Les Baer Custom 1911 45 ACP

[elkaholic123]

Who has one and how do you like it? Pros and cons. Looking at getting a new pistol and
have heard these are nice ones!

[Bango skank]

I know personal tastes vary, and function isn't the only consideration.  hell, I shoot lever guns, so who am I to talk?  But I just don't see why people want 1911s.  a 7+1 semi auto .45acp?  you can get a s&w 627pc, an 8 round .357mag with a 5" barrel, for the same or likely less money than a decent 1911.  same ammo capacity, higher powered cartridge, and the reliability and ease of maintenance that comes with a revolver.  seems like a no brainer to me. 

[h20hunter]

Heres why.....lever guns are boring and ugly. Of course they are not either but you can be a lever gun, revolver, muzzy guy and it just works for you. I very much like the 1911....to me it's a work of art....I'm not a huge revolver guy. We like what we like. 

[b23]

I know personal tastes vary, and function isn't the only consideration.  hell, I shoot lever guns, so who am I to talk?  But I just don't see why people want 1911s.  a 7+1 semi auto .45acp?  you can get a s&w 627pc, an 8 round .357mag with a 5" barrel, for the same or likely less money than a decent 1911.  same ammo capacity, higher powered cartridge, and the reliability and ease of maintenance that comes with a revolver.  seems like a no brainer to me. 

All are excellent points and most are even pretty much spot on, but it still won't be a 1911.  There's just something about a 1911 that feels like your favorite pair of shoes and makes you feel are warm and fuzzy. 

[Mulie87]

Because everyone has their own taste and likings. 1911’s are classic, works of art and full of history. Same can be said of bolt guns, lever guns Ar’s...etc. I’m a LEO and carry a Springfield TRP operator. I’ve carried a 1911 for 15yrs of my 20yr career.

Yes, 1911’s are 7 or 8+1. Hits count, not shots. carry more mags, master your weapon and you will be fine.

My2¢

[wadu1]

Heres why.....lever guns are boring and ugly. Of course they are not either but you can be a lever gun, revolver, muzzy guy and it just works for you. I very much like the 1911....to me it's a work of art....I'm not a huge revolver guy. We like what we like. 

I don't own a Les Baer, I wish I did. I do have two Kimbers and one Springfield in .45 ACP. Like h20hunter I'm not a wheel guy but 1911's art in motion. I trained on a 1911 so I'm biased on them, don't like the Beretta 92 but now shooting it's replacement SIG P320. No double tap with a 45 so you don't nee the large round count.

[Bango skank]

Hits count, not shots.

which is why I was comparing a .357 mag that has the same capacity as a 1911 .45acp. 

a hit from a .357 counts quite a bit more than a hit from a .45acp 

I know we all have our own personal tastes that may trump the black and white function of a firearm.  just making discussion.

"hits count, not shots" sounds like the argument a guy would make when preaching the virtues of a more powerful cartridge, which a .45acp is not.  like a guy talking about the superiority of a 10mm 1911 over a .45 1911

or a guy comparing a .357 and a .45 that have the same ammo capacity.

[Bill W]

I've heard it said that Les Baer, Kimber and Dan Wesson are among the more accurate 1911's.

[h20hunter]

If you are buying a piece in this price range it's likely,  can't speak for the op, not about any of those details.

[Bango skank]

I've heard it said that Les Baer, Kimber and Dan Wesson are among the more accurate 1911's.

ive heard a lot of people trash talk kimbers 1911s.  never shot one myself, but ive got a Kimber solo that I think is a really nice little gun.  not a 1911, just kinda looks like one.  little striker fired cc pistol.

[jjhunter]

I had a Les Baer AR in 204.  It was insanely accurate.

[Bango skank]

I had a Les Baer AR in 204.  It was insanely accurate.

That sounds like a kickass coyote gun

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

How bout 10mm? Is there a 1911 in 10mm or just go Glock?

[Bango skank]

There are several 10mm 1911 options, but i dont think any are cheap.  If i was in the market for a 10mm, id be taking a good look st the xdm.

[supagoose]

I have a Les Baer 1911 and its one of the best shooting 1911 I've own. They'e built really tight though but accurate. Mine, I pretty much point and shoot. Im ok with a pistol but my Les Baer make me really good with a pistol.

[jrebel]

I own an older model Kimber 1911 and it is a joy to shoot.  I have fondled quite a few Les Baer's and they are beutifully made.  If the price was right, I would have no problem buy a les baer custom 1911......I bet they shoot amazing. 


Another reason people like the 1911 platform is due to the amount of felt recoil.  they are heavier pistols and the recoil in significantly less than most polymer pistols in the same caliber / barrel length.  I have seen small female handle a full size 1911 that didn't like compact 9mm's. 

I will also add I don't carry my kimber as much as I should....mostly due to weight. 

[h20hunter]

Get a Coonan in .357. Done deal.

[jeffro]

Why pay the huge markup to have a name on the slide of a pistol?
For $2000-$7000 I can think of a safe full of guns I’d rather own.
For 1911s, I chose PARA P-14/45s,
mainly because I have huge hands and 15 rounds is better than 8
Got a matching pair for under $1000

[Dukalr]

Huge difference in the way these custom 1911’s shoot.  I’ve shot a lot of Kimber’s, which are great firearms no doubt and easily above average.  After buying a Wilson Combat though it was easy to see that they’re in an entirely different league, Les Baer is no different.  The fit/finish on my Wilson is exceptional, and it’ll shoot circles around even a Kimber.  We visited the Wilson factory and compared our Kimbers vs their pistols and they had us sold immediately, got to shoot them side by side at their range and couldn’t believe the difference in accuracy.  Honestly unless you want a couple dozen, there’s no going back....

[SGTDuffman]

Kimber shouldn’t be mentioned in conjunction w Les Baer. Kimbers are overpriced Matchbox guns. Les Baers are hand fit from forged parts. The costs might be close, but that’s because Kimber has to charge you over twice what they’re worth to pay for all their advertising. I called Kimbers custom shop to inquire about getting machined and forged parts installed over molded parts. They told me they don’t even make ‘em and if  their molded parts are going to fail, they’ll fail quickly. Colt and Sig manage to make guns without using molded parts for about $800. Kimber doesn’t even have the option at twice the price. The customs and semi customs all do it, because the price and the customer demands it.

1911s appeal to people over 8 shot .357s because they’re a “classic” and less than 1” thick. If you’re gonna gonna carry it IWB, there is absolutely no comparison between a 1911 and any revolver. Those 8 shot cylinders are about twice the width of a 1911.

[actionshooter]

Who has one and how do you like it? Pros and cons. Looking at getting a new pistol and
have heard these are nice ones!

Instead of trying to talk you out of a 1911, I'll answer your question...

I have a couple and they are about the best semi-custom 1911 you can get IMO... They are extremely well made with top of the line parts and are without a doubt the most accurate handguns I own.  I think the only way you can get better is to order a complete custom.
 Again in my opinion, they beat Wilson, Nighthawk and Ed Brown...

[BLR 243]

I have the Kimber custom gold combat and now the Les Baer Thunder ranch. No comparison the Les Baer is so accurate as to make the Kimber obsolete.

[Mulie87]

H2O hot it on the head, a Coonan 1911 in .357. Those things are cannons. I haven’t seen one in years. Huge fireball when they are fired. A co-worker (who is now retired) had one. It would break though from the punishing .357

[Bofire]

I do not own a Les Baer, own several 1911 45s, they cannot be beat, everyone should own a couple. My only Kimber I sent to Wilson and now it is the gun it should have been. I bet the Les Baer is wonderful. go for it. I bet you want another one soon.    I own a few revolvers and other handguns also.

Carl

[h20hunter]

My dad has a coonan...shoots sweeeet and yes, big power and throws brass a long way.

[GoldenOscar]

My buddy has a Les Baer .45 1911 and its by far the most accurate best shooting pistol I have ever shot.

[huntandjeep]

How bout 10mm? Is there a 1911 in 10mm or just go Glock?

@HUNTINCOUPLE
Heres a couple 1911s in 10mm . Now they are both sporting Trijicon RMRs
Personally I will never own a Baer .1st hand knowledge that he is an ass and his QC is no better.
 Jeffro any Custom 1911 will out shoot a mass produced . Granted they cost substantially more . The 2 pictured are shots touching all day at 25yrds with any decent shooter . Both are 3" guns @100yrds with the RMRs off shooting sticks . My Nighthawk and Wilson are just as good . The fit and finish on these compared to my Kimber and  Springfield are a night and day differece

[Lumpy Taters]

To me the whole appeal of a 1911 is the ability to customize it.  Plus its a 1911 who doesn't want at least one in the safe?  My next pistol will be one but I just don't have the funds for anything that nice to start with. I would love to be able to afford one of the higher quality units to start with but I will be happy getting a basic model and slowly making it a full custom as time and money allow.  I am really leaning towards the 10mm over the 45 though.

[pianoman9701]

Because everyone has their own taste and likings. 1911’s are classic, works of art and full of history. Same can be said of bolt guns, lever guns Ar’s...etc. I’m a LEO and carry a Springfield TRP operator. I’ve carried a 1911 for 15yrs of my 20yr career.

Yes, 1911’s are 7 or 8+1. Hits count, not shots. carry more mags, master your weapon and you will be fine.

My2¢

  One of the icons of historic firearms. Right up there with the M1.

[bustedoldman]

I have a Colt Delta Elite 10mm......First and only 1911.

[Cougartail]

There are several 10mm 1911 options, but i dont think any are cheap.  If i was in the market for a 10mm, id be taking a good look st the xdm.

I did look at them and bought one. Nice pistol for the money and pretty accurate. It's my new bear and cougar defense gun for Washington.