Wilson Combat, Ed Brown and Les Baer. Are they worth it?

[Barth]

I've never even held, much less shot, one of these high end 1911s.
Are they really worth the extreme price?
Can you really tell they are that much better than a Springfield Loaded or a Dan Wesson Valor?

$3000 to $5000 dollars for a handgun just seems like crazy talk to me.
Of course folks wear Rolex watches too.
As for me, I don't even own a Timex.

[Bawanna]

I held a lower end Wilson once, never shot it or took it apart but just holding it, it exuded quality, hard to explain. Weather it's worth it or not is hard to say, if I had that much disposable income (not gonna happen) I'd have one. I think everyone should have one before they cross the river but probably won't happen.

I had a Timex long ago, it finally didn't keep on ticking and I'd had lessers ever since. Right now I got a 20 $ Casio on the wrist.

I keep waiting for a Patek (I had to look em up, they are more than a Wilson) from Jocko on the expensive watch redistribution program but I don't think he's sending it to the right address.

[Longitude Zero]

That depends upon the individual. To me they are NOT worth what they cost and here is why. A box stock Glock will shoot 95% or better than what those high end guns will shoot. Also ask the if they have a 1/2 MOA accuracy guarantee or ANY accuracy guarantee. The most you will hear is crickets.

I have fired Wilson, Ed Brown, Strayer/Tripp, Briley, Heine and many other pistolsmith guns before.

The "hand fitting" argurment is for the most part BS/Poppycock/Rubbish in todays manufacturing environment. The overwhelming majority of so called pistolsmiths get there frames and sldes from only of about three different companies. There is a firm in OK that supplies the bulk of frames and slide to the industry. They are dimensionally so accurate that only very minor, if any handfitting is needed.

To conclude if I am going to pay that much for a Wilson, Bill Wilson himself will do 100% of the work on the weapon or they can urinate up a rope. I am not paying for a flunky to build the gun and put the so called big name pistolero on it.

[340pd]

Opposing views are what make a market. One of these is worth 10 Glocks to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Bawanna]

I don't know how it's possible but I agree with both of you 100%. I'm sure Bill Wilson probably hasn't laid a hand on a 1911 build in years and if I got one I too would like one that he gave personal attention too. Same with Ed Brown, Les Bauer or the others.

BUT like Longitude said others will get the job done in fine fashion for pennies on the dollar comparatively. My Cbob is probably the most refined I'll ever own and I'm perfectly fine and content with that. I'm happy to own it and most likely will never part with it either.

[gb6491]

I've never even held, much less shot, one of these high end 1911s.
Are they really worth the extreme price?
Can you really tell they are that much better than a Springfield Loaded or a Dan Wesson Valor?

$3000 to $5000 dollars for a handgun just seems like crazy talk to me.
Of course folks wear Rolex watches too.
As for me, I don't even own a Timex.

I held a lower end Wilson once, never shot it or took it apart but just holding it, it exuded quality, hard to explain. Weather it's worth it or not is hard to say, if I had that much disposable income (not gonna happen) I'd have one. I think everyone should have one before they cross the river but probably won't happen.

I had a Timex long ago, it finally didn't keep on ticking and I'd had lessers ever since. Right now I got a 20 $ Casio on the wrist.

...

Like Bawanna, I've handled a lower end Wilson and it truly did exude quality.
Is it "that much better than a Springfield Loaded or a Dan Wesson Valor?" If you're talking build quality (fit, attention to detail, etc.), then, yes, when compared to a Springfield Loaded, but not so much when compared to the Valor.
Actually shooting the guns:
First off, they all use the same power plant.
Durability, I'll give the edge to top end guns mainly because they should have the very best internals. Frames and slides make for a more even playing field.
A lower dollar gun can be just as reliable as a top end gun.
Top end guns probably are more accurate from the bench than many of their lower priced brethren, but the shooter may not be able to realize that accuracy when shooing them offhand. To point, my LGS has a Nighthawk GRP (about the cost of the Wilson I linked to) as a rental gun. It's an exceptional pistol. However, shooting it head to head against my Kimber TLE II, I don't shoot it any better than my Kimber.

So, yes, there are material perks that come with higher end 1911s. Do they always justify the differences in cost? To me, that's a hard question to answer. I would love to have that Wilson and could swing the deal if I wanted to, but in my heart of hearts I know I won't get any better performance out of it (or me) than I get from several of the other 1911s I own. Darn, now you made think: I can't shoot several guns at once, so why not consolidate them into one...say a Wilson X-Tac.

...and I don't even own a watch anymore
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

"I can't shoot several guns at once, so why not consolidate them into one...say a Wilson X-Tac. "



I've had this thought many many times myself. I just can't get past getting rid of any to consolidate to "The One". I think it is a wise plan and worthy. I just can't seem to pull it off.

I am not switching around much and sticking with my Cbob for carry but still can't part with the rest of them for grocery money or reloading supplies.

Course with a 1911 as primary they all pretty much act the same so I'm not really putting myself in a disadvantage, at least not anymore than I already am.

[Alfonse]

I was just looking at high end 1911s yesterday. I sure liked the approach on these Cabot pistols, not hand fitted but ground to virtually exact dimensions. The polish on the stainless ones made me smile too.

http://cabotgun.com/better-than-custom-1911-pistols/

Yes, if I was feeling flush, I might buy one of those.

Yes, you can feel the quality in a really nice car, motorcycle, piano or home. However, most folks who own them don't drive their Ferrari's into work each day.

So, for the people who buy them, they must be worth it.

[doublebarrel]

It's not a question of if it's worth it,it's is it worth it to you?A Lamborgini isn't worh it to me but it is to some people.A lower priced 1911 will serve the same purpose,won't look as nice and may be slightly less accurate but will get the job done.I have a $400 Rock Island Armory that has been 100% reliable and wouldn't trade it for one of the fancy ones because I know it works.If I spent that much on a firearm I would be afraid to ding it up using it so it would just sit in the safe.

[Bawanna]

Thanks fellas. Had to have the medics next door devibulate me when I looked at the price list. Those are fine looking pistols. The wood on that American Standard made me cry!

Gorgeous stuff.

You still got all the money from that Jeep sale don't ya. That ought to be enough to get into one of those.

Tell your missus I said it was ok. We'll see if that flies any better than the Hindenburg.

[Barth]

Good stuff.
Thanks for all the quality input everybody!

I'm on several forums.
This one is likely the smallest.
But has a great membership base with broad and deep experience in all things guns.

I value all of your opinions and am glad to be here!

[Alfonse]

Bawanna,

There are lots of things that I would be happy playing with for just one weekend. These days high end sports cars, an offshore boat, etc. fall into that category. I don't want to own them, even the ones I could. But I would love to play with one of each for a weekend.

I was looking at high end 1911s from a marketing perspective, playing with business plans. For me, it is comforting that somebody is buying such things in the current economy. They will may hold their value better than gold, and could be much more useful if things degenerate.

[Barth]

Bawanna,

There are lots of things that I would be happy playing with for just one weekend. These days high end sports cars, an offshore boat, etc. fall into that category. I don't want to own them, even the ones I could. But I would love to play with one of each for a weekend.

I was looking at high end 1911s from a marketing perspective, playing with business plans. For me, it is comforting that somebody is buying such things in the current economy. They will may hold their value better than gold, and could be much more useful if things degenerate.

The Shelby in my avatar is a rental my friend...

[JFootin]

The South Paw. I want! I want! I want! Of course, I'd be walking instead of driving in order to afford one!

[Bawanna]

The Shelby in my avatar is a rental my friend...

I think he's actually scheming up a plan to explain the virtues of buying cars, boats, high end guns as an investment capital.

I've used the same ploy with my wife for years and actually the concept is sound, I've certainly lost alot less money on guns than I have on cars, boats, motorcycles etc.

I hope it works for ya Alfonse. They are excellent investments and as you say very useful if things turn sour as it were.

If you get one, I'm for sure coming over, I won't be much for conversation but I'm be heck at fondling yer a piece.

I thought you were coming over here? What happened, smoke go away?