IMHO, the point of diminishing return for 1911s starts at around $1,200 - $1,500. Owning a 1911 costing more than that is mostly for bragging rights. I've seen average joes with RIAs, SA, Colts, etc., handily out shoot middle aged men with their expensive, wizbang 1911s more than I can count. Have also seen a young man with a 410 in a bullpup stock out shoot some rich dude with his Lutig Space gun. It's more about the gun than the shooter. If you have cash to blow and want to drop $2K+ on a 1911, knock yourself out...if it makes you feel better. Been there. Done that.

Think of most gun magazines these days as advertising brochures rather than real gun journalism.

I have had a number of famous gunsmith custom 1911s over the years. The best have NOT been the full-house makeovers. The best have been the ones with the fewest modifications, such as basic reliability and sights.

Get a Colt 1991 in your choice of blue or stainless. The build quality has never been better, and you will not lose money. The prices are as good as they have ever been. Spend the difference in ammo, and learn to shoot it. You will not regret your decision.

How did you determine that?

$1200 to $1500 isn't even breaking the surface into the high end 1911 world. There is a ton of difference between a hand fit, MIM free, high quality gun and a $1200 mass produced production gun. Its not even close, IMO.

There's a reason those guns cost what they do.

Do you think those smith work cheap?

Probably because that is the price point where most 1911s arent as mass produced

The $1200 to $1500 1911s are mass produced, trust me.

Most offer little quality advantage over those costing under a grand. Its just more fluff and features.

Nothing to be confused about...

It's just my opinion.

I agree that 1911s < $1500 are mass produced and that quality materials and skilled labor are expensive. I said it's my opinion that the point of diminishing return in the world of 1911s is around $1200 - $1500 - cost/benefit ratio is seldom if ever linear. Other than pride of ownership and bragging rights, the average 1911 owner/shooter won't benefit from the additional cost of an expensive 1911. I base this on owning/shooting 1911s from the entire price/quality continuum - RIA to Nighthawk. ymmv

I have never been attacked by a rabid paper bulls eye from a target placed 50 yards from me, so my need for a $3000 1911 that can shoot the wings off a fly at 50 yards just has never been a priority for me.

Thats what I was saying. Its around that price point where it becomes more custom made.

I agree that there is certainly a point where you find diminishing returns. Its generally between $2000 and $3000. At this price point, you generally have hand fit 1911s using the best quality parts. While under $3000, you generally don't get all the flare, you're still getting a top quality 1911.

If you want to spend $5000+ on a full house custom build by a well known smith, you're going to get the best attention to detail and the highest quality possible. While they're worth it to me, I know you can get a damn good 1911 for a couple thousand less.

Below $1500 is very different. Once again, you're not scratching the surface at that price point. You're getting poorly fit guns (in comparison), you're getting cheaper, less durable parts, and you're getting less accuracy.

Its just the way it works. I own dozens of 1911s in all price points, so I feel I can speak from experience.

I think the lowest priced Les Baers are where the high quality really starts. With their recent price hike, its right around $2000.

Performance wise is it going to be that much better from 1000 to 5000 dollars?

It depends on how you shoot, I guess. I see a good difference.

I'm also not saying you can't get a solid 1911 at $1000, because you can. I'm just saying that there are reasons that the high end models cost what they do.

Is it due to improved performance or just customizations which add looks and the mojo that makes one "shoot" better.

Looks and mojo don't make me shoot better.

These guns squeeze every bit of accuracy out of the 1911 design. You don't need to spend $5000 either. My Les Baer SRP with the 1.5" guarantee and RRA Limited Match are as accurate as any 1911 I own.

Sounds like your happy with Les Baer.I recently sold off a Kobra Carry that just wasn't singing to me. Whats their wait time these days.

As soon as you mention Ljutic I assume TRAP shooting as that's their main focus. Sixteen yd trap or handicap distances?

How competent was the guy wielding the Space gun? New shooter? Whats the rest of the story.

I can regularly get 1.5 groups with my RIA Ultra and it was free. I admire quality craftsmanship and materials as much as the next guy, but for most $1500+ doesn't make sense. Personally, I find DW to provide the best balance of price and quality. No mim and a little more handfitting than other similarly priced 1911s.

The guarantee is 1.5" at 50 yards from a ransom rest.

As I mentioned, $1500 isn't scratching the surface into the high end 1911 world. While it may not make sense to you, there is a big difference in quality. That's a fact.

Whether its worth the money or not, is a matter of opinion. To each their own, of course.

I personally think Dan Wesson 1911s are generally overrated. I've got a couple and shot several others.

So many things; where to begin:
I own a custom made SVI made to my specs by Brandon Strayer personally.
I own 5 Wilson combat’s including 2 Supergrades, an Ed Brown Classic custom, 2 Nighthawks including a Costa Recon, a Guncrafter Industries Blackout Frag, a Springfield Pro and a Springfield TGO.
I also own a Dan Wesson Valor, a Les Baer SRP with the 1.5” guarantee a Springfield TRP and a Colt CQBP out of their custom shop and a Coonan.
I also own a Glock, Berretta, Browning High Power, and two Sig Sauer’s
I have handled shot and cleaned them all.
The things that are important to me:
First Reliability. I need to be able to rack it easily every time. It needs to go bang every time I pull the trigger with any ammo.
Second Accuracy. As long as it’s 100% reliable the more accurate pistol will be the one I prefer.
Third Cleaning. I don’t want a gun that requires special treatment. One cleaning procedure for all of them please.
YMMV but for me the following guns are ruled out by #1. Les Bair SRP, the Springfield Pro and the Springfied TGO. Those slides are way too hard to rack and I don’t want to be in a situation where I need to rack it right now and can’t. Totally unacceptable. My SVI is newer and I’m sure I will solve this problem but right now every 3rd clip or so has an eighth round FTF. I think the recoil spring might be a little light.
The following guns are ruled out by #3 cleaning. Dan Wesson, can’t use CLP (what the heck?). I suppose if you only have a few guns special cleaning regimes work, but not for me. Same with my berretta though I have not shot the berretta in so long maybe the newer ones are better. The Guncrafter is interesting. Guncrafter says just use WD40, nothing else. Interesting because WD40 is not a lube. But it works great. Everything comes off the Guncrafter with WD40 so easily it’s hard to believe. Because it is so easy even though it is a special routine, I won’t rule it out. But I will point it out.
Accuracy. I pay attention to the above guns when in 20-25 seconds or less I can shoot 8 round better than 8” groups with that gun two handed no support of any kind at 25 yards on a good day, two out of three kind of day, on a good target, two out of three kind of target. I also pay attention when with a $3500 or more gun I can’t shoot 8” groups or better. I shoot 5” groups with both of my Wilson Supergrades, and my Ed Brown Classic Custom. I shoot 6” groups with my Les Bair SRP (can be too hard to rack but such a good shooter I felt compelled to mention it here). With my Nighthawks off hand standard two handed group, no support, I cannot do 10” groups. I think I don’t like the sights because with the Talon my son can do 7-8” groups and I have a friend who can do 7” groups with either one. Both my son and my friend do better with the Wilson’s. The Costa is railed and I have a surefire x400 with a green laser on it. Using the laser with my elbows tucked into by waist just above belt level I can do 4 inch groups.
The Browning High power is a very accurate gun. I have not shot it in so long I don’t remember exactly how accurate. It is a 9mm and I prefer the 45acp or the 357 magnum.

I can do 8” groups or better, but not 6” groups with; all of the other Wilson’s and the CQBP. The CQBP is also a little more fun to shoot than any of the other 45’s. I don’t know why but I just like it.
I can do 8” groups with the; Guncrafter, and the TRP. I can do 8” groups with both the Springfield Pro and the Springfield TGO but they can be so so hard to rack they are out. I will never carry them when it could matter.
With the Sigsauers I can do 10” groups +/-.
I’m not a good enough shooter with the Glock. It has a great reputation it’s just not for me.
The Coonan is a special gun. 357 magnum in a 1911 frame. Slightly bigger and heavier than a Wilson say. My stainless steel Coonan weighs 2lbs 9.4oz empty with no mag. My Wilson Classic Supergrade weighs 2lbs 6oz. The Coonan mags hold 7 rounds. With my Coonan I can do 6” groups. And I must say I love this gun. I really love this gun. When you shoot it it just shoots with authority. And it is the easiest 1911 to clean that I own, by far. The linkless barrel makes getting the slide catch back in a breeze.
Now some observations.
You cannot compare guns to cars and include speed limits.
Yes if you have to shoot a gun at someone it will be confiscated. But that is especially when I am glad I had the best gun I could carry.
How accurate a gun is and how accurate you are with that gun are two different things. How accurate you are with a gun includes many subjective things like: trigger, sights, how it fits in your hand and what the recoil might do to your hold. And this is part of the reason why a gun to watch (think Timex) comparison seems silly to me.
I see lots of posts where someone says the gun is more accurate than I am. Well the way I see it if my hold wiggles about 3 inches at 25 yards. Add a 2” accurate gun and I’m at 5”. Add an 8” accurate gun and I’m at 10”. And they say in a real life situation you are ½ as good. I good way to know how much your hold wiggles is with a laser. Just point, even in your house, and watch the wiggle. Try different holds.
If you don’t own them and you have never shot them don’t tell me they are not worth it.
If you have lots of money; the is it worth it question is much easier to resolve. Buy them all, shoot them all, keep them all.
If you can only afford a couple guns the question is much tougher. I really really like the Coonan. The Springfield TRP is really good. If you can step up to a Wilson you will never regret it.

What on earth do you know about anyone else's intent when they buy a 1911 that costs more than your magic $1500 price limit?
I knew an old man with a $5000++ Dane Burns custom Colt that could easily outshoot the average Joe. So what? Does that mean that his investment was worth it but the "middle aged men" you described wasted their money? Or are you just inferring that average Joe's a generally better shots than middle aged men that can afford "expensive, whizbang 1911s"?


I initially responded to this thread because the OP seemed to have a genuine interest in the how's and why's when it came to high end 1911 pistols and it started out okay. But after 3 pages and 120+ posts it's ended up that the majority are snarky comments from people talking **** about guns they don't own and never will. Don't know why I bother.

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It's very typical of threads like this. Those that either can't justify them or can't afford them will never fail to talk trash about high end pistols. Happens every time...

It used to annoy me. Now I just find it humorous.

I will never afford a Ferrari, so they must not be worth the money.

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Yep, gonna stay in the $1000-1200 range, and spend the rest on reloading components. I've spent 10x the discussed price on a gun more than a couple times when I felt it was worth while. Never had that feeling about any 1911.

Yeah, that's sort of the mentality...

You know I use to spend about two grand on Wilson up fits back in the early 90's, did it with five different 1911's.I dumped $2700 on a Ed Brown I got my friend out of three years ago.I had one Kimber Super match,three Gold Matches.Eclipse Targets,and a few series 1 Classic Royals.Ive spent almost $7000. on Desert Eagles.I never once took the position of Vanity and accuse others of not being able to afford a type of gun ,just because they cant justify the money spent on it.This thread had asked if you would spend the $$$$ on a higher end gun,and the members spoke.Now if I had a lot of disposable cash then I would buy only Stan Chen and Cabot.

I never bought one from Les Baer. I got one used and another new from a GB auction.

Well said.

These types of threads usually quickly devolve into socioeconomic presumptions and resentment, and a lot of opinions -- very, very few of which are offered by individuals who have spent time with a wide swathe of 1911 price points and can meaningfully comment on them.

I attempted to do just that a few years back:

https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/...1-addicts.511/

Again, not disparaging anyone, just my opinion. If it makes folks happy to buy $3k pistols then they should, I have and appreciate them for what they are...

I of course live in a state where these custom jobs cannot be had to easily, the most custom 1911 I have shot and owned was the e- series S&W I bought and sold for $1300 bucks. I have this beauty which I purchased for $399 and I have as much confidence in this old 1926 piece as I have had in the custom slide guns I have shot. Just my preference that's all.

Pete

Apologies if you felt that comment was directed at you; it was pointed 180 degrees the opposite.

I have had the pleasure of following your superb, one-of-kind thread on your 1911 collection and it's one of the best resources of its kind; I've returned to it several times over the years.

I meant in my last post to specifically point to you as someone posting in this thread who actually can comment meaningfully on a great breadth of 1911 price points from direct ownership and use, as I presume some here won't know your handle if they're not more active in 1911 world. Glad to have a chance to point you out now and thank you for your knowledge and contribution.

No, not at all, sir

Your comment just reminded me to post a link to that guide. I'm glad its been useful for you.

after reading that thread...... you sir, are an expert judge of 1911's.

I covet your collection.....sorry

Such an awsome work. I based much of my collecting off of your experienced words.

Could we do anything to get you to update or supliment it.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm certainly no expert, but I do know I can comment on the guns I own from experience.

Wow, that's nice to hear. I did update it this year with more current pricing and a few new editions.

I have also recently supplemented it with this guide on high end pistols other than 1911s:

https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/...s-guide.23120/

I'm not sure if its your thing or not, but you may find it interesting.

I have owned a handful of "mid-grade" 1911s and never understood what the fuss was about and preferred my glocks. Then I got to shoot a Wilson and as I finished the mag I thought, "oooohhhhhhh, this is what they are supposed to be like." I still don't have one but I understand now.

As it stands I only have a Springfield mil spec that I hand fitted a beavertail to and dropped in a cylinder and slide trigger kit as a project knowing I destroyed the value.

Will a $450 scope/rifle package deal from Savage kill a deer just as well as a $1200 stainless Winchester M70 with a $800 scope on top? Yes. So go with what floats your boat.

Here's one that fits this thread, in a unique caliber for a 1911. It's a shooter, and boy can it shoot! Plus the serial number just called out to me for some reason......



That said, my latest purchase was the new plastic under $500 Sig P320 in 9mm. To think I could own six of these for the price of that one. Would I? Should I? Who knows....that's the best part. The freedom to do either.....

Thank you all for your input and suggestions..

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