2011 Recommendations for CA. Dark Forge Wraith 2011 opinions.

[STK-SoCal]

Hi, any thoughts on the Dark Forge 2011 Wraith or the quality of their work in general? I am interested in a 2011 that is light, has a polymer grip preferably, 4.5 inch barrel, open to Ports (never used them though) but did not like compensators noise or heavy front guns like the Atlas Erebus. Had an Erebus once and sold it, found it jammed a lot in the beginning and was picky with ammo. I really enjoyed my staccato P but sold it (for whatever stupid reason lol) and now looking for something in the $5000 or so range before taxes preferably. But could spend a little more. This is a one and done purchase, so I don't mind splurging a bit around that price point. It's for USPA, steel challenge and I'm definitely no grandmaster. I just want to enjoy it, not carry as a CCW.

Any recommendations for CA 2011 in general that fits this, single shot exemption, open to suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Best,
S

 

[rudeeone]

Also interested in the df wraith.. how about that Jacob grey nox?

 

[STK-SoCal]

Also interested in the df wraith.. how about that Jacob grey nox?

I should check out the nox but I heard the dark forge is much better. Trigger especially.

 

[Punkur67]

What about atlas?

 

[Experimentalist]

I've tinkered a bit with 1911 customization. A shame this State doesn't allow one to acquire an inexpensive 2011 pistol that's true in dimensions and use that to build up a custom pistol to one's exact specification. The hot rodding ethos applied to firearms.

I would think this an attractive option considering the exorbitant pricing on 2011s in general.

Given the thread title "2011 recommendations for CA..." I'd like to slip that question into the mix. What might be the most inexpensive option to acquire a 2011 frame in California? This may require buying a complete firearm and stripping it down, I've done this with 1911s.

Alternatively one might go the SSE route. Make a dimensionally compliant pistol from scratch? Not sure that's even an option these days.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Experimentalist]

Okay. I'll admit to some ignorance on things 2011 until today.

A little research shows that 2011 frames are basically 1911 frames with the handle and trigger guard cut off (and attachment points added for the grip and dust cover).

Seems a person could purchase a base 1911 that's dimensionally reliable (say a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec). Cut / mill off the handle portion, add the grip attachment points, then go to town building it out. From what I can tell all the internal parts appear 1911. For $725 plus DROS and taxes and some reasonably heads-up mill-work one could obtain the core foundation of a 2011.

It wouldn't even need SSE or other special legal accommodations. The pistol is on the roster, the rest are just home modifications.

I appreciate the level of craftsmanship - artistry really - that goes into a custom 1911. A lot of the 2011s I've seen on the marketplace aren't custom guns. They're very expensive production guns. I'll concede in some cases significant hand fitting is done, and the quality of parts is high. That said... This looks to be within reach of one with reasonable skills.

What am I missing? True I wouldn't have a pistol with an expensive name on it. But it would be mine, made precisely as I like. This is what drove me to build out a couple of 1911's, the roster wouldn't let me have them the way I wanted them, any other way.

Thoughts?

 

[STK-SoCal]

What about atlas?

I had the Erebus but didn’t like the comp and pickiness with ammo. I tried a friends athena but it was only ok, nothing super special.

 

[STK-SoCal]

Okay. I'll admit to some ignorance on things 2011 until today.

A little research shows that 2011 frames are basically 1911 frames with the handle and trigger guard cut off (and attachment points added for the grip and dust cover).

Seems a person could purchase a base 1911 that's dimensionally reliable (say a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec). Cut / mill off the handle portion, add the grip attachment points, then go to town building it out. From what I can tell all the internal parts appear 1911. For $725 plus DROS and taxes and some reasonably heads-up mill-work one could obtain the core foundation of a 2011.

It wouldn't even need SSE or other special legal accommodations. The pistol is on the roster, the rest are just home modifications.

I appreciate the level of craftsmanship - artistry really - that goes into a custom 1911. A lot of the 2011s I've seen on the marketplace aren't custom guns. They're very expensive production guns. I'll concede in some cases significant hand fitting is done, and the quality of parts is high. That said... This looks to be within reach of one with reasonable skills.

What am I missing? True I wouldn't have a pistol with an expensive name on it. But it would be mine, made precisely as I like. This is what drove me to build out a couple of 1911's, the roster wouldn't let me have them the way I wanted them, any other way.

Thoughts?

I’m more than happy to just have a well made 2011 with a fantastic trigger, so the name isn’t important to me. Some of the best guns I’ve seen are custom with no brand. However it is easier just to walk into my local store and pick up a signed shot exemption. I’m really dubious on the porting on a gun for noise level since I’m sensitive to that so that’s why I’m concerned about three wraith or reaper by dark forge. Otherwise they look fantastic. But yes, expensive.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

most 9mm 2011s are picky with ammo because they are essentially retrofitted onto a 1911 platform and thus have a really steep ramp, hence the Bull Barrel. Maybe something like a staccato HD is built to be more forgiving because they are a duty platform, don't know I don't have one. But the 2011 platform in general, especially the expensive ones are likely going to be very tight tolerances and a very tight operating window i.e. custom ammo is going to work best etc. I agree with you that porting is annoying and just adds more crap to worry about and holes to clean.

 

[STK-SoCal]

most 9mm 2011s are picky with ammo because they are essentially retrofitted onto a 1911 platform and thus have a really steep ramp, hence the Bull Barrel. Maybe something like a staccato HD is built to be more forgiving because they are a duty platform, don't know I don't have one. But the 2011 platform in general, especially the expensive ones are likely going to be very tight tolerances and a very tight operating window i.e. custom ammo is going to work best etc. I agree with you that porting is annoying and just adds more crap to worry about and holes to clean.

That’s really informative, I didn’t realize the feed falls were like that. My staccato p before I sold it ate everything. I may have screwed up selling that even though it wasn’t fantastic for and finish it shot the way I wanted and I was strong with it. Anyway what’s done is done. I just wish I could shoot a wraith, rent it or whatever just to see how it feels.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

That’s really informative, I didn’t realize the feed falls were like that. My staccato p before I sold it ate everything. I may have screwed up selling that even though it wasn’t fantastic for and finish it shot the way I wanted and I was strong with it. Anyway what’s done is done. I just wish I could shoot a wraith, rent it or whatever just to see how it feels.

they do look nice, also I'm pretty sure you can get a trigger job on whatever pistol you end up with so the trigger being good may not be the end all be all. It sounds like you are most concerned with balance. Maybe the Jacob Grey Hex?

 

[STK-SoCal]

they do look nice, also I'm pretty sure you can get a trigger job on whatever pistol you end up with so the trigger being good may not be the end all be all. It sounds like you are most concerned with balance. Maybe the Jacob Grey Hex?

People have been mentioning the Jacob grey. Maybe I should look into it more before making a rushed decision on the dark forge.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

People have been mentioning the Jacob grey. Maybe I should look into it more before making a rushed decision on the dark forge.

It looks nice, haven't shot it. but it's available sse and quite a bit cheaper . The hex is out now, the nox is their ported gun coming out but if you want to shoot uspsa you don't really want ported, ports are annoying for the whole squad haha

 

[Moniter1]

most 9mm 2011s are picky with ammo because they are essentially retrofitted onto a 1911 platform and thus have a really steep ramp, hence the Bull Barrel. Maybe something like a staccato HD is built to be more forgiving because they are a duty platform, don't know I don't have one. But the 2011 platform in general, especially the expensive ones are likely going to be very tight tolerances and a very tight operating window i.e. custom ammo is going to work best etc. I agree with you that porting is annoying and just adds more crap to worry about and holes to clean.

This is completely outdated information. Early double stack 1911’s were prone to issues but it was mostly due to poor magazine design and companies retrofitting 1911 to shoot 9mm. The modern offerings for the past half decade are a completely different animal. The magazine manufacturers have vastly improved as has the manufacturing quality in the guns themselves. I own two Staccato P’s, one Staccato C2 and an Atlas Athena. My early Staccato P had maybe two hiccups on the first 500 rounds. The other has been flawless. My C2 is easily the most reliable handgun I have ever carried. So much so, I switched to it for duty carry. I have put thousands of rounds through it, been through three 1000 round count plus courses with it, taken it into harms way countless times and it’s never had a single malfunction of any kind. My Glocks don’t even rival tha guns reliability. As long as you maintain them properly, they are every bit as reliable as any other modern fighting pistol. My Atlas is extremely tight on tolerances like most race guns are and likewise has never had a single malfunction with any type of ammunition. As far as cistum load.. Never fired a single one. I shoot whatever the department buys or whatever I can pick up the cheapest in bulk that month. There are no other guns I will shoot at this point given the choice.

 

[STK-SoCal]

This is completely outdated information. Early double stack 1911’s were prone to issues but it was mostly due to poor magazine design and companies retrofitting 1911 to shoot 9mm. The modern offerings for the past half decade are a completely different animal. The magazine manufacturers long has vastly improved as has the manufacturing quality in the guns themselves. I own two Staccato P’s, one Staccato C2 and an Atlas Athena. My early Staccato P had over two hiccups on the first 500 rounds. My C2 is easily the most reliable handgun I have ever carried. So much so, I switched to it for duty carry. I have put thousands of rounds through it, been through three 1000 round count plus courses with it, taken it into harms way countless times and it’s never had a single malfunction of any kind. My Glocks don’t even rival tha guns reliability. My Atlas is extremely tight on tolerances and likewise has never had a single malfunction with any type of ammunition. As far as cistum load.. Never fired a single one. I shoot whatever the department buys or whatever I can pick up the cheapest in bulk that month. There are no other guns I will shoot at this point given the choice.

Thanks for the reply. Good to know they’re a reliable platform. Personally I love them. I did go for the kovert version dark forge reaper. Ported and comp and shoots like a dream.

 

[Moniter1]

Thanks for the reply. Good to know they’re a reliable platform. Personally I love them. I did go for the kovert version dark forge reaper. Ported and comp and shoots like a dream.

Excellent choice. That’s my next purchase actually.