Author Topic: Les Baer 1911 (Read 596 times)

Iowegan · « **on:** March 17, 2004, 08:02:02 PM »

I just finished building a Les Baer stainless 1911. I bought the matched slide and frame, barrel, and other parts from Brownell's. Got lucky and had a 10% off coupon from the Las Vegas SHOT Show so it saved me some bucks.

This is about the finest 45 I've ever seen. The slide-to-frame fit is perfect. All the "parts" had to be hand fit. Even the holes for the thumb safety, sear, and hammer were undersized. Took me about 40 hours to get it all together. Considering Les Baer gets $1650 for the same gun, my $1110 investment wasn't bad. This will be a bullseye gun. It will hold a fine group and still function flawless.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2004, 10:17:28 PM »

I was shopping for a new .45 ACP recently (bought a Kimber) and in one shop the salesguy put an $1800 Les Bauer in my hand and OHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I told him to put it back in the case ASAP cause my credit was twitching in my wallet!!

1911WB · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2004, 04:53:20 AM »

I didn't "build" my Concept VI, Les did; but I sure love to fondle & shoot it! :grin:

Iowegan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2004, 08:05:42 AM »

Now that I've had time to run some ammo through the Baer, I'm even more impressed. I've tried LSWCs, LRNs, FMJs, and even JHPs, all function flawless. I've found the 200 gr LSWCs were a bit more accurate than the others, with the 230 LRNs close behind. The jacketed ammo shot amazing groups too, but the gun favors lead.

I started getting "failure to go to battery" after the first 50 rounds. Cleaning the rails thoroughly made the next session extend to 125 rounds before cleaning was again necessary. I've run over 500 rounds through it since then without a hiccup. The rails are still very tight but have "broke in" quite well. I don't expect to have any malfunctions unless I have an ammo problem.