45acp

T

tomt

Inactive
I need a little advice. I am about to purchase my first 1911 in 20years. My first was a colt which I sold a long time ago. My choice is between a Kimber Stainless Gold Match and a Les Baer
Primer2. Comments please!
 
My feeling is that Kimber makes an excellent basic 1911 (the Custom Classic), but the value falls off after that. The Baer is probably the way to go.
 
Well, I too acquired a 1911 after many years without one. I ended up with a Kimber Classic (blued) and am delighted with it. I'd love to try a Les Bauer and I'm sure they are nice. I haven't fired any 1911 other than my Kimber for many years. I'm getting reaquainted with how nice a crisp short trigger pull can be. Good luck with your decision. You might try some of the dedicated 1911 websites for help.
 
I like both my Kimbers - a 5" Classic Stainless & a 3" Ultra CDP, both are pretty much trouble free. Haven't ever had my hand on a Les Baer though, so I can't say.

I do know from hanging around over at The 1911 Forum and Pistolsmith.com that a lot of folks feel the best route to a truely "premium" 1911 is to buy a quality base gun & have a reputable pistolsmith work it over.

If that is the route you would want to take, I know what to recommend: the base Kimber.
 
Go with...

the Baer, but make darn sure that you test fire it ASAP from a bench rest. Apparently, a monolith tested for a ragzine had a faulty barrel. I thought these weapons were tested and shipped with a target?
 
Ya know, I've been looking at 1911s for some months now, just out of curiosity, more than anything, since I have one already...

I'd be very inclined to go with a Springfield over a Kimber or just about anything else right now. Excellent quality, at considerably cheaper prices.

Kimber prices have just gone crazy stupid over the past 2 years. I don't know if it's the popularity, or something else, but they started off at really decent prices, and have been scratching at obscene for some time now.
 
The retail guns are, but the ones slapped together for the gunrag hacks sometimes skip the QA department so the hack won't miss his deadline.
 
I'm a Colt fan, and own an XSE and a Series 70 Combat Commander. Great guns. I have also owned a Les Baer Concept VII. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Remember, the Baer has some "non-spec" parts that just fit Baers. I added a full length guide rod to my Concept VII, and had to order it from Baer -- nothing from Wilson, etc. would fit the "Commanche" sized Baer. I also am unaware of Baer's heat treating process, though I know they Magnaflux their frames and slides. The workmanship on the Baer is first class, and they are very accurate, if not very tight and tough to break in. Can you shoot up to the Baer? Are you willing to put in that much work? Remember, with the Baer, you pay a lot out the door for a gun set up a particular way -- slide safeties, mainspring housing, trigger, sights. Anything you change is money down the toilet. With the Kimber, it's almost expected you'll slightly customize the gun to your liking. I would purchase either, and probably shoot them the same.
 
tomt,

I began writing this post to tell you to get a Kimber, but now that I've been reading the Les Baer website, I'm impressed. I bought a Kimber because I got a great deal on a Custom Eclipse used. Now I really want a Les Baer. I'm sold on Les Baer, but I would want to shoot one before I drop that kind of cash. Good luck, that is a tough choice.
 
What will it be used for? Will it be "used a lot " or a little? What do you like about the two you mentioned?

Then it will be easy to help you...The main thing is what YOU like...we can only make suggestions if you give enough info to help...Good Luck...My suggestion is without the other info...Try them all...Whatever "feels" best...That's NO choice.

bandit.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top