Colt M1911A1
When I think of a 1911, I think of a dull gray finish, brown grips, the .45 ACP chambering, and the tiny military iron sights. It’s hard to think of a 1911 and not imagine a classic military 1911. You don’t get much more classic than an actual Colt M1911A1 manufactured for the United States government. In fact, how about a Colt M1911A1 manufactured in 1943 and given to the British as a part of the Lend Lease program? It doesn’t get any cooler or more historical.
This Colt M1911A1 features U.S. property marks and has “Not English Made” stamped in several places. After the British retreat at Dunkirk, our English friends lost a lot of firearms and needed help to supply their troops with firearms. This Colt 1911 was one of many firearms the United States sent to Britain to aid in the war effort. The markings on the slide indicate it was released from British service in 1952 and somehow made its way back to the United States.
What an incredible journey this handgun had. Few 1911s hold more historical significance that this one. It is amazing to think that it ended up back in the United States and is a perfect representation of the original 1911 and its dedicated service during both World Wars.
This collectible 1911 comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking for that classic 1911 look at an affordable price, Tisas makes a solid reproduction of the M1911A1. The detail is outstanding, and it lets you shoot a classic without feeling bad about putting miles on a collectible.
Related Review: Tisas Model 1911 A1 U.S. Army .45 ACP – Your Value GI-Style 1911?
Les Baer Ultimate Tactical Carry
With a plethora of “custom” 1911s on the market, it can be difficult to find the best value. Many custom 1911s have a lot of expensive cosmetic work that makes the handgun a legacy piece. That’s great for holding value and being the centerpiece to a collection, but Les Baer’s goal is to manufacture the best performing custom 1911s on the market. All attention goes to the internals of the product.
While the Les Baer Ultimate Tactical Carry may look plain, it’s far from it. This 1911 features a tight mechanical binding at the takedown pin. That, along with tight tolerances of each piece in the firearm, aids repeatability in accuracy. With no wobble or play in any of the parts, Les Baer has removed the variables that can impede accuracy. There is a misconception that the tight tolerances make the gun less reliable. On the contrary, the tightly fitted pieces resist the ingress of debris into the action, which can cause malfunctions.
While its features may seem basic, with a plain black finish, front serrations, Ameriglo sights, an ambidextrous safety, and a standard eight-round capacity of .45 ACP, it is one of the best and most accurate 1911s on the market.
Nighthawk Custom VIP
Next up is the Nighthawk Custom VIP. Known as one of the top custom 1911 brands in the United States, Nighthawk’s handguns carry well-earned respect and admiration. This VIP is probably one of the highest-end 1911s that I have seen come through the warehouse.
Related: Nighthawk 1911s Deliver Premium Performance in a Pretty Package
Nighthawk is known for making the outside of its custom guns as beautiful as the inside. This .45 ACP VIP features hand engravings all over the finish. No machines are used to complete the scrollwork. The sights are a blacked-out rear and a 14-karat gold front sight bead – a common feature on high-end 1911s.
While all the cosmetic features are cool, the highlight of this VIP is the giraffe bone grips. Each grip is hand-carved from giraffe bone and dyed blue to make the color pop. This beautiful handgun could anchor any firearm collection.
Summary
There are so many 1911s out there that it is impossible to ever see them all. This selection highlights the handgun’s historical significance, its high-performing potential, and the flair and collectible nature of the design. Who would have thought that over a century later, this design would still dominate the market?
