What do people do with a $4,000 1911?

[Walena]

I only have several pistols. Two of them are Wilson Combats in .45 ACP. They're shot in IDPA matches which require drawing from a holster cocked and locked. Doesn't feel funky to me at all. Feels natural when you do it all the time.

When I'm done at the range, I look at my Casio G-Shock watch, hop into my 22 year old Toyota truck and head home.

Both have a few thousand rounds through them. When I get around to cleaning them, it's usually a Bore Snake through the bore, a few drops of oil, and a quick wipe down.

 

[Laketime]

As others have said, carry and shoot them. I haven't hit the $4k mark yet but I'm well over $3k into the custom Colt pictured below and it gets carried regularly as well as being used in action pistol and 3 gun competition. I've got other customs as well as 1911s from Baer, Brown, and Turnbull, worth in the $2-3k+ range. I've got a few less expensive Colts and Springfields, as well. All of them get shot and carried except the Turnbull, haven't gotten around to shooting it yet.

For me, the how's and why's of buying/owning these guns are simple - I like well built and custom 1911s. I like custom revolvers, too, and have a few of them. Got a tricked out custom Springfield M1A SOCOM 16 as well. I shoot well enough to enjoy and appreciate the increased accuracy and performance, and I like the way these guns cross the line from just being an optimized machine to a functional work of art. I particularly enjoy the custom builds that I have commissioned, and the knowledge that they are one of a kind guns built just for me, set up specifically to meet my needs. To me, that is worth the money.

Wow. Pretty ignorant statement since you don't have a clue as to who does or doesn't own expensive 1911s or their ability to pay for them.

He sounds a lot like you last year!

 

[Krogen]

Like you, I get nostalgic for the "good ol' days" whether that involves guns, cars, or ...women.

I still wish I had my first car - a 1950 fastback Chevy.

And I REALLY regret not having my "midlife crisis" car - a 1965 Sting Ray roadster hardtop - 327 4-speed.

As for women - well, I still get nostalgic over my first love and high school sweetheart. She's still around today - I married her!

John

Cars and midlife crises . . . I knew it would come up! I sure have no quarrel with folks buying $4k 1911s. I get it. Wouldn't make me a better marksman, but I can appreciate the workmanship.

Now about cars. I just bought my midlife crisis in October. It won't make me a better driver, no how. Even when I get it on the track and explore it's limits, I won't be beating the professionals. But I like the workmanship, the technology and the thrill of 140+ mph. For the price of my midlife crisis, I could have landed a number of $4k 1911s. But no matter, I'm happy with a Ruger SR1911 and saving a few $$ - my midlife crisis is going to need tires in no time.

 

[eveled]

Some people are "one gun guys", if you are only going to have one it should be a $4000 1911 IMHO.

I am more of an accumulator, I buy what looks like fun, and never sell anything. I like options. If I had bought a custom 1911, and a registered magnum, as my first guns, I'd probably never have bought another, and be several thousand dollars richer.

 

[gjamison]

I have a friend that is selling his 1911 & 1911a1 military collection. He had a Colt serial #136 that was sold for $25,000. He has also sold union switch & singal, Remington UMC and Springfield's.

The collection is unreal and museum quality. His return on investment is also substantial. It's so vast that it will goto auction soon.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I'd guess they own one because they can, they want to, and it's either the best tool they can get (target shooting) or an heirloom-type pistol they treasure.

I don't have one either. In fact, I have a number of guns, some that are recognized names (Beretta 92FS, CZ 75, Winchester 94, etc), and none cost me even $400.

I don't begrudge the high-end 1911s, but I won't be getting one for myself.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Ever notice when someone can't afford something, then they tend to downplay the worth of the thing in question?

 

[okiegtrider]

Ever notice when someone can't afford something, then they tend to downplay the worth of the thing in question?

Denigration is all some of us can afford.

 

[LAA]

Ever notice when someone can't afford something, then they tend to downplay the worth of the thing in question?

All the time...

 

[Ed Fowler]

It's a copper inlayed Todd Begg Bodega.

Looks to be a well designed knife. Thanks!

 

[armorer951]

Invest about 800.00 in quality parts, and build yourself one. If the parts are fitted correctly and meticulously, it will be as accurate as any of the custom guns out there.

 

[Kanewpadle]

My Dan Wesson is as close as I will ever get to a custom made 1911. But I will own one someday.

To spend that kind of money you have to love and appreciate the 1911. If you have ever shot a custom 1911 you would see and feel that the price difference is well worth it.

I've been fortunate enough to shoot guns from, Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, and Ed Brown. There is a BIG difference.

The love for the 1911 is understandable. If done by a quality gunsmith, the more you spend the better. Can't say that about any polymer gun. To some shooting a work of art is just heaven.

 

[HARDWARE]

I don't have any objections to 4K.... but it would be spent more along the lines of a pre war Colt .38 super than a custom gun.

 

[JJEH]

If I had that kinda $ available for a gun it would be a Sten Chen.

 

[AJ]

People balk at paying multiple thousands for a handgun, however some of the same folks plunk down $4,000 for a sporting clays Browning or Beretta shotgun or $7,000 for a Blaser rifle to go on a hunt. Heck, a group of men around here shoot 1,000 yard competitions and have $3,000 rifles topped with $3-4-5-6,000 Night Force, Zeiss, Swarovski or Kahles optics.

Myself, I can't afford a $4,000 pistol, if I could, yes I'd probably have one because I do like to have the best.

Every man should have at least one fine gun in his life.

Just came back from Western Pa. Usually buy Winchester 52's there when we can find them.

 

[AJ]

I actually have my service .45. On active duty, I had purchased a war surplus Ithaca, and then had it accurized by a top pistolsmith. I packed it on duty instead of my arms-room issue gun. Later, in the National Guard, I also carried it by preference. Very accurate and totally reliable with any ammo at all.

Here's the way it looks today.

John

Had several of my pistols that I shot for score while in the Corps. Had to be authorized and so noted in our Service Record Books.

 

[Bohonkie]

Warren - Agree. When I sell pretty or expensive guns and someone says they are just going to case it and show it on a wall somewhere, I offer to sell them a photo of the gun instead. These guns are made to be fired! As far as a $4000 1911, two things: Everyone should own at least ONE 1911 (regardless of expensive or not) and two: Anyone who has ever shot bullseye competition knows how accurate a full size 1911 is. They are a ball to shoot. As for myself, no, I don't own a $4000 1911 but I do own the S&W PC 1911 that cost me around $1800 and that is a very nice gun! A long time ago I set out to have in my possession one shotgun, one rifle, and one handgun that are really nice (beautiful work, wood to metal fit perfect, engraved, fantastic finish, etc.). I still don't have the handgun portion fulfilled yet and am thinking of a 1911 or having one of my S&W revolvers redone (27, 29, or one of my pre-model S&W revolvers such as my registered .357, 44 special, or .44 magnum, possibly). My rifle is a Quigley Rifle from Big Timber Montana; my shotgun is a Merkel 28 gauge EL. Each one costs more than a $4000 1911 and I love to shoot them as much as possible.
These photos are beautiful, by the way! Makes life worth living, wouldn't you say?
Oh, and I love the photo of your jeep. I just got my '48 back on the road after a 14 year hiatus.
Thx

 

[Fred_G]

Holds 9+1, not worth $4k, but I carry my WC Stealth almost every day. A friend of mine collects some of the more expensive WC guns, he carries them and shoots them often. To each his own.

 

[Warren Sear]

LOL. It's my droid. They should not let smart phones go to dumd operator's (me). And I had not finished my first cup of coffee. So I did not notice the ( . ) repitition. I fixed it. Take care.

Here is some more repetition...

( . )( . )

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Look at it and wish they'd gotten the $5,000 1911?