Ultimate 1911?

blaxsun

blaxsun

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So if a person wanted a really, really good 1911 Commander in 9mm, which brand should he be looking at? Basically, if you could trade a bunch of your guns for the ultimate 1911, what would it be? I've been looking at the Nighthawk and Korth, but don't really know enough about either except they look really nice and are stupid expensive.

And yes, I realize that it's probably not a 'true' 1911 unless it's .45ACP - but 9mm is a sticking point that I'm non-negotiable on. Suggestions, recommendations and comments all welcome. Thanks.
 
Cabot 1911 Pistol Is World's Most Expensive Ever, you will need to trade your big house for it though ;)

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if you ask me - Ruger SR1911 will also do just fine :)
 
As you've specified commander, Ed Brown. Clean, understated, classy. Admittedly 9mm is uncommon production for EB, but they do a run every now and then. I'm a fan of the Executive series as I like traditional checkering.

A bit less pricey, but also a very clean looking gun, is the DW Valor Commander. Very well liked by all the owners I've met and to be honest I couldn't tell a performance difference between my EB and the DW's. That said, I'm no pro; high - average at best.

I'm not a fan of overly styled 1911's if you couldn't tell. I'm sure the Nighthawk and Korth would both be quality guns, just not my taste.
 
+1 TT1900. I'd second Ed Brown. Wilson and Nighthawk are in the same ballpark in price and quality - just a question of what flavour you like. The next tier down, I would say the higher end Dan Wesson and also Les Baer. The difference is that the Dan Wesson is an example of what high tech production can achieve, whereas Les Baer is old school hand fitting - both great but in different ways.

Also, I'd add that a Korth PRS is not a 1911. It may have the same grip frame but totally different mechanism and handling characteristics. It is a bulkier package and imo its handling is cumbersome compared to a 1911. Phenomenal trigger and obviously accurate as hell so great for dedicated target work, but i would not put it in the 1911 category.
 
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I have (in Government length and .45) Cabot, Ed Brown and Wilson Combat (and Dan Wesson and Colt National Match).

What do you want it for would be a question.
Investment value - if you shoot it regularly then that won't be the case (I picked up both the EB and WC used here for what I consider to be good prices compared to what they originally sold at retail).
Accuracy - any of the custom makers will spec them to be 1.5" or better at 25 yds. Can you shoot that accurately? I can't.
Looks - in the eye of the beholder.....
Bling - It's a 4-5k pistol, most will say they get the same thing from a 1k or less pistol. I can't comment other than I let them fire them and see if they can tell a difference.
Just because I like nice things - if you can afford it and have dreamed of a custom pistol then I say go for it.

The Cabot (S100) is the tightest pistol of the lot. Fit and finish is impeccable. I have 800 rounds through it now and it is just broken in IMHO.
The Ed Brown (Krypteia), beautiful pistol, very well built but now I'm not a fan of the Chain Link II on the frame/mainspring housing. After a 80-100 rounds it becomes annoying in my (bare) hand.
The Wilson Combat (CQB) is the most comfortable in my hand, beautiful to look at and just a thrill to shoot.

Any of those custom pistol brands are worth looking at. I like the Nighthawk brand but as yet have not taken the plunge.
I was minutes away from calling Gary when they got these 2 (drool):
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1566626-Nighthawk-Custom-Agent-1-Pistols

If you are prepared to spend high dollar for any of the customs then find a dealer where you can get them in your hand.....that would be the first test IMHO.
Dropping 4-5 large on a pistol that does not fit you would be a shame.


Personally I'm not a 1911 must be a 45 guy, I have one in 9mm as well (S&W Pro) and have been looking at the new Colt Competition Stainless in 9mm.
That new Nighthawk Tri-cut 9mm Commander that Wanstall's has is a really nice looking pistol........ as they say - won't last long.
 
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I had the pleasure and opportunity to own/shoot a lot of them through the years, nearly all of them were in .45 cal but a few exceptions.

Here's a sample of the good stuff I had as comparison: Ed Brown Executive Target w/factory extras, two Springfield Custom Shops, one Pro Operator (FBI HRT) and one TGO-1 Leatham both had the early Nowlin barrel, a super full blown decked out single stack SVI convertible .45/9mm, two Dan Wesson Valors (one VBOB and the other full length both in black duty finish), a Valtro 1998 A1, lots and lots of factory, custom and tuned Colts and Kimbers also lots of STI's from Spartans, Trojans, Sentrys 1911 to an Executive 2011 model and finally a Les Baer Prowler III with the 1.5" @ 50y option.

Was also fortunate to try out some top of the line WC's and Nighthawks too. They are very sweet 1911's, particularly the WC Classic Supergrade. If I had to choose between my LB Prowler III and the CSG I would be a tough one. The Prowler III is a mean buisness range or carry (if we could) gun while the Classic Supergrade is a BBQ/Sunday shooter kinda thing but it oooze quality and is simply gorgeous to look at.

My Prowler III is my Ultimate 1911, it's the most accurate and reliable 1911 I've owned. Not to say that the others weren't reliable or accurate, nearly all of them were very accurate and flawless but the Baer simply edge them out by a slight margin. Sadly it's been discontinued for a few years now, I hope LB will reintroduce it again.

My .2
 
mtstef said:
Cabot 1911 Pistol Is World's Most Expensive Ever, you will need to trade your big house for it though ;)

cabot-1911-pistol-meteorite-03.jpg


cabot-1911-pistol-meteorite-02.jpg


if you ask me - Ruger SR1911 will also do just fine :)
Click to expand...

Same here, love my SR1911...perhaps I just got a great example. But hey, to each his own. I may be able to afford a Cabot if I really wanted to, but that's not how I am wired. I still want to leave my children some inheritance.
 
Korth PRS is probably the "best" from the quality and engineering standpoint, but it's not really a 1911.
 
Well the question is really what do YOU want? What's important to you?
- name recognition? Do you want the exotic? OOoooo KORTH.....ooo or do you want the traditional? Yeah, it's a Colt....
- Function - MOST factory guns aren't that great out of the box....for me, any trigger pull north of 2.5 pounds is unwanted...same goes for sights - what do you want - fibre optic, night sights, adjustable? fixed? Same for reliability. I've seen expensive guns (4k+) not function reliably. Do you want extended mag release? Magwell?
- Fit and finish. Does the 1911 rattle bother you? Do you want a smooth racking, everything fits in it's place in a perfectly timed package? Do you want stainless? Deep blue? "Operator" mat finish? A combo?

Think about all the above, make a list and then start filling it. FWIW my belief is that a custom gun from a great gun maker is the way to go. Cameron Customs in Phoenix is worth a look. Millenium, Akai and others in the US are also accessible. There's some good Canadian guys out there too.

Summary: Figure out what you want THEN start the build!

Good luck, let us know what you decide.
 
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