Range Report on new Baer Thunder Ranch 1911

keithherrington

keithherrington

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Sold all my bullseye guns and have shifted over to IDPA. Shooting mostly M&P9 and M&P45, but wanted to have at least one 1911. Just got it this week and shot it for the first time today. Not a single malfunction, sights perfectly calibrated, accurate, excellent trigger pull and top quality fit and finish. All for $1750 shipped to my FFL. What's not to like.





Keith
 
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Thanks for the info.

Been thinking about a Les Baer.

Do you know what magazines he sends with his pistola's.

Did you get 7 or 8 round?
 
I bought one of those about 10 years ago. Always thought that a 1911 wouldn't shoot better than about 2" tops at 25 yds., then discovered that the TR would do half that, easily. It was like a whole new world opened up. Since then, I've used mine for informal bullseye shooting, hunting, plinking and everyday carry. Probably has about 10,000 rounds through it, and I clean it about every 1000 rounds whether it needs it or not. Changed out the recoil spring once (it's about due for another), and I can't recall I've ever had a malfunction with it. Which just goes to show you can build a 1911 tight and, if you do it right, it will function just fine. I think mine would feed old cigar butts if I could figure out how to get 'em in the magazine. I've owned lots of 1911's, good and bad, but my TR is the best by far I've ever had, and one of the finest handguns of any type I've ever owned. You'll love yours!
 
You WILL NOT be sorry, it's a great pistol! Too bad you have from cocking serrations on yours..LOL
 
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Now that is very nice and the price is unbelievably great also. You done good.
 
eyegots2no said:
Thanks for the info.

Been thinking about a Les Baer.

Do you know what magazines he sends with his pistola's.

Did you get 7 or 8 round?
Click to expand...

I have converted all my Baer magazines (total of eight) to use the Metalform stainless rounded follower and the Night Hawk low profile metal base pad. So all of them hold 7 with no problem and that's what I load them to. This combination feeds all of my target ammo very smoothly.
Keith
 
LB's pistols are accurate and reliable. That is good, but the inability to easily do administrative handling of the weapon, such as a chamber check, caused by the unnecessarily tight fit which makes the weapon "sticky," is a problem. I have handled other 1911s that are easily as accurate, but not as "sticky." If you can live with being unable to easily open your pistol, then you will be very happy.
 
So Very Nice!

After retiring from IBM I worked at an outdoor rifle , pistol and skeet range for a year I had a very accurate colt series 70 and I shot with a lawyer that wanted my Colt really badly. He asked me how he could get a 1911 that was as accurate as mine. I told him that I had just read a great review of the "Thunder Ranch Special" but it was pretty pricy. When he asked I told him $1600 and he laughed and had one in a week.

I cleaned and cared for this pistol for the first 5 thousand rounds. It was the finest 1911 I have ever seen. I have done trigger jobs and cleaned hundreds of 1911's and have never seen a better one. You Done Good is what I'm getting at!

Great pictures by the way!
 
That Thunder Ranch is beautiful. I held one at one time and wanted it, but didn't have the money.

You will love that Thunder Ranch, it will take some rounds down range to loosen it up.
 
shawn mccarver said:
LB's pistols are accurate and reliable. That is good, but the inability to easily do administrative handling of the weapon, such as a chamber check, caused by the unnecessarily tight fit which makes the weapon "sticky," is a problem. I have handled other 1911s that are easily as accurate, but not as "sticky." If you can live with being unable to easily open your pistol, then you will be very happy.
Click to expand...

Put about 500 rounds through it and it won't be sticky any more - just very, very smooth. And, unlike most other 1911's, it'll still be that way 50,000 rounds down the road.
 
I have wanted a premium 1911 for a good while,would very much appreciate a range report after you shoot it. Looks fantastic.
 
I've come full circle in my shooting and waited to buy a gun I didn't have to do ANYTHING to for it to meet my needs. I was surprised at how good it was but very pleased none the less.
Keith
 
Long time Baer fan, bought my older son one (TR Commanche) when he was home on leave from his first deployment in '06.

I've owned 6 haha. Still have one, always will. I can live without the TR banner but it really doesn't bother me. You got a very good price on it. I strongly feel they are the best value in a 1911.

Les builds his pistols to be "hard fit"-many folks will argue about whether it's necessary to do that or not. You know what? If one doesn't think it's necessary then don't buy it LOL!

I've never had an issue with running the 500 rounds through any of mine in 2-3 range sessions. Follow Baer's recommendation to NOT field strip until after that-clean the barrel with the gun assembled. run Break Free down the rails, over the barrel hood and around the end of the barrel and you'll be good to go.

I've owned and competed with Wilson and Novak customs-the Baers are every bit the equal. I was able to do a "press check" with every one, some from the beginning and all by the 500 rounds.

trs_zps5acfb3d5.jpg
 
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Can't recommend them enough. I bought mine in 1999 (S/N: TR0044) for the princely sum of $1575. I carried it as a duty pistol and shot Distinguished Expert with it.

It did take around 900 rounds of Hardball to break it in, but once she was broken, she has been smooth ever since. I gave it to my wife, who shoots it better than I do.

They are exceedingly well-built pistols that are well worth the cash outlay. Once you get a Les Baer, you'll never go back to anything.

In 2003, I got a Wilson Combat CQB that was made for me. I thought it was a good buy until I put it against the Baer. No comparison. I quickly got rid of the Wilson. It was one of the worst 1911s I've owned.

Be very happy. The TR Special is one of their best models. Everything you need and nothing you don't. Enjoy it!
 
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