-2012, 20:53

I think its slowing down as well, but it could also be a function of the December holidays coming up. I have been in the market for a few firearms and I have been able to finally pick them up at a reasonable price. I recently bought a ANIB DW Guardian for $1200 OTD, my buddy found a Wilson Sentinel for $1800. For those buyers in the market patience will pay off. Still looking for a nice Sig p210.. no luck as of yet.

glock2740 · 10-10-2012, 20:54

I agree.

mleroux21 · 10-10-2012, 21:21

I agree with Joe the market has slowed in the buying. I dont know if more 1911's are going on sale or is it just the same amount with less buyers. The one thing I have noticed is a lot of the harder to get nice pieces are coming on the market lately.

Marc

glock2740 · 10-10-2012, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by mleroux21

I agree with Joe the market has slowed in the buying. I dont know if more 1911's are going on sale or is it just the same amount with less buyers. The one thing I have noticed is a lot of the harder to get nice pieces are coming on the market lately.

Marc

Great post. My point exactly.

RetailNinja · 10-10-2012, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by mleroux21

I agree with Joe the market has slowed in the buying. I dont know if more 1911's are going on sale or is it just the same amount with less buyers. The one thing I have noticed is a lot of the harder to get nice pieces are coming on the market lately.

Marc

I will semi agree with this. I say semi because three years ago, after just buying a gun that depleted the gun fund, i watched a NIB Special Forces rail go on arfcom for $1300. It scarred me and i have yet to see a deal like that pop up again.

mleroux21 · 10-10-2012, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetailNinja

I will semi agree with this. I say semi because three years ago, after just buying a gun that depleted the gun fund, i watched a NIB Special Forces rail go on arfcom for $1300. It scarred me and i have yet to see a deal like that pop up again.

$1300 is truly an anomoly. If someone posted that up again it would be gone in minutes. You know what they say if a Deal is to good to be true it probably is.

GOOFA · 10-11-2012, 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock2740

If I hadn't been buying so many damn 1911's lately, I'd be picking up a couple of yours and have an even more awesome Guncrafter collection, with several consecutive serial numbered guns. We have the first two round butt GC NN Commanders. Ever. 2 of the first 3 SS NN's. Ever. And we haven't checked for consecutive SN's, but 2 of the first 10 NN CCO's. Ever. And the cool part is, that the Commanders are Melonite and Hardchrome. Stainless NN's are brushed and polished slides. And NN CCO's are Melonite and HC.

glock2740... If you don't mind and when you get the time, I'd love to see some pics of your Guncrafter Collection.
A lot of members say the Les Baer is the best buy in 1911's. My opinion is that The Guncrafter would be my choice for the "best buy'" top spot. Thanks

bac1023 · 10-11-2012, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOOFA

glock2740... If you don't mind and when you get the time, I'd love to see some pics of your Guncrafter Collection.
A lot of members say the Les Baer is the best buy in 1911's. My opinion is that The Guncrafter would be my choice for the "best buy'" top spot. Thanks

I think GC is giving Baer a real run for the money from a value standpoint.

pochis · 10-11-2012, 08:15

laugh if you want but i do not think the 1911 will ever just drop.... you might have the holidays coming but i think you will see it rise way up before abig drop, i also think all the new makes and models have got people thinking.

AKRover · 10-11-2012, 08:34

I've been trying to do my part to keep the 1911 buying alive. I've bought two in the past 4 months.

Hohopelli · 10-11-2012, 09:18

IMO.. The 1911 market is saturated.. The custom smiths are booked through the next millennium (it seems) and custom prices have gone through the roof. The new production models are catching all the entry (even upscale entry) people. There's just lots of options these days. I too have seen many more "upper end" pistols being sold privately than ever before. Things are "a changing".. Ron

R0CKETMAN · 10-11-2012, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

In my case, I just wanted to focus on some other handguns, as my collection was a bit unbalanced.

Unbalanced? Ya think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

I think GC is giving Baer a real run for the money from a value standpoint.

Isn't there a big price gap? I understand you get a nicer finish, ect..

Joe, hard to quantify, but I bet sales remain brisk

Clutch Cargo · 10-11-2012, 17:44

I recently bought a NICE used 1911 from a forum member. It's an Springfield Gunsite Service Pistol. My vote is folks that like 1911s will get them no matter the economy. They just might not buy as many.

glock2740 · 10-11-2012, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOOFA

glock2740... If you don't mind and when you get the time, I'd love to see some pics of your Guncrafter Collection.
A lot of members say the Les Baer is the best buy in 1911's. My opinion is that The Guncrafter would be my choice for the "best buy'" top spot. Thanks

Here's the family photo.

CDR_Glock · 10-11-2012, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock2740

I seem to see a bunch of not only just 1911's in general, but upper end 1911's for sale these days. Surely the economy isn't just now catching up to the 1911 crowd? I'm sure the whole 100 year thing has peaked. I wonder how much the semi-custom shops have seen in slowing down on a monthly basis of orders? Wilson got into the 5-6000 range of back orders. I will be interested to see what that number is a year from now. I'm glad that the 1911 world has been so flooded with buisness. But it seems to have hit it's high point and now may be starting to level off, if not start to slowly start slowing down. I don't think it's an economy thing, as I don't see "great" deals out there on high end guns. But I do see a lot more for sale than I used to. Just an observation. What are your thoughts?

High end 1911s are hot in resale. All of mine were Pre-owned. Why? I don't want to have to spend a couple hundred or even more, just to break in a pistol. Most people who are selling have things going on: new baby, lost their job, unplanned bills, etc. they unload at a good price, and I don't need to spend extra money for ammo. Some high end guns have waiting times that can last a few months to a year. It's a win-win for the buyer.

It's not just 1911s, though. I have acquired a few Colt pythons, too, and other higher ticket firearms.

Snaps · 10-11-2012, 23:50

Think there was a big run with the anniversary advertising and all. Might be slowing down. I actually saw a wilson and a brown in a local shop in the last couple weeks.

***faawrenchbndr*** · 10-12-2012, 02:13

Once I get my Rogers gun,..........I can say yes.