Custom Handgun Help Requested

H

hdm25

New member
After some thought, I have decided to scrap my Springfield Armory "loaded" pistol and get another 1911. There is nothing wrong with the Springfield but I want a 1911 that is, to my perception, "better." I am trying to decide whether to get a favorite gunsmith build a 1911 for me from a Caspian slide and frame and some other parts or buy a Kimber and have some work done to it. In the latter case, both the aforementioned gunsmith and another one that I know offer a package that corrects some of the "problems" associated with the Kimber (or improves the base pistol, if you are a devout factory-stock Kimber worshipper). The price isn't really that much of an issue, so I would like some thoughts from others on the course that I should take.
 
I got a Kimber goldmatch that is a real tack driver ,its hard to improve on this one so i`d definately give a nod to the kimber i`ve had custom guns built before but this one outshoots them all so far,but if price is no issue i`d get a Les Baer that is my next one im going to get if the wife dont shoot me first!


Killer45
 
I thought about getting a Les Baer pistol but I have heard too many horror stories (and been involved in one with an acquaintance) to buy one now. Good guns, yes. Good customer service? That seems to be a hit and miss game. When so many people on the web and people who I meet have these stories, it's time for me to steer clear. I don't like the looks of the Baer pistols, anyway. It's a Caspian or a Kimber, either one with custom features. Anyone else with suggestions?
 
If price isn't an issue, look at the Ed Browns or Les Baers. Also take into consideration Rock River Arms if you want to save a few bucks. They make fine 1911's.

It just seems you're spending extra $'s to buy a Kimber then have gunsmithing work done to it. That's why I recommend going with the Ed Brown, Les Baer, etc.

I have a Kimber Super Match and Ultra Elite. Both are fine pistols. The Super Match shoots extremely nice groupings. My Wilson still out shoots it. It's much tighter and I'm willing to bet the Les Baer I ordered from Terry Peters will out shoot the Kimber too.

Good luck with whatever you purchase. Keep the brass flying.


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Svt
RKBA! NRA, GOA, VFW
My Website

"Rangers Lead the Way"
 
I like Ed Brown's pistols but I'm not going to buy one. As I've mentioned before, the Les Baer pistols are too much of a hit or miss for me and I don't like the aesthetics, anyway. To be specific for people, I would like to have input on the following: a custom 1911 built with a Caspian slide and frame from Advanced Combat Pistols, a Kimber with the Advanced Combat Pistols upgrade package, or a FED package from Burns Custom. Rock River Arms is good...I love the two pistols that I've fired from there (one is from there and another is made using their slide and frame, to be exact) but, again, I don't like the aesthetics. The three choices above are what I've narrowed it down to. Any pros or cons about them from anyone?
 
Hmmm...going there, doing that. I have a stainless Gold Match Kimber that didn't run right out of the box. After two trips to Kimber, I sent it to Brian at ACP and he is working on it now. Even with the MIM parts replaced and the barrel reworked, it will still be a production piece with a few upgrades. I'll let you know how the Kimber turns out when Brian is done.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have Brian build a pistol from scratch. In fact, I am going to have him build one as soon as my piggy bank porks up. If you want a "semi-production" piece I would buy a Wilson, Rock River, or Baer in that order.
 
Amen to that!

If you have the bucks and you want a custom piece - Call Brian Bilby and get him to make you one! You'll love it and probably pass it on to your grandchildren.

Mikey

[This message has been edited by Mikey (edited February 19, 2000).]
 
My 45ACP 1911 (all gunsmith parts):

Caspian frame and slide, firing pin

Bar-Sto barrel and bushing

Ed Brown mainspring housing, guide rod, safety, slide stop, hex grip screws

Ahrends exotic wood grips (beautiful!)

Nowlin TiN trigger group, pins

Wolff springs

Bomar rear sight with Caspian ghost-ring blade

Caspian front sight with large optic rod

McCormick trigger and Deactivator grip safety

Mag Pack 8-round magazines

gunsmithed by a good friend (except I did the trigger)

Have a few $'s invested, but this gun shoots all ammo like it's match-grade, and run 100% (as long as I put a few drops of BreakFree on it once in a while).

Complete custom is the ONLY way to go (if you can afford it).

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
Just what are your "aesthetic" requirements ?

Last week I shot my stock Kimber, my friends Gold match stainless, and another friends $$$$ King's Custom. We all agreed the Kings is worth the extra cash, and the Gold Match has very little on my base model.

With that in mind (not that its any help) I would opt for your first choice. Yes, definitely the first. Unless you would prefer to waste money, and have a bunch of inferior Kimber production spare parts lying around.
 
After speaking with Brian last night about the relative merits of Kimbers (in which I found out a couple of things that I didn't know about the company and it's guns), I have decided to go ahead with a fully custom gun. It's one of his Defensive Service pistols for me, I guess, with a couple of additions. Thank you all for your input.
 
I was glad to see King's Gun Works mentioned above. While there's a lot of new guys out there building 1911s and some of them do nice work, King's has been doing it for the past four decades and their quality is second to none. I just got a Colt back from them yesterday and after going over it with a 15X loop, I can honestly say the metalwork is perfection. Took it to the range this morning and, since it was cold and windy, I only fired one group off the rest; 3/4 of an inch at 25 yards. This wasn't even sandbagged, I just rested my forearms on the bench and snapped them off. And this was with their 'drop-in' match barrel.

Dan Johnson
 
Since price is really not an issue, I would go full custom. Caspian makes very nice frames and slides and the options from there only get better. The difference between a full custom and a factory is the difference between a 911 Porsche and VW beetle. Go for it.

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John
(formerly johnboy)
 
Being a Master Pistol Smith/Custom Shop owner (FORMER head pistol smith Les Baer Custom employeex2) If you have any questions contact Terry Peters @ P-T Partners, He is a member of TFL, and will answer any questions that you should have concerening LBC pistols.SC <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hdm25:
I thought about getting a Les Baer pistol but I have heard too many horror stories (and been involved in one with an acquaintance) to buy one now. Good guns, yes. Good customer service? That seems to be a hit and miss game. When so many people on the web and people who I meet have these stories, it's time for me to steer clear. I don't like the looks of the Baer pistols, anyway. It's a Caspian or a Kimber, either one with custom features. Anyone else with suggestions?[/quote]
 
If you are looking for a custom combat handgun contact Terry Peters/ P-T partners, he will help you chose the right combat handgun for your needs, he carries my line as well, mainly my ATP(Advanced Tactal Pistol)Being a former head pistolsmith LBC, supervisor Wilson Combat Custom Shop,master pistol smith I can understand your concerns.SC <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hdm25:
I like Ed Brown's pistols but I'm not going to buy one. As I've mentioned before, the Les Baer pistols are too much of a hit or miss for me and I don't like the aesthetics, anyway. To be specific for people, I would like to have input on the following: a custom 1911 built with a Caspian slide and frame from Advanced Combat Pistols, a Kimber with the Advanced Combat Pistols upgrade package, or a FED package from Burns Custom. Rock River Arms is good...I love the two pistols that I've fired from there (one is from there and another is made using their slide and frame, to be exact) but, again, I don't like the aesthetics. The three choices above are what I've narrowed it down to. Any pros or cons about them from anyone?[/quote]
 
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