1911 Therapy - is there anything to recommend to a grieving, former Valtro owner?

[Pendragon]

I am only half kidding.

Circa 2002, I bought a Valtro when I lived in CA and John Jardine was kind enough to customize the sights and safety (low profile, RH only). This was, for me, the perfect gun.

A year later I moved to Texas and fell on hard times. I ended up selling the Valtro for 50% more than I paid for it thinking when I got back on my feet, I would just buy another one.

Meanwhile, I am watching prices on the Valtro go crazy and the idea of getting another one just does not seem realistic.

So - can anyone out there recommend something roughly in the same class? I know who the usual suspects are in semi customs, but maybe there is something new I have not heard of (have not been keeping up the last few years).

I would like to find a nice 1911 in the $1500 range, but I am willing to go higher - to $2000 or so if I can get something well thought out, put together and unique.

In the mean time, I am looking at the Kimbers and Springfields and Wilson Combats and Les Baers and such - I am sure they make someting I would enjoy, but I liked the rare / esoteric / small quantity mystique of the Valtro...

Thanks

 

[Kreyzhorse]

Nice. Had never heard of Valtro before so you encouraged me to check them out. I'm, very, very sorry you no longer own it.

Perhaps a Springfield TRP might be a fine replacement? I'm sure the TRP isn't doesn't fit the exactly what you were looking for, but I'd guess its a very able replacement.

 

[IanS]

At that price range its gonna be tough tough tough to find something that equals the exclusivity of the Valtro's (though I can't speak to the quality since I've never owned or held one).

If you want the best semi-custom on the market today I'd nominate the Springfield Custom Professional or maybe C&S's Trident 1911 pistol but those go from $2500-3000 new. Or maybe just cut your losses and find a slightly used Baer for $1500 and a bunch of ammo.

 

[hoytinak]

Seeing how you're in Texas, what about the STI line? I've played with several 1911's in the $1000-2000 range and IMO the STIs are the smoothest, best made ones in that price range. The only thing I don't like about them is their finish is pretty weak/thin unless you pony up for the hard chrome.

 

[Pendragon]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I am going to look into those.

I like the STI guns, especially the LS sub compacts - while I am typically a "one guy" kind of guy, the LS9 looks to be a very nice secondary when you can't carry a larger weapon.

Also, before I got the Valtro, I was leaning strongly toward the TRP, so it might be the way to go.


Edit:

I think I am rapidly becoming a fan of the Ed Brown guns. They seem to offer the features and quality I am looking for at a price I can probably live with.