I'm trying to decide between a few semi-custom 1911s. The front runners are Nighthawk, Les Baer, and a Rock River Arms. I like Nighthawk because you can fully customize a 1911. From what I know of Les Baer, they make really solid pistols, and RRA will make a 1911 pretty much any way you want, and they are the cheapest of the three. But I'm curious what people think about these guns compared to something from Ted Yost, I really like the 1* Enhanced package and even if i had one built from a Springfield GI I would be paying much less than even the RRA. Does anyone own more than just one of the above guns and if so what are your impression?

P.S. Pics wold be nice....thanks everyone!

Well, I've never owned any of these pistols, but I have a Talon waiting to be exported to Greece for me.





I am sure Ted Yost's work should be fantastic, but I do not know what the cost is, so I can't compare. In general, and from what I hear, my order of preference from the semi-custom makers would be:

Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Rock River in that order.

Les Baer, I hear too many things which I do not like about his guns, while there are some features I hate on Wilson's guns.

Not much help I know, but no one else has answered your post, so I thought I would jump in.

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John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

Thanks John, I've heard read through your story several times, I would hate to go through what you have but I have to say that your Talon is one of the best examples that I have ever seen. Ted Yost basic 1* package is around $1200-1300, whereas the Nighthawk starts at $2300 so I'm just curious if the extra $1000 is worth it on something like a Nighthawk Talon. I've also read alot of things bad about Les Baer, at the same time I've also read alot of good things. I've asked a few people what they think about the RRA and the Les Baer and a few have said that they would rather have the RRA anytime. Also, I know that out of Nighthawk, RRA, Les Baer, and Ed Brown, only Nighthawk and RRA will install an arched mainspring housing when they build your gun. Several people have said that if I want an arched mainspring housing that I should buy the gun, like a Les Baer, or Ed Brown and take it to another gunsmith and install one. But I think that if I'm going to spend that kind of money for a semi custom 1911 I had better get what I want rather than what is dictated to me by the manufacturer, the same is the case of Les Baer 1911s and their sights. The more I think about it I like both Nighthawk and RRA better and better....I would still like more opinions if anyone has them....

Well, if Mr. Yost's package is about 1300$ on a Springfield pistol (I assume a GI). From reading the specs, I do not see anywhere if the slide to frame fit is altered, so I have to assume it is not. In other words, even with the exceptional work that Mr Yost will perform on the pistol, you still have a GI frame and slide and the fit is what it was on the basic pistol.

If you go to a Nighthawk, (and I am refering to NHC because that's all I have experience with), the slide is fit to the frame, by hand, as every other part of the pistol too. What this means is that you get more accuracy out of the pistol, as well as (again, I stress I am assuming, I haven't fired my Talon yet) better reliability, since every part is matted correctly to every other part.

So, there is a lot more work in producing the Talon, for example, than meets the eye. If the 1300$ more are worth it? Only you can answer that question.

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

I have Nighthawks, Les Baers and an Ed Brown, and have been very pleased with them. I don't have any experience with RRA.

I do have a series 80 Colt 1991a1 that was tuned modestly at Gunsite back when I believe that Yost was doing the work, but I can't be sure. It's also a very nice gun, but it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the others do.

IMHO all these semi-custom makers seem to mostly turn out very good guns. You'll always find someone who has had a bad experience with one of them, and you'll find folks with strong preferences.

I'd be inclined to choose based on which one had the particular features I was looking for. At these prices, I'd want to get it just the way I'd like it, and not mess around with having a local gunsmith retro-fit something.

So if you prefer the arched mainspring housing, you'd probably want to go with either NHC or RRA. If you like the finishes that NHC uses, they would be a good choice. If you prefer a blued gun, you may lean toward RRA, although I understand that NHC will produce a blued gun on request. I think that both could supply a gun in hard chrome, but as far as I know, only NHC offers the Black Diamond finish.

I also notice that the Yost 1* package at $1300 doesn’t include a match barrel, checkering the frontstrap or night sights. If these features are important to you, they could add another $500 to $600, or more, to the cost. I’ve heard good things about Yost, and the 1* package is probably an excellent gun. It doesn’t seem however to be comparable to the semi-custom guns you’ve mentioned as far as features go. Adding some of those features seems to bring you up over $2000 (e. g., the 1* Elite).

DVC

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adapt, improvise, overcome
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.", Carl Sagan
"One should shoot as quickly as one can -- but no quicker.", Jeff Cooper

The only high end semi-customs that I personally own are Wilsons, Nighthawks, and an STI GrandMaster. The Wilson CQB's thumb safety was very difficult to flip on and off when I got the gun. I called them and they told me to 'send it in' and they would take care of it. Of course I would have to pay the shipping to them and they would pay return shipping. So I found a local gunsmith that fixed it for less than the shipping would have cost me.

My STI would not reliably feed more than one round at a time. So I had a $3000 single shot semi-auto. I did ship that one back at a cost of $60. I still have problems with it occasionally.

My Talon has not had any problems and so far I have shot an IDPA and PPC match with it. I take that back, I had one FTF on one of my reloads. I ejected that round and continued the course of fire. But, if I ever do have a problem, it is a great comfort knowing that NHC will pay shipping both ways. Don't discount that benefit of owning a Nighthawk. If you properly ship and fully insure your gun that shipping cost could top $50 or more depending on where you live and how much higher the cost of fuel is going to go.
Bottom line, think of the 'after sale' service of the gun manufacturer you choose in addition to the build quality of the gun and if they will build one the way YOU want it!

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George
NRA Certified Instructor and RSO - IDPA and PPC
Master Dealer for: Nighthawk Custom - Wilson Combat - Ed Brown Products - Volkmann Precision - Desert Tactical Arms
Gunslingers

I appreciate everything everybody has said and it is all very true. I especially like the fact that if any work has to be done Nighthawk will pay for shipping both ways and more than likely will do the work for free. PermaKote does seem to be a pretty good finish and Gunslinger was great to quote me a very good price on a Talon so I think may go with Nighthawk. Now I just have to have the funds, thanks everyone for your help.

John, I have heard some things that I do not like about Ed Brown and Wilson, but have yet to hear anything substantial about Les Baer's weapons or service. I am considering a semi-custom 1911 from the aforementioned and would like to know what you have heard that you do not like about his product. Thanks for any input.

Mike

Check the Les Baer forum. Too tight guns, egoistic behaviour etc.

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

John,

If you don't mind me asking, what made you select the Nighthawk Talon over all the rest; Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson, etc. Considering the restrictions on the number of pistols you can own, you must have completed considerable research and deliberated over the possible selections before choosing the Talon.

Thanks, Mike