High end 1911 debate...

[AEA]

I vote for Ed Brown's Kobra Carry and Wilson's Protector.

[UofHdevildog]

I was hoping could give an opinion without getting flamed too bad....

I would suggest if money is an object that you get a GI model and put your own stuff in it. I've found it's cheaper and you have a little more personal input into what components your weapon has. But don't get me wrong, you're not going to be dissapointed with a GI model, even though you can improve on it. A stock GI model will still go bang 100% percent of the time you squeeze the trigger and is accurate for the class it's in.

[Bill]

I have a Norinco 1911, with a 30 round mag . I would love to have a top of the line 1911 but my money goes elsewhere. I have followed a few of the threads from the 1911 forum and it seems that like with anything you get a lemon every once in awhile but most seem to run very well. I love the look and feel of 1911's and in a custom Tucker holster I would have to move to a open carry state just to show it off. I am thinking about sending my Norinco to a gunsmith for custom work, can anyone recomend a Houston gunsmith 1911 pro
Bill

[LarryH]

I am thinking about sending my Norinco to a gunsmith for custom work, can anyone recomend a Houston gunsmith 1911 pro
Bill

Disclaimer: I have not yet had any dealings with him, but Ed Vanden Berg has been highly recommended to me.

Vandenberg Custom
281-480-3180
15502 Galveston Road 218
Webster, Texas
vandenbe@flash.net
http://www.vandenbergcustom.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He will most likely be at the gun show at the GRB this weekend.

[Tha_Veteran]

I am checking the website at http://www.vandenbergcustom.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; you accidnetly made it a banndber

[gregthehand]

Paul Hubbard is in Conroe and built my 1911 for me. He is extremely good and very easy to deal with. PM me for his number. I would post it here but it's his cell and I don't want too many people barraging him!

[LarryH]

I am checking the website at http://www.vandenbergcustom.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; you accidnetly made it a banndber

sorry about that. it's fixed now.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I was hoping could give an opinion without getting flamed too bad....

I would suggest if money is an object that you get a GI model and put your own stuff in it. I've found it's cheaper and you have a little more personal input into what components your weapon has. But don't get me wrong, you're not going to be dissapointed with a GI model, even though you can improve on it. A stock GI model will still go bang 100% percent of the time you squeeze the trigger and is accurate for the class it's in.

I have a Mil-Spec that I have fitted with Ed Brown parts. I love the gun but want something a lil more…

[Salty1]

Take a look at STI, I recently ordered one for a customer (STI Trojan 5") and was amazed when it arrived. The slide felt like it was riding on ball bearings, soon as I can scrape up some $$$$ I am going to get one for myself, the research I did on them and the opinions of the owners was very impressive. They are also made here in Texas, which is an added plus.....

[CompVest]

there will be a STI master dealer at George R Brown Gun Show tomorrow. Look for Cypress Firearms.

[yerasimos]

I have to enquire about the purpose behind deliberately spending $2000 or more on a firearm that fires the same ammunition as the handguns one already possesses, and has the same manual of arms as at least one of them.

Is this supposed to be a future heirloom, a safe queen, something super accurate, an inflation hedge . . . or just an addition to the collection?

What will this $2000 handgun accomplish that one's other handguns cannot accomplish?

Can one acquire the same functionality with his other handguns by way of a competent gunsmith, or changing a few additional components, or spending the time and/or money on additional practice ammunition, a training course, solo practice at the range, etc?

For me, I would have to have good answers to these questions before I spent all that money on a relatively illiquid investment.

IIRC, Kimberly Munley and Mark Todd used 9mm Berettas to stop the homicidal Major Hasan Nidal at Fort Hood. I would not be surprised if these were factory-spec, department-issued weapons that cost no more than ~$600 each.

My opinion---take it or leave it.

[WildBill]

I have to enquire about the purpose behind deliberately spending $2000 or more on a firearm that fires the same ammunition as the handguns one already possesses, and has the same manual of arms as at least one of them.

Not all decisions are rational or logical. For most gun enthusiasts the decision to purchase a high end 1911 is a simple two part question. Do I really want it? Can I afford it?

For me, I would have to have good answers to these questions before I spent all that money on a relatively illiquid investment.

For me, I don't consider buying [most] guns to be an investment. There are better ways to invest your money.

[yerasimos]

I have to enquire about the purpose behind deliberately spending $2000 or more on a firearm that fires the same ammunition as the handguns one already possesses, and has the same manual of arms as at least one of them.

Not all decisions are rational or logical. For most gun enthusiasts the decision to purchase a high end 1911 is a simple two part question. Do I really want it? Can I afford it?

It is good that this has been articulated. If one is making an emotionally-driven purchase, one should be aware of it, without their thinking clouded by bogus or defective rationalizations.

For me, I would have to have good answers to these questions before I spent all that money on a relatively illiquid investment.

For me, I don't consider buying [most] guns to be an investment. There are better ways to invest your money.

I used the word "investment" to take into account the possible future need or desire to sell what one purchased earlier.

I generally agree with you in not considering guns to be investments. Over the past couple years and going forward, whatever guns I buy, I buy to keep, not to sell them later at low-ball prices. But over the past year or so, those who panic-purchased black rifles and high-capacity magazines at top-dollar prices, while their 401(k) accounts and/or home values were cratering, may have been thinking differently at the time. There exists a continuum, or gradient, between "investment" and "speculation", not a clear distinction.

[CompVest]

Shooting a Wilson or Bear compared to shooting a Kimber or Colt is rather like driving a nice Honda, Chevy, or even a BMW compared to a Ferrari. They both get you to where you are going but one just feels better and tighter on the corners!

[AEA]