Alright Guys
I been looking for a 1911 for the last year or so and to say the least I am indesisive, I have shot quite a few and I am not one to buy cheap so to speak, I rather pay up front and get a better product. So i recently handeled the Springfield TRP, love the feel, just wish the front checkering was 30 lpi than 20. So with that price tag am I better off "saving my pennys" and getting a les baer. Tell me what you think...
I am not in a rush to jump on this purchase, just thought I would ask the members experances
Matt

If you can afford a Les Baer, go for it. A buddy has one and I love shooting it. It is very accurate and every gun he builds is a one off not an assembly line like most think an assmbley line to be. I own a springfield that I built up and it rocks but not as nice as Les's stuff.

Have you looked at an STI? Best bang for the buck, the quality and fit of STI's is outstanding and they are made by shooters for shooters. Sounds cheezy but is true. You can get a top shelf 1911 for less than 2K. IMHO, Les Baers triggers are a little too stiff - great guns, though.

Here is a link, in case you want to take a look. http://www.stiguns.com/products/guns/pistols/1911-pistols/

I have seen several STI's go Tango Uniform during USPSA matches. I had an STI frame and sold it.

Seasons...,

I have a Wilson CQB. Thousands of rounds through it and it just gets better!

Doc

I went with the TRP myself. I have mine on order, and am just waiting for it to come in. Everyone I talked to that has one, which is very few people, said they will never buy another high dollar custom made gun. The TRP is as close to custom as you can get without actually being custom. It is modeled after the FBI contract pistol, so I figure if it is good enough for them, it's darn sure good enough for me!

I've handled and shot a les baer also, and it was my second choice until I shot some rounds through it. My complaint is that it jammed twice in 50 rounds. That is an automatic disqualification to me. My Springfield XD-M, at a third of the price, has several hundred rounds of different manufacturers through it, and it hasn't failed yet. Granted, its not a 1911, but I'm just sayin...

I vote for the TRP. I can't find anyone to say anything bad about it. And those that own them won't give them up. Most all reviews on them say they are comparable to most custom guns anyway.

Hard to give useable advise without knowing what you plan on doing with it. Range gun, some hunting, carry or what, but the problem with 1911's is that they are so darn easy to want to customize. I would make a list of priorities and features and start there. I am a Colt koolaide kinda guy now, but the Springfield Loaded I have is a great gun. The most accurate out of the box for me was a Kimber 3" UCDP.

What will hit you in the wallet will be upgrading sights and beavertails. I would make sure that what you buy has what you want especially for these. Springfield was using Nowlin barrels in their FBI model, and has recently switched to their own in house barrel. Not sure if you are looking new or used, but I would be cautious here to make sure you know what the gun has you are looking at, and what other reports from folks with whom you may be relying have in theirs. Springfield does have a sound cutom shop and what sounds like very solid warranty work/process if needed.

The upside to Baer is that you can pay your money and get a gun with a guarantee for accuracy, if that is high on your list. Most folks do not need 2-3 inches at 50, but some will pay for that. And that seems to be the biggest complaint I see on the 1911 forums. Folks trying to squeeze a little more accuracy from their 1911. Either through better sights, or better barrels. Or thinking that just changing the bushing will magically transform the gun into a one-holer. Accuracy starts with a good barrel, but is almost solely depandant upon fitment.

Craig

never had one(a semi or 1911)....not really into fancy and expensive....do like accuracy....wonder how the new RUGER SR1911 would be? kinnda like to have one!

I’ve had a couple 1911’s over the years and back in the day Jim Clark Sr. and R.L. Shockey built their hardball and 2700 pistols to shoot 10 shot groups between 2.5” and 3.0” at 50 yards consistently with a load they recommended – that was the Gold Standard back then and those puppies were expensive – at least I thought so, considering my meager salary back then but I felt the need and endured the financial pain.

Today Les Baer 1911’s shoot very well and all will shoot a 10 shot group at 50 yards under 3” consistently – if you pay a little extra, they’ll make one to shot under 1.5” at 50 yards. I don’t think you’ll find another 1911 that will shoot that good for the price of the Baer – close maybe, but then again, close only counts using heavy artillery.

I own a couple Baer PII’s with the 1.5 option and they both are the finest shooting 1911’s I’ve ever owned. I’ve shot a couple 1911’s made up by USA armorers a few years back and I don’t think they shot any better than the 2-Baers I currently own and that’s saying a lot in my opinion.

If you don’t need that type of accuracy or can’t hold that tight, there’s probably no need to spend that kind of money, as the Ruger SR1911 or others out there will do whatever most expect of a 1911 but a bughole shooter they aren’t.

The problem with I have with Springfields is this, and I'm not sure it applies to the TRP model but the GI model I purchased as a base gun to build for my son to shoot USPSA matches with was built completly in the Brazil. I here that some of the components in the rest of their 1911 models are also made in Brazil. I own several springfields including 4 xdms and love them all. But even so I think the If you can afford it, I would go with a les baer.

I have a TRP Full Rail. It is the best 1911 I've ever owned. I can only imagine what it could do in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing:)

I've been looking at some 1911's as well. I don't have any experience with these or even know half the manufacturers that produce them, but for the price of some of them I could get a Freedom Arms revolver! lol Anyway, just from looking around, and talking to a couple of people, I like the Para Ordnance 14.45. They offer a "super hawg" conversion (longer barrel) if you're a target shooter. Just a thought...

Hey Guys, sorry for the delay responce, busy week, I guuss i will go from the top, yes I have looked at STI, my brother owns one in 40, just not a huge fan of the looks, They do shoot incredibly. Wilson would be another on my list but if I had to choose it would be Baer do to the clean desgins. Para Ord i have heard mix reviews, have shot one, and this perticular one had alot of work done to it to run as good as it did.

This gun for the most part will be a range gun, no ccw in my state, It could see some holster wear in the future but no a primary purpose, I may shoot a steel match here or their.

The reason for being so indecisive is the price point of the trp is between 14 and 1600, So for a few hundred bucks more I could have a custom 1911 exactly to my specs.
I shoot my 44 now like most shoot there glocks,by this i mean I have put alot of rounds through the gun, so this is my reasoning for looking into this 1911, a fun gun. I never been the semi auto type, I hate chasing brass but the 1911's grew on me.

I purchased a used Springfield Armory years ago and carried it constantly to the point that is looked like this



Dirty or not it always functioned and accuracy was acceptable


I sent it off Jack Huntington and had the front strap checkered and a match grade barrel fitted and now the accuracy and looks are amazing and the cost was very reasonable

Jwp, That may be the best option, The finish looks great, Beadblast?
I may have to go this route, there are alot of resonably priced used guns around, Why did i think of this..lol

I actually just sent my ruger carbine to Jack, He going to go throught the internals, trigger job, and such, He is great to work with.

Yes it is a bead blast finish. I am extremely pleased with the way this turned out the accuracy is definitely there and at a savings over a the high priced new options that are available

Springfield TRP 200 SWC with 4.4 of WST a great gun and at 20 yards makes one hole

since you mention interest in a custom 1911.
Dan Bedell in NY state builds great guns and he is closeby for you. he built my 2011 that's been running like a champ for 20-25,000 rounds so far.
Dan's not cheap but reasonable.
seriously, I don't think you can go wrong with any name brand basic 1911 out of the box. (except Para, have seen them throw the towel too often). in the end, you'll probably get a good gunsmith to do reliability work, trigger work and decent sights, anyways.
I am looking forward to pictures when you get the new toy.

jwp475, beautiful gun. My springfield is parked and simple. It will do 3 inch groups with hardball at 25 yards.
I have used a para P14-45 limited for 16 years in USPSA matches. I have over 13,000 rounds thru it or more. It is still damn accurate and has only once failed me in all these years. The claw on the extractor broke in a match but I was able to change it out in the 2 minutes allowed with one I had already fitted to it. I was back up and running. I have seen many Paras in competition and have seen mixed results of reliability. I lucked out with mine. I know a squadron or Marines had 25 P14-45s commisioned to be built with their squadron insignia and there tour of afghanistan. About half of those guns went back to get running properly. I was disappointed to here that.

There was a short time from when the company moved from Canada to the States when Para turned out a few turds but for the most part they are extremely reliable and shoot well. I've got a Para 14.45 LDA that never missed a beat until a mag spring went weak and upon replacement of the spring it hasn't missed a beat since. Mine was made in Canada, however, the few guys I know that have them, both Canadian & USA, haven't had any problems with theirs. There customer service is now top notch from what I've read, so that's a big plus.

Yep great customer service but the failures I saw in the 25 guns that my buddies ordered were made withing the past 6 months. I love my para.

Well I made my decision and it wasn't easy but got an insane deal so I jumped head first. Going to be about an 8 month wait but I decide to purchase a Les Baer after speaking with Jack Huntington, Its an early Birthday/Christmas/ect gift to my self lol....

Went with the Ult Tac Carry, going to be a great shooter, super excited now just need to find some leather for it to ride in when I am out of state!

Suggestions?

Nice! I'd like to have the Baer 1911 and one of their AR's, I'd be ready to rock and roll.

Thanks Rod,

Super excited, wasn't aware of his battle with cancer, I always have respected his work so it was the right time.

One checked off the project list!

You made a great choice and I'm confident you'll enjoy your new pistol. Did you purchase it from this guy http://cj1911heaven.com/
or did you somehow find a better dealer?

Thanks 7P

I went with a local dealer who I dealt with a few months ago, They are based in PA. My local shop doesn't deal with baer, only kimber so had no choice. Never heard of cj1911,

I think Crazy John is one of Baer's largest distributors, if not the largest. He keeps a boatload of Baer's on hand and will order whatever one wants - I haven't found a better price than his, so I was just curious if you found someone that beats his price but it wouldn't be by much anyway, so everyone wins when a Baer 1911 is purchased.

Well time to resurect this thread, I got my Baer and to say she shoots is an understatement

Here she is

[img][/img]

NICE!

here is what I'm up to. The top gun is a brand new R1, the mods so far are a new Wilson trigger and a Clarks 460 conversion kit. I'll be ordering a beavertail safefy and some other odds and ends as time goes by but this gun is accurate. The second one is a custom I built on a Caspian frame using a WWII Ithaca slide, Vietnam surplus barrel, Wilson bushing and Wilson internals including the same trigger as the 460 and a Wilson lightweight hammer. the last is my little cheapo Chiappa, this little gun seems to get better the more time you spend shooting it. I initially had a relatively high number of stove pipes but they are improving. I went to do some action work on it but found an issue with the sear so I'm getting a new one and I'll make new lighter springs so it should function better. I almost bought the Colt 1911-22 which is different and more along the lines of a full size 1911. Instead I bought a new Single Six and a new 22/45

Very nice!!! I've been thinkin about one of the Baer's. This may have just pushed me over the edge!

thanks Raptor,

I can tell you only thing that will come close to a Baer is a full custom, you won't be disappointed

Well this Baer needed some leather and Wes over at 7x leather put a little something together, Wes is known for his chest rigs, saddles and his western style leather gear. Well he hooked me up with a slick belt slide, exactly what I was looking for and to say he nailed it would be an understatement. Alot of of great leather artists, but everyone needs to own at least one piece from Wes at 7x Leather! You won't regret it

[img][/img]

Ive shot my buddys sr1911
very impressive for the money

Wow! That turned out awesome! Great holster! Nice work, Wes!