High end 1911s. Does anyone own a Wilson, Les Baer, or Clark?

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FlintLock

New member
The new issue of GUN TESTS just arrived with an article comparing the Wilson Combat CQB, the Les Baer Premier II, and the Clark Custom 1911. They rated the Wilson as a better buy saying that it was good to go right out of the box whereas the Baer and Clark both needed some work. Does anyone have any experience with any of these pistols? I am considering a high end 1911, but I would like to get as much input as possible before I spend that much money.
 
Flintlock, I have a Wilson Service Grade Protector. Since 1998, it has over 10000 rounds through it. It functioned flawlessly, the fit and finishes are great. I compared it side by side with a newer Les Baer Thunder Ranch pistol and the Wilson appeared to have better overall fit and finish. The dehorning job on the Wilson is more complete than the Les Baer, and better trigger pull but the Les Baer barrel and slide fitting is much tighter. Both are extremely reliable. Another friend owns a CQB from Wilson and except for the color of the frame (Armor Tuff green vs. hard chrome), it's identical to the Protector. The folks at Wilson Combat from Bill Wilson on down are very friendly and helpful people, their customer service is among the best if not the best. I've also handled and fired the Springfield TRP Professional (FBI swat) pistol, and it's a great gun also, although about $800 more than the Wilson Service Grade series. But I don't think that it's that much better than a Wilson. I guess you know how I feel about Wilson Combat pistols now. Good luck in your search, you can't go wrong with any of the above, it's just a personal taste and preference.
 
Have owned a Wilson CQB Compact for a while now. Never had a failure of any kind. Shoots a lot better than I can. You get what you pay for. I didn't like the price tag, but it will probably last long enough to give to my kids when I die. Wilsons service is great. The Wilsons was recomended to me by a dealer who sells both Baer and Wilson.

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"Liberty is never unalienable; it must be redeemed regularly with the blood of patriots or it always vanishes."
-R.A. Heinlein
 
I have a THUNDER RANCH and a PREMIER 2,both have been flawless right out of the box.I have about 2000rds thru each.NO COMPLAINTS!
 
I own a Wilson Sentinel and CQB. Both function flawlessly. Neither needed any work done to them. I also own a Les Baer Concept III. It was very tight until 400 rounds went through it. Now it shoots VERY tight groups. As for the Clark, though I don't own one, I sure as hell will try my best to get one in the near future :) I've heard nothing but good things about the Clark Custom 1911's. Beautiful works of art.
 
Please, please don't forget to include Ed Brown's awesome pistols on your 'short list'.

Some think he makes the BEST (and his customer service IS the best).

Rock River Arms does a real nice job, too.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
I used to own two Les Baer Premier II's... Both were great guns and were very accurate... The fit and finish were excellent, and I had no complaints except for the magazine that each gun came with... Not very impressive in my opinion... So I ended up going with Ed Brown 8 rnd. mags instead...
 
I have a Baer Concept VIII and it's a pretty good gun. Extremely accurate and very reliable (saying something for a 1911). The factory mag was crap, but a sextet of Wilson mags cured that with no trouble.

Personally, I think Gun Tests is full of it. I subscribed to that worthless rag for about a year. I've had MANY experiences contrary to what they report. I'd take anything I'd read there with many grains of salt.
 
Flintlock

I retail and market both the Les Baer and Wilson Combat as well as other custom 1911's.
This is drawn from customer comments and after retailing about 350 to 400 of the guns. The only real negative on the Baer was the gun was too tight. Is this a gun problem or people problem. The buyer has to decide that. Wilson no constant complaint. One guy said his didn't shoot good. Nothing definitive other than that. Another didn't like the finish. Armortuff. Wanted bluing instead which is not availble at this time.

I have one of each as demo with one pushing 11,000 rounds and the other with about 6000 rounds (This one was sold last weekend). Neither will out shoot the other. Neither is worn out and Neither was is or has a problem.
For a period of time Baer had some mag problems. This is why Baer went to a new style stainless mag about mid to lat 1998. There are some guns out there with the old style mag. I would guess around serial or below 7 to 8000.

This is drawn from sales: More bullseye or accuracy shooters buy the Baers and more IDPA and professionals (carry a 1911 for a living) buy the Wilson.

Which is a better gun?

That is the customers choice. I do know some of each model both Baer and Wilson are better "Value" than other similar models.

Be safe and keep the brass flying

Terry Peters
http://www.pt-partners.com
 
I have been doing business with Bill Wilson since my IPSC days of the early '80's--Outstanding company from top to bottom with legendary customer service. I own his pistols and have said this many times,but since you asked,there are many more 1911's in the safe from more "esteemed"gunsmiths,but honestly,not one of them can outshoot my out of the box Wilsons which in some cases,cost FAR less...they are my fist choice when things get serious.Regards.
 
I have a premier II and a concept I. Both are great guns and I have never had a lick of trouble. Baer is very helpful and perfectly willing to talk to the customers on the phone and answer questions. (I had never owned a 1911 prior to my premier II, so I had no idea how to clean it. Hence the call)

Great guns, I would never part with either.

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P229 Sport and 357 SIG, Perfection!
 
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