Found a Valtro to add to 1911 stable. :)
- Thread starter Hrcboy
- Start date
I kept mine over a Les Baer TRS. I just picked up a nighthawk talon and I'm not sure which one I'd part with first? The Valtro is definitely a keeper. There really is something different about the way it feels in the hand that no other 1911 I've handled has matched. I can't put my finger on what it is, maybe the way the beavertail is fit? Not sure, all I know is I love it.
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Hi Johnny, wanted to put a fiber optic sight on mine as well. Was wondering what works with the Valtro's? Speaking with a buddy who works at DVC says the Valtro is the best 1911 he's shot. I didn't believe him until I shot his and I'm a believer now. Was just hard finding one.
Thanks! Love the two tone btw!
Thanks! Love the two tone btw!
It was for $1200. 
. Yah the current one for sale on EE looks well used to say the least.
Doing a google search when one does come up they go in the $5000 range and unfired ones has gone in the low 5 digits which is just crazy.
I don't believe they are worth $5000 but guess they worth what people are willing to pay.
. Yah the current one for sale on EE looks well used to say the least. Doing a google search when one does come up they go in the $5000 range and unfired ones has gone in the low 5 digits which is just crazy.
I don't believe they are worth $5000 but guess they worth what people are willing to pay.
I'm not sure what make the fibre optic front sight is. I had Dlask install it when he did the trigger for me. As for price I think $5000 for one is ridiculous but I guess if you have your heart set on one (and the money to lay out) you just never know. Plain and simple I just wouldn't part with mine anyway.
This valtro was my second 1911 (my first was a Delta Elite that I had customized by J Dlask) and I have yet to find one that I would say is better. I've had many colts including highly customized versions, I've had STI's, the LB Thunder Ranch Special, an SVI, a customized Caspian, I shouldn't even mention the Para Ordnance. I would put the LB TRS in the same league but still would rather keep the Valtro. The Nighthhawk talon is in the same league as well but cost a hell of a lot more. Bottom line, the Valtro is very sweet. When I'm shooting against my buddies I actually feel like I'm cheating when I use the Valtro it's that much better then anything else I've used. And I guess if you asked me which one I shoot better, I actually shoot the Valtro better then the Talon as well.
This valtro was my second 1911 (my first was a Delta Elite that I had customized by J Dlask) and I have yet to find one that I would say is better. I've had many colts including highly customized versions, I've had STI's, the LB Thunder Ranch Special, an SVI, a customized Caspian, I shouldn't even mention the Para Ordnance. I would put the LB TRS in the same league but still would rather keep the Valtro. The Nighthhawk talon is in the same league as well but cost a hell of a lot more. Bottom line, the Valtro is very sweet. When I'm shooting against my buddies I actually feel like I'm cheating when I use the Valtro it's that much better then anything else I've used. And I guess if you asked me which one I shoot better, I actually shoot the Valtro better then the Talon as well.
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elektrobug
Regular
- Location
- Toronto (GTA), Ontario
Keep in mind the guns going for $5K in USA are custom pistols built by Master Pistolsmith John Jardine using Valtro pistols as a base. I dont remember of the top of my head but a fully optioned gun from Jardine runs $4K+, that is why they command high dollar on the secondary market. People who do not want to wait for a custom from John, can skip the wait and get one by paying a bit more. Most of the top 1911 Master Pistolsmith in the USA have a lead time of 6+ month and some people prefer not to wait.
The guns that are in Canada are plain jane production Valtros that had no attention from John and were sold for around $1200 new if I recall correctly. Comparing the two is like comparing a stock Colt and a Colt built by a top 1911 Pistolsmith. One is a production gun (with some nice semi-custom features) and the other a full custom pistol. IMHO the Canadian Valtros sell for around the same price as they were new + or - from what I have seen over the years. Asking $5K for a Canadian guns and hoping to catch a misinformed person that thinks they are getting a Jardine gun is just plain unethical and predatory. But like with everything buyer beware (and be informed) and an item is worth what someone will pay for it.
On a side note I sent a PM to the seller of the Canadian $5K Valtro politely asking him if he knew the difference between the Canadian and USA guns and if he had maybe been misinformed about the value of his pistol by the previous owner. I was extremely polite and just wanted to chat.... instead of replying to me he added me to his ignore list. I guess that speaks volumes about his intentions.
Elektrobug you're absolutely right and I should qualify my statement that selling a Canadian or non Jardine Valtro for $5000 is absolutely ridiculous. That being said my previous statements regarding the differences between my "Canadian" Valtro and other 1911's still stands.
I also PM'd the seller letting him know that I had serial #...223 and his was ...222 which I thought he might find interesting however I also didn't hear back from him.
I also PM'd the seller letting him know that I had serial #...223 and his was ...222 which I thought he might find interesting however I also didn't hear back from him.
The Canadian Valtro's are not that different from the US Valtro's. I doubt Jardine put together every single one US 1998 A1 (think about it). He oversee's the production in Italy and the ones going thru the states I'm sure does random quality checks and makes appropriate adjustments and warranty work.
Although not officially blessed by Jardine the Canadian every bit a Valtro designed by Jardine. I have personally met 2 other Canadian Valtro Owners in Vancouver both experienced shooters and they said the same thing. The Valtro would be the last 1911 to go.
Although not officially blessed by Jardine the Canadian every bit a Valtro designed by Jardine. I have personally met 2 other Canadian Valtro Owners in Vancouver both experienced shooters and they said the same thing. The Valtro would be the last 1911 to go.
triplepete
Regular
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
So can you describe how Valtros shoot better? You'll have to let me squeeze her a few times just to see what you mean!
elektrobug
Regular
- Location
- Toronto (GTA), Ontario
The Canadian Valtro's are not that different from the US Valtro's. I doubt Jardine put together every single one US 1998 A1 (think about it). He oversee's the production in Italy and the ones going thru the states I'm sure does random quality checks and makes appropriate adjustments and warranty work.
Although not officially blessed by Jardine the Canadian every bit a Valtro designed by Jardine. I have personally met 2 other Canadian Valtro Owners in Vancouver both experienced shooters and they said the same thing. The Valtro would be the last 1911 to go.
The USA and Canadian production Valtros are identical made in Italy pistols. The USA Valtros selling for $3K to $5K+ are Jardine custom Valtros, that is why they command high dollar. Valtros in Canada are production guns worth $1200+-.
Will be heading with PM and crew this week you should come out as well. You should ask Hugodog about his Valtro. He has shot way more 1911s.
Gave it a detailed strip and clean. Things I noticed, frame is thicker and heavier than my STI Trojan. While the Trojan Frame to Slide is Excellent the Valtro is a tad tighter. Interesting to see part of the serial numbers stamped on the frame and slide.
It makes not difference to me what they are worth. I'm keeping mine.
But just to let you know the ones that are going for crazy amounts in the US are productions one that started out at $1100 not the Jardine Customs.
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.php?4792-Valtro-1998A1-price
triplepete
Regular
- Location
- Burnaby, BC
I hope too see your investment in a CDP class next match! Wow, the trigger arms are half normal size. I seen Vins Valtro, definitely feels slick!
elektrobug
Regular
- Location
- Toronto (GTA), Ontario
It makes not difference to me what they are worth. I'm keeping mine.
But just to let you know the ones that are going for crazy amounts in the US are productions one that started out at $1100 not the Jardine Customs.
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.php?4792-Valtro-1998A1-price
A fool and his money are soon parted. There will always be misinformed people that dont know the difference that will pay top dollar for a plain jane Valtro. Also USA guns although identical to the Canadian had the benefit of QC by Jardine. So he still did work on the production guns (only a few hundred in USA) such as fitment and trigger etc. Quite a few of the straight from Italy guns had QC issues such as losse frame to slide fit, finish problems and other QC issues that caused function problems. Canadian dealers that sold them back in the day can attest to this.
I noticed as in the trigger area in the frame is intentionally rough out in the rear as well. It smoothed in the front but roughed out for the 1/3 of the way at the back of the frame. Wondering why that is the case. The stock trigger feels awesome though. Very nice clean break.
Slide and frame on mine tight like a virgin. Will shoot it this week and hopefully it will shoot like the other "Canadian" Valtro I shot last year and I will be a happy camper!
Judging by JohnnyMac's comments he's pretty happy with his "Plain Jane" Valtro too. Mine was built right after his. 223,224.
elektrobug
Regular
- Location
- Toronto (GTA), Ontario
Slide and frame on mine tight like a virgin. Will shoot it this week and hopefully it will shoot like the other "Canadian" Valtro I shot last year and I will be a happy camper!
Judging by JohnnyMac's comments he's pretty happy with his "Plain Jane" Valtro too. Mine was built right after his. 223,224.
Glad to hear you got a good one. Did not mean to rain on your parade in any way, just wanted to contribute some information about these pistols.
Glad to hear you got a good one. Did not mean to rain on your parade in any way, just wanted to contribute some information about these pistols.
No worries dude opinions are always welcome. I did not find your comments negative in anyway. One of the guys I shoot with at IDPA also has one and he's experienced in tuning 1911's. His recommendation was to buy one if I every came across one. Will do a range report when I get the chance. Just from dry firing I really like how crisp the trigger breaks and reset is wonderful best I felt on a stock pistol. Btw have you hand the chance to shoot one?
elektrobug
Regular
- Location
- Toronto (GTA), Ontario
Handled a few but never got a chance to fire one unfortunately. Triggers were okay but nothing special for a 1911. Knew someone that ran one in IPSC but stopped after breaking a few parts.
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