As the title says, planning a really nice pistol purchase in the next year or so. Open to any and all suggestions. I love my sigs (226, 229sas, 220, 320, 938), have a S&W 1911, others. Mine are the nicest pistols I have shot. I have dry fired a Les Baer, Dan Wesson, Wilson and the triggers feel like warm butter. I have not shot one and it is not likely I will be able to shoot what I want before I buy. I like stainless but not stuck on it. Want it to be beautiful in my eye, not small as I have large hands. Leaning .45acp but open to suggestion.

Lets hear it, I value the opinions here!

I'll start with Ed Brown. Shown is a Special Forces Carry in 45 ACP.

Right side by GaryBF, on Flickr

Ouch, that got expensive quick

Ted yost browning hi power. Hands down

Sig P220X6, maybe 3 to 5 thousand. SS, 45ACP, all made in Germany so far.

Sig P210

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
I'll start with Ed Brown. Shown is a Special Forces Carry in 45 ACP.

Right side by GaryBF, on Flickr

If I were buying a ready-made gun for me, this would've been at the top of my list, though I'm partial to the two-tone version.

Another one I'd be interested in is the Nighthawk Hi-Power.



However, if time was not an issue, I would have a custom gun built for that price range. My first choice would be a Harrison Retro 1911:



A Hi-Power by Yost, Williams, or Garthwaite would also be on my "want" list.

Again, these would be the options I'd consider for myself if I were in your position.

What's the point of your purchase? range gun? completion? what discipline? carry? what ranges?. It all helps to have some context.

Sig Sauer X-Six. The P220, not the P226. Plus you can get the 9mm conversion later.

Guessing the Brown isn't into SVI or Stan Chen territory. I'd like to say a nice 2011 but I would NEVER buy or suggest an STI based on their customer service alone. A Salient RED would fill the need that a Salient BLU would not (& vice versa).

I'm getting into the pistol-once-a-year thing myself. But if I'm looking for one knowing that it'll be extra spendy with agonizing wait times, I can't stop looking at having it imported from Europe, just because it makes more options available.

Not carry, more of a range gun. Possibly getting into competition if I get better. I suck at 3-gun pistol portion. Full frame seems to work in the 1911 category for me. Range, I only really shoot pistol out to 25 yards max and they are not small clusters

I have had Ed Brown, Wilson, Les Baer, STI, SVI and of course Sig X5 allround.
I think my Ed Brown, two tone Kobra Carry was the prettiest, but, if I was going to shoot IDPA, USPSA, or 3-gun it would be a 2011.
I think SVIs are in a higher price range, plus, nobody ever wants to wait. I swore I would never shoot an "open" gun, but, as my eyes get worse, most of the time I shoot an open gun, or carry optics.

I have owned some Les Baers and they are superb though not quite as refined as a Wilson. On the other side of the 45 spectrum is the HK Mark 23. It’s a tack driver and utterly reliable. A tank of a gun, perfect for a high quality fun range gun, and if ever needed, the apocalypse!

As for Ed Brown, I like the Kobra Carry and the Executive elite. How does the 4.25" barrel compare to the 5"? Sine it won't be used for carry I am assuming the 5" is more accurate and maybe more stable?

Not making a decision any time soon, just getting as many opinions as I can as I know little of the 1911 platform other than my P938's and a S&W I never shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Sig Sauer X-Six. The P220, not the P226. Plus you can get the 9mm conversion later.

Guessing the Brown isn't into SVI or Stan Chen territory. I'd like to say a nice 2011 but I would NEVER buy or suggest an STI based on their customer service alone. A Salient RED would fill the need that a Salient BLU would not (& vice versa).

I'm getting into the pistol-once-a-year thing myself. But if I'm looking for one knowing that it'll be extra spendy with agonizing wait times, I can't stop looking at having it imported from Europe, just because it makes more options available.

I love my STIs. Maybe it is luck of the draw but I have had good experiences with their customer service. They can be slow to respond sometimes but usually not more than a couple of days. I also love my SVI but they are crazy expensive. I like heavy guns so these are down my alley. I also like that 2011 mags pretty much fit all models, even though they are pricey. A bit less expensive, you can’t beat a cajunized CZ shadow or P-01 (the heavy cz’s).

Triangle Shooting Sports (Benny Hill)
My SVI is great, but out of that price range.

quote:

Originally posted by cruiser68:
As for Ed Brown, I like the Kobra Carry and the Executive elite. How does the 4.25" barrel compare to the 5"? Sine it won't be used for carry I am assuming the 5" is more accurate and maybe more stable?

Not making a decision any time soon, just getting as many opinions as I can as I know little of the 1911 platform other than my P938's and a S&W I never shoot.

Both pistols should be the same, as far as mechanical accuracy, but, if you're planning on getting a pistol with iron sights, the longer sight radius will usually make you able to shoot it more accurately, which is why I went with a 6", for a limited gun. If you're going to have an optic on it, I think a little shorter pistol balances better.
Go shoot some 3-gun, and USPSA matches. Most shooters are more than willing to let you shoot their guns. If you think you'll be shooting 3-gun,an STI, DVC, 3-gun pistol, in 9mm is probably the best factory option, in your price range. You could probably find a lightly used, 6" in your price range.

If "beautiful" means the groups it shoots, Pardini GT-45.

If you are not wanting to carry, then the full size 5 inch Ed Brown is better, IMO. This is a preowned custom 9mm. The optional frame checkering is really nice and grippy.

Right Side by GaryBF, on Flickr

Another vote for the P220 X-Six! Still my favorite gun. Most of the X-Series guns are excellent!

I don't compete but for occasional carry and range work I love my Knighthawk Custom Talon.