Best 1911 at any price?

ghostie said:
Yah, they really are something remarkable. Not to take anything away from the other makers... some of them are amazing too. I haven't tried everything of course, but I have had the opportunity to try a Wilson Combat, a Springfield Operator TRP (which is one that I think is an excellent pistol that you can actually just order-up and buy, unlike some of these other exotic ones), some Colts and others, but that Valtro... I just remember holding it and thinking..."what the hell did they do to this thing, what is the secret??" The trigger and the action are just the definition of smooth, and it feels just fantastic to hold and to shoot. Doesn't translate into words or videos, or course, but it is quite the pistol to be sure.

One of Roger's Valtro videos might translate the beauty of that trigger a little better. Look how he is just using the slightest pressure, and then a tiny reset. Man, those are nice guns.
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I have several 1911's and have shot most but not all of the ones( Volkmann!!) that I don't own, but there is a certain "Something" about the Valtro's that sets them apart. I got my first one when thy were going for around 1400.00 CAD. Since then the American Jardine ones are past 10,000.00, and the Canadian ones are also pricey. Now sometimes a high price or scarcity causes exaggerated praise of a gun, but in this case I have to say it is my favorite. I have posted in the past about Valtro's. I have spoken to John Jardine about the "Canadian" vs American Valtro's in the past. We speak a few times a year and I can tell you that he is as others have said on the various forums a true gentleman with a wealth of knowledge.
 
I wanted a Baer for probably 20 years, but when I had the opportunity and picked up a NIB one last year it shot groups twice the size of the SIG Stainless Carry I picked up the same week for $750. Maybe if I'd messed around with loads I could've found one that worked...but I was left disappointed and unimpressed.
 
Interesting. I have a 220 that's a tack driver. As far as a Singer, well I was referring to shooting prowess in a 1911. Collectability? Yes the Singer is one of the "Holy Grail" classic collectibles. Last I looked there was a North American Arms 1911 on the Epps site.
 
spellbound said:
So far I find the Cabot National Standard probably the most aesthetically pleasing but has anybody had experience with Infinity?
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Yes. The SVI is really incomparable with the customization and quality you can get. Quality and accuracy are outstanding. They are made to be used, not just looked at. Not sure how many rounds through mine, tens of thousands.

One comment from anyone who's shot mine is how smooth they run. It's smoother than a used Les Baer. But then you are comparing a fully custom gun with a production gun.

Mine has an extended dust cover and bull barrel for a little more weight up front, which helps with staying on target on followup shots. There has been a minor concern that the AET barrels don't like some plated bullets and I've also found that. However you need to keep that in perspective that with some plated bullets it's only doing about 1-1/2" groups at 25m instead of 1" or better.

Standard factory accuracy certificate for every gun is 1-1/2" at 50 yards.

I think the price of the most basic SVI is just under $4k, and goes way up from there. Set aside $6k to $7k for one and you get a spectacular pistol. Or set aside a bit more for additional fitted top ends in other calibers.

The wait? Get something else to play with in the meantime. ;)
 
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Master-G said:
I wanted a Baer for probably 20 years, but when I had the opportunity and picked up a NIB one last year it shot groups twice the size of the SIG Stainless Carry I picked up the same week for $750. Maybe if I'd messed around with loads I could've found one that worked...but I was left disappointed and unimpressed.
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I find that very hard to believe, but anything is possible if the owner before you fubar'd something even if it was NIB.

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with it? Did your smith look at it? What about Les Baer?

I assume that you don't have it anymore - would be curious to know if the owner after you found what was wrong with it.

Curious minds want to know.
 
BenL said:
I find that very hard to believe, but anything is possible if the owner before you fubar'd something even if it was NIB. Did you ever figure out what was wrong with it? Did your smith look at it? What about Les Baer? I assume that you don't have it anymore - would be curious to know if the owner after you found what was wrong with it. Curious minds want to know.
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I really don't think anything was wrong with the pistol...it functioned fine and didn't look at all to have been messed up. It was tight tight tight for sure...so tight I could barely work the slide at first. I know that Baer recommends a break-in period..maybe after I worked it in after a few hundred rounds it would have proved to be more accurate, or maybe I had the most accurate SIG ever made :D:

Here's the Baer at 20m (not bad, really):
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Here's the SIG :
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I probably would have kept it to see how it shook out with another type of ammo or after working in a bit (I really liked how it looked and handled), but I received an unsolicited offer to sell it after I'd only had a chance for one trip to the range so off it went. I know that guy has since sold it...I never asked what he thought of it. Baers occupy a unique spot in the 1911 market--hundreds (or more) less than a Wilson, Brow, or Nighthawk, but more expensive than most high-end production 1911s; I must admit I'm still tempted..maybe one that was already broken in.
 
I am just a novice at handguns shooting, i really dont know which 1911 is the most accurate, but for me my Premier ll is sooo accurate compare to others makes... JP.

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Master-G

Which model was it? Do you remember if it had the accuracy guarantee?

And you are correct about the slide being very tight when you - they really need at least 5-6 hundred rounds before 1st cleaning and I'd say that by the time you're at 1k round the slide should be buttery smooth. I know mine is!

Really too bad that you ran into a not-as-impressive-as a Baer should be.
 
redryder said:
Is that like one group with the Baer and one group with the Sig? Doesn't mean much if thats the case.
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No, it was a consistent pattern for the 100 or so rounds I shot through each.

BenL said:
Which model was it? Do you remember if it had the accuracy guarantee? And you are correct about the slide being very tight when you - they really need at least 5-6 hundred rounds before 1st cleaning and I'd say that by the time you're at 1k round the slide should be buttery smooth. I know mine is!
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It was a Tactical Carry, IIRC. I guess I should have had more patience!
 
keitha said:
Smith Wesson E series or performance center 1911. smiths are way under rated.
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I have a E series and a Baer. Baer all the way. Mind you there is a $1000 difference between the two guns. For the price of the smith, I would look at a Dan Wesson. My SSC is way more accurate, though it's a 40 vs a 45.
 
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