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

[TXSWFAN]

Who made the knife?

It's a copper inlayed Todd Begg Bodega.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The 1911A1 pictured was made by the Singer Manufacturing Company in 1941. They of course normally made sewing machines. This example is in perfect condition. Only 500 trial pistols were made,
John

Coool thanks for the back story.......so how did that one survive in perfect condition?????

 

[apollo99]

I have quite a few 1911s, among them,I have Kimber, Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, and a Guncrafter 50 GI. I started on the lower end 1911s, than gradually moved up to the more expensive semi-custom guns. There is a world of difference between a $700-$900 1911 and a $2500-$4000 pistol.Between the trigger, the fit and finish, the accuracy, and the quality of the parts there is a big upgrade from the lower tier pistols. I like the 1911, more of a passion , I also shoot them all, I'm not much of a safe queen person. I have three Springfield Armory Professionals on order, I will be shooting them as fast as they get here.

 

[44wheelman]

I saw a McClaren 650 driving down the road a couple months ago....read they start at $262k; 10x what I paid for my Nissan.

All a matter of scale.

 

[amazingflapjack]

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.

math check?

 

[moosedog]

Why buy a Jaguar instead of a Chevy? People buy what they want, and do with it as they please.

 

[Protected One]

I own a few 1911's, but don't own a $4,000 unit. If I were to buy a $4,000 1911, I would shoot it until it was worth $400.

You'd never live long enough.

 

[WC145]

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.

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.

if it hasnt been said already, lose money when and if they need to sell it

charge it on a CC because they dont have the cash or cant really afford one to begin with IMHO

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.

 

[31FordA]

I can't see spending $4,000 for a 1911, unless I win the lottery, but that's me. If it makes someone else happy then more power to 'em. I'm sure the guy with the custom 1911 wonders why anyone would buy dozens of .38 revolvers. Over the years I have owned a bunch of 1911's, mostly Colts, but am down to 5 at the moment. I thought about getting a premium custom 1911, but couldn't see spending so much on one pistol. I'd rather buy more S&W revolvers. My old Colt 1991 shoots just fine for what I use it for, and it only cost me $400 brand new.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Coool thanks for the back story.......so how did that one survive in perfect condition?????

I really don't know the history of this particular Singer. By the looks of it, it was very gently used - I see some bluing loss along the frame edges, and very faintly on the front of the gripstrap. I'd rate it at 99%. The records show that all were issued, and this one bears a serial number showing it's number 445 of the 500 made. Perhaps some lucky airman turned it in or squirreled it away (duffle bag special?) after 30 very lucky missions; where it went from there is anybody's guess. I don't own it; it was up for auction a few years ago. My wife said I could not take out a second mortgage in order to buy it.

I do own one or more of all the other G.I. issue .45s. To see some very special and a few rare examples, see my photo album on the forum here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/paladin85020-albums-u-s-models-1911-and-1911a1-45-pistols.html

John

 

[cmansguns]

Another couple thoughts on the matter of $4,000 1911's. Investment grade (Singer, US S&S, Black Army, original 1911 or 1911A1's, Ace's, etc.) aside, I shot the heck out of my Ithaca for years before realizing that the 3 leaf mainspring can and does wear, and then put it up as the values kept skyrocketing. Same with my 1943 Colt 1911A1. I finally sold the Colt and may let the Ithaca go one of these days.

All are enjoyable, will never match compete, but somewhere at sometime both were most likely "on-duty" somewhere in the world, in the hands of a GI in one of the branches of our Nations service. Whether either one dispatched an enemy to the promised land or not, I'll never know but I sure recall my own service time and the fact that the 1911A1 hanging off my pistol belt in a GI flap holster was very re-assuring and my only regret....I did not ever look to the manufacturer, or the serial number, or check the mag lip to see if it was original to the gun.

Who among us veterans would not like to own, or even recognize and handle one more time, the very weapon(s) we carried during our service?

What if my Ithaca, or the Colt, could be traced to a given service unit, at a given time? Who knows.....maybe I actually have the one I carried.

I would also love to own the 57 Chevy I had before having to sell when entering the service.

So............would I pay $4,000 for a 1911? You bet your sweet bippy for the "right" one to me.

For the OP: Remember a few months back when you posted about your purchase of a late WWII Ithaca? If you are now having second thoughts I'll be very happy to take that bad boy off your hands. I could probably get you a couple NIB plastic wonders that hold 13 or 14 plus and are lighter weight.....No......I don't own any but again I'll find em if you want to do some trading on that Ithaca.

 

[OLDSTER]

$4000 vs $400

Guns, cars, jewelry, etc. Gotta have one for "show and go", and a cheaper one for just "go"

Why not if ya can swing it ??

 

[Biggfoot44]

I've had more than one person tell me that they will own one very high quality handgun ( or other catagory of firearm) instead of several average ones. They further point out they have less into theirs than I cumulatively have into my herd. I like variety and wouldn't want to switch places, but theirs is a legitimite viewpoint.

 

[BAM-BAM]

This thread reminded me that back in the 80s when I only had a handful of guns....and no internet but lots of "Gun Rags"..... the big custom guns were not only the 1911s.......

but chopped Smith 39s and 59s... "your gun + a grand" got you what is today a 3913 or 6906 with maybe 2 shortened mags......... about $3000 in today $$s.

Two other hot custom guns........a

1911 CCO Officers frame mated with a Commander length upper....... common today...................and

A cut down compact Browning Hi-power..... today think compact CZ 75.

 

[Rivoak]

I own a few 1911's, but don't own a $4,000 unit. If I were to buy a $4,000 1911, I would shoot it until it was worth $400.

If you bought a Wilson Combat 1911, you would go broke buying ammo before you wore the gun out that much. After pulling triggers on polymer guns, my 1911 makes them all feel like cheap junk. My so-called "safe-queen" has at least 3,000 rounds through it, and all I have done is keep it clean and lubed, replace shock buffers and a couple springs. The only wear and tear it shows is scratches from it getting bang into stuff while on my belt.

As far as the cocked and locked being funky, a 1911 has to have three things happen for it to fire. The safety off, a decent grip on the beaver tail, and the trigger pulled. I have always thought it funky that guys carry Glocks IWB pointed at their family jewels, where if the trigger gets touched, BANG, no jewels.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PALADIN85020]

Who among us veterans would not like to own, or even recognize and handle one more time, the very weapon(s) we carried during our service?

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

 

[sircharlesdk]

I agree with the functional works of art comment. Beyond that? Kinda like stereo equipment in your home. The best stereo equipment can exceed the human ears ability discern a difference from one for half the money. You add to that poor acoustics, well. I got a 2000.00 1911, and in my hands with my eyes, another 2 grand would not help at all. Mine came with a test target that looks as good as the test target that comes with a Wilson

 

[cmansguns]

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

That is one terrific post.....to own the same sidearm you carried in the service.

You didn't happen to buy a 57 Chevy "sleeper" around late 1965 did you, from a guy in Southwestern NY? Sleeper because it started out life as a BelAir 210 straight 6cyl, with 3 on the tree, received a heart transplant (before I got married) to a 265 V8 with a Hurst floor kit. was King of F Gas at the old Niagara Drag Way (well...at least for a few weeks till blown off the pedestal). Yea.....I know, 4dr sedan and all that "uncool" stuff of the day, but check out that "floating grill" and the California nose & deck job, and the big ol Sun Tach. The cut-outs went straight down so stayed "invisible" to the local LEO's, but I guess they had my number anyway.

Sorry for the thread drift but like fine old S & W's, or fine ol 1911A1's, they just don't make em anymore.

 

[steamloco76]

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.

 

[PALADIN85020]

That is one terrific post.....to own the same sidearm you carried in the service.

You didn't happen to buy a 57 Chevy "sleeper" around late 1965 did you, from a guy in Southwestern NY? Sleeper because it started out life as a BelAir 210 straight 6cyl, with 3 on the tree, received a heart transplant (before I got married) to a 265 V8 with a Hurst floor kit. was King of F Gas at the old Niagara Drag Way (well...at least for a few weeks till blown off the pedestal). Yea.....I know, 4dr sedan and all that "uncool" stuff of the day, but check out that "floating grill" and the California nose & deck job, and the big ol Sun Tach. The cut-outs went straight down so stayed "invisible" to the local LEO's, but I guess they had my number anyway.

Sorry for the thread drift but like fine old S & W's, or fine ol 1911A1's, they just don't make em anymore.

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