1911 Build Advice

[Hambo]

Builders I trust -

John Harrison (Harrison Custom - http://www.harrisoncustom.com/)
Chuck Rogers, aka our own PistolWrench (http://www.rogersprecision.com/)
Jason Burton, aka our own Jason Burton (https://www.heirloomprecision.com/)
Stan Chen (http://www.chencustom.com/)

For the OP's information, Stan Chen is $1k to get on the list and has a long wait. I have no idea how long Jason Burton's list is.

My suggestion is to buy off the rack as close as you can get to what you want. Then shoot it for a year and see if you really want a more expensive pistol. There is good advice above on MIM parts, and you should know that replacing them isn't a plug and play deal.

My favorite ambi safety is the King's Gun Works style. Here is an Ed Brown version https://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...nt=087-954-001

[JTQ]

For the OP's information, Stan Chen is $1k to get on the list and has a long wait. I have no idea how long Jason Burton's list is.

Rogers says he isn't taking new orders, that's been posted on his site since Jun 2016.

Harrison shows 5 year wait time on his site.

[Gio]

I have a DW Specialist and a Springfield Pro/light rail, and honestly, the Specialist has a better trigger and has been more reliable than the Pro. The Specialist also comes with better sights and the high cut front strap the Pro doesn't have. The checkering doesn't cheese grate your hands like the Pro either. Honestly the only noticeable difference between the two is the magwell on the Specialist isn't hand blended perfectly like the Pro, but it still works the same and doesn't interfere with or slow down reloads. If I was really OCD about it, blending a new magwell wouldn't add much to the cost of the gun.

I don't think I'd ever look beyond DW if I wanted a gaming or carry 1911, and the Specialist would be excellent for both if you wanted a light rail.

[Mr. Goodtimes]

A lot of incredibly good info in here and I really appreciate it. If there is going to be a 9mm TRP released at shot this year then that’s going to be my gun. As others have said the SACS is excellent and Springfield really stands behind their products. I think that would be an excellent entry into 1911’s, the .45 variant of the TRP has long been on my list of guns I wanted. I probably should have put “no MIM” under the must have. I do understand that MIM isn’t inherently bad, especially when done correctly and I’m well aware of the TRP’s excellent track record as a 1911 that typically runs very well right out of the box.

I do want to stick with a 9mm and the government size for the increased sight radius and extra weight/reduced recoil. Before I carry it I will absolutely verify that it’s reliable with my carry load. As far as range ammo, I’ll buy whatever it shoots well. I currently pretty much exclusively shoot the 124gr and 147gr flavors of Speer Lawmen and they both feel pretty hot, especially for range ammo.

I love the CCO size guns, and if I ever buy a second 1911 it will absolutely be a CCO, however, if I’m only going to own one 1911 for a while I want it to be a government. Down the road I will absolutely consider something like an aluminum frame CCO such as the DW Vigil.


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[Robinson]

My advice is a probably a little different. Go shorter in barrel length and size. A 5" Govt sized gun will be on the cusp of reliable with off-the-shelf ammo (particularly light 115-grain stuff and any subsonic stuff) and sensitive to recoil spring weights. Your best bet is to step down to a Commander/Champion sized gun.

Shorter does not equal more reliable in a 9mm 1911. A Commander can make for a nicely sized package for carry, but there is no reason to think it will be more reliable than a 5" gun. And all of my 5" guns run fine with 147gr subsonic ammunition.

[RevolverRob]

Shorter does not equal more reliable in a 9mm 1911. A Commander can make for a nicely sized package for carry, but there is no reason to think it will be more reliable than a 5" gun. And all of my 5" guns run fine with 147gr subsonic ammunition.

I don't disagree. From running them and talking with experienced builders

5" 9mm guns can and do run just fine. Compared to a .45 gun, they tend to be more picky about bullet type, spring weight, velocity, and (if one can imagine) magazine selection.

Commander length guns tend to be less picky than 5" guns about spring weight and velocity, but still picky about bullet type and magazine selection.

In short, changing the dimensions of the cartridge fired, tends to amplify the little issues that 1911s tend to suffer from in general, not make them lesser.

___

As a diehard lover of 1911s and especially full-size guns - the best full-size 9mm 1911 is a Browning Hi-Power.

@Mr. Goodtimes - Given your desire for a 5" gun - buy a Wilson or Nighthawk. Or do what I would do in your situation...buy a Sig P210.

[45dotACP]

I'd get a Springfield RO and send it over to SACS, but that's the opinion of a #poorfag

You could try the Dan Wesson custom shop?

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[JSGlock34]

I'm curious to see how the new Dan Wesson Vigil 9mm fares.

[RevolverRob]

By the by - seriously the Dan Wesson Specialist ticks nearly all of your boxes -

http://danwessonfirearms.com/product/specialist/

Out of your 14 criteria (10 must and 4 preferred) - it has 10 of your 14. With only one of your "must" criteria not being met (extended mag release, which neither the CCU nor TRP has).


- 9mm - Yes
- No MIM parts According to some in the world, Yes - https://www.1911forum.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=509244
- high ride beaver tail Yes
- ambi Safety (I’m a lefty) Yes
- extended mag release No
- undercut trigger guard Lightly undercut, not a deep one
- front strap checkering Yes
- round butt/carry magwell Yes'ish
- long trigger Yes
- Light Rail Yes

Would be nice to have but could live without:
- bushingless bull barrel No
- front cocking serrations No
- ball endmill cuts Yes
- Adjustable sights No

[TC215]

By the by - seriously the Dan Wesson Specialist ticks nearly all of your boxes -

http://danwessonfirearms.com/product/specialist/

Out of your 14 criteria (10 must and 4 preferred) - it has 10 of your 14. With only one of your "must" criteria not being met (extended mag release, which neither the CCU nor TRP has).


- 9mm - Yes
- No MIM parts According to some in the world, Yes - https://www.1911forum.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=509244
- high ride beaver tail Yes
- ambi Safety (I’m a lefty) Yes
- extended mag release No
- undercut trigger guard Lightly undercut, not a deep one
- front strap checkering Yes
- round butt/carry magwell Yes'ish
- long trigger Yes
- Light Rail Yes

Would be nice to have but could live without:
- bushingless bull barrel No
- front cocking serrations No
- ball endmill cuts Yes
- Adjustable sights No

The Specialist does come with an extended mag release.

There are definitely no MIM parts in a DW.

A couple models used to have cast (not MIM) mag releases, but that was changed a few years ago.