I plan for my next 1911 to be a higher end, semi custom gun. To the question - in reference to 1911 quality, I've read a lot of experienced 1911 owners talking about things like fit/finish, slide/frame fit, blending and other characteristics. I would like to know from the 1911 "experts" what specifically do you look at when evaluating a 1911? Do you try and wiggle a slide when checking slide/frame fit? Is fit/finish the absence of gaps between certain parts? I not sure I know what blending is. What other things do you consider? Thanks in advance for any input and I apologize for my ignorance.
What do I look for?
*Anything made by Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, Alchemy. There are others, but these are the ones I have first-hand knowledge of.
*Forged frame and slide
*No MIM parts
*A trigger that moves in one direction only
*A properly heat-treated slide (no way to determine that until you shoot the piss out of it).
*No lateral slide movement
*Made in the USA
Expect to pay North of $2500 for a new, top-shelf 1911.
