1911 Wilson, Baer, Brown ***See Post 181***

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The semi-custom makers put more time into hand fitting components than production makers can. No question they are nicer guns and everything, especially the trigger, is smoother.

Baer is kind of an odd one, they have the accuracy of Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, Springfield Armory Professional, etc. but are a cruder build that has to be shot a lot (~500 rounds) to get certain components battered, er, bedded in. They have a slightly odd frame size that requires different grip panels to look right. Standard panels will work but someone that knows what they are looking at can spot the difference.
They have enough happy customers to stay in business, but I want my $3,500 gun to arrive finished.
 
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Autonomous said:
The semi-custom makers put more time into hand fitting components than production makers can. No question they are nicer guns and everything, especially the trigger, is smoother.

Baer is kind of an odd one, they have the accuracy of Wilson, Nighthawk, Brown, Springfield Armory Professional, etc. but are a cruder build that has to be shot a lot (~500 rounds) to get certain components battered, er, bedded in. They have a slightly odd frame size that requires different grip panels to look right. Standard panels will work but someone that knows what they are looking at can spot the difference.
They have enough happy customers to stay in business, but I want my $3,500 gun to arrive finished.
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The Baer's are fit VERY tight compared to many others hence the 'break in' recommendation - IMO. Never heard the comment about grip panels. It's a 1911 - as far as I know there aren't different grip styles other than relief's for the ambi safety. If it's a bob tail - yes its different but people should undetstand that or stay out of the game!
 
Yes, Baers are hard fit, so is the SA Professional. Thing is the Pro and other hard fit 1911s don't need 500 rounds to be considered good to go. Try contacting Les Baer about an issue with one of his guns with less than 500 rounds through it. His responses are legendary.

High Figure Grips are high end stuff, very nice. Check out this message:
Les Baer 1911 Grips | High Figure Grips | Handcrafted Grips


I did not say Baers are bad, they aren't. It's just that their fitting is not as finished as other semi-custom makers.
 
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All three are excellent semi-custom shops (considered the middle ground in both price and quality/options between production shops like Colt and full custom shops).

Wilson and Brown have more sleek, modern offerings and rely heavily on CNC machinery for their builds, with some hand finishing throughout. They're terrific guns.

Baers are, too, but use a somewhat cruder, more hands on approach to fit and finish. Some love the result, others are off put.

If the idea of one or the other approach appeals to you more, look in that direction.

All the semi-custom shops (to also include Guncrafter, Alchemy Custom Weaponry, and Nighthawk) churn out comparably excellent products, with variations really being about style and customization.

You'd do well to look at all of them and select whoever's offering what suits your needs.

Are they better than production guns like Colt, Springfield, Dan Wesson et al.? Yes, in every respect.

Are they as much better than production as you will pay over the cost of production? Not especially. Only you can decide of the slightly more and better juice is worth the disproportionate squeeze.
 
Over the years I've had all three, a couple of Ed Browns, a couple Les Baers and a few Wilson Combats. Personally favor the Wilsons. I only buy them like new used and save 30 or 40%.
Here's my current Wilson. Picked up at Cabela's for a very good price.
 

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505Gibbs said:
...Never heard the comment about grip panels. It's a 1911 - as far as I know there aren't different grip styles other than relief's for the ambi safety. If it's a bob tail - yes it's different but people should undetstand that or stay out of the game!
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It is confirmed Baer uses non-standard frames; they're longer from back strap to front strap and ship with wider stocks than standard, too.

Certain drill spots are also non-standard, which is why many folk have a time of it swapping in aftermarket mainspring housings that are to industry standard specs.

Baer also uses chopped Government frames for their Commanders (which they call Comanches) without making appropriate modifications to true Commander specs; hence why many Baer Comanches won't slingshot.

Baer is the only 1911 shop doing this.
 
they are leaps and bounds above Colt...... I own all three of the brands you mentioned. For what its worth I purchased a Delta Elite that i was looking for for about a year and sold it the day after I got it.
 
I had a Wilson and it was a fantastic pistol, but for my own use as a carry gun, it wasn't worth the price difference over a Colt or many others. But there was a pride in ownership in having one. But I could say the same thing about many fine shotguns or rifles compared to many cheaper models.
 
I am not up to speed on current production Dan Wesson products.
A few years ago, maybe still, they occupied a unique niche of better quality than off the rack production guns for less money than semi-customs and were (are?) considered a great value.
The ones I handled several years ago were all nicer than rack guns. Some had triggers almost as smooth as Wilson et al., others somewhere in between.

Hopefully someone here has current information on the brand.
 
I have a DW Valor...

The trigger is great and the slide to frame fit is awesome!

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Les Baer seems to be loved or hated. Having never owned one before, I bought one of their Premier II guns last January. It wasn't $3500 as commented above, but $2150 from Bud's. I'd say the Premier II is more like a "mass produced custom gun" when compared to their pricier models.

I am happy so far. It is tight, really tight; even after 1200 rounds or so. It's accurate and has a good trigger. The frame is meatier than a typical 1911. The grip is more hand-filling too. I like the mass because it makes it a real soft-shooting gun. It works nicely in plate matches.

Baer says to run 500 rounds through a gun before tearing it down for cleaning, and that you may have malfunctions in that time. I followed their instructions. I had no malfunctions during the 500 round break-in. Just a filthy gun. I tore it down, cleaned and lubed it. Since then after another 700 rounds or so, I still haven't had any malfunctions. It still hasn't loosened up. The bushing is a pain to get out of the slide, but that's my only gripe. The barrel locks up tight and the slide to frame fit is tight. No regrets from this kid.
 
I only own one 1911, a 5" Wilson CQB in 9mm that I custom ordered. Took 18 months to come in. Over the years I've owned a couple other 1911s, all were in .45. They departed for one reason or another. The Wilson is a keeper. I'll likely get a Commander at some point, currently eyeing Alchemy. It will be a 9mm as well.

Only you can say if they are worth the $.
 
Narragansett said:
Anybody got a favorite among these 3 makers? Are they worth the money and that much better than a Colt or other current producer of 1911's ?
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Oh, god yes. Many times over.

I own 4 Baer's, had a Brown until coke head GF stole it & sold it. Many friends own Wilson's. All worth every cent.

While a Cadillac may be a nice car, it in no way compares to Rolls or Bentley. Same thing, IMO.

I would include Nighthawk in there as well. I have one of those too.

I must admit Baer is my fav. They give each pistol a 3" guarantee @ 50 yards. Not feet, YARDS. They also offer 1-1/2" models as well. The bad side is Baer's finishes aren't as good as the others. They make up for that in accuracy. Nor does Baer offer a LW model.

If you put all of them on a table & wore a blindfold, I doubt you could tell an atoms difference between them, IMO. All are supurb builds.

Another thing I like about the Baer models is their slides are bare of a bunch of stampings/words. They look like a $400 1911 at first glance, unti you see the name "Baer" on the slide. :D

My Nighthawk is a LW Commander that is bobtailed. It was special ordered by my FFL friend for 10mm. He paid close to $3K for it, and that was dealer cost. :eek::eek::eek:

My .o2
 
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