Sidearms & Scatterguns Which Les Baer 1911
- Thread starter Nosler243Shooter
- Start date
I was looking for a carry gun so I got a Stinger. What are you looking for? (Carry, Range, Home Defense, Comp, etc) The right gun for you will depend on what you want/need. I can't hold anywhere close to 1.5" so the standard accuracy was fine for me.
I'm looking for a 5 inch barrel for range fun and carry around the farm. I can't shoot that good either but I thought it wouldn't hurt to get the extra accuracy. I am going to call 1911 Heaven in the morning and see what he has or what he can get me.
I went thru John at 1911 for my Baer P2 with the whole package-1.5", hard chrome, adj sites, carry bevel, etc-and have never looked back. Was 14-16 weeks lead time to get it, but John stays on top of orders and would be my choice if buying another. You might check his stock-he may have what you need on hand. If you're willing to wait, and you're spending $2200 or so anyway, I'd opt for the 1.5"-but it does take away any excuses for missing. I use mine primarily for IDPA, but wouldn't hesitate to carry for SD or at the ranch for any reason. The beadblasted top and semi-polished sides looks like SS and insures the level of tune in the build stays tight for a long time. And they are tight-it takes about 1000 rounds for things to seat properly and are glassy smooth from there on. Buy with confidence-but know what you want and stick with it-Baer doesn't tolerate change orders well or you lose your place in line.
I have a Custom Carry Commanche and the thing goes everywhere with me. It's been flawless.
I don't think I'd pony up the extra for a 1 1/2" gun, but that's just me. For a carry gun I'm not planning in taking 50 yard shots, also, even if the gun can do it, I can't.
Mine is plenty accurate the way it sits. (Also, the 1 1/2" is only available on full size)
Another guy to call is Dave Severns.
I don't think I'd pony up the extra for a 1 1/2" gun, but that's just me. For a carry gun I'm not planning in taking 50 yard shots, also, even if the gun can do it, I can't.
Mine is plenty accurate the way it sits. (Also, the 1 1/2" is only available on full size)
Another guy to call is Dave Severns.
I talked to John today. He has pistols in stock but no 1.5 inch ones. He can get me one but with a wait that could be a year or longer. Would you just get the 3 inch and get it now?
As long as your happy with it get what you can. I have both 3&1.5 the only time you can tell the difference is at extended ranges 25 plus
I see you took everyone advice and you are looking at LB now. I think you will be hard pressed finding a 1.5 in less than a year and if you do it will be $$$$. What do you plan on using it on at the farm? My 45s won't see much over 25 meters which would be close to a 1.5 group since the 1.5 is at 50 yards. I don't remember but I think it is between $300 to $400 more. I know your budget has increase substantially since you started looking and at the time you where looking at pistols that didn't make any guarantees. For me the only thing that the 1.5 guarantee would do is show how much better my wife shoots then me and since I already know that, I'd be happy with something in stock opposed to waiting a year. My Brown that I ordered was in stock and I still don't have it. The market is nuts right now.
SevernCustom has a couple of P2 in stock with the 1.5 guarantee. https://severnscustom.com/New_1911s_For_Sale.html
I have the Stinger and never leave home without it in a milt Sparks SS IWB holster. Depends on what kind of shooting you want to do but the non-1.5" model serves me just find.
John and others here will tell you most of the P2's and others will better the 3"@50yds guarantee, usually around 2.5", which in truth, is pretty damn good. I went to the 1.5" because I was building one gun that I wanted to be the best it could be, and it's what I'd hoped for. Test target on the little scrap of brown paper you get was about 1.25" or a touch smaller, at 50. Baer does build a good 1911.
On the farm there is always a possum, armadillo, beaver or a snake I need to get rid of so a pistol does come in handy. I really wanted the 1.5 inch option but I don't want to wait a year. If I wanted to get some things done to the pistol later on like a magwell how long is the wait time for Les Baer gunsmith work? I tried to call but I didn't get an answer. Also, I enjoyed talking with John at 1911 heaven a lot. Is CJ the best guy to order from?
Premier II, and yes on the accuracy guarantee because those guns get barrels that have been tested and selected for accuracy. Of course, that kind of accuracy isn't necessary on other than a competition pistol.
And get one that doesn't shoot waaaay to the left. Because if you need to fix that Les will have a line of bullshit a mile long. Just tell him to fix it. Otherwise they're good guns.
Last edited:
M
milo 2.0
Guest
I have to say I diagree with Graham on the Premier II, just because of the adjustable sights, you get a jam and beat on those sights, it hurts. And the 1 1/2" guarentee, I don't know you or your skill level, but any Baer pistol will probably out shoot you, and with it the gun must be a blued gun, no stainless. Yes you can coat it or chrome it, but that's pricey. When I bought the p-2, it was 150.00 for the guarentee, it wasn't worth it to me then, and at 300.00 now it really wouldn't be.
I have a Concept 6 pistol that I love, it would double for defense or competition, love it. Had a Custom Carry Commanche, it was a nice pistol also, only pistol I owned that 5-6 people were putting hits on a full size IPSC at 70 yards one day, it was awesome, but I sold it, just like full size.
Any Bear pistol you buy you'll cherish, just get some grips that aren't butt ugly!
One more, installing a magwell can be done by yourself. I installed two of them on Baer's, I think they were S&A brand, the kind Kimber uses, no fitting required. Also Wilson full length guide rods are drop in also, now safeties, mag releases, stuff like that you may need help.
Last edited:
I have the Les Baer Ultimate Tactical Carry, everything you want, nothing you don't need. Its just the standard 3" but shoots extremely well.
In your shoes, I'd always go with the accuracy upgrade. The reason being, if you should ever decide to part with it, you've got a better product to sell or trade. Case in point, Jered at APA barrels gun, but also provides the APA break-in/accuracy verification for an extra fee. Now I'm positive that Jered doesn't give preferential treatment to one gun versus another, but the added fee gives you a test target to send along to prove how well the gun shoots. Since used guns are always a bit of an unknown, more information on a firearm is better than less. Were I choosing between two used LB 1911s, one with the accuracy upgrade and the other without, I'd certainly go with the accuracy upgrade. In the end, only two things matter with guns, they must be reliable and they must be accurate. Everything else are just details.
If, however, you're positive you're never going to trade or sell the 1911, then pass on that option.
If, however, you're positive you're never going to trade or sell the 1911, then pass on that option.
<--- has 3 Baers (Ultimate Master w/ 1.5, SRP w/ 1.5, TRS 3") - they are all the same gun - just different ginger bread. Yes the 1.5 is slightly more accurate but I have enough COM A zones at 100 yrds with the TRS to tell you it isn't necessary.
Good luck
Good luck
The decision of which model to get is worrying me. I thought I had decided on the UTC but now I don't know. I originally wanted a smaller pistol. I like the Stinger or the Monolith Commanche. How much more difficult is the Stinger going to be to shoot than the UTC? Am I likely to have problems with an smaller 1911? I just though if I am going to spend that much I might want to get something I can carry instead of a range gun. I am not the best shot with a pistol but I am getting better. What would you do?
Small point, but holsters for the Mono are a bit harder to locate than a std profile 1911, likely more so for a Mono Stinger. I liked the full size Mono for a range gun, but eventually traded it off because I already had a Wilson steel Commander for carry and the 5" P2 for everything else. So many good choices can breed indecision. If you had a buddy with any of these to shoot, it'd sure help your process.
Last edited:
I called John again this morning and I am back to the UTC because he doesn't have the stinger or the monolith in stock. I also called Alchemy Custom and got some prices on a a few things. I guess I will be sending the pistol to him after I get 500 rounds or so though the pistol.
I ordered a Ultimate Tactical Carry from John yesterday without front slide serrations. It is the standard 3 inch pistol. He said it would be here by the end of the week. I will post pictures when I get. Thanks for all the help. I know I will love it.
M
