Hello Second Amendment supporters! For years, I was a SIG Sauer P-series fan. My Every Day Carry (EDC) pistol was a SIG P226 Legion in .357 SIG. It literally went everywhere with me. That pistol is very accurate and 100% reliable. I still own it – and love shooting it. But over the course of the past few years, during which time I was not blogging here, I had a change of heart. While I still have this pistol – and many of SIG Sauers – in my gun safe – none of them are my EDC.
My SIG Sauer P226 Legion chambered in the badass .357 SIG
So, you ask, “What was my change of heart?” I am so happy you asked…
Let me tell you. I have always loved the 1911 platform pistols. I have always owned them. And I have always shot them. And shot them well. In fact, I even carried them in shoulder rigs during the winter months – when I had a coat on for concealment. In fact, I started tactical training with the 1911s 25+ years ago. But I always felt more comfortable with a SIG P-series in a belt holster. That changed for several reasons. But one stands out the most. I realized I shot a single action only (SAO) pistol better. And while I have a P220 in SAO, I never felt as comfortable with that thick gripped pistol in my hands. The 1911 has a thinner grip and the grip angle just works best for me. So four years ago, I found the right belt holster, from Wright Leather Works, and the 1911 became my EDC. I wish I had done so years ago.
One of my many 1911s in the Wright Leather Works holster
One of my Nighthawk Custom 1911s in a Wilson Leather Works Shoulder Rig
After buying several semi-custom 1911s in 2021 (mostly Nighthawk and Wilson Combat pistols), I ordered an Alchemy Custom Weaponry Prime Elite in August 2023. The only option I added to this pistol was the figured walnut grips, which added $250. Needless to say, after always admiring the craft work of Alchemy’s founder, Rob Schauland, I was excited to get my hands on one of the pistols his company made. While on the expensive side of 1911s (huge understatement), the wait to receive my new Alchemy was harder than paying for it!
Impressions of the ACW Prime Elite after carrying it every day for four years
After waiting four months for my Prime Elite to be made, and shipped, I took it to my local indoor gun range and ran it through its paces. This pistol was beautifully crafted. No tool marks, a perfect blued finish and the level of detail you would expect to find with a pistol made by American craftsmen. The firing range sessions, from that day forward, continued to impress me with the reliability and accuracy of this fine tool. Hell, I tried hard to get this pistol to have a misfire, failure to feed (FTF) or failure to eject (FTE). To this day, I have never had it malfunction once. And that is with over 3,000 rounds downrange.
Why is THIS 1911 my EDC?
For several years, I carried a Dan Wesson 1911. It was a great pistol and also never had one malfunction. I also carried a Wilson Combat and a couple different Nighthawks I own. But this pistol feels different to me. And with these grips, and the grip checkering, it feels like it was made for me. Would I trust one of my other 1911s in a “shit hit the fan” moment? Yes. But this pistol is just different to me. And while it is no longer a “gun porn” pistol with its small scratches and normal wear, it is still the most beautiful pistol I own. And it was worth the $4,000+ price tag for me. In fact, from a value perspective, I find it to be a real value at that price. See more images of this fine firearm below.
Molon Labe,
The Original Grey Beard Biker™
Email: gbb@TheGreyBeardBiker.com
@Yadi_Molina4 on X
My ACW Prime Elite field stripped for a cleaning
Even after 3,000+ rounds, the slide of the Prime Elite looks amazing
My Prime Elite is beautiful – even though she isn’t perfect any longer
The craze is for 9mm pistols – even in 1911 – this is God’s Caliber: .45 ACP
My Prime Elite will get the job done – whatever that job is!
The one piece ACP one-piece magwell makes magazine changes quick!