Les Baer 1911's who knows them?

[Crazy K38]

I have recently gotten back on my feet and I am actually accumulating a little money, and with this EVIL addiction we have, you know right where my mind went. Yup a gun. I have been looking at the Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. I am mainly wanting an amazing carry gun that will last me the rest of my life. I like the nightsights, I like the strong side safety, and it's classic looks, plus I hear their customer service it second to none. However I have a few questions maybe you guys can answer before Joni Lynn answers them all! I am wanting the 1 1/2" work done on it, and I know it will make the gun tighter, but will it affect reliability? After all this will be my go to gun. I know Baer says no, but if you want the truth you talk to the customers, not the guy selling them. Also has anyone had any problems with the serrations not being 'grippy' enough, they look great and look like they would do the job well, but gunshops in my area don't carry $2000 1911's so I havn't got to drool on one yet. I hope they are as great as they sound I would love to get one! Ok Joni straighten us out!

 

[Wyo]

I'm no expert, but I do have a TRS that I've had for about four years. It's not a high round gun, maybe a thousand rounds or so, but it has been 100% reliable with everything I've put in it - lead roundnose, lead SWC's, hardball, JHP's, you name it. I wouldn't opt for the 1 1/2" package just because I think it's more than most people can use. I know mine doesn't have it, and the gun is FAR more accurate than I can hold. It is truly an amazing 1911, and I've probably owned a hundred of them over the years. There is Baer, and then there is everything else.

 

[Crazy K38]

That is what I keep hearing, 'unwaivering reliablity' I read a post else where about a guy who has 220K through his with no real failures, and a lot of worn out mags. I am wanting to opt for the 1 1/2" mainly because I would love to have that as a goal, and second it would help save resale value for when I pass on and my wife manages to get it away from me even then!

 

[M29since14]

Most people I know do not buy the 1.5-inch guarantee because they worry that the gun will eventually shoot its way out of that, and then they will have paid the extra fee for an essentially standard gun.

It's not the same thing, but years and years ago, Gil Hebard did an interesting test of four brand new S&W 52s. He checked them for accuracy as they were fired thousands and thousands of rounds. IIRC, the guns actually increased in accuracy up through around 75,000 rounds. Then, I think 2 or 3 of them started to deteriorate slightly. I think you can put a lot of rounds through a finely fitted gun without hurting it, if you do the common sense things - like using good ammunition and keeping the gun reasonably clean.

Getting back to the Les Baers, unless you are a bullseye target shooter, the 1.5-inch guarantee is probably just throwing money away. I have a standard Baer Premier II that shoots way beyond what I can hold and squeeze. Other than the ambi safety (I am not found of those), I am perfectly happy with it. I don't see myself shooting any better with a 1.5-inch gun.

Sure, I'd like to have a 1.5-inch gun, but I am not going to sell the one I have to get it. This thing is a killer! (You know what I mean.)

The serrations - they are what they are. I don't like forward serrations. Other than that, I don't care. The one's on my PII do the job.

As far as reliability, I think the guns function so well that you shouldn't worry either way. I have read of one case of a Les Baer 1911 not functioning properly. The author said Baer did a good job of fixing it and the owner is happy. I think they try to take care of their customers.

 

[Crazy K38]

I am now thinking I may drop the 1.5" option, just because it would buy a lot of ammo and one less thing that could go wrong. I am pretty hyped about it, I could be placing my order as early as october!

 

[S&W ucla]

Look up forum.1911.org they have a section just on Baers. I think Joni Lynn is a mod over there. I have been very pleased with mine, a concept pistol essentially a PII with stainless frame and blue slide. I could not get the 11/2 on the stainless frame. If I were to start over I'd go with a TR blue withOUT 11/2, no front serrations, fixed sights with tritium dots( I like hienie straight 8s). Spend as much on ammo and shoot the sh.. stew out of it until the blue is worn off. Then send it to apw in south Alabama for hard chrome of frame. (I like 2-tone). The worst part is waiting if you have to order one! A tr without modifications should be easy to locate. Good luck and good shooting.

 

[M29since14]

I am pretty hyped about it, I could be placing my order as early as october!

It's fun to have something to look forward to. Yes, the extra $275, or whatever it is, would come close to buying you a 1000 rounds of pretty decent ball.

I put off buying one for years for various reasons. They're not very fancy and don't come in a embroidered rug or pretty case, but you'll love the gun. I certainly would hate to be without mine.

 

[Crazy K38]

lol I would like to see a better gun box, instead of the cardboard, but lets face it, it will either be in my holster at least 18 hours a day and in a padded fireproof lockbox the other 6, so no real need for a box!

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, the Baer TRS is a great gun. Even without the 1-1/2" option, mine was easily the most accurate handgun I ever owned. I might consider the 1-1/2" package on a dedicated bullseye gun, but see little point in it for a defensive arm.

JMHO, FWIW.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I'm late to the party.
I've had several LB guns and still have all but one.
They're all very accurate and extremely reliable.
If you want a LB, call John at Proload in Idaho, he may even have what you want in stock and his prices are pretty good.
My TRS shoots good but doesn't shoot as small of a group as the 1.5" guns do. My last LB was a P2 in 38 Super with the 1.5" option. Some 1.5" guns shoot better than others.
***Photo deleted since someone thinks it's not what it's reported to be.***
When I'm able to get back to shooting, I have my own portable steel plate rack that resets itself. at 35 to 50 yards the 1.5" guns will bang on it all day long while with the TRS I occasionally miss a plate.
If you don't like the front serrations, they can be left off during the build.
m1911.org has a loyal LB following.

My opinion on spending the $$$ for the 1.5" option is that since I'm spending a bunch already it would be a shame not to get it. My next one may be a 6" P2 with the 1.5" option maybe in hard chrome.

 

[Crazy K38]

lol just as I suspected, after Joni's post I am absolutely hurting for a Les Baer now!

 

[Camster]

Maybe I'm wrong but I'm of the mind that all of the LB guns are made the same,that guns aren't built with any special intention, or attention, of being a 1.5er",and if they have one that shoots esepcially well,they figure they can get a premium price via the 1.5 option.
I have a standard LB P2,and and the time I bought it, I thought it was the best value in a 1911.....I still think that.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

The 1.5" guns receive a good bit of more detailed harder fitting. John at Proload could probably tell you how many extra hours are required to get them to shoot that well. I don't remember.
Aside from that all Les Baer guns are the same quality, there's no higher grade, only guns with more or less or different features.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Here's my version of the Three Baers.
All are 45, a P2, TRS and a wadgun. I sold the wadgun, I wasn't strong enough to rack the slide with the scope mount in the way of getting a good hold on it.

 

[Crazy K38]

joni that TRS is just a wonderful looking gun, I really can't wait to order mine. Hey guys, you know anyone who wants to buy a used kidney?

 

[NE450No2]

All of my 1911's predate Wilson and Les Baer.

However if I was going to buy a Top quality 1911 today it would be a Wilson or a Les Baer.

Back when I had my 1911's made, the premier accuracy standard was under 3" at 50 yards. Most of these guns will shoot one ragged hole at 25 yards, with most any good ammo.

Once a gun like this is broken in, I have not found them to have any reliability problems. And they are SCARY accurate.

IF I was to buy a new Les Baer I would definately get the 1.5" accuracy option... In fact I would give him a call and see about a 3" at 50 yard accuracy 1911.

 

[Waldo]

I purchased a Les Baer PII. I figured that for me it was a once in a lifetime purchase. So I got the 1&1/2"option. It is without question the most accurate 1911 I have ever shot. I have had the gun for about two years and have never thought once about the extra money for the 1&1/2" option. I just talked to Mr. Baer at the NRA convention in Charlotte. I was asking about the ambidextrous safety. He got a gun off of his display and showed it to me. He was very patient. I thought he was a super nice guy. If I ever buy another 1911, it will be a Les Baer.

 

[RdrBill]

All.
If you are buying an expensive 1911, get one that will have some snob appeal. Anyone going to buy a Corvette with a small motor and rationalize it gets better gas mileage.
You may only get to buy one. Buy one that shoots guaranteed little bitty groups. If you can't hold that group, so what! Treat your ego to a nice present.

Hell yes it shoots better than I can. This was a brute to pull back the slide when it was new. It is now a very pleasant, accurate 1911. Spend the money; only accurate guns are interesting.
Bill@Yuma

 

[S&WIowegan]

I agree with most of the comments above. Here's my take. Clint Smith would not sign a deal with Les if the guns weren't top notch! You can bank on that.

Baer guns are very tight and should be shot at least 500 rounds before you rely on it as a PD gun. TRS stocks are thin and don't fit my hand well so you might have an issue there. I whole-heartedly endorse front serrations as something that come in very handy if you find yourself in a real gunfight. I also believe the 1 1/2" groups at 50 yds. are meaningless in a PD gun.....if you're trading shots with someone at 50 yds. you may well find the local cops unhappy with you.

When you have the bucks ready, shop the internet for a TRS gun and you won't have a wait.

Enjoy!!

 

[R. G. Amos]

Pay the little extra for the accuracy enhancement. Also, unless Baer has changed be prepared to struggle to retract the slide until you have put a few rounds through it.