Sidearms & Scatterguns Current Les Baer pistols quality

[Bigfatcock]

I’m in the market for a new 1911, and prefer Les Baer. Last one I bought was in 2017, and have no complaints.

Has anyone purchased a Les Baer in the last two years? Are they still good quality? I see they aren’t the same good value price they used to be, but if quality is still there then I’d still buy.

I’m trying decide if I want to order new from Les or if I should go look on the used market for an older gun.

Thanks!

 

[n2ishun]

If it was me (yes, I know, it's not) I would be looking at a Dan Wesson Valor or a Springfield TRP.
1/2 the price and 98% of the quality.

 

[Bigfatcock]

If it was me (yes, I know, it's not) I would be looking at a Dan Wesson Valor or a Springfield TRP.
1/2 the price and 98% of the quality.

Springfield not even close. Dan Wesson are nice, but prefer Les Baer.

 

[Milf Dots]

Springfield not even close. Dan Wesson are nice, but prefer Les Baer.

Springfield.... LoL

 

[thebolt]

Springfield 1911 close to a Les Baer. You are hilarious!

 

[Bigfatcock]

Honestly, a Springfield Will more than likely have a better finish.

However, I prefer Les Baer grip frame sizes, 30 LPI checkering, and solid steel parts. Their fit is significantly better too.

 

[hlee]

Springfield 1911 close to a Les Baer. You are hilarious!

Also said a mil spec AR trigger is indistinguishable from a Geissele SSA-E…

 

[cas6969]

Honestly, a Springfield Will more than likely have a better finish.

However, I prefer Les Baer grip frame sizes, 30 LPI checkering,

Better? Mmmm... more durable for sure.

Funny those two things are what I dislike the most. lol

 

[a1-equipment]

Quality is still the same. The only quality change I ever saw from les was when he moved shops from Illinois to Iowa.

I have 8 or 9 les Baers pistols ranging from 2002 to 2021.

 

[wvfarrier]

Being a 1911 fanatic, Les Baer makes an insanely nice gun for the price. Dan Wesson also makes a nice gun but its nowhere close to a baer (ive owned several of both). That being said, Lea Baer's customer service SUCKS ASS while DW will do everything possible to make you happy. On the flip side, you can order a Baer in almost any iteration you want while DW is pretty much "you get what you see". Also the newer DW models are nowhere near as nice as the pre-2020 models. They have cut some small details that made big differences.

 

[Maurygold]

+ one for nighthawk

 

[Potsy]

What details has Dan Wesson skimped on?
Was thinking about upgrading to a Specialist from my Kimber in the next year or so……

 

[wvfarrier]

+ one for nighthawk

Preach It!!!!! Nighthawk All day, Every Day

 

[wvfarrier]

What details has Dan Wesson skimped on?
Was thinking about upgrading to a Specialist from my Kimber in the next year or so……

The did away with the flush cut recessed takedown pin, they did away with the tri-cut accessory rail, they did away with a lot of the fine tuning/handfitting and are using more of the cnc parts. Thats just off the top of my head. My 2021 Specialist is nowhere near the quality of my 2018 model

 

[Bigfatcock]

I will say, the $500 Springfield Mil-Spec is a hell of a deal. Sure beats buying some foreign Filipino crap.

However, Les Baer is all I’m interested in. Currently own 4, and understand how they’re built and the build philosophy behind them. That’s why I buy them.

Was just wondering if the quality had slipped over the last two years of retardedness.

I’m looking to order a hard chrome UTC.

 

[Maurygold]

I will say, the $500 Springfield Mil-Spec is a hell of a deal. Sure beats buying some foreign Filipino crap.

However, Les Baer is all I’m interested in. Currently own 4, and understand how they’re built and the build philosophy behind them. That’s why I buy them.

Was just wondering if the quality had slipped over the last two years of retardedness.

I’m looking to order a hard chrome UTC.

Just google nighthawk and I suspect you’ll be impressed. They make a better product and this thread confirms les bear isn’t what it used to be.

 

[Bigfatcock]

Just google nighthawk and I suspect you’ll be impressed. They make a better product and this thread confirms les bear isn’t what it used to be.

I have no interest in Nighthawk. I’ve owned Nighthawk and did not find value for the cost.

I settled on Les Baer back in the early 2000’s as best for me in the fit, finish and quality department.

I have also owned several WC’s. Honestly I’ve owned too damn many 1911’s from different manufacturers.

Once you start to get to current Nighthawk and Wilson Combat prices, then it’s time to commission a custom.

 

[diggler1833]

Nighthawks are going to typically run ~$1,500 more than a Baer, depending on configuration. There is certainly more refinement, but the return on investment requires a passion in ownership, and not just someone looking for a good shooter. I was really interested in a Nighthawk Classic, but the 10% price hike in December just isn't worth it to me anymore, especially with lead times in the 18-24 month range that new orders are reporting on other forums.

I am/was a big Dan Wesson fan, but I see a lot more threads popping up about problematic guns than I used to. I don't own anything newer than 2018, so can't comment on their current quality. However my older Specialist is one if the last pistols I'll sell, and quality/fit/finish is 95% as good as my 2015 Wilson Combat for 1/2 the price.

Noticeably behind Dan Wesson in the fit/finish are the Colts and Springfields (Professionals excluded). They are usually great shooters, but they are mass produced and the tolerances just aren't there if that is your concern. I own five custom shop Colts, and my DW is better.

I've shot a Baer, and despite some of their parts actually not being all forged for $2K+ decided to order one in December. I placed my order for a mildly customized one on December 14 with CJ, and was quoted 5-6 months...yet I still sit here without my pistol (only 7 months, so I'm really not griping yet). My only experience with a Baer is a Hillsdale, so I'm going to have to sit our any opinions on their current build quality until I get my mitts on mine.

 

[kthomas]

Shame to hear DW's quality has slipped. Bought my Valor back in '17 or '18, and it's a hell of a nice 1911. Did a lot of research prior to purchasing it, and DW's represented the best value back then.

 

[Charger442]

I really think Volkmann should be parts of this conversations....

 

[cas6969]

The influences of CZ on DW perhaps, and now it seems that CZ is going to wedge Colts influence in the middle of them.
I just purchased a DW I wanted a lot sooner than planned, because I assume they're only going down hill from here.

 

[Bigfatcock]

I really think Volkmann should be parts of this conversations....

Not really. Only Les Baer quality from 2020-current should be part of this conversation.

I am in no way interested in any other brand or builder.

 

[Milf Dots]

I think Colt, overall, will only get better with CZ ownership.

 

[BullGear]

What!!! No one mentioning Rock Island????

Sorry, I just had to do that......

 

[Bigfatcock]

What!!! No one mentioning Rock Island????

Sorry, I just had to do that......

 

[BullGear]

I just bought (gunbroker about 10 minutes ago) a Kimber Custom 1911 in 9mm. Wanted one for awhile.

 

[Charger442]

What!!! No one mentioning Rock Island????

Sorry, I just had to do that......

Wrong Rock.

I have always wanted a Rock River 1911.

 

[BullGear]

Wrong Rock.

I have always wanted a Rock River 1911.

Agreed!

 

[Csafisher]

Do you not consider NH or WC combat a custom gun?

 

[Bigfatcock]

Do you not consider NH or WC combat a custom gun?

No.

 

[TimK]

I wish I could answer your question, but my Baer is old. Love it.

Maybe try here: https://forum.m1911.org/

I used to spend a lot of time there. I'll bet you'll get better answers since it's primarily devoted to 1911's.

 

[FWoo45]

I just checked 1911 heaven and CJ doesn’t have a UTC in HC. I’d call him though and see what he can get you. Best prices on the interwebs. If you don’t have your heart set on that exact pistol then you can obviously find gently loved Baers at great prices. A lot of 1911 guys don’t actually shoot their guns much.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Springfield 1911 close to a Les Baer. You are hilarious!

Maybe a Springfield Pro, but they are $3K.

Stop talking, Men are speaking.

 

[GenericBadGuy]

Maybe a Springfield Pro, but they are $3K.

Stop talking, Men are speaking.

What happened to the Springfield Custom Shop again?

 

[CK1.0]

IMO you should find an old one if you can, from when Baer made their bones. They don't come up often, but just like with guitars and "Blues Lawyers" who buy fancy guitars they can't/don't really play, there are some nice fancy 1911's out there collecting dust that may become available...

There are lots of fancy 1911 makers out there that have long ago drifted from making shooters... to making expensive desk ornaments (many from Arkansas for some unknown reason), hopefully, the same hasn't happened at Baer.

A couple of things before I go though, for the good of the thread :

Springfield Armory isn't exciting, it's like bragging on your fancy Kia at cars and coffee. Stop it.

"Kimber" and their 80-series/Schwartz abominations shouldn't/doesn't belong in a discussion of good 1911's, they're to be mentioned when talking bad 1911's.

 

[wvfarrier]

Or, for us not so poor folks.... a Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade

 

[Bigfatcock]

Cost isn’t the concern, but if I were spending supergrade money then it wouldn’t be on a supergrade.

 

[Csafisher]

What would it be on? Some other hand fitted “custom” gun?

 

[CK1.0]

What would it be on? Some other hand fitted “custom” gun?

Maybe something like this?

 

[akmike47]

Maybe something like this?

View attachment 7915061

That's ugly as fuck

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

The best looking 1911 are simple, without a bunch of shit all over it and milling. Something like a Springer Pro or DW Valor.

 

[CK1.0]

That's ugly as fuck

It's just an example of what one can get if they're willing to spend for something fancy. If your wallet is fat enough, sky is the limit.

There's already lots of vanilla out there for folks who like vanilla.

 

[akmike47]

It's just an example of what one can get if they're willing to spend for something fancy. If your wallet is fat enough, sky is the limit.

There's already lots of vanilla out there for folks who like vanilla.

Still ugly. Also very aware how things work.

 

[Bigfatcock]

What would it be on? Some other hand fitted “custom” gun?

Correct.

 

[jps2486]

What is the intended purpose of your 1911? If it's for target and competition, then the Les Baer is a no-brainer choice. These are built like a Swiss watch and accuracy is the best. But why own 3 or 4 of them? If you are a comptition shooter, I would stick to one gun so that you know it's idiosycrasies. All guns have them. If you are thinking of a personal defense gun, the Baer is great, but overkill. My SHTF gun is a old (maybe 1935 vintage) GI gun that I have tuned. It is accurate and dependable. I've owned others, including a couple of Colts, which I think are garbage. Any good quality pistol like Kimber, Springfield and a few others, will suffice. I would not depend on any gun out of the box except customs like Baer, Wilson, Brown, but those have special applications. Buy a well known brand and either tune it up yourself or have a gunsmith go over it. Then practice a lot. That said, my go to gun is a S&W 617 4 inch. I can carry 1000 rounds of ammo easily, can you carry that much 45 ACP?

 

[Peahi2]

I got my Les Baer ultimate master a couple of years ago or so...very accurate pistol and sweet sweet trigger. I shoot it very well.
I would put it up there with a nighthawk fire hawk I recently got.

I also have a Springfield custom TGO. Beautiful gun, BUT I do place it below my les Baer and nighthawk. Sorry Springfield guys.

Extra info: My les Baer was not mega tight brand new. The TGO on the other hand...the guys in the shop could barely rack the slide...It was very very tight when new...I could only crack the slide open initially by holding it like a glock when you are removing the slide.

I could easily buy more les Baers.

The TGO is a looker tho. Two tone heaven.

 

[Cofercr]

Being a 1911 fanatic, Les Baer makes an insanely nice gun for the price. Dan Wesson also makes a nice gun but its nowhere close to a baer (ive owned several of both). That being said, Lea Baer's customer service SUCKS ASS while DW will do everything possible to make you happy. On the flip side, you can order a Baer in almost any iteration you want while DW is pretty much "you get what you see". Also the newer DW models are nowhere near as nice as the pre-2020 models. They have cut some small details that made big differences.

Disagree. My 2 Dan Wesson silverbacks 9mm and 45 are better than my Les Baer.

 

[UnofficialReality]

What's a 1911?

 

[Skyviking]

I have seen 2 Les Baers Fran’s crack TRS & a Concept (Premier-grade) whatever 5” 1.5” guaranteed pistol. Both guns were used with Federal AE issue ball, recoil springs changed as required (when RS is 1-2 coils short of a new one, 18-lb springs). My Concept VIi Commander stainless slide was too soft causing it to seize up.

 

[skl1]

Was going to comment on current quality, then realized my single Les Baer is older than your last 2017 model. Mine's a .38 Super Premier II. It's like shooting a 22 compared to my 1911 in .45. You're probably set on going .45acp I'd imagine, but thought I'd still mention in case it's interesting. It's a neat round. Built for the 1911 platform (unlike 9mm), so it feeds, extracts, and ejects. A friend got one and had problems with the Baer .38 Super magazines, so he ended up replacing them. My mags have been fine, though.