1911: Build or buy

Just found out that the dlask kit comes with over sized parts. Parts that need fitting are huge advantage for competent smiths, the quality of the fit will be better than a production gun. It’s also a huge downside if you’re newer to 1911s because the parts don’t drop in and can be ruined easily.
 
New shooter. Buy it. Norc s can be fun starter. Then sell it and look for one with the features you think you want, and fix the few personal item on that one.
 
I bought a Norc years ago as a project gun, and the damn thing shot so good I didn't have the heart to do it. It even shot point of aim right out of the box. It was one of the few that the bluing on it was as good as any gun I own. So I still have a bobtail kit complete with jig that I've never touched.
 
I don't worry about dings, scratches, getting dirty from use or wear. Now I don't go abuse them, but accidents happen. Punch slip, or jittery hands/butter fingers and sometimes drop things.

And with 1911s I found. The best are the ones you just add oil and shoot. I got 3 1911s, only one that works flawless is the never been tweeked.
 
Norcs can be a bit variable, whether you get one they made on a Monday morning or one from mid-week. And it seems like they have totally different factories for the different models, so for example there's surprisingly little shared DNA between their .45 and their 9mm.
 
My Norc 1911 after a couple of new parts and proper fitting shoots insanely accurately. Sometimes I get upset that more expensive guns don’t shoot as well. It’s in 9mm has been extremely reliable with all factory ammo
 
SAM's were pretty good deal price wise a few years ago, not sure what availability is like now. Fit and finish was excellent, and they were not much more then a Norc.
 
Anyone know of a good 1911 smith out west? BC or Alberta? Or?? have 1 Colt & one Norc with some USGI Parts that I would like some work done on. Including upgraded sights for my slightly older eyes...

joe is still on the bench at dlask working his 1911 magic last I heard.
My impression is leigh runs the machining stuff these days and Joe just builds 1911's...… could be wrong but it's the impression I have.
they don't seem to ever answer emails or messages thru their website service so I kinda gave up dealing with them after Leigh took over and I lost my long time customer discount.
 
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