Wow! I stopped by a friend’s house today. He came walking out grinning with his 1st ever 1911 - a brand new Colt Gold Cup 45 with blue grips. Gotta say I was feeling a little bit green with envy 
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That’s false. The Springfield Pro is definitely a “high end” that is VERY reliable. High end as in a very reliable 1911. It passed the FBI Trial test almost flawlessly. All the others, nope. To date, I think it’s still the toughest 1911 trial test ever performed. FBI Hostage Negotiation Team still uses the Springfield Pro. The trial test the FBI created was VERY tough. The Pro passed in flying colors. The Pro is still considered a very reliable self defense sidearm. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles some people prefer. It’s a traditional 1911 look. Many 1911 enthusiast that own semi custom/full custom 1911’s own a Pro.
If you get a chance, google Springfield Pro FBI trial test. It took me awhile to find the report when i read it last. It’s crazy what they put these 1911’s through. Springfield won the bid. If you can’t find the article, let me know, I think I have it saved somewhere. It’s a great read
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Save us some trouble and drop link here. Please.
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The Springfield Pro is definitely a “high end” that is VERY reliable. High end as in a very reliable 1911. It passed the FBI Trial test almost flawlessly. All the others, nope. To date, I think it’s still the toughest 1911 trial test ever performed. FBI Hostage Negotiation Team still uses the Springfield Pro. The trial test the FBI created was VERY tough. The Pro passed in flying colors. The Pro is still considered a very reliable self defense sidearm. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles some people prefer. It’s a traditional 1911 look. Many 1911 enthusiast that own semi custom/full custom 1911’s own a Pro.
If you get a chance, google Springfield Pro FBI trial test. It took me awhile to find the report when i read it last. It’s crazy what they put these 1911’s through. Springfield won the bid. If you can’t find the article, let me know, I think I have it saved somewhere. It’s a great read
(Copy and pasted my reply to the person that said it wasn’t a high end. ) The current pricing of the Pro is a little steep after they raised their prices on the Pro, but all custom 1911 companies have raised their prices over the last 2-3 years. If you decide to buy a Pro, buy with confidence and never sell it like I did. I waited 24 months for mine. ~10+ years ago, they only built the Pro a few times a year. 24 month wait. It’s MUCH shorter now. I think they build the Pro daily now and not in batches like they did years ago. It’s a great gun. I’ll eventually have one in my collection again.
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-Nighthawk President w/IOS DLC coated (sold it)
-Nighthawk Classic DLC coated. My favorite 1911. I talked Joey Lehr (NHC Shop manager) into doing the build. He did awesome.
Yes, I’m a sucker for mammoth ivory.
First time trying to post pictures on here. We’ll see if I did it right.
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Guncrafter No Name CCH frame, blued slide. (Picture sucks, not enough lighting). It has white crosscut mammoth on it now. Didn’t like the brown on it.
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I’m not going to agree or disagree. We may have different standards for “high end” 1911 pistols. As I posted…
I can speak for myself only
I know SA Pro is pricey and reliable… it can pass all XXX tests, but it didn’t pass mine and in my opinion it is not high end 1911. 
Of course it doesn’t automatically mean it is not for others.
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I tried to use the word high end loosely for the Pro. It was aimed at saying it’s a tried and proven “battle” type 1911 that keeps the look classic. The Pro is what most consider a semi custom.
Issues happen at times and things slip through Q/C. Sucks that it did for you. Springfield Custom Shop didn’t resolve whatever issue you had? If not, I’d be fuming too. The Pro definitely doesn’t have the “special” it factor it did 10+ years ago. They took 2 years to get after ordering. Springfield Pro shop currently, I have no idea the quality that is coming out of it. I see many people still buying them and rarely do I see any posts or threads about it having issues.
True high end I consider those to be Ted Yosts, Burton, Reid, Rob, etc. Rob just started his own business again. His prices won’t be that high yet but it will be a true, one man shop custom 1911. They will also set you back 12-16k for one and their books are normally closed. Yost retired recently. I wish I had the coin for one of their builds. They are a work of art and
Rob Schauland sold Alchemy to Cabot a while ago and late 2023 he went his own way and is back to building them himself. He’s building me a Government Turnbull Charcoal blued 1911. He’s definitely worth checking out:
https://www.schaulandperformance.com/ He is close to having everything set up. Many people have put deposits down for a build when the news broke. He’s awesome to work with too.
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I’m searching for it again.
This member copy and pasted the American Handgunner article. I couldn’t find the actual 64 page FBI Trial Test article
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The thing is that we all have own standards for the firearms. Something that works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
I personally do not treat SA ad high end 1911 pistols… unless they come with something that will amaze me.
The latest product - Prodigy supposed to be a big deal… but for me it was another failure… so I look at SA products very carefully…
It is only my personal opinion and it may differ from others… and I’m ok with it. I’m just very skeptical with my evaluations…
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Just being curious since I have never shot one, what made it a failure for you. I know it’s a double stack 9mm 1911 but that’s about it.
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Welcome
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I hope SA corrected all the issues found after releasing this model but my biggest concern was thumb safety. In the model I was testing safety lever was very hard and stiff. It went completely loose after box of ammo and didn’t block the trigger anymore.
Slide cycling problem and “out of battery” was nothing comparing to safety issues.
I don’t know if Prodigy still has issues these days, but for me this pistol is no-go. I don’t trust it.
For the same money Kimber KDS9C or Bul SASII are much better firearms.
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Thank you! 
This is the kind of information I was hoping to get when I started this thread. Names of 1911 makers that might be household names to some, but certainly not me. 
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I heard a lot great opinions about Alchemy Custom Weaponry 1911 models. Since those are treated as less expensive Cabot quality pistols I wish I could even touch one of these. 
My guess is this will remain as my dream only… 
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Rob S is an elite 1911 maker. He just started another You Tube channel, Schauland Performance. He also has many videos out there from Alchemy days.
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I’m only referring to their Springfield Pro from their custom shop. I wanted a Prodigy but WAY too many issues. A few custom shops have a “Prodigy package” to fix the known issues. Double stacks/2011, I don’t have a love for them like I do 1911 single stacks.
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What makes it doable for me. Put my deposit down then I continue to pay the balance down while waiting on the build. I don’t have the funds to drop 3-7k at once. Nighthawk, lead time is probably 18 months now. All of my 1911’s I ordered through George with gunslingers. You will save a lot of money going through a dealer. George only sales higher end 1911’s. Check his site out. He always has a few in stock or look through his sold section to get an idea on the things you want if you want him to order you one. https://www.migunslingers.com/
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I’m the opposite. I love 9mm way more than .45ACP. Additionally I’m a huge fan of minimum 10 rounds in magazine.
So double stack 1911s and 2011s are my favorite handguns. The only single stack I own now is Staccato R (9mm) 
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