Own a couple 1911s. Their Kimber's. Have been eyeing a couple Les Bear models that are, last time I looked, in the $2500 to $3000 range. Had the credit card on the desk a couple times while drooling over them on dealers web sites. One of these days I'll probably close my eyes and push the add to cart button. Question is where's your line, price wise?
!911 Where's your line
- Thread starter grumpyold
- Start date
heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
Lol, I like this post
When I'm making good money I don't mind spending some money I probablly would spend a nice chunk of change on a gun im eyeing the titanium gold tiger stripe .50ae desert eagle. Something to show off at the range. But when you could buy a nice 1000 dollar gun and then spend the other 2000 on ammo you have a lot of shooting to do haha. I'd buy them all if I could but I can't so I wont. Yet...
I think $2000ish gets you a very good 1911, especially on the EE where premium 1911s don't seem to hold their value. The latest prices for new Wilson or Nighthawk a Custom pistols have really jumped up to where--especially if you're in an HST province--they're affordable by very few.
All I want for 1911 are a couple Colts, then I'll be happy. I like the government and hardball type guns, so that's my summit. I think I'd buy a Gold Cup over an LB CMP Hardballer. I can't justify that expense for casual shooting and shifting foci of interests
live4therut
CGN frequent flyer
When it comes to shooters and custom pistols, around the 1-4k mark will get you IMO a great pistol depending what your after. For me collectable WWI 1911's and WWII 1911A1's I have no line besides this side of stupidity.
1riot1ranger
CGN Regular
- Location
- Calgary, AB
$5k. I'd like to get a custom Benny Hill or SVI single stack built for IPSC/USPSA competition.
But the way things are looking in AB these days, it might be a few more years.
But the way things are looking in AB these days, it might be a few more years.
If you plan on keeping and using the gun for 10 years or longer I have no problem spending some cash. I can remember in 2004 there was a Valtro for sale for $1100 and I was having a real hard time justifying the cost. Luckily the salesman at P&D talked me into it and man am I glad he did. Right now I wouldn't sell that gun for less than $4000 and even then I'd have to think twice. Looking back if I had spent $4000 on it that would equate to less than $400 per year that I've had it and I could easily justify that as a solid purchase especially considering I'll probably have it for another 20 years or longer. At $1100 it has cost me $100 per year so far and over the course of it's time with me may cost me around $35 per year or so.
Last year I purchased a Nighthawk doublestack for $4000 and a year in I have zero regrets and I'm pretty sure I'll have this one for the long run too.
I've seen guys f around with guns in competition that cost them less than what they would spend on ammo in a year and it can range from a general annoyance to costing them a match and I can never understand it. People have different thoughts about the reliability of 1911's but in my opinion the good ones just don't let you down. My Valtro has had exactly zero malfunctions.
Last year I purchased a Nighthawk doublestack for $4000 and a year in I have zero regrets and I'm pretty sure I'll have this one for the long run too.
I've seen guys f around with guns in competition that cost them less than what they would spend on ammo in a year and it can range from a general annoyance to costing them a match and I can never understand it. People have different thoughts about the reliability of 1911's but in my opinion the good ones just don't let you down. My Valtro has had exactly zero malfunctions.
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X2 re the Valtro's. I too picked my first one up for around 1100.00 back in 01 or 02. Best 1911 I've ever owned. Had the pleasure of talking to John Jardine on a few occasions. We discussed the "American" vs "Canadian" ones etc. He really was mistreated as far as distribution was concerned. At the end of the day Valtro's were all made in the same factory with the same materials albeit with or without his final inspection and tweeking. I've never had any issues with any of my Valtro's . Prices in the U.S are stratospheric but I think that Canadian prices will keep rising. They haven't been made for years.
what do you mean by mistreated, Gravel? Just curious. I've heard a little bit about these guns and the story behind them but not much. Didn't realize they sold for only $1100 13-14 years ago when now they are 3-4K+. Anyway, i guess they are very highly regarded with quite a cult following these days.
Originally all Valtro's were supposed to go through John Jardine's Valtro U.S.A company. He had designed the gun in conjunction with the now defunct Valtro Italy.
The guns were made to his specs and as you know the finest materials. After a slow start guns started coming out of Italy to John in California. He would inspect and tune them,making sure that they were up to snuff. These guns are the ones going for 10-15000.00 in the states. Valtro Italy then sold directly to Canada and Europe bypassing Jardine .It was said that the guns that John rejected went this route as to not write them off although as I previously mentioned mine are all first class. The other view was that John was slow in getting guns out and the factory needed a bigger distribution chain. He is a legendary gunsmith real gentleman, and meticulous in what he will let out of his shop so maybe he went over the guns with more attention to detail than the factory wanted. Word has it they didn't have the same threshold as to what was considered " Good to go". Today he still does custom work with a long wait list and last I heard has Valtro frames and components to complete more guns although no one knows how many. There is more information on the forums down south. As far as the "Canadian " ones go, they are exactly the same but haven't gone through his hands. All Valtro's are rare and will go up in price regardless of their source.
BTW, even the Canadian guns came with outer boxes with the original San Rafael CA address.
The guns were made to his specs and as you know the finest materials. After a slow start guns started coming out of Italy to John in California. He would inspect and tune them,making sure that they were up to snuff. These guns are the ones going for 10-15000.00 in the states. Valtro Italy then sold directly to Canada and Europe bypassing Jardine .It was said that the guns that John rejected went this route as to not write them off although as I previously mentioned mine are all first class. The other view was that John was slow in getting guns out and the factory needed a bigger distribution chain. He is a legendary gunsmith real gentleman, and meticulous in what he will let out of his shop so maybe he went over the guns with more attention to detail than the factory wanted. Word has it they didn't have the same threshold as to what was considered " Good to go". Today he still does custom work with a long wait list and last I heard has Valtro frames and components to complete more guns although no one knows how many. There is more information on the forums down south. As far as the "Canadian " ones go, they are exactly the same but haven't gone through his hands. All Valtro's are rare and will go up in price regardless of their source.
BTW, even the Canadian guns came with outer boxes with the original San Rafael CA address.
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Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
yep, that's a pretty good summary. Once you get all the normal stuff, the bits that attract you are at the upper end of the price range.
