I am not really a pistol guy, I have a few decent ones and I enjoy shooting them occasionally. I have two good 1911 in 45 ACP. One is a Springfield Loaded Target model in the Black Stainless... pretty nice gun. The second is a Kimber Crimson Carry II. I have a guy picking up the Springfield tomorrow. I sold it because I would like to get a bit higher end 1911 to try out. I am looking in the $1500 and under price range. What makes and models do I need to look at, for a full size 1911? Where is the best bang for the buck, in a high performing 1911 in this range?

With that budget you might get close to an entry level Les Baer.

Gold cup? Sig?

High end I would describe as Ed Brown, Les Baer, Nighthawk Custom which are typically $2500 and up. There is nice used Ed Brown SST for around $2300 near me. Good luck with your search.

Dan Wesson

Dan Wesson x2

Baer if you're looking for an old school 1911.

I'd look at something tactical like a double stack STI / etc. I have big hands and they fit me better. In fact my 1911s don't leave the safe much since I got a CZ Tactical Sport Orange. (they don't make a 45acp TSO tho)

That price level isn't really high end. I guess you're talking something like a Springfield TRP. Excellent guns. At least mine is.

You are close to an Ithaca 1911.

https://ithacagun.com/product/1911-45-acp-carry-hand-fit/

What do you want to do with this pistol? Since I am a Bullseye shooter, I would have kept the Springfield to sent to a Bullseye gunsmith and had it built for that sport. However, you may be looking for one tailored to a different discipline and would want a different configuration. And there are, of course, just pistols to look at.
Phil

Looks good.

Dan Wesson.

Save your money.

Springfield Emissary!!

Spend a little more and get your moneys worth.

With a Baer you will get actual accuracy guarantees. Plus they have upgraded versions like the 1.5" versions that will guarantee you 5 shots under 1.5 inches at 50 yards. That is something the very vast majority will not. Most of them will just give you window dressing and silly names.

I purchased a Les Baer P2 1.5" gun and it is absolutely a tack driver. It handles a wide variety of ammo and works well in various conditions as well. Truly an excellent handgun. I have carried it hunting elk in sub zero weather and in hot nasty sandy desert environments and it functions great.

Some guys want to own certain guns to say that they own brand X for bragging rights or for collector reasons. Some guys are shooters, and want performance from their equipment. Both are fine. Decide what you are looking for. I personally am interested in performance and went with the Baer, and have been very pleased.

I have looked at that exact pistol in the case, and that is one of the reasons that I started looking to sell my current sprinfield. I guess I dont really have to stick to a 1911, but something that is a quality firearm and built to run. Sig Scorpion Emorer crossed my mind, and as have that new Kimber Rapide. Glad to hear that you like your CZ Sport Orange. I have big hands as well.

I had a chance at a Dan Wesson Pointman 10 (10mm) when a local pawn shop was closing down. It was discounted down to $795. Kicking myself now, but at the time I bought a jm stamped 336 in 35 Rem and another rifle at good prices and couldnt really get the 3rd.

I keep them handy for defense, occasionally play at the range. Would take camping and outdoors etc as needed. As far as when i am hunting or in Grizzly country, I carry my Glock 20. It would be looked mostly, carried some and used a little bit at the range etc.

Mackay’s right as per usual. You can’t beat a Les Baer as far as performance or bang for the bucks.
You can spend more for a Wilson Combat or other brands for more fluff, but they won’t outperform the Les Baer for reliability and accuracy.

I won a Colt special combat government a while back in a raffle. Its a lil fancier than what I normally go for, that said I am quite fond of it

Correct. I have an Ed Brown Special Forces. Love it.

$1500 budget will get you a very nice 1911 but not “ top shelf”.

I’ve owned and shot the hell out of Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, and Les Baer 45’s. They were all well functioning.

The Les Baer I would consider a working gun. Baer builds a pistol that wants holster wear.

I’ve been running an STI Staccatto in 9mm for almost two years. I’m a fan. While it’s a heavy, duty gun. It is an impressive firearm.

To mitigate it’s weight for EDC, I stow it in a GunfightersInc chest rig.

🦫

I'd try something different,if only for your FIRST fhuqking time. Nab a Marvel Unit One,toss it aboard whatcha' got now and simply fhuqking SHOOT the schit out of it,while pushing your skill set. Steel mags for me. Hint.



You're welcome.

Thank me later.

Hint..................

Did not know about the steel mags. Thank you

Cheaper than price point , better than Dan Wesson... Don't cost nothing to research Bul Armory ... They even have some "Glock" type pistols .... Made in Israel

For that price, I'd be looking hard at Dan Wesson models. I have a Valkerie and a Specialist, both are very well built and very good shooters. Quality guns.

Dan Wesson IMO

My Dan Wesson CCO and Guardian easily outshoots my Wilson Combat CQB, along with a friends' Ed Brown. I'm not sure of the exact model he has but neither of us were impressed. He just got a new nighthawk and I'm interested to see how it does. Kinda hard to justify 2500$+ for me these days.

Not in 2022.

Somewhere the line got blurred between "High End 45 ACP" and "High End" 1911. The entry fee for what most consider high end 1911s, is well beyond $1500 bucks, and isn't unusual to go $6k plus.

A $1500 budget will however afford you a nice Sig Sauer P220 Legion in .45 Auto. https://www.sigsauer.com/p220-legion-45.html

Sell the Kimber too, save a bit more money if need be and get yourself a Les Baer.

Good plan there and when you do call Crazy John at 1911 Heaven, 208-262-9078.

He'll hook ya' up on a Les Baer.

https://cj1911heaven.com/

While Trainer Rifles abound,it is VERY surprising to me,that folks don't follow suit with a Pistole...especially given the Unit One's uncanny precision and how easy it installs. Hint.

'Course all it will do is improve skills,increase FUN and likely will live aboard said host,after the first outing. Mine do. Hint................

The guy does have a reputation for price and availability. I drive past Baer's shop on my way to work. Deal with some preferred local sellers. Don't think I could find a better deal than Crazy John's...

Nailed it.

Yep. I used to have the Les Baer SRP. Nothing but praise for it. Only sold it because I also had an Ed Brown Kobra Carry, preferred it, and didn't see the need to also have the Baer. Wasn't crazy about the hard chrome finish the previous owner (a friend of mine) had put on the Baer, either.

His prices are so low, they call him Crazy John. You have to be crazy to have such low low prices.

You should not have put up that link you enabling bas-tige

That is a really good looking piece. All business with the right equipment on board. I have one question- are those grips comfortable ? Not sure I could get used to them but the picture may be just skewing my view a bit...

I've had several sets of the Herrett stocks, (like those), and they're always a good comfortable set for most pistols. Mine were on Colts, nothing as sweet as that Baer, but they were good and comfortable (and I like the looks). I have several other 1911s right now, and they'd all look better with those stocks.

Looked at the Marvel stuff. Kinda dig my Kart 😉

Just looked at the website.
Been a while since I browsed prices.🤑

I'd trip both you have now and go Baer/Wesson/Wilson or Brown.

Top tier production type of 1911's.

If I was wanting a real TOP tier, hand made type - Chambers, Jason Burton etc - then you'll be saving a while.

It is amazing how a Great 1911 can change your mind. Quickly.

From buying a used mid level gun from one of the great ones.......20 years old in my case. ...and wondering if you were crazy to spend that much while it gets shipped.

To wondering which other guns to sell to get on the waiting list After a few shooting sessions.

Man, if you're still in the hunt OP, here's a beauty that's been on 1911 Addicts classifieds for over a month.

https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/colt-1911-talo-with-pete-single-metalwork.157476/