KillerFord1977
Emissary
I’ll dissent.
I own a SA Mil- Spec 1911 and love it.
In the event of a SD shooting, the $$$$ pistol on my hip going to evidence room is the absolute last of my worries at that point.
Ayoob: Why I Don’t Want a Custom 1911
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
I own a SA Mil- Spec 1911 and love it.
In the event of a SD shooting, the $$$$ pistol on my hip going to evidence room is the absolute last of my worries at that point.
While I stated I can see both sides here’s the red flag in that statement for me and promoted my “It’s more about the driver and not what’s driven” comment.
I have seen a lot of folks show up to IDPA matches and trainjng classes with high dollar guns like 1911’s and SFT/EDX 9’s from Wilson or Les Baer Ed Brown, Nighthawk Stacatto you name it and they perform so horrible they’d been better with a 300 dollar used Glock and use the rest for training and practice ammo.
Sort of like the ones that throw a red dot in a pistol and don’t practice but that’s a whole other heated topic!
MistaKwick
Alpha
Grayfox
Professional
Uncle Sam introduced me to the 1911 at a young age. I've been in love with it ever since. I own a bunch of 'em too. But only one is a custom gun. A 1964 Clark Longslide that I bought used. Its purely a target gun and that's all its used for with light target ammo. It can make even me look good. 
While I can admire and desire a fancy custom pistol, the truth is that for me its a waste of money. I'm simply not good enough to wring out all the accuracy its capable of. Oh I'm a pretty decent shooter, I'm just not a $3000 shooter.
No, I do just fine with the standard models. I may tweak it a bit, but nothing too fancy.
I shot IDPA for 12 years using a standard Springfield 1911A1. I was no champion, but I did pretty good.
I have full confidence that if the worst should happen, I can defend myself with a plain Jane standard 1911.
If you're good enough to shoot an expensive, custom 1911 to its full potential, by all means, go for it. But I really think that most of us do just fine with the standard, off the shelf guns.
While I can admire and desire a fancy custom pistol, the truth is that for me its a waste of money. I'm simply not good enough to wring out all the accuracy its capable of. Oh I'm a pretty decent shooter, I'm just not a $3000 shooter.
No, I do just fine with the standard models. I may tweak it a bit, but nothing too fancy.
I shot IDPA for 12 years using a standard Springfield 1911A1. I was no champion, but I did pretty good.
I have full confidence that if the worst should happen, I can defend myself with a plain Jane standard 1911.
If you're good enough to shoot an expensive, custom 1911 to its full potential, by all means, go for it. But I really think that most of us do just fine with the standard, off the shelf guns.
Anchorite
Master Class
Exactly. I have seen over my years some items go into evidence locker and come out looking like they were attached to a chain and dragged down a gravel road behind a dump truck.
Some evidence even disappeared never to be seen again.
Can’t tell you how many times I heard a client wonder why their beloved piece vanished when their car got impounded when they got that DUI. Never could figure out if it was the arresting officer or the tow truck driver….
Old_Me
Emissary
Ayoob: Why I Don’t Want a Custom 1911
to me..."custom" means one that is specially made for that one person. either hand built, hand engraved, hand fitted, special Brazilian wood, or pearl hand grips, and highly polished, so on and so forth..
i only have 2 "high dollar" 1911's, in my Dan Wessons.
not as high dollar as an Ed Brown, Wilson, or any other "custom 1911" of a well known builder, you know, all the ones that you put in your order and wait months to get.
i have had MIL Spec from S/A, RIA, Tisas, Girsan, and Remington, and they all did a fine job of "punching holes".
i liked everyone of them, but as i age, and may not be able to enjoy the sport much longer, i wanted something a "bit more", so i went Dan Wesson.
not "custom" in any way shape or form, just a wee bit more money.
so unless anyone here has like a $5,000 and up (and they are out there) one of a kind, hand built, hand fitted, just for YOU, then if anyone carries say a $1,600 1911..........you ain't losing much, should you need to use it in a home or self defensive shooting.
those really high dollar 1911's.....
yeah, keep them in the safe, and save them for range day.......those, you would never want to lose.
Doom
Alpha
Somewhere around 1959, as an 8 year old kid we went to a halloween carnival and at that time they had a booth set up where you could shoot the 1911. My dad consented and I fired a pistol for the first time. Here 65 years later there is no sidearm that I would rather shoot than a 1911. It fits my smallish hand and it sights naturally. I own two. A Kimber CDP II and the SA Mil-Spec. I own other pistols as well but they are always compared to the 1911 when purchased. Obviously there is no Glock in the safe.
When I load a pistol for the range for a relaxing handgun session it's always the Mil-Spec. Obviously some of the other pistols go for those carry specific practice sessions.
Next one will be 9MM!
When I load a pistol for the range for a relaxing handgun session it's always the Mil-Spec. Obviously some of the other pistols go for those carry specific practice sessions.
Next one will be 9MM!
.45 Cal guy
Alpha
Great article. I agree if was good enough for the military MIL SPEC, which I carried in the Navy, it's good enough for me. Also came across a SA V10 years ago. A bit shorter with ported barrel. Shoots like a dream. Although I have to extend my arm out more for the first shot.
mikemcguire001
Alpha
I have a SA mill-spec 1911 That I love! It shoots everything I have fed it and is more accurate than I will ever be.....I love the look and feel and craftsmanship .To me it is a piece of art that will still be shooting long after I'm gone.I picked it over several other more expensive 1911's including Springfield's Ronin 45acp which I think is one of the best mid range priced 1911's due to the simple classy look and feel of the mill spec.As for others hey to each thier own but am happy with mine. By the way did I mention I love my mill spec?Great article - keep up the good work!
Annihilator
Hellion
I've carried a 1911 since 1970 for work assignments and when not working. I agree that a Mil-Spec is fine as it comes from the factory, but most would agree a few minor improvements really make the platform personal.
Now let's discuss 45 vs 9mm
Annihilator
Hellion
I’ll pass on any M&P pistols, got rid of the couple I had, I stick with Glock or Springfield or Sig……
MistaKwick
Alpha
CZ's are really cool
I have a Shadow 2 carry and it's a GREAT gun and a 75 PO 1 Omega and it's a wicked gun too
Not plastic, full metal, looking as beautiful as a Hollywood super star (pick your choice) or a Playmate of the month from the 90s (before tattoos and piercings but after they learned to use bikini wax and the like)
Lab4Us
Custom
Guess I have a different perspective. Should I drive the Shelby 350 Mustang daily and enjoy it or park it in the garage and drive the Geo Metro daily and only take out the Mustang every month or two, or once a year?
Full disclosure, I’d be daily driving the Shelby Mustang. I don’t buy things to not use/enjoy them.
Full disclosure, I’d be daily driving the Shelby Mustang. I don’t buy things to not use/enjoy them.
Jsimon78
Custom
I’ll pass on 2/3 of that list. SA is ok, Glock is just the same thing across the board including the grip angle, and SIG needs to get rid of its CEO due to the current situation. At least S&W does a better Glock than Glock does.
MistaKwick
Alpha
+ 1
with a super loud stereo blasting some bass heavy music produced by Sly & Robbie or Dr Dre
Jsimon78
Custom
CZ is really good honestly. I qualified with my CZ P10 while everyone else had Glocks. I guess I’m the odd ball.
Lab4Us
Custom
Not exactly my music of choice, but probably something loud. Kashmir? Voodoo Child? For Whom the Bell Tolls? In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida?
Much prefer the purr of the V-8 to heavy bass!
Or if you referring to the Geo Metro, not sure the chassis bolts would withstand heavy bass for more than a mile or two…
Winchester67
Custom
OK, truth be told, I am old now. The Les Baer is a five inch 1911 and heavy. When I carry optic free, it is either a SIG Nightmare Fastback in .357 Sig because I like the caliber or a Scandium S&W Commander size 1911 with an Ed Brown barrel/bushing and otherwise slicked up by Bill Lauthridge of Cylinder and Slide.
