Danny45

I have a buddy who is a pretty good target shooter w/ 1911's. He buys Auto Ordinance and Llama pistols. He then strips them down, keeps the frame, and throws everything else away. He then buys parts from Wilson Combat and others and rebuilds the pistols into competition guns.

If what you mean by "customizing one yourself" is similar, go for it. Either gun can be bought for around 250.00 to 350.00 dollars. Then you can order the parts you want, and fix it up the way you want.

Of course, by the time he's done, he's got about as much tied up in his guns as you'd spend if you got a Kimber or something similar all ready to go.