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$2500 to spend on a 1911...your choice is...

11893 Views 167 Replies 109 Participants Last post by  1911NewGuy
Hello everyone! Im a single parent...Military veteran and im on a limited budget. I want to "splurge" and spent within my means and I have around $2200-$2500. I would like to get into the upper echelon but I might not have enough funds...
If you had around that budget what you get???

Happy Shooting and Semper Fidelis!

Matt
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STI in a 2011 platform. I have one in 1911 and one in 2011. Both are dead on accurate. Now I’m very biased because these are my only two higher end semi autos. I almost got a Wilson EDC X9 but ended up with the STI DVC Carry.
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Just saw this listing right here and thought of this thread

Hello everyone! Im a single parent...Military veteran and im on a limited budget. I want to "splurge" and spent within my means and I have around $2200-$2500. I would like to get into the upper echelon but I might not have enough funds...
If you had around that budget what you get???

Happy Shooting and Semper Fidelis!

Matt
With a military discount, which Wilson offers, they are right in your wheelhouse.
Toward an Alchemy. Just save a bit longer.

Baer makes great shooters. Still regret selling mine.

My neighbor has a Sig Tac Ops. TRP is better IMO. I am wholly unimpressed with his sample.

I like my 1911s in .45
Hello everyone! Im a single parent...Military veteran and im on a limited budget. I want to "splurge" and spent within my means and I have around $2200-$2500. I would like to get into the upper echelon but I might not have enough funds...
If you had around that budget what you get???

Happy Shooting and Semper Fidelis!

Matt
Thank you for your service sir. Instead of going bigtime right away, which I am not. Consider the Ruger SR 1911. Decent gun, GREAT Customer Service. I live in N. Central Mass, and if you were close, I'd let you shoot em. I have 2 full size 45', one in matte ss, and Nightwatchman. Also NW CMD 45, a 2 tonne LW CMD 45, and the 9mm LW CMD. [email protected] for questions. Again, I'm a novice and a small fry on here. Brian. You could / should then buy a case or 2 of ammo.
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Hello everyone! Im a single parent...Military veteran and im on a limited budget. I want to "splurge" and spent within my means and I have around $2200-$2500. I would like to get into the upper echelon but I might not have enough funds...
If you had around that budget what you get???

Happy Shooting and Semper Fidelis!

Matt
4 Rock Islands
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For $2500, buy a lightly used gun from a reputable member.

Wilson, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, Les Baer, ACW,... it doesn't really matter. Just pick something you like and shoot the piss out of it.
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I'd probably buy a beater Colt for $700-900, have it tightened up, get the trigger worked over, maybe add a skeleton or commander hammer, toss on a set of fake ivory grips, and then have the slide engraved with whatever money is left over. For whatever reason, I've always wanted an engraved pistol.

I've been tempted to have my Gold Cup NM engraved since I only have $500 into it and it's stainless so wouldn't need a refinish, but the trigger is a funky width and it's a great shooter. Why mess with a good thing?
That was my budget on my last 1911 and I can highly recommend looking at a Les Baer UTC. I picked up a brand new one with no front cocking serrations from CJ at 1911 Heaven for right at that price. All of my Baers have been amazingly accurate and great pistols.
Baer is probably the best bang for the buck. You can occasionally find Nighthawks listed in that range but they don’t last long. If you could save just a little more money I’d say Alchemy. They pop up for around $3k.
If you dont PM the member with the Guncrafter for sale, this one is a deal and the seller is great...

I'm late to the party but here are my thoughts. If one of your primary needs is accuracy, I strongly recommend the Springfield Range Officer. I am a Bullseye pistol competitor for about 40 years and have put thousands and thousands of .45acp down the range in competition. I have no use for any 45 that won't hold 10 shot groups within a 3" circle at 50 yards and perform reliably.

Many Springfield Range Officers will meet this accuracy goal straight of the box and you can, with diligence find one at around $650-800. In fact, I just acquired one within the last month for $600 that was lightly used. I took it to the range along with my Ransom Rest, lo and behold it, shot 10 round groups measuring 2 1/2" at 50 yards with my handloads. What a bargain! If for some reason it doesn't quite shoot this well, I can point you to a Bullseye gunsmith who can make it do so for a very nominal price and you will have a pistol that will shoot with anybody's and a lot of your money still in your pocket.
FWIW
Phil
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I have been trying to get a DW Guardian in 38 Super bought for a couple of months now, but I don't have the budget you have to spend. This would be my "HI" end gun for sure. I have dies, powder and 125g HAPs to load and shoot if I can find one, I only have 1700.00 max this month and may have to keep waiting and saving for it.
In that price range, I think Les Baer has a lot to offer. If looking used, you can often find an Ed Brown in that range. It definitely gets you in the lower end of semi-custom with some very good options.
In that price range, I think Les Baer has a lot to offer. If looking used, you can often find an Ed Brown in that range. It definitely gets you in the lower end of semi-custom with some very good options.
I am continually impressed by Ed Brown pistols . I thought they were a little more budget originally but now that I own a few they are really well fit and finished . I now think they are a bargain !
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I am continually impressed by Ed Brown pistols . I thought they were a little more budget originally but now that I own a few they are really well fit and finished . I now think they are a bargain !
That is my experience too. Honestly, within the somewhat narrower range of options Ed Brown offers, everything they do is absolutely first rate in terms of quality. I had an Ed Brown Kobra Carry that was absolutely flawless. What's funny is that much of what made this model innovative now seems "traditional" to me. All the same, I love all of the older Brown models such as the Executive and Kobra and their special editions such as the Jeff Cooper and Centennial. Definitely worth the approx. $3,000 to $3,500 price tag on most of them. You can pay more and you can even get other options from other makers, but I don't think you get better quality.
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Sooooo what did you buy? NVM I just noticed the original poster was Banned!!!!!!
I recently got a Les Baer stainless Custom Carry from Crazy John for just under your dollar figure. Best move I have ever made. Let's just say if you miss with a Les Baer, it's all on you!!
For $2500, buy a lightly used gun from a reputable member.

Wilson, Nighthawk, Guncrafter, Les Baer, ACW,... it doesn't really matter. Just pick something you like and shoot the piss out of it.
This^^^^. Plus consider the customer service of the manufacturer. Hard to beat NHC, GI and (from what I've been told) ACW. I've no experience with Baer.
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