In my Saturday post of Favorite Things (Part 1), Reader JC comments:
“With your well-known love for God’s Own Pistol, I’m surprised a custom 1911 was not on your list.”
Well, yes. Except that I addressed the issue the previous week in my post about the Ed Brown 1911.
I dunno. Maybe it’s that I regard a 1911 the same way as I do about a Land Rover Defender or a Toyota Hi-Lux pickup: they are so utilitarian that fancying them up seems kinda pointless.
I wouldn’t add diamonds to a watch for the same reason, unless it was a present for a woman (because most women have an undeniable attraction for sparklies).
I love luxury, don’t get me wrong: I am not a Puritan or neo-Amish type. But as with all things, luxury has its place, and utilitarian tools ain’t one of them.
Here’s another example of what I’m talking about.
I would prefer an Estwing hammer over a bog-standard Lowes-type budget-rack hammer, any day of the week.
But would I gild the Estwing’s metal? Of course not. (I might, however, be seduced into buying an Estwing with a leather grip because ooooh.)
You see where I’m going with this?
Sometimes quality has a point to where improvement is not really worth it — especially if said improvement has a 4x multiple over the original, e.g. an Ed Brown 1911 over a Springfield 1911, or a Porsche 911S over a Porsche Cayman S.
And if the original product, so to speak, isn’t total shit and is already far up the quality curve, that’s always something to take into account.
Kim, what would you pick between a 1911 of any make you choose vs a 357 revolver of any make you choose?
I like Semi’s, but if I could only have one, I would have to go for the 6 shot Revolver in 357.
I just can’t get over the thumb safety on a 1911 and I have seen more than a few go down hard (safety Plunger tube on 1911’s with only staked tubes falling off, instead of the few that have that part machined as part of the frame, magazine catches breaking off, trigger springs breaking).
Then there are some 1911’s that are very ammo sensitive, and others will eat any kind of ammo.
I like the trigger, but I found 1911’s to be very finicky overall.
And for the price of custom 1911’s, I can get a few damn nice revolvers that run well with any ammo.
I do hope you win the lottery though, and I hope you can get whatever you want from your wish list.
True. I’ve always had mixed feelings about my Nighthawk GRP Recon. I don’t compete, and while it’s a wonderful tool, I sill sometimes think about selling it and getting a Springfield Garrison or Ronin, and two-three other guns. Or have a nice couple of weekends at a B&B.
Since Son & Heir has the Marine Corps Operator, he really doesn’t much care if it falls to him. He might sell it and maybe I should save him the headache.
While I understand your viewpoint and reasoning, there is a lot to be said for high quality. My grandfather’s Estwing ( c. 1930 ) sleeps in it’s place of honor in the Hammer and Mallet drawer of my tool chests. But it’s the three year old Lowers claw hammer with fiberglass shaft that gets used when something needs to be persuaded.
……. and as far as Porsches go, there’s a world of difference between a Cayman S and a GT3 ( but not so much for a base 911 S) and well worth the price multiple to some.
The right tool for the right job. Quality makes the job go smoother with fewer problems.
“Quality makes the job go smoother with fewer problems.”
…and more consistently over time, as well.
I guess what’s next with embellishment for firearms? Do you gold plate a SMLE or AK like they do in the Mideast? At some point embellishment becomes gaudy and tasteless.
If I hit that ridiculous lottery that got up to over a couple hundred million dollars, at that point an Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk or some other high end 1911 would follow me home just because. I’d probably go for a hand engraved Smith & Wesson revolver or something that has been tuned to be scary accurate if the lottery gods were to smile upon me.
When I went down the 1911 route, I looked hard at a Springfield Armory GI edition and ponied up the extra money for a S&W 1911. The S&W has better sights, commander hammer, beavertail grip safety and pretty much all the improvements that I’d want in a 1911. It has run well for me as long as I keep it lubricated well. I like the external extractor because it doesn’t need any tuning at all.
Eventually I bought a 22lr kit made by Kimber to go top of my 1911. I do my pistol drills with the 22lr kit and then do the drills with the 45acp slide, barrel etc. I can shoot more with cheaper 22lr ammunition and have fun as well without breaking the bank. I think I paid around $325 for the 22lr kit. It’s well worth the cost since I can practice with my carry gun without breaking the bank on ammunition.
JQ
First time a wooden hammer handle broke on me trying to pull out a stuck nail convinced me. I’ve had my 20 oz Estwing Rip Hammer longer than I can remember, probably since the mid-80’s.
Estwing hammers are indestructible, no matter how they are abused. They are kind of like modern black rifles that way, no wood to deteriorate. They can also destroy the arm and wrist swinging them. A proper hickory handle absorbs vibration and directs that force to the nail rather than to the users arm. If I’m driving nails I’ll take the hickory handle every time. If I am using the hammer for a crow bar I grab the Estwing.