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

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They are not small, hold up to 8+1, and for me, cocked and locked is more than a bit funky.

Please explain what people do with a $4,000 full size 1911.
 
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I've ran in to this question before. People asking why people buy a $20,000 Rolex. If someone is earning $250,000 a year buys a $4000 1911, that's the equivalent of a weekly wage for that guy. Earning that kind of money, why not drop $4000 on a gun now and again.
 
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I used to compete in 11 week leagues against $1,100 to approximately $3,200 single stack "1911s." 600 points were possible at each weekly match. Cumulative scores were posted on the bulletin board for all to see. There were never more than 3 competitors in the running for first place. Many years the top two wound stay within 10 points of each other. There were well funded men who, after running neck to neck for two months, would not have hesitated to buy a $4,000 "1911" if they thought they could gain an additional few points a week.

The last time I shot in a local IPSC match the top guns were roughly $3,200 mid-bore hi-cap STI "1911s." Their owners drove an hour or two to get here. They were good. Very good. Again, they bought the most competitive pistol, price be damned.

None of them were gun collectors. Most of them had something like an old Model 36 or one of the smaller Glocks for self defense. For those middle aged competitors it came down to boys and their toys.

The price of guns in general has risen since then.
 
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For some people it's worth it. I carry a Browning HP. Cost about $950 Some people would call that extravagant.

Some people also work hard for their money, and want to treat themselves.

As long as they can afford it, and not making their kids eat peanut butter sandwiches for a month, who am I to judge?
 
The guy who introduced me to shooting is a retired AF Colonel who shot competitively all his adult life. For Christmas this year, he got himself a matched set of custom's, a 45 and 22LR, from a builder named K C Crawford. I don't know anything about them but he does, and they were worth it to him.

 
In drag racing the rich man play in 11,000 HP top fuel cars, a 1000 foot run total cost about $10 grand a run. A multi-million dollar sport. The same five of six top names at each meet competing out of maybe 20 cars.

Why? Its fun to go 330 mph in 4.5 seconds.

What would I pay for a total rebuilt 1968 VW van? What would you pay for a signed leather bound original copy of "OF Mice and Men'? "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?"

$4000 for a top end 1911 45 ACP..... to each man or woman the worth of anything is calculated in want.
 
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We have a member here, Brian C., who is also a moderator on a firearms forum dedicated to the 1911 and he has several dozen of these high grade 1911's and he shoots them.

IPSC and IDPA are not the only gun games. Shooting for speed had at one time decreased my accuracy considerably even though the master is made at 20. So, if someone has the money and enjoys fine quality why not let him do that?

After all, this is America, a ( the best!) free capitalist country where people should be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor without envy and jealousy.
 
I was in my local gun shop and the owner took the time to show me a few of the high end 3K and up 1911's. While very nice and presumed to be very accurate they were not for me. No way no how could I ever see me shooting much less owning such expensive 1911's. Besides the wife would probably call the guys from the whacky bin and have me fitted for a straight jacket cause I lost my mind. She thought I was nuts when I bought my 24-3 with the 3" barrel for $750. But since then around here they have appreciated to way more than that. So in parting, anyone who could afford a 4K 1911 more power to him. Frank
 
Why buy a registered magnums when a model 28 does the same thing. A Cadillac instead of a Chevy? Some people have the means and appreciate top end equipment, even if there is less expensive items that function at the same level. I would never buy a Rolex, but if somebody has the financial ability and wants one they should certainly get one if for no other reason than the joy of owning a fine piece of craftsmanship

Why do I own 40+ S&W revolvers, when I could cover any use with 4 or 5?
 
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I haven't paid $4k for a 1911, but have spent $3k about 10 years ago on a extremely nice circa 1917 M1911 "black" Colt. And shot it a little. It does very well. But later got a somewhat less nice 1918 Colt that has some more holster wear for ~$1700. It's not quite as accurate.

But as far as new 1911s go, I think you can do pretty darn well for under $4k. Most Les Baers, for instance. Unless you want the engraved version.

The real question is why care about what someone else spends? Get what suits you. Save your pennies if needed. Or swap some other guns off.
 
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