new guy looking for 1911 advice

509 Views 16 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Yoemen66, 4 mo ago

hicks86

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Hello, I need some advice on 1911's, I foolishly traded my favorite and only 1911 a few years ago ( Les baer custom carry), I am totally regretting that decision and I am now looking at getting a new 1911.

Back when I bought my les baer I got it new for like $2100 or $2200 4-5 years ago. I am now looking and if you can find them in stock they are like $2600, I am thinking that if I am going to spend that much I might as well save a little longer and get something a step above and get a guncrafter no name or a NHC GRP.

I am looking for something in a black duty finish something like this below

Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Gun accessory

I know the NHC grp does not look like this but to me the GRP still looks good and am willing to with that as well.

seems like guncrafter is what I am looking for, I am looking for a shooter I want something I can shoot the ever living crap out of, looking for a work horse not a safe queen. I want to take classes with it and I want to carry it eventually. it be nice if I could eventually get 2 of the same thing.

however I also have a desire to really learn how to work on 1911's not looking to start a businesses or get a job with it but I want to be able to work on my own 1911's to learn them inside and out. I did a little work on my les baer (cleaning and did a extractor all by myself) but I am paranoid about doing that on a guncrafter I do not want to ruin it and need to send it back to them.

I was thinking of going with a DW valor and buying a Tisas to work on as I learn. or go with two middle ground 1911's like 2 colt competitions or 2 Springfield garrisons shoot one and the other learn to take it all apart and replace parts etc etc. This way no matter what I have a working 1911. issue with that is I have already been spoiled by a les baer.

I held wilson's newer "lower budget" 1911 the ACP and HATED the front checkering so that one is out.

any advice?

See less See more

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Fred_G

· #2 · 4 mo ago

Run. Just run...

DW or a used decent quality 1911, and a Tisas to practice on sounds reasonable. I have only shot a few, but DW seems to be the sweet spot as far as value for your $.

Welcome to the forums! Stay for a bit, get the post count, and head over to the classified section, lots of good deals there.

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory Wood

See less See more

Reactions: 3

Billy Bourbon

· #3 · 4 mo ago

Dan Wesson or trp used are great deals or hold out and wait for a used hawk or GI for the cheap

OldCuz

· #4 · 4 mo ago

And don't forget Alchemy's 😉
Welcome to the forum.

Trigger Air gun Wood Automotive exhaust Gun accessory

See less See more

Reactions: 5

hicks86

Discussion Starter · #5 · 4 mo ago

what is the wait time on a new guncrafter? what about a Alchemy? i have thought about Alchemy in the past . Last I heard though thought wait times was in the 2+ years for a Alchemy (not sure about this I could be totally wrong)

SW51

· #6 · 4 mo ago

Can't go wrong with either one. Very comparable in quality and accuracy. I've have each in 38 Super and they run and shoot great

PI Lawyer

· #7 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

hicks86 said:
what is the wait time on a new guncrafter? what about a Alchemy? i have thought about Alchemy in the past . Last I heard though thought wait times was in the 2+ years for a Alchemy (not sure about this I could be totally wrong)

Alchemy was about 10 months from order to delivery on the last one I ordered. If you talk with some of our vendor members, they may have orders being kitted for the guns you want and can get one built for you much sooner. Jess at Wichita Gun Club got one kitted to my specs and delivered to my FFL within 5 months. If you aren’t willing to wait for “the one” to come up on the used market, that is what I would do.

Reactions: 5

Rizzo

· #8 · 4 mo ago

Welcome from Virginia. Why limit yourself to just two? They have a way of multiplying.

Plant Wood Beak Twig Tree

See less See more

Reactions: 3

R0CKETMAN

· #9 · 4 mo ago

hicks86 said:
Hello, I need some advice on 1911's, I foolishly traded my favorite and only 1911 a few years ago ( Les baer custom carry), I am totally regretting that decision and I am now looking at getting a new 1911.

Back when I bought my les baer I got it new for like $2100 or $2200 4-5 years ago. I am now looking and if you can find them in stock they are like $2600, I am thinking that if I am going to spend that much I might as well save a little longer and get something a step above and get a guncrafter no name or a NHC GRP.

I am looking for something in a black duty finish something like this below View attachment 1197101

I know the NHC grp does not look like this but to me the GRP still looks good and am willing to with that as well.

seems like guncrafter is what I am looking for, I am looking for a shooter I want something I can shoot the ever living crap out of, looking for a work horse not a safe queen. I want to take classes with it and I want to carry it eventually. it be nice if I could eventually get 2 of the same thing.

however I also have a desire to really learn how to work on 1911's not looking to start a businesses or get a job with it but I want to be able to work on my own 1911's to learn them inside and out. I did a little work on my les baer (cleaning and did a extractor all by myself) but I am paranoid about doing that on a guncrafter I do not want to ruin it and need to send it back to them.

I was thinking of going with a DW valor and buying a Tisas to work on as I learn. or go with two middle ground 1911's like 2 colt competitions or 2 Springfield garrisons shoot one and the other learn to take it all apart and replace parts etc etc. This way no matter what I have a working 1911. issue with that is I have already been spoiled by a les baer.

I held wilson's newer "lower budget" 1911 the ACP and HATED the front checkering so that one is out.

any advice?

I’d keep the Baer over those noted.

In fact lmk when you want to sell

Reactions: 1

LTDAN

· #10 · 4 mo ago

I would hunt an older Springfield for your tinkering base. Machining will be better from the base up than the TISAS and you should be able to find it at a decent price point. If you decided to sell it at some point the resale will also be better, even after you worked on it. Just my .02. Good luck with your decision…you really can’t lose here.

Robert F. Ciancio Jr.

· #11 · 4 mo ago

When it comes to your carry gun, the gun you may use to save your life, or the life of a loved one, I'd spend the money and get the best you can. LB, DW, Nighthawk...any would more than qualify as a life-saving pistol. When it comes to a tinker toy, go cheap. You won't be carrying it, and it won't be needed as a lifesaver, so go cheap. Down the line, if you want to put it into your rotation of carry guns, you can always send it away to a gunsmith as a base gun to be used to build it into something great. I'm no expert, JMO.

Yellowsupersport

· #12 · 4 mo ago

I went a similar route - DW Valor for my “I’ll stake my life on it” carry weapon, and a used $350 EAA Girsan for tinkering and learning. The Girsan is purely a range platform, so reliability and resale is irrelevant. As an example, the Girsan was optics ready, so I was able to play with a dot before committing to have my TRP slide milled.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Merton

· #13 · 4 mo ago

I love my Baer's, I love my Rock River, I love my DW's, I love my Alchemy's, I love my GI's, I love my Wilson's.

I truly believe that all produce a fine gun. Guncrafter is amazing and if the No Name is what you want, get it! My first was a hard chrome No Name .45 Government and my second a BC-17 Hellcat .45 Government Model. I love the look of Battlecrown bushing and the "beefed up" slide stop, hammer, thumb safety and grip safety are heavy duty.

I think GI is maybe the most underrated of what we call "semi-customs", but RRA doesn't get the credit they deserve either.

I think the best thing in the market currently is that you can and should expect great performance from them all and allow yourself to be drawn to the style, features, price, etc. that suits you. I hope you find what you want and that it is wonderful when you have it.

Reactions: 3

cgff

· #14 · 4 mo ago

Welcome,
I was looking at Alchemy’s page this AM and it appears their wait times as posted are 4-6 months now. A call could confirm that,
With a little activity on the board here and a few weeks you would have the ability to score a sweet pistol from the classifieds.

Reactions: 1

Merton

· #15 · 4 mo ago

cgff said:
Welcome,
I was looking at Alchemy’s page this AM and it appears their wait times as posted are 4-6 months now. A call could confirm that,
With a little activity on the board here and a few weeks you would have the ability to score a sweet pistol from the classifieds.

I have spent so much time on the ACW site, especially in '21. I have owned three and two currently, but I have never ordered one. I am hunting serial numbers and that works for me, but the ability to put whatever you have as a down payment and then save the remainder for when your gun is done is awesome and I wish the wait times were longer for ACW's sake, but that's great for the guy ordering it.

I can very much relate to looking at the ACW page AND scoring sweet pistols from the classifieds!

Uncle Bob

· #16 · 4 mo ago

hicks86 said:
Hello, I need some advice on 1911's, I foolishly traded my favorite and only 1911 a few years ago ( Les baer custom carry), I am totally regretting that decision and I am now looking at getting a new 1911.

Back when I bought my les baer I got it new for like $2100 or $2200 4-5 years ago. I am now looking and if you can find them in stock they are like $2600, I am thinking that if I am going to spend that much I might as well save a little longer and get something a step above and get a guncrafter no name or a NHC GRP.

I am looking for something in a black duty finish something like this below View attachment 1197101

I know the NHC grp does not look like this but to me the GRP still looks good and am willing to with that as well.

seems like guncrafter is what I am looking for, I am looking for a shooter I want something I can shoot the ever living crap out of, looking for a work horse not a safe queen. I want to take classes with it and I want to carry it eventually. it be nice if I could eventually get 2 of the same thing.

however I also have a desire to really learn how to work on 1911's not looking to start a businesses or get a job with it but I want to be able to work on my own 1911's to learn them inside and out. I did a little work on my les baer (cleaning and did a extractor all by myself) but I am paranoid about doing that on a guncrafter I do not want to ruin it and need to send it back to them.

I was thinking of going with a DW valor and buying a Tisas to work on as I learn. or go with two middle ground 1911's like 2 colt competitions or 2 Springfield garrisons shoot one and the other learn to take it all apart and replace parts etc etc. This way no matter what I have a working 1911. issue with that is I have already been spoiled by a les baer.

I held wilson's newer "lower budget" 1911 the ACP and HATED the front checkering so that one is out.

any advice?

1) take your time and watch the classifieds here. There are some gems that pop up here and there's some really reliable sellers.

2) tinkering on a 1911? I'd suggest a Springfield Garrison. They're relatively inexpensive, and the sight cuts are known with aftermarket options.

Yoemen66

· #17 · 4 mo ago

You want something that is ridiculously accurate, dependable, and durable in the 2k or so range.

If you aren't opposed to adjustable sights I would look for a Hard Chrome or Ionbond Colt Special Combat.

Otherwise, I would look look for an Alchemy.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts