ltwguns.com

Howdy all,
I visit here very often but only post once in a blue moon. I'm in my 40's & have recently returned to college to get an AA in Gunsmithing. This site, it's members, & the posts & pictures often provides me with the inspiration to go back into the labs and pick up a file or turn on the lathe again after turning many hours of work into scrap with a single misjudgement or a moment's loss of focus.
I have developed my own opinions since buying my first 1911 at the age of 12, but I wondered what the opinions were of the folks here was as to what is a primo base gun. I know a good smith can turn a sow's ear into a great pistol with enough $ & time, but what would YOU pick for YOUR OWN use? A current Colt? a C series? Pre-war? a S-A or Kimber? Caspian frame & slide?

Best answer I have is "IT depends".

For a basic carry gun I think it is hard to beat Kimber.

For a full house classic custom, Colt is my favorite. 70 -series and older.
I think the C-series is the epitome of class merged with performance.

If I wanted a pure performance racegun , I would insist on a Caspian slide on any number of forged frames.

I have a few projects that will use a Caspian slide and a forged Wilson frame. I think this can give you a classic "look" with nice, oversize frame rails and precise dimensions. No Pony, though.

_________________
"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

CHECK OUT MY CUSTOM 1911 BLOG
http://thearsenalofdemocracy.blogspot.com

I think I would add:

For a full-house classic - The NRM Series 70s, which in many ways are better made than the original Series 70 guns.