just what makes?

[fatercat]

just what makes a wilson  or some of the others worth $2500.00 or more?

[Mikey]

They say it is the custom work and quality parts that go into the pistol that jack the cost up into the stratosphere; this includes higher quality target/combat sights, custom fitting of parts, custom made barrels, custom style grips, etc., etc., and etc. 

Custom pistol makers like to advertize their product as being able to do something the others cannot, like group to 2.5" at 25m and be totally reliable with all sorts of ammo.  The truth is that you can find that in a out of the box and off the shelf pistol.  jmtcw.

[williamlayton]

Because they are well built and fitted with good, solid parts from the start.
If you are as anal as I am--you will end up pretty close too that mark.
The thing about a build up of your own is you can choose the parts and have them fitted too your taste---rather than it being Wilson or Baer's choice.
I don't care for Baer's decisions about tightness.
The steel and the choice of parts and how well they are fitted makes a world of difference.
Blessings

[Lloyd Smale]

out of the box reliability is probably the biggest selling point but personaly i think many of the factory guns have improved so much in the last 10 years that a guy can get a real nice gun for 1000-1500 bucks and really doesnt need to spend 3 grand to get a good 1911.

[saddlebum]

I've been wondering about that for 30yrs. Especially now that we have Kimbers, Smiths and Springfields. You can try to make a case for Wilson or Clark or Baer or whoever, but it won't work for me. I'm the guy that drives the pickup, not the Escalade or BMW. Got nothing to prove by having the most expensive gun on the block. Mine works just as good and costs less than half, don't care if I'm not cool.

[uncledub]

I've been wondering about that for 30yrs. Especially now that we have Kimbers, Smiths and Springfields. You can try to make a case for Wilson or Clark or Baer or whoever, but it won't work for me. I'm the guy that drives the pickup, not the Escalade or BMW. Got nothing to prove by having the most expensive gun on the block. Mine works just as good and costs less than half, don't care if I'm not cool.

+1 on that saddlebum.  I enjoy looking at the more expensive pistols much the same as I enjoy fine automobiles.  I drive an old Ford truck and own 2 colts and 1Rock Island Armory 1911.  They work fine for this ol' boy.  They might rattle a little bit, but I have more of my money for ammo and such things.  Don't have to be cool to be happy.

[SHOOTALL]

The custom guns cost what they cost because people will pay for them. I think many wish to have what the think is the best . Some want to impress . Some just want hand tunned . The bottom line is we have gone into battles since the 1911 was first built with off the shelf guns and won most . But then millions drive to work every day in standard cars where a few need hot rods or custom jobs .

[fatercat]

80 % of my money i will spend on good liquor and women. the other 20% i will probably waste. not on over priced 45's

[1911crazy]

I can't bring myself to spend big dollars for any guns not just a 1911a1.  I been pondering about getting a springer M1a in 308 for a longtime.($1,200) then i found the russian saiga in 308 for $307 OTD.   Right now my limit for a 1911a1 is around $500.  So i'm guessing the new ones are out of the question for me anyhoo.  But you never know as my collection rounds out and i have some extra $$ but lately i get distracted because i need the $$ for something else.  But on the other hand i just retired about 9 years ago and finally got my $$ so maybe a to me from me present just may happen.  But it better be a good one.  But i'm still frugal too.  But i do like the 1911a1  thompson and the springer in stainless.

[Lloyd Smale]

I guess im kind of in the middle on this. Sure id love to have a wilson or ed brown gun but on a fixed income my days of custom guns are about over. Bottom line though is if i thought there was a need id be selling something else to get one. I do like 1911s in the high middle ground though. Ive had a few cheaper ones that were basicaly a pos. Colt kimber Sti and springfield all make excellent guns in the 900-1500 dollar range and for that money you can buy a 1911 that is good enough to trust your life too and at the high end of that price range a guy can even go with a les baer which is kind of a semi custom gun. If i inherited a brown or wilson you probably couldnt pry it out of my hands but for the same money i could buy a les baer and a nice rifle and scope or a couple more handguns or a pile of powder and primers and still have one dammed fine 1911