FREE GUN FRIDAY! Win a KelTec Sub2000 Carbine Package
Close
Most people in the firearms industry dream of owning guns. Most of these people find that the price tag associated with their dream gun can make it seem impossible to achieve their goal of owning a gun. This is especially true for 1911s. There are certain guns that have popped up on my radar that have made me do a double-take and drool. Some of the best pistolsmiths in the country are able to combine the best of both classic guns and modern manufacturing. Their creations are as functional as they are art. Let me now share five high-end 1911s that you should consider if money is not an issue.
RELATED STORY
Auto-Ordnance Makes Trump-Themed Promises to Keep 1911
6 High End 1911s for Your List
Wilson Combat Limited 10 Number 4
Rarely is there a 1911 that doesn’t include a Wilson Combat pistol. Here is the Wilson Combat Limited 10 Number Four. Wilson’s Limited 10 program is a limited-time offer. The 10 custom guns are designed and built by Wilson. It is an honor to have one of the Limited 10 pistols in your gun shop. This is the fourth model in the series. It is stunning. They have collaborated with Layne Zuelke, their most experienced super-grade pistolsmiths, to create this gun. They have created a classic 1911-style pistol that will appeal to collectors of custom 1911s.
Every part of this beautiful nickel-finished 1911 was carefully planned and built. The gun features a professional-sized stainless steel frame and a 30 LPI high-cut checked frontstrap. It also features a Wilson bulletproof round magazine well and high-ride bulletproof barreltail grip safety. Layne Zuelke, FEGA Master Engraver at Southern Custom Engraving, did the beautiful and detailed engraving. This solid shooter has been enhanced by his skilled hands. The gun measures just 8 inches in length and can be shot if the owner feels the need. Wilson also includes a guarantee of 1.5-inch groups at 25 yard. It will cost you around $8,900 if you are the first to purchase the Limited 10 family member. WilsonCombat.com has more information.
Nighthawk Custom VIP
Next is a masterpiece by one of the most respected companies in the industry. Nighthawk Custom Firearms is led by Mark Stone and produces functional art. Their motto is “One Gun, one Gunsmith,” which results in the production of exceptional guns. It was hard to choose a favorite gun from their range, but Mark convinced me to go with the Nighthawk Custom VIP Nickel. This pistol is a very special model and is intended to be a heirloom piece. You can customize it with many amazing customizations, such as an antiqued nickel finish and hand engraving by a master engraver. The gun comes with a 14-karat solid gold front sight and giraffe bones grips.
This gun is more than just a piece of art to be displayed at special occasions and barbeques. It is a shooter. Nighthawk was so insistent about it, they gave me a pistol to bring to the range. Although I was nervous about the idea of running a gun within its price range at my Arizona range, I couldn’t resist the chance. What I discovered was that the Nighthawk Custom VIP Nickel was a beautiful Nighthawk. The slide’s rear is hand serrated to match the Heine rear sight, making it easy to acquire. Chambered in.45 ACP the full-size 1911 drilled ragged hole in every group I fired. This tack driver is extremely accurate thanks to its crowned barrel and excellent fit and finish.
Stunning Presentation
This VIP package is complete with a custom walnut hardwood presentation case. It matters. It’s not fair to serve expensive caviar on a paper plate. Nighthawk Custom VIP Nickel is listed for $7,999. This might make you stop and think before you reach for your credit card. This pistol is well worth every penny, I can tell you from personal experience. NighthawkCustom.com has more information.
Cabot Apocalypse
Next on my wish list is the Cabot Apocalypse. Cabot is not unfamiliar with guns priced in the high-end, but they are amazing guns. The Apocalypse is one of their newest guns. Rob Bianchin, founder and CEO of Cabot shared an image of their Apocalypse to me and we fell in love.
This high-end pistol is unique in that it was designed from the ground up to be a fighting handgun for those who are not willing to compromise. The Apocalypse is built around an etched stainless steel Damascus slip that is both durable and striking. Cabot’s Heritage finish, a proprietary Cabot coating, brings out the intricate patterns in the steel while protecting the parts with a rock hard exterior. The striking surfaces are further highlighted by the cocking serrations at the rear and front. Each slide’s pattern is unique, much like a fingerprint.
A True Fighting Gun
Cabot felt it was necessary to make the Apocalypse a ready-to-use fighting gun. Cabot designed an optional mount that can be attached to the slide and combines the dot with the iron sights. This design makes it easy to acquire the red-dot. Cabot offers a wide range of configurations and options, just like most high-end pistols. These include full-size and commander-length guns that can be chambered in either 9mm or.45 ACP. There are also options for suppressor-height sights and a threaded barrel. A standard feature is an integral frame-mounted lightrail, but it can be removed if the owner prefers.
It also features a match-grade stainless steel barrel, polished feed ramp and a flat-faced, serrated trigger that weighs 3.5 to 4 lbs. There are billet ambidextrous safetyties, rhombus-cut frontstrap checks at 24 LPI. Cabot guarantees that this package will shoot at least 1.5 inches at 25 yards. This 1911 is priced at $7,495, and it is definitely on my wish list. CabotGuns.com has more information.
Les Baer Limited Edition
Les Baer is synonymous with high-end 1911s. The Les Baer Limited Edition Presentation grade 1911 is his most sought-after gun. This fully engraved masterpiece belongs in the collection a true gun enthusiast. This 1911’s stunning beauty and limited availability of 40 pistols per annum will ensure its continued collectability as well as potential investment value.
Each Les Baer Presentation Grade 1911 is a fully-equipped Baer Premier II, which has been enhanced with some very special features. The most striking feature is the intricate hand-chiseled engraving. This old-world art form is rarely found in today’s high tech world. Other features include special charcoal blueing on all polished surfaces, inlaid gold “LBC” engraving at the top of slides, and the option to have your name or that of the recipient engraved on the slide.
I had the pleasure of meeting Les and he shared many my gun beliefs. The polymer guns are a great option for those looking for a niche in the gun industry, but the 1911 is special, especially the limited edition presentation grade 1911s by Les Baer. It is both an investment and a beautiful gun, priced at $7,807 For more information, visit LesBaer.com.
Ed Brown Jeff Cooper Commemorative
Last but not least, a mixture of beauty and history. In memory of Colonel Jeff Cooper, the Ed Brown Jeff Cooper Commemorative 1911 was built. This commemorative 1911 was created in collaboration with the family of Jeff Cooper. This allowed the family and Jeff Cooper to create a 1911 as true as possible.
The Coopers, Jeff’s close friends and supporters provided input and the final design was created. The goal was to create a 1911 for personal defense/combat shooting that Jeff would be proud to own. The final product speaks for its self. This is the only 1911 commemorative you would want to own. To help the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation continue their work in letting the next generation know about Jeff Cooper and his legacy, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to this project.
Elegant Simplicity
The gun is simpler than the others we list, but it is still very feature-rich. It features 25 LPI checkering at the frontstrap, and an integral lanyard loop mainspring with 25 LPI checking. The slide’s highly polished blued finish has traditional “square cut” serrations at the rear. It also features Jeff Cooper’s signature engraved at the slide’s ejection port.
The slide’s righthand side is inlaid in 24-karat solid-gold “DVC” which stands for the Latin phrase “Diligentia Vis, Celeritas.” It also features an exhibition-grade cocobolo smooth grips and concealed-carry beavertail safety grips. This masterpiece is priced at just over $3100, making it one of the most affordable on our list. Visit EdBrown.com for more information.
BONUS PICK – A “Turnbullized VIP”
As I mentioned at the beginning, it was difficult to reduce my list to five guns. I must admit that I was unable to reduce my list to five guns. Therefore, we will only be looking at one more gun. Another pistol from Nighthawk Custom’s master gunsmiths is the one I couldn’t leave out. The Nighthawk Turnbull VIP 1 is simply stunning. The VIP is one of Nighthawk Custom’s most exclusive models. It is a true heirloom piece and the result of a collaboration with Doug Turnbull.
It is extremely rare because of the skill and time required to give this 1911 its unique appearance. This pistol features all the finest customizations, including a classic polished and case-hardened frame. The slide stop, magazine release, and thumb safety are all turned by Turnbull. They also added a 14-karat solid gold bead front sight, mammoth ivory handles, and a custom-made case.
Doug Turnbull and Mark Stone have forged a relationship that has produced some of the most desirable 1911 pistols on sale. This pistol is a must-have, so start saving for the $7999 price tag. It will be well worth it. For more information, visit Turnbullrestoration.com.
This article was originally published by Combat Handguns July/Aug 2020 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Call 1-800-284-5668 or email [email protected]
Keep up to date with the Personal Defense World newsletter
Register today!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up
I have read and understood the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and I agree to them. Athlon may collect, store, process, and transfer my Personal Data and Non Personal Data for the purpose of signing me up for the email newsletter.
Next
10 Items to Take Your Custom AR-15 Upgrade/Build to the Next Level
The AR-15’s ability to upgrade your existing…
Joshua Swanagon
Aug 16, 2021
TrendingLangdon Tactical launches Custom Springfield Hellcat 3 micro-CompactZev Technologies delivers a Next LevelSig Custom P365XL. The Z365XLFirearm industry pushes back against Mexico’s Gun LawsuitKnife Defense. Survival start with Mindset–A Roundtable discussion
These 6 High End 1911s are the stuff of dreams, bring your checkbook
Most people in the firearms industry dream of owning guns. Most of these people find that the price tag associated with their dream gun can make it seem impossible to achieve their goal of owning a gun. This is especially true for 1911s. There are some guns that have been on my radar […]
10 Items to Take Your Custom AR-15 Upgrade/Build to the Next Level
Zev Technologies delivers the next level Sig Custom P365XL and Z365XL
Langdon Tactical Launches Custom Springfield Hellcat III Micro-Compact
The Exothermic Technologies Pulsefire Flammer Brings the Heat
Carry is easy with the Smith & Wesson Model 329pd Airlite44 Mag
Browning adds Pro American Flag Pistol Black Label to the 1911-380 Line
Springfield Emissary 1911: Custom styling in a defensive pistol
President Biden Suggests a Pistol ban
Faxon Modular Magazine Extensions – Your Glock just got more capacity
1791 Gunleather: Laser-compatible 4-Way and 3-Way Pistol holsters
Athlon Outdoors Network
Tactical – Life
FAKE-Tical News – Bloomberg Training Video on “I Support the 2nd”
Ballistic Magazine
Morgan Plus Four CX-T: Insanely Expensive, Incredible Off-Road Machine
Skillset Magazine
Larry Thorne Hated Communists So Much He Enlisted in 3 Armies
Tactical – Life
S&W M&P12 Bullpup shotgun provides compact firepower for defense
