troupe Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I have been building 1911 pistols for many years now and I can tell you that Sandy knows the tricks. I did not understand myself until I used some of the SV parts as well as installing a SV grip on a STI. The little cuts that the untrained eye does not see is unbelievable. Sandy is a engineer to the core. The money is worth it, and the crew at SV is great to deal with, Brandon is a tough cookie. Plus it is US made and not subbed out. Tommy Roupe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I agree with Tommy. Sandy is by far one of the smartest guys in the gun business. And I don't know anyone that comes close in the 1911 style guns. If you work with this stuff long enough, deal with similar parts from different manufacturers, understand how the parts are made, and what they're made from, you can really see the difference. Anyway, while I'm at it, here's my brand new 5.4 limited gun. Just arrived today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G17 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) I agree with Tommy. Sandy is by far one of the smartest guys in the gun business. And I don't know anyone that comes close in the 1911 style guns. If you work with this stuff long enough, deal with similar parts from different manufacturers, understand how the parts are made, and what they're made from, you can really see the difference. Anyway, while I'm at it, here's my brand new 5.4 limited gun. Just arrived today. Beautiful, beautiful gun! Enjoy it!! How long did you have to wait for it? Edited January 31, 2014 by G17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericjhuber Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 SVI customer service is first rate also. I like the ability to communicate with "the factory" via the Gunbuilder option. Sandy is really quick to respond including on weekends. I had a more complicated question recently and I quickly call from him on the issue. Sorry to everyone who have builds waiting for Sandy to work on because I set you all back about 20 minutes today. Sandy was very patient with my questions and explained the care and feeding of a proper SVI 1911 so that I knew what spare parts to add to my order and how often I needed to swap out springs. Awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Beautiful, beautiful gun! Enjoy it!! How long did you have to wait for it? Thanks. Think it was 14 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I wouldn't buy and SVI if you've never shot one or handled one... they are nice guns, but for the price you pay compared to getting a true custom gun built by a top tear gun smith, is about an extra grand to have the Infinity name on the slide. you want to purchase that gun going into it knowing that. other wise when you see what people pay for Bedell, MI3 guns and handle does you might feel like a sucker (If the name is not what's important). if the name is that important to you (Nothing wrong with that) then go for it if you're not in the states you might not have the luxory to have a gun built by a top tear smith, so sv might be the right thing for you.. cheers, Los. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingchef Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I wouldn't buy and SVI if you've never shot one or handled one... they are nice guns, but for the price you pay compared to getting a true custom gun built by a top tear gun smith, is about an extra grand to have the Infinity name on the slide. you want to purchase that gun going into it knowing that. other wise when you see what people pay for Bedell, MI3 guns and handle does you might feel like a sucker (If the name is not what's important). if the name is that important to you (Nothing wrong with that) then go for it if you're not in the states you might not have the luxory to have a gun built by a top tear smith, so sv might be the right thing for you.. cheers, Los. You are kidding right? SV is the ONLY 2011 builder who makes all the parts in-house, frames, slides, barrels etc.. No one else can come close to the manufacturing perfection that these guys do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Hey, if you have to ask, you can't afford it, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmine Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Im still waiting ....with great anticipation for customs to clear and my importer to register and ship my SVI to me. I just orderd the Mobius Grip Tape insert as an accessory I orderd the Mobius cut out on my grip. Starting the NASA countdown clock. Btw, I orderd mine back in Sept of 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I wouldn't buy and SVI if you've never shot one or handled one... they are nice guns, but for the price you pay compared to getting a true custom gun built by a top tear gun smith, is about an extra grand to have the Infinity name on the slide. you want to purchase that gun going into it knowing that. other wise when you see what people pay for Bedell, MI3 guns and handle does you might feel like a sucker (If the name is not what's important). if the name is that important to you (Nothing wrong with that) then go for it if you're not in the states you might not have the luxory to have a gun built by a top tear smith, so sv might be the right thing for you.. cheers, Los. Seriously? So who's building guns with SV parts or anything comparable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supermoto Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 There are other companies that make parts out of bar stock. EGW makes great stuff to use in a build. Are you saying their stuff is inferior? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnyglock Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Beautiful SV. I love the way you incorperated the 123 blocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I wouldn't buy and SVI if you've never shot one or handled one... they are nice guns, but for the price you pay compared to getting a true custom gun built by a top tear gun smith, is about an extra grand to have the Infinity name on the slide. you want to purchase that gun going into it knowing that. other wise when you see what people pay for Bedell, MI3 guns and handle does you might feel like a sucker (If the name is not what's important). if the name is that important to you (Nothing wrong with that) then go for it if you're not in the states you might not have the luxory to have a gun built by a top tear smith, so sv might be the right thing for you.. cheers, Los. Seriously? So who's building guns with SV parts or anything comparable? Most guns smiths will build a gun with any parts you choose, including sv parts...You guys don't know that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmine Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 You can order up the best of the best permium parts....but in the end the gun will be a hot rod. If you want a Bentley...you have to buy a Bentley.....just say'n. Lets consider what that hot rod 2011 type gun shopping list ( excluding gunsmithing) will cost in rough numbers. A premium barrel roughly $400 A decent slide ( before any milling) $500 A Premium Frame ( if its not a slide/frame match kit) $ 500 A Grip ( if you're using the best....then an SVI grip) $800 So just in getting the bare bones of this gun your at $2200......and you haven't done anything yet . Its quite easy to see that though the price of a "factory" SVI is high.....its well worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 If an SVI is a Bentley, then what is an STI? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 If your in this game to race you want a hot rod not a Bentley by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lneel Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Nope, they make quality parts. They do not however make 100% of the parts that make up a complete pistol. Caspian makes almost every part but they are cast, forged or some from bar stock. Not all... Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supermoto Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Nope, they make quality parts. They do not however make 100% of the parts that make up a complete pistol. Caspian makes almost every part but they are cast, forged or some from bar stock. Not all... Lee I guess I'm missing why a gun built with great parts from only 1 manufacturer is superior to a gun built with great parts from different manufacturers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick88 Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I wouldn't buy and SVI if you've never shot one or handled one... they are nice guns, but for the price you pay compared to getting a true custom gun built by a top tear gun smith, is about an extra grand to have the Infinity name on the slide. you want to purchase that gun going into it knowing that. other wise when you see what people pay for Bedell, MI3 guns and handle does you might feel like a sucker (If the name is not what's important). if the name is that important to you (Nothing wrong with that) then go for it if you're not in the states you might not have the luxory to have a gun built by a top tear smith, so sv might be the right thing for you.. cheers, Los. You are kidding right? SV is the ONLY 2011 builder who makes all the parts in-house, frames, slides, barrels etc.. No one else can come close to the manufacturing perfection that these guys do. Your right except for one thing, a 2011 is an STI not an SVI... :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 (edited) The thing about a custom gun, is that you can choose what you want in it... you want an svi sight tracker and ignition parts no problem, you want a koaning hammer and a polymer trigger, you got it... SVI small parts are ok, but they are far from perfect, i have cracked 7 svi hammer in 3 years, in 3 different guns... the SVI tri glide can loose the bb and jam up the ignition parts, the trigger shoes can come loose. Buttom line if you are out there rasing and shooting 30k+ rounds a year you are going to wear out parts, SVI gives less choice due to their custom frame... if you want to experiment with other componets to see what feels better for you, it will be more of a hassle to (you are pretty much stock in their echosystem). there are also more specialised small part manufactures out there like EGW, Extreme, Browning that make great quality parts. and regardless of how Caspian makes their slide, they are pretty much top notch.... telling me some other brand is better would be at best marginal.... SVI is a good gun, i'm not knocking it. but if seen and shot guns, by like Gans, and Bedell, that are just as impressive and come and are about a grand cheaper. just not what your paying is not better in any practical or mesurable way. if you buy and SVI just know that going into it, if the feel and styling of the gun is to your liking then purchase it, that alone will keep you happy. my only suggestion is that you try and get your hands one first, and go for a test drive cheers,Los. Edited February 1, 2014 by carlosa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 (edited) Nope, they make quality parts. They do not however make 100% of the parts that make up a complete pistol. Caspian makes almost every part but they are cast, forged or some from bar stock. Not all... Lee I guess I'm missing why a gun built with great parts from only 1 manufacturer is superior to a gun built with great parts from different manufacturers? becuse they charge an extra grand, and put their name in big latters on your slide so you can let everyone in you club know what a baller you are for being able to afford such excusit luxories in life... duh... Edited February 1, 2014 by carlosa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmine Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 That seems to be the general point of this thread. Try before you buy....if you can get someone to part with their gun for an afternoon. And as stated above....if you like it....you like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 That seems to be the general point of this thread. Try before you buy....if you can get someone to part with their gun for an afternoon. And as stated above....if you like it....you like it. amen! the only reason i stock my nose in the thread is becuse op said his never handled one before... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lneel Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 There are several, most already listed but to be clear. A bunch of good parts put together by someone who knows what they are doing could be a good gun. With that said, most likely it is a frame/slide by STI, ignition parts by someone else, safeties someone else. probably a plastic grip, and everything warrantied by who? The gunsmith, STI, EGW, EE, Ed Brown, Kart, KKM, Bedell, Brazos? I am not saying someone cannot get a great gun built as such. BUT, you cannot get an all billet, interchangeable breechface slide, multi-texture, multi-trigger guard profile grip pistol ALL supported by a single company with a reputation for excellent customer service. Sure, some of our parts break, some customers don't get everything they want (you have no idea how many folks with 5 plus year old broke parts expect a free replacement) but Sandy and Brandon are top notch folks who are in the business to build the absolute best product available. Due to materials (frames are available from billet aluminum, titanium, stainless and carbon steel), heat treat process, attention to detail, coatings, and the desire for perfection they cost more. If you are one who is convinced a Kia is just a good of a car as a Mercedes or BMW or other high-end car, no one will convince you that an SVI is better than a STI. That's ok, I just know better. Long before I was a sponsored shooter of theirs and before I worked there (on occasion I do website work and more rarely I work on parts). I was a full price retail paying customer. The first new factory built SVI I bought has been sold on and flipped a few times but I know who owns it now. It still is tight as a bank vault and I sold it with 25k 8 years ago. Not many guns built on lesser quality part have I ever seen remotely close. Yeah, I know, someone will pipe up and say they have an STI with 100k rounds and tighter than mine but if true, it would be extremely rare. Cast/forged parts are not the quality of full billet, period. But again, I am not going to convince those who don't want to be. Its ok, I bet we will both be happy shooting whatever it is we are shooting on the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supermoto Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 There are several, most already listed but to be clear. A bunch of good parts put together by someone who knows what they are doing could be a good gun. Could be It will be a good gun, the fact the SV shooters can not fathom that there are other quality guns out there is amazing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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