Just got part of my tax return... Decision time...

[Ranger01]

(Yea, I know, I've pissed a lot of people off on this topic, but I want to do this thing right...)

So, seeing as I have a car payment now, a Les Baer is out of my price range. I've got my options down to two:
Caspian Custom:
Basic Carbon frame (Custom SN, Beavertail cut, 25lpi checkering, integral plunger tube) Fitted to slide
Govt. Carbon slide (Low mount Novak rear, Novak Front, bevel package, serrated flat top, standard serrations, standard radius)
Parts will be 10-8 Front (tritium) and Rear sights, unsure about other parts (more 10-8 stuff?), Custom VZ grips.
Melonite/ Hard Hat type finish, possibly case hardening?

It will be at least $850 for just the slide and frame.

Pros: I'll get (nearly) everything I want, Satisfaction of having my own gun.

Cons: I have no experience building a 1911, and I'm not sure I'd trust it 100%. Pro help and Small parts could quickly eat up my whole budget. Plus I'd be out of a carry gun for a few months most likely. (my 27 is a bit big for EDC)

or

Colt MkIV Series 70 (or Govt. Model)
Probably all stock... maybe a couple changes (sights, trigger, grip safety, checkering...)

Pros: I'd be getting the original 1911, complete, and it'd be done by someone who knows what they are doing.

Cons: Another off the shelf gun, maybe with light mods. Possibly not much better than my SR1911, Overpriced most likely. Also I've been hearing that Colt's QC has been going down the tube...

I will be selling my SR1911 to help kick the cost down a bit, so I'll probably have around $1500-1800 to spend total.

Thoughts?
Suggestions?
Colt Wiley Clapp?
Glock?
I'm an idiot?

[Seismic Sam]

You have money burning a hole in your pocket, and you're jumping all over in your cage like a monkey trying to find his "pet football", and making such varied choices that you're driving me crazy at the very least. As far as doing your own build, if you REALLY knew enough to do that, then you wouldn't be in here asking US about it!! I'd say the same thing about a lot of the other alternatives, and how do you expect US to solve a problem that's clearly located completely in your OWN mind?? You've got gun lust just like a flighty woman has shoe lust, and do you REALLY expect us to be able to help you with a problem like that??

[Eleanor08]

And this ^^^^^^ is how you officially end a thread.... LOL

[Username000]

You left out the obvious choice, buy me my first handgun as a gift. Just kidding.

I'd say go for the custom and hope you don't run out of cash building it. That seems to be the one you want more.

[darkwolf45]

Caspian.

[45Badger]

You can easily get a very clean used TRS or Premier 2 in your price range.

[Ranger01]

Well after building up a list of high quality internals I've decided to wait on the Caspian. The price and time is a bit neyond my reach for the moment.

So I'm down to a Series 70. Although wether to go with the Wiley Clapp model or get a standard and have work done to it is still up in the air... Overall the price comes out about the same, the standard with work maybe a hundred or so less but lacking a few things...

[Holland&Holland]

You have money burning a hole in your pocket, and you're jumping all over in your cage like a monkey trying to find his "pet football", You've got gun lust just like a flighty woman has shoe lust, and do you REALLY expect us to be able to help you with a problem like that??

While you are correct, we have all been there at some point

[photogpat]

Colt Gov't - it'll fit with your costume!

You're welcome!

[XDM45]

I know it's not fun or sexy, but paying down your mortgage, car, paying off any debt, investing, is a much better choice for the use of cash than a gun is at this point.

I know that if we all waited until we had net worth, none of us would buy anything, I get it.... my point is that if you are paying more in interest out on a debt than you earn interest on income (like from investments), the money is flowing away from you. I have a 4.5% interest rate on my mortgage and I'm earning more than that in one of the IRAs I have (13-15%), but still, I have other investments which are making me less than 4.5%, so my plan is to refi to a lower rate and pay off my house as soon as possible. The mortgage is the only debt I have other than the usual bills.

If you have student loans, pay those off first, then your mortgage, then any credit card debt you may have, and then the auto (since most are at 0% interest for financing nowadays). You don't have to have net worth to buy things, but if you can reduce your debt to income ratio by paying off your debts one at a time and then apply the extra money to other debts, you'll lower your debt and increase some money to use without increasing your income. Take half of that money to save and re-invest, then take the other half for your gun purchase. Anyone can be broke and spend like crazy, and can live the life of an ascetic, both of which are the extremes, I'm simply saying to make your money work better for you, that's all.

[Holland&Holland]

I know it's not fun or sexy, but paying down your mortgage, car, paying off any debt, investing, is a much better choice for the use of cash than a gun is at this point.

I know that if we all waited until we had net worth, none of us would buy anything, I get it.... my point is that if you are paying more in interest out on a debt than you earn interest on income (like from investments), the money is flowing away from you. I have a 4.5% interest rate on my mortgage and I'm earning more than that in one of the IRAs I have (13-15%), but still, I have other investments which are making me less than 4.5%, so my plan is to refi to a lower rate and pay off my house as soon as possible. The mortgage is the only debt I have other than the usual bills.

If you have student loans, pay those off first, then your mortgage, then any credit card debt you may have, and then the auto (since most are at 0% interest for financing nowadays). You don't have to have net worth to buy things, but if you can reduce your debt to income ratio by paying off your debts one at a time and then apply the extra money to other debts, you'll lower your debt and increase some money to use without increasing your income. Take half of that money to save and re-invest, then take the other half for your gun purchase. Anyone can be broke and spend like crazy, and can live the life of an ascetic, both of which are the extremes, I'm simply saying to make your money work better for you, that's all.

Where did the OP say he had student loan debt or a mortgage? If he wanted financial advice I would suggest he find a financial advisor rather than a gun forum but I think he is looking for ideas on what GUN to buy so seems like the right place.

[Ranger01]

XDM45, while I appreciate your advice, I've got a good hold in my finances. I pay my credit card off weekly, pay double my car loan payment monthly, and have no debt to speak of other than that. Also while investments may pay for some people I personally don't trust the market at the moment (even for bank bonds and such).

Pat, if I wanted to do that right I'd be getting a S&W or Colt M1917 revolver haha.

[sawgrass]

This is a post on a different forum by CJ who is having a sale. You can find him at 1911heaven. I have a LB SRP with the 1 1/2" guarantee and it's a great gun!
His previous sale was a PII for $16??. Can't beat Crazy John's prices on Baers.





Lately, my Crap O' Meter has indicated that dealers have stopped sticking pins in my look alike voodoo dolls. This troubles me greatly, so I've decided to try to restore my position as the most reviled (By dealers anyway) Les Baer distributor on earth. Please help me restore the voodoo pain I love so much by ordering a Custom Carry with the 1.5 inch guarantee for $ 1,829.00. Customize em' any way you want, but you gotta buy the 1.5 guarantee. Sale runs till I feel like shuttin it off.