What Happened To Valtro

[Rinspeed]

Four or five years ago they were the greatest thing since sliced bread but you never hear much about them at all anymore. I have heard a couple people say they are still waiting for there's after more than two years. Does anyone know what the scoop is or know someone that actually owns one.

[Kinny]

He's so back logged that he no longer takes order. At least that's what John Jardine told me over the phone 8 months ago. I've also heard rumors that he's in some legal battle with Valtro in Italy. If you have one, then consider yourself very lucky.

[molonlabe28]

I bought a used one last year.

It is an outstanding 1911.

The slide and frame cycle like they are on ball bearings.

It is extremely accurate.

I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

I hope that John starts procuding them more consistently, but it sounds like he has his hands full with military orders and his 1911 backlog.

[five-0]

molonlabe28...wanna sell it to a fellow Tennessean?:supergrin:

[Nalapombu]

With military members prohibited from taking their own sidearms to war, I've never really figured out exactly WHO in the military he is building pistols for. Now if its LEO's that he's supplying I can buy that.

Used to you could see a post by someone that had received their Valtro about every month or so. I haven't read about anyone who has received a new Valtro in a VERY LONG TIME. I called one of the places listed as a Valtro "DEALER" on the website to ask a question or 2. The guy I talked to told me that he knows and speaks with Jardine every week. He flat out told me that the people on the list that were quoted $1,400 price tags can FORGET it. He told me that Jardine KNOWS that his guns are selling for over $2500 and he isn't about to sell any to the people that were promised guns at the much lower price. Is it true, who knows. This guy calims to know his VERY well and talks to him all the time. He also told me that he is in some kind of legal battle with the Valtro people in Italy and he has enough raw materials to last about another 6 or 8 months.

He asked me if I wanted him to let me know when he heard about a used one. Then he told me to prepare to spend over $3000 for one and I told him thanks anyway.

No doubt they are wonderful pistols, but I think we have seen the last of them though.

Nala

[Rinspeed]

Originally posted by Nalapombu
He asked me if I wanted him to let me know when he heard about a used one. Then he told me to prepare to spend over $3000 for one and I told him thanks anyway.Nala




If they had the amount of hand fitting to justify $3000 they never would have been $1400.

[auto45]

I always thought this was an "odd" relationship. Valtro is a manufacturer of firearms in Italy. Selling 1911's through a one man shop in the USA, the largest 1911 user, never made sense to me.
How many could they possibly sell in a year...couple of hundred...maybe?
What's the point!

[Nalapombu]

Originally posted by Rinspeed
If they had the amount of hand fitting to justify $3000 they never would have been $1400.


Over on the 1911 Forum there was talk about a USED one for sale somewhere out in California. The asking price was $2,300 I think, and someone did buy it. The new owner came to the forum to talk about it. There were several people interested in it too. So if people will pay $2,300 for a USED Valtro is it that hard to comprehend that they would pay $3,000 for a NEW ONE?

They started out being $1,200 I think and then they started rising to the final quoted price of $1,700. That's the last I heard.

I'll be more than happy to give you the number of the guy I talked to that I described in my previous post. You can call him and see if I am just blowing smoke.


For your reading enjoyment....

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=118209&highlight=valtro



Nala

[molonlabe28]

I was the person who bought the used Valtro for $2500 last year.

What a buy!

It is my nicest 1911, and I collect and shoot a good many of them.

I would do it again without hesitation.

I just want one more - that I can have hard chromed.



Five O - Can't do it, brother.

[One45]

Well,

I ordered some of John's gun grease. I highly recommend it; you can
purchase it off the Valtro site. I sent John a fax today about ordering a new Valtro. He called right after the fax and is a super gentleman.

Now, the bad news. Asked about ordering a Valtro and my impression
is that the wait could be years. He apparently has orders for all the work he can get to. Guess I'll have to mark the Valtro from
my wishlist. Thought everyone might like to know.

I wish John well and obviously the demand vastly exceeds the supply.

I'll have to shift to plan B; whatever that is. :upeyes:

[Gary1911A1]

I have one on order. I view it like sending a pistol off to Heinie if he was still taking orders. Just be prepared to wait years and then be surprised one day.:)