Are Custom 1911s Worth It?

Custom 1911s: Key Benefits

In our 1911 Buyers Guide, we discussed several of the features a modern 1911 should have - including extended thumb safeties, low-profile mainspring housings, and extended beavertail grip safeties. Many of these features are included as standard options on custom-built guns and moreover, they are hand fitted for better performance than drop-in parts or those found on production models. 

Custom 1911s are made with parts milled from high-quality metals and typically have much stricter tolerances. As a result, these guns tend to be tighter and smoother than factory 1911 pistols - translating to superior function and reliability.

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Custom Guns = More Expensive

Because these pistols are made one at a time, the expense of those milled parts being hand fitted by an experienced gunsmith is reflected in the purchase price. Some high-end 1911s can run thousands of dollars depending on the specifications provided by each customer. However, they are expected to last a lifetime of carry and use. 

Are Custom 1911s Worth It?

Most shooters will notice a clear difference in quality and performance between a production gun and a custom-built 1911. Whether that difference justifies the additional expense is the subject of some debate. 1911 aficionados argue that factory models have too much slop to be reliable, whereas more casual shooters are skeptical that the increased cost will improve their overall enjoyment of the firearm. 

It's true that there are some less-than-stellar production 1911s out there, but that has more to do with the manufacturer than with the guns being factory or custom. And while a custom-built gun is certainly nice to have, it is not strictly necessary. 

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Unless you shoot 1911s often (recreationally or in competitive shooting), the benefits of a custom build will likely be negligible compared to the considerable expense you'll incur. A mid-tier production 1911 will satisfy most shooters looking for a classic carry piece or barbeque gun. To learn more about the different variants of 1911s available in today's market, watch our video comparing several 9mm and .45 ACP models.

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