This may be a silly question with an obvious answer but ive been looking at Les Baer 1911s and I would like to invest some money in one of his fine pieces of art. The only problem is that ive been looking at the pisols he has to offer on his web site and did not find one that interests me. All of them had something I didnt like about them. Examples being front slide serrations, ambidextrous safeties.. I do not want any of that on a pistol that costs that much. If I am going to spend 2 to 3 grand on a gun I want it to be perfect in my eyes and be exactly what I want. What I really want is just a standard mil spec 1911 but with better sights a beavertail grip safety and a skeletonized trigger and hammer. So my question is what does custom really mean? Does it just mean that everything is hand fitted and built with more precision? Or can I call up Les Bear and have them build me a pistol 100% to my liking? I dont want to buy a mil spec pistol and add the upgrades myself because I want the pistol to be completely original from the factory.
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Custom Les Baer 1911
- Thread starter Kingcuda
- Start date
I am sure Les would build you whatever you wanted. But remember they are technically production pistols and not custom built, at least I think. If what you want is pure quality in every single part with precision hand fitting, I recommend Dan Wesson. Or try the Springfield custom shop. They will build you whatever you want with whatever parts you want, starting with Springfield slide and frame. I have heard great things about springfields custom shop.
What you are looking for already exists in production pistols. But I get the feeling that you want only the finest parts inside. You could go buy a base model Colt or Springfield for $650-$900 then take it to a good 1911 Smith and have them do whatever you want. Expect to spend $750-$1500 on the parts and services depending on what you want to add/change and the Smith you use.
What you are looking for already exists in production pistols. But I get the feeling that you want only the finest parts inside. You could go buy a base model Colt or Springfield for $650-$900 then take it to a good 1911 Smith and have them do whatever you want. Expect to spend $750-$1500 on the parts and services depending on what you want to add/change and the Smith you use.
Baer does make plenty just like you want them, you just have to find one of his retailers that orders them a particular way you like. When my buddy ordered his, it was called the UTC or "ultimate tactical carry" and the one he got was blued, fixed Novak night sights, no forward serrations, no ambi-safety and he also oaid extra for the 1.5" guarantee.
He didn't order it from Baer, he selected it from dealer stock as the dealer had spec'd it out that way.
I've owned and shot Baers and Browns. Only handled Wilsons. Shot a few Dan Wesson 1911's and owned and shot plenty of others. I like 1911's but I am not an addict. I am a long time, active, hard-core handgun lover and in my opinion, there's nothing on the market quite like a Les Baer and while they are not my passion, I have never handled -ANY- handgun that goes in to full battery lock-up quite like a Baer does.
I believe that if you really want one and you get the features you want...
You WILL be happy.
He didn't order it from Baer, he selected it from dealer stock as the dealer had spec'd it out that way.
I've owned and shot Baers and Browns. Only handled Wilsons. Shot a few Dan Wesson 1911's and owned and shot plenty of others. I like 1911's but I am not an addict. I am a long time, active, hard-core handgun lover and in my opinion, there's nothing on the market quite like a Les Baer and while they are not my passion, I have never handled -ANY- handgun that goes in to full battery lock-up quite like a Baer does.
I believe that if you really want one and you get the features you want...
You WILL be happy.
Thanks for the info and yes I want only the finest parts inside. I have looked at 1911 from just about every manufacturer out there and even though I have found a few 1911s that are close to what I want there always seems to be 1 or 2 things about it that I dont want on my perfect 1911.. I also dont want a production gun because I dont want that 1911 that everyone els has, I want the one only I have.. I already have a Springfield mil spec and I love it. Ive had it for about a month now and have put 200 rounds through it without having even the slightest hiccup. The only problem is that there are lots and lots of people out there that have that same pistol. I want to invest in something great, something that truly is one of a kind and only mine.
So order a custom gun the way you want it. There are enough folks who do that.
Here is one:
http://www.tusseycustom.com/
Here is one:
http://www.tusseycustom.com/
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Neither a Dan Wesson nor a Springfield is any where near as "custom" made as a Les Baer.P71pilot said:I am sure Les would build you whatever you wanted. But remember they are technically production pistols and not custom built, at least I think. If what you want is pure quality in every single part with precision hand fitting, I recommend Dan Wesson. Or try the Springfield custom shop.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
Call Crazy John (CJ) at 1911 Heaven. Do NOT email him. You need to call him and talk with him.
He's the largest Baer dealer and has a huge amount of guns in stock and will also custom order anything you want from Baer. I custom ordered a Monolith from him exactly how I wanted it built.
Most of his Baers are not stock Baers, they are custom ordered by CJ for his inventory built with popular options like hard chrome finishes, single safety, no front cocking serrations, etc.
CJ is also a Guncrafter dealer and stocks a large inventory of Guncrafter 1911's. CJ can special order a Guncrafter built the way you want it.
He's the largest Baer dealer and has a huge amount of guns in stock and will also custom order anything you want from Baer. I custom ordered a Monolith from him exactly how I wanted it built.
Most of his Baers are not stock Baers, they are custom ordered by CJ for his inventory built with popular options like hard chrome finishes, single safety, no front cocking serrations, etc.
CJ is also a Guncrafter dealer and stocks a large inventory of Guncrafter 1911's. CJ can special order a Guncrafter built the way you want it.
Les Baers are not the pinnacle of 1911 mfg's ....but he is significantly better than CZ ( Dan Wesson) or Springfield (custom shop or anything else) ...../ and Baer will not do anything or everything ....you will have to pick specs from his catalog. I have one Baer a 5" Monolith I custom ordered about 10 yrs ago - he makes his guns too tight in my view, fit & finish is OK not great..../ while I custom ordered it, and hoped it would be a great gun - it's 4th at least on the personal 1911's I own.....( so I gave it to my son).
In my view Wilson combat is the #1 mfg of 1911's - and they will accept most any special order spec - current lead time is 18 - 24 months....but look at guns Wilson has in inventory - you can buy & put in service request to modify it - but price will probably be around $3,500....
/ shop current inventory on their factory website - they probably have 75 guns in stock, as of this morning, when I last looked the list over - and there are photos & spec sheet on each gun.../ their catalog lists common options but they have made custom options for my buddies guns on request that are not in catalog ( like for lefties ) ...
Wilson 5" Protector model & a 5" CQB model are the top two 1911's I own (I've put about 110,000 and 30,000 rds respectively thru each in last 10 yrs ) - lifetime warranty, significantly smoother than my Baer, significantly better fit & finish and more accurate ! My #3 1911 is a 5" Ed Brown Kobra carry ...solid gun but it's not as good as either Wilson....and Brown has limits on custom work they will do typically - but if you don't like wilson'so offerings at least look at Brown.
You might also look at Cabot.....
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Of the "standard production companies" out there - Springfield makes a decent gun for the money in their TRP ..... and CZ-Dan Wesson are not terrible...but they're not one off custom guns - but neither is a Wilson Combat Super grade at $5K plus...
In my view Wilson combat is the #1 mfg of 1911's - and they will accept most any special order spec - current lead time is 18 - 24 months....but look at guns Wilson has in inventory - you can buy & put in service request to modify it - but price will probably be around $3,500....
/ shop current inventory on their factory website - they probably have 75 guns in stock, as of this morning, when I last looked the list over - and there are photos & spec sheet on each gun.../ their catalog lists common options but they have made custom options for my buddies guns on request that are not in catalog ( like for lefties ) ...
Wilson 5" Protector model & a 5" CQB model are the top two 1911's I own (I've put about 110,000 and 30,000 rds respectively thru each in last 10 yrs ) - lifetime warranty, significantly smoother than my Baer, significantly better fit & finish and more accurate ! My #3 1911 is a 5" Ed Brown Kobra carry ...solid gun but it's not as good as either Wilson....and Brown has limits on custom work they will do typically - but if you don't like wilson'so offerings at least look at Brown.
You might also look at Cabot.....
---------------------------
Of the "standard production companies" out there - Springfield makes a decent gun for the money in their TRP ..... and CZ-Dan Wesson are not terrible...but they're not one off custom guns - but neither is a Wilson Combat Super grade at $5K plus...
I'll second the suggestion that the OP contact John at 1911Heaven.com.
I've gotten four Bears from him; sold the first two as the had features I couldn't live with (front serrations, double safety etc.) and got two with features I wanted. Baer really offers limited options to his customers, and Guncrafter as well. But both are great guns and I'm happy with the Guncrafters which John has sold me.
I also own a few (well, quite a few) Wilsons; there comes a point where the extra features really don't improve the function of the gun and, although they are pleasing, are really just expensive window-dressing.
Bears and Guncrafter's are well made, reliable and high dollar production guns without expensive frills. There is beauty in the simplicity they offer.
I've never seen or handled a Cabot. Their looks don't appeal to me and they don't appear to offer value relative to their cost. The few reviews I've found indicate the folks at Cabot stress appearance and machining skills over reliability. I'd give them a little more time before I consider buying one.
Again, Crazy John is a great resource. He'll get you the Baer or Guncrafter you want. Probably a little faster on the Guncrafters than the Baers.
I've gotten four Bears from him; sold the first two as the had features I couldn't live with (front serrations, double safety etc.) and got two with features I wanted. Baer really offers limited options to his customers, and Guncrafter as well. But both are great guns and I'm happy with the Guncrafters which John has sold me.
I also own a few (well, quite a few) Wilsons; there comes a point where the extra features really don't improve the function of the gun and, although they are pleasing, are really just expensive window-dressing.
Bears and Guncrafter's are well made, reliable and high dollar production guns without expensive frills. There is beauty in the simplicity they offer.
I've never seen or handled a Cabot. Their looks don't appeal to me and they don't appear to offer value relative to their cost. The few reviews I've found indicate the folks at Cabot stress appearance and machining skills over reliability. I'd give them a little more time before I consider buying one.
Again, Crazy John is a great resource. He'll get you the Baer or Guncrafter you want. Probably a little faster on the Guncrafters than the Baers.
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Call Crazy John (CJ) at 1911 Heaven. Do NOT email him. You need to call him and talk with him.
John is the MAN when it comes time to order a Baer. (208) 772-2339
I'm sure that Baer builds a gun that would be what you described or can alter the specs on one enough to meet your needs. In fact, I've got a Boss .45 on the way this week, they come without front slide serrations and have a single side safety, you might look at that model.Thanks for the info and yes I want only the finest parts inside. I have looked at 1911 from just about every manufacturer out there and even though I have found a few 1911s that are close to what I want there always seems to be 1 or 2 things about it that I dont want on my perfect 1911.. I also dont want a production gun because I dont want that 1911 that everyone els has, I want the one only I have.. I already have a Springfield mil spec and I love it. Ive had it for about a month now and have put 200 rounds through it without having even the slightest hiccup. The only problem is that there are lots and lots of people out there that have that same pistol. I want to invest in something great, something that truly is one of a kind and only mine.
However, if you really want something that is "that truly is one of a kind and only mine" you need to commission yourself a custom build. I've owned a ton of 1911s, including many custom built guns but most of them were vintage builds that had been done for someone else. All great guns done by name 'smiths but not "my personal 1911" (although I'd had custom revolvers built, 1911s are just different animals). So, I took a Colt .38 Super that I'd had set aside for just such an occasion to a gunsmith that I knew and trusted. We talked about the build, what I envisioned, what I wanted to do with it, how I wanted it to perform, how I expected it to look. We agreed on a price limit and then I let him have at it. With finishing, it took about a year and a half to complete but the finished gun is amazing and it is one of a kind, my gun, like no other one out there. The only way your going to get that is with a custom build. Your Springfield would make a fine base gun for the project.
I own 1911s from all the "big four" --- Baer, Brown, Nighthawk, and Wilson. It is wrong to call these "production" guns. Each Nighthawk, for example, is totally built by one gunsmith
From all these manufacturers, you can start with one of their models and ask to modify those. Some allow more leeway than others. But you can probably get what you want since you are looking at a fairly basic pistol. Now, some of them may not use certain parts made by someone else. I doubt Brown or Baer want to use the extended thumb safety from Wilson.
Last pistol I ordered from Nighthawk was a Falcon and I changed the front and rear sights, changed to slim grips, and changed to a medium length trigger. Before that, I ordered a Brown with a different front sight, had the barrel cut so it had a reverse crown and was flush fit, and added serrations to the rear of the slide.
From all these manufacturers, you can start with one of their models and ask to modify those. Some allow more leeway than others. But you can probably get what you want since you are looking at a fairly basic pistol. Now, some of them may not use certain parts made by someone else. I doubt Brown or Baer want to use the extended thumb safety from Wilson.
Last pistol I ordered from Nighthawk was a Falcon and I changed the front and rear sights, changed to slim grips, and changed to a medium length trigger. Before that, I ordered a Brown with a different front sight, had the barrel cut so it had a reverse crown and was flush fit, and added serrations to the rear of the slide.
If I wanted something very specific, I wouldn't go to a "production custom" shop like Baer. The theory is that they make guns to "custom" standards, but they're not custom; you're buying a gun that is offered in specific configurations determined by the maker (that is, not custom at all).
Generally, they have cataloged items, built to a specific spec, and if you vary from that it will cost you. Sometimes there will be an option, like specify flat mainspring housing or arched housing, but some shops will charge you to change, essentially billing you twice for that part.
If you want an arched housing, you are out of luck with Wilson, as they no longer make arched housings and won't install anyone else's.
I shot a friend's Baer Thunder Ranch, and it's a great gun, but it's not custom. If you like one of their packages, great. If not, I'd go with a shop or 'smith that will work with you on the parts and specs that you want.
For what you want, you might try Springfield Armory's custom shop. They can upgrade a basic Mil-Spec for you, with all the best parts that they put in their top range of pistols, but without the "features" that you don't want.
Or, Colt's custom shop; they have the "Model O Package" which is pretty much what you are looking for.
Generally, they have cataloged items, built to a specific spec, and if you vary from that it will cost you. Sometimes there will be an option, like specify flat mainspring housing or arched housing, but some shops will charge you to change, essentially billing you twice for that part.
If you want an arched housing, you are out of luck with Wilson, as they no longer make arched housings and won't install anyone else's.
I shot a friend's Baer Thunder Ranch, and it's a great gun, but it's not custom. If you like one of their packages, great. If not, I'd go with a shop or 'smith that will work with you on the parts and specs that you want.
For what you want, you might try Springfield Armory's custom shop. They can upgrade a basic Mil-Spec for you, with all the best parts that they put in their top range of pistols, but without the "features" that you don't want.
Or, Colt's custom shop; they have the "Model O Package" which is pretty much what you are looking for.
I fully realize that we stray from the actual subject of the thread and we drift in to a discussion of terminology when we willfully choose to split hairs and address specific words in a post. However with that said...
Les Baer takes rough parts that have no prayer of possibly being anywhere near able to assemble at all and they file, hone and (literally) beat them in to submission to eventually make a handgun. They don't sell any firearms that start life in any other way.
That's pretty close to "custom" depending on who is arguing the terms. And if one wants to get really energetic when arguing the definition of "custom", it seems odd to me that we are still talking about some builder's version of long-dead John Browning's pistol.
If we wanna be staunch on the term "custom" then maybe we should cite a design that less than 50 manufacturers are making.
Les Baer takes rough parts that have no prayer of possibly being anywhere near able to assemble at all and they file, hone and (literally) beat them in to submission to eventually make a handgun. They don't sell any firearms that start life in any other way.
That's pretty close to "custom" depending on who is arguing the terms. And if one wants to get really energetic when arguing the definition of "custom", it seems odd to me that we are still talking about some builder's version of long-dead John Browning's pistol.
If we wanna be staunch on the term "custom" then maybe we should cite a design that less than 50 manufacturers are making.
I know that this turned into a discussion of Les Baer and the quality of that firm's guns. I have a Les Baer Wadcutter and it shoots great. But that is not your issue.
If you want a M1911 built to your specifications, call Les Baer up and see if he will do that. If you don't get the answer you want, call other makers and see what they will do.
Some one in the industry will take your money, especially if you offer to pay them enough.
If you want a M1911 built to your specifications, call Les Baer up and see if he will do that. If you don't get the answer you want, call other makers and see what they will do.
Some one in the industry will take your money, especially if you offer to pay them enough.
Jim Watson
New member
The Springfield Custom Carry is very close to what you describe.
Beavertail, Novak sights, holey trigger and hammer, high quality.
No front serrations, no ambi, no French fried borders...
If it is not exactly what you want, they will make it to suit.
Beavertail, Novak sights, holey trigger and hammer, high quality.
No front serrations, no ambi, no French fried borders...
If it is not exactly what you want, they will make it to suit.
Thanks for the info and yes I want only the finest parts inside.
If you want only the finest parts I would look at Wilson.
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