STI Trojan or?

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nbmonte

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A couple years ago I asked about a 1911 for IPSC classic and the overwhelming response was to get a Trojan. I never ended up getting one, and now I’m kicking myself for it. A Trojan is now $2248 at freedom ventures instead of the $1400ish it cost 2 years ago.

At $1400 it seemed like a great deal, I’m not convinced it’s now worth $2200. What other 1911’s should I look at in the $1400-$2500 range.

I’ve currently got a SAM, so I’m leaning towards buy once cry once(within reason) on this one. Where does the law of diminishing returns take over with 1911’s?

Thanks
 
nbmonte said:
A couple years ago I asked about a 1911 for IPSC classic and the overwhelming response was to get a Trojan. I never ended up getting one, and now I’m kicking myself for it. A Trojan is now $2248 at freedom ventures instead of the $1400ish it cost 2 years ago.

At $1400 it seemed like a great deal, I’m not convinced it’s now worth $2200. What other 1911’s should I look at in the $1400-$2500 range.

I’ve currently got a SAM, so I’m leaning towards buy once cry once(within reason) on this one. Where does the law of diminishing returns take over with 1911’s?

Thanks
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That is a very good question. I have a Trojan and while I like it very much, I'm not sure I'd buy one at the new pricing. At $2250 you are getting within spitting distance of some of the entry level custom guns. I think I've seen Les Baer Premier II's in the high 2's.

Some here have said the recent Colt offerings are quite good (forum sponsor Armseast I think) or perhaps Springfield Armouries?

I don't know a lot about the Sig 1911's but I have a couple of other higher end Sig products and they are exceptional guns.
 
Yes they have really gone up. I guess to be fair, all of them have gone up and the Trojan does get some hand fitting i believe. If you want 45, you should be able to find one used for an ok price. 9mm seem to be more sought after these days. If you really wanted a new Trojan, you could get one cheaper through a broker like IRGs. Even with fees and GST $1800-$1900 is possible.

I think at the lower end of your range (1200-1400), the Colt Comp and Springfield Armory seem to be popular. Some like the Sig as well though i've heard more mixed reviews about them. Higher up the scale, Dan Wesson makes a very good 1911 (I am very impressed with mine). Apparently all Dan Wessons are fitted similarly so even the less expensive models (e.g., Pointman, Razor) should run well. At your higher end, you are also very close to Les Baers which are also very nice.
 
Is your budget just for the gun or for a full setup (gun, mags, holster, mag pouches, etc)? Does it have to be new or is used acceptable? Does it include tax? If it’s just the gun and only new then on the low end of your budget I’d look Springfield RO & Colt Comp and high end DW or Springfield TRP. A new LB will be just shy of $3k after taxes in NB.
 
nbmonte said:
A couple years ago I asked about a 1911 for IPSC classic...Where does the law of diminishing returns take over with 1911’s?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Personal choice I think, but to me a few years ago it was right around $1500. Today maybe up around $2k - and this is all dependant on a no nonsense production model 1911. You’ll add to that number depending on what you want out of it.

For production guns I'd look at Dan Wesson, higher grade Kimbers, Springers, Colts and S&W pros.

If you are looking for north of that, then think the start of quality customs like Ed Brown, Wilson and Les Baer

If I was crazy about 1911’s I’d take some courses on smithing them - thankfullyI don’t have the 1911 bug.
 
Thanks for all the reply’s.

I have thought about a used Trojan, but I’m looking for one in 9mm( blasphemy I know) and used prices have followed retail and gotten up there.

Thanks for the link BBKKCC, I hadn’t seen that one yet.


The budget at this point is just for the gun and is flexible. I’ve spent the last couple days searching cgn/ dealer websites/ manufacturers and I’m farther from a decision now than I was last weekend.

It’s tough to lay your hand on a mid to upper mid range 1911 here in NB on short notice. I’m sure there’s a few sitting in safes but it’s not the thing the local dealers stock. And it’s a slippery slope up. $2200 for a Trojan, well why not a Dan Wesson Valor then. If I’m going to spring for a Dan Wesson, why not a les Baer. If I’m thinking les baer, why not Wilson combat. It’s a good problem to have, I just need to figure out where to draw the line, hence my question to the knowledgeable cgners.

I am considering the colt competition, good price, owners seem to like theirs and I could get everything well under budget, but I’m tempted by the higher end guns. I know if I get the colt, I’ll be looking at other guns sooner rather than later.
 
I know that you seemed to want an STI Trojan, but for a lot less money you can get a Shadow 2 that is pretty much ipsc ready.
 
I paid $1250.00 for a new Trojan in 9 mm a few years ago. It represents great value. I would not pay the current retail price for a Trojan, it does not represent great value. This does not mean that it is not a great gun.

I bought a used Ed Brown Centennial Edition (in .45, which I wanted) for $2000.00 late last year. It was in near perfect condition. If you can be patient and you are willing to spend current Trojan money you can get a semi custom gun.
 
If you’re after a 9mm the LB is out unless you’ve got $3500 to spend. For some reason 9mm is a premium priced upgrade with them. TRP isn’t made in 9mm and though the DW Valor is I’ve never seen one for sale.

Go with the Colt. You can always send it out for work later.
 
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nbmonte said:
It’s tough to lay your hand on a mid to upper mid range 1911 here in NB on short notice. I’m sure there’s a few sitting in safes but it’s not the thing the local dealers stock. And it’s a slippery slope up. $2200 for a Trojan, well why not a Dan Wesson Valor then. If I’m going to spring for a Dan Wesson, why not a les Baer. If I’m thinking les baer, why not Wilson combat. It’s a good problem to have, I just need to figure out where to draw the line, hence my question to the knowledgeable cgners.

I am considering the colt competition, good price, owners seem to like theirs and I could get everything well under budget, but I’m tempted by the higher end guns. I know if I get the colt, I’ll be looking at other guns sooner rather than later.
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Given this, I would just go for the higher end gun off the top. Long run - the price difference is not much compared to ammo cost. I think there is enough of a difference all around to make it worth while getting into the 2200-2700 range. To answer your previous question, that is where i would probably put the threshold these days. I have a Dan Wesson and a LB. I'd put them on a similar level (or close). DW is the example of what high tech manufacturing can deliver whereas LB is the classic handfitted approach.
 
TT1900 said:
If you’re after a 9mm the LB is out unless you’ve got $3500 to spend. For some reason 9mm is a premium priced upgrade with them. TRP isn’t made in 9mm and though the DW Valor is I’ve never seen one for sale.

Go with the Colt. You can always send it out for work later.
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The les Baer premier 2 in 9mm is 2990$. You add about 400$ if the 1.5 inch guaranteed at 50 yards.
I am waiting for my transfert. I choses the same package but in 45. 3000$ taxe include.
 
Pricing is out of whack in Canada, and there are guys flogging their used guns for more money than they paid for them.
Typical EE. Look at what some of the vendors are selling for and compare that to the Irunguns US site.
 
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