Both are almost new. The LB is $300 more than the 945. The Baer also has the 1.5" guarantee.
I'm looking for a .45 target pistol. I currently have a 52-2 and a 745. I love the 52-2 but have never warmed up to the 745. I had a 952 but sold it because the trigger wasn't as good as 52-2 and I hated the barrel bushing - which I understand is the same type as the 945.
I've had and sold 3 1911's in the past but none were as nice as a Baer. (maybe I don't need a .45 semi-auto)
Has anyone owned/shot both and if so what were your impressions?

Thanks,

Jeff

I have had many 945s and a Premier II and Thunder Ranch.

I have to say that your choice is a tough one. I think it comes down to which one feels better in your hands.

The baer may have the edge in accuracy, but just by a smidgen. Maybe.

I also haave to say that if you hated the Briley bushing in your other gun you will hate it in the 945. It is no big deal when you get to know it, but if you hate it you hate it.

Good luck, either way you will be getting a wonderful gun.

I let my PII go because of a touch of arthritis in my hands. Racking the slide on it was a Baer ;-)

Bob

I have shot my cousin's 945 and i can honestly say it's the most accurate pistol i have ever shot.10 ring accuracy at 25 yards consistantly. I wish I could afford one.

Caveat: every manufacturer at one time or another makes a "lemon"

Now with that out of the way I will say I have over 30 years experience with 1911s used in pretty much every discipline & condition imagineable. Some were full out customs built from the ground up (early Wilson, Mark Morris, Wayne Novak), others ''semi custom" straight from the factory (later Wilson, Nighthawk, Baer).

The first time I picked up a Les Baer 1911 I knew I found something different. For a "semi-custom" you'd be hard pressed to find another 1911 that is as well made, accurate and just flat out amazing, especially at the price. Baer's feel like they're made from one piece of steel.

I have never owned a 945 but have friends that do, they are very, very nice and accurate but I wasn't as accurate with either as I was with any of my Baers (I've owned 4 including a PII). For me, I've never shot any other handgun as well as a traditional 1911, in my view the Baer is worth the extra $300.

I had an early 945PC with BoMar sights . Very nice gun with a bunch of custom features . Cons were grip frame was too slim for my hand , wasn't any more accurate than my hardball gun , was too pretty to lay on range bench , Briley bushing ( which IMHO makes it a range queen only ) . Old ball gun was made on a Colt pre 70 frame , Drake hard slide & AMU / IMI barrel / NM bushing . I sold the 945 , still have / shoot the ball gun . Baer makes a hell of a gun & if you have larger mitts the 1911 will fit you better . The 945 has a crisp trigger with no movement until the sear breaks . A 1911 you can have any way you like ( I like a roll trigger as it helps me shoot better ) . 1.5" guarantee an added plus for a target gun especially if Bullseye is your game . I'd handle both & see which one feels best . If buying from another shooter you might be able to actually shoot both ( double plus ) . Baer guns are usually pretty tight & require break in for ultimate dependebility . You didn't really mention price except the difference between the two . That would also be a factor in my book .

Les Baer has set the bar very high for all others to follow .
My LB is the tightest and most accurate 1911 I have ever had .
Knowing what I know now I would buy the Les Baer all over again without thinking twice.
- and I have more than just one 1911

I have not had a Baer i1991 but I use my 945PC for bulseye pistol and it places all the shots easilly wihthin the 10 ring from a sandbag rest. I only wish it would do that when I was shooting it off hand. The 945 comes with a great factory trigger and has been totaly reliable. The only minus is that it's not a 1911 and thus the 1911 accesories such as different grips will not fit.

I am all 1911 and would prefer the BAER.

I owned both at one time and regret selling my baer.

What I did not like about the 945 was the sunken in grip safety.

I had the dash 1 945 and I could feel the firing pin contact through the grip safety when the gun fired.

If I were to get a 945 again.....it would be a no dash which lacks the firing pin safety.

If it were my $$$$$ LB1.5!!!!!!

I've come close to buying the 945 a few times but always end up with yet another 1911. My top choice in 1911's is Les Baer.

__________________
Lynnie, Professional Pest

Buy the Baer.

Bought the Baer.

Thanks all,

Jeff

You will love it !