Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Your favorite 1911, bar none ...

You just don't like lefties.


Marxists, I mean.

I've had a Baer & could easily go there again.

If I was wealthy I'd have them all, but really think Bear is still a solid choice.

The Nighthawks are nice guns. Didn't those guys train under & work for.......... Baer?

The custom shops make beautiful guns for sure, but they don't outperform production guns in either accuracy or reliability.

I have a friend who (1) is legally blind, and (2) likes high-end 1911's. He likes to shoot but can't see well enough to zero them or determine their accuracy. I "help" him by shooting his guns for him--I'm just a good guy who's willing to help a buddy! Hence, I have shot quite a few Nighthawks, Ed Brown's, and Wilson Combat's . I also used to shoot bowling pins with a bunch of guys who own a wide variety of 1911's. Naturally we shoot each other's guns to see what we like.

Anyhoo...compared to production guns (Colts, Kimbers, Springfields, Rugers, etc.) there just isn't any difference in performance. Making a functional 1911 isn't exactly a secret or even difficult. The custom shops make beautiful guns for sure, but they don't outperform production guns in either accuracy or reliability.

My two cents (and I'm sure I'll get change back) is this: handle them and buy the one that resonates with you, the one that makes you smile. Get the one you love looking at, that fits your hand, and makes you feel incomplete when you put it down. That's what you're paying for--not an advantage in accuracy or functionality.

Good luck! Be sure to post pics!

I have handled them all and the Dw is a fine pistol but my Nighthawk is by far the nicest, smoothest 1911 I own. You can't go wrong with Wilson either. If you're looking for a higher end one and done.

+1

I own, and have owned, a lot of 1911s, but if there had to be only one...Nighthawk Custom GAP 10mm.

I feel for the insanity y'all endure, that is CA gun laws...

How could they possibly ban one brand of 1911, and allow another?

That's some crazy stuff right there.

The Nighthawk crew used to work at Wilson Combat. They are also located in Berryville Arkansas, IIRC.

Thank you CT, I need correcting at times. Please don't tell my wife I admit that.

Hi Guys:

I am trying to avoid the "what's the best 1911" question, but ...

I like Dan Wessons. I think DW is about the best bang for the buck 1911, all things considered. YMMV, of course, but that's my take. I really like my Commander Classic, although I would have preferred a VBOB. Were I able to purchase more Dan Wessons in Cali, I'd probably knock off a full-size Valor in .45 ACP, a 10mm Razorback, and a Guardian ... maybe in .38 Super or 9mm. But alas as a California resident, there is a grand total of TWO (2), dos, deux, DW 1911 models on our "approved handgun roster," the aforementioned Commander Classic, which I own, and the Pointman 7, which does not interest me so much. As such, it looks like I am Dan Wessoned out. Sucks.

So I've been hankering for a quality 5-inch 1911 .45 ACP, and since the DW Valor is out, I have been sniffing at some of the higher end stuff for a "one and done" California compliant model that will make me forget the Valor I would otherwise buy ... even if it costs me.

So now, the question (feel free to suggest other models ... this is where my attention is at the moment):



Les Baer Premier II: $2312





or

Les Baer Custom Carry: $2323








Wilson Combat CQB: $3050







Ed Brown California Special Forces: $3495







Nighthawk GRP: $3499



or

Nighthawk Talon: $3999 (Yeeouch)




I plan on handling every one of these.

All ears here, and thanks in advance ...