Higher-end 1911's: Any Comments?

M

MRH

New member
I've reached the point where I really, really want a top-shelf 1911, or at least a top-shelf 1911 under $2,500.

I'm looking at the following guns:

Kimber Gold Combat
Les Baer TR Special
Les Baer Premier
Springfield TRP Pro

and I'd like some opinions about these four guns.

I currently shoot a Kimber Classic Royal and a Colt 1991A1, both of which I love.
 
May I attempt to muddy the water and suggest you also consider Wilson? $2500 puts you in their ball park and it's a great freakin ball park. May not like the wait though.

My current carry pistol is a Wilson Protector. I have a Tactical Elite on order. Good stuff.
 
With the budget you mentioned, you shouldn't be disappointed with whatever it is that you decide to purchase.

I'd probably get a Wilson CQB.
($1550 to $1730, depending on options.)

Yes, I know there are more expensive pistols to be found, but call me crazy, I'd be more than happy with a Wilson CQB (or comparable pistol) AND a decent hunting rifle.
 
I carry a Wilson CQB daily. It's one hell of a pistol. I would scratch the Baer TR off the list. It's basically a premier II with the Thunder Ranch name on it. Personally, I think the PII is a better pistol. I have a Baer Concept III and Stainless Stinger. My other Wilson is a Sentinel. I have nothing but good things to say about my 2 Wilsons and 2 Baers.

I highly recommend the Wilson CQB(around $1700), Protector(around $1700), Les Baer SRP(around $2500), or Baer Premier II Super-Tac, .45 ACP/.400 COR-BON Combo (around $2150).

If you decide you want a Wilson or Baer, contact Terry Peters from P&T Partners. He retails Wilsons and Les Baers. He may have your pistol in stock which would void the 6-8 month wait.

WARNING: Once you purchase a top quality pistol like a Wilson or Baer, you'll never go back to production pistols.

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Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.

ArmySon, that's one hell of a site. I think it'll be the place to buy. I didn't realize Baers and Wilsons were so close in price. How do the Service Grade Protector from Wilson and the Premier II's from Baer compare?

Nope, no hope of seeing one first, out here.

1911 bug bites hard.
Mark
 
MRH, Kimber makes a great production gun, but the lower priced guns from Wilson and Baer blow the Gold Combat away. The Wilsons and Baers are custom guns, the Kimber is not. I owned a Gold Combat, and I was disappointed.

Tom


[This message has been edited by Thomas Nowicki (edited July 17, 2000).]
 
Hard to go wrong with a Wilson or a Baer. I have a Premier II that still amazes me with it's accuracy. Never shot a Wilson so I have no basis for comparison.
Ronin

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NRA/GOA/GOTF
Vote!!
 
My favorite 1911 is a Kimber Custom Classic with a few add-ons, due more to budget than desire. In your price range consider Rock River Arms, and Brian Bilby. I have no direct experience with either, but there have been many raves about both on this and on other sites. I have watched Bilby's waiting list get longer and longer. This will tell you something. I'm mostly an armchair 1911 guy, but having reviewed this and other sites for a year or two, it seems you can't go wrong with either. Plus, you get to order the features you want with Bilby, creating your own custom piece.

Good luck.
 
Anything built in 1911 is an antique.
A copy of anything built in 1911 is a copy of an antique.

I've got an antique radio but when I want to listen to good music, I used a modern stereo.

You cannot convince me improvements have not been made in hanguns and calibers.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by suckersrus:
Anything built in 1911 is an antique.
A copy of anything built in 1911 is a copy of an antique.

I've got an antique radio but when I want to listen to good music, I used a modern stereo.

You cannot convince me improvements have not been made in hanguns and calibers.[/quote]

Hold on here while I lace up my ass-kicking boots . . .

ANY and ALL tilting bbl, lock breech semi-auto handguns are "copies" of the 1911 action. If you try to tell me that Glock is a better design I'm gonna puke. To carry this out "logico cum adsurdum" . . .

"A Stradivarius is an antique. Any modern violin is a copy of a Stradivarius. I own a Stradivarius, but if I want to listen to good music, I turn on the stereo." --but then I don't play a violin. And you, sir, don't have a clue what you're talking about.


As regards Kimber, Springfield, and Baer. Baer is a custom gun, the other two are production guns that wannabe custom guns. Kimber and Springfield are fine guns, but they're not custom.

At the risk of stepping on some toes here, I suggest that before you purchase a Stradivarius, you first invest in some "violin lessons" so that you understand what you're looking at.

Wilson and Chip McCormick make nice custom guns too.




[This message has been edited by JackFlash (edited July 18, 2000).]
 
Suggest you go 'Baer' at that price from that list.

You will likely be most satisfied with the Baer, as it has the highest level of craftsmenship of those listed.

The Kimber and Springfield are nice but not at the level of the other two...........................my 1911 ('smithed by a friend) will be back from Robar this week. Maybe you should check with them, too.

Baer
Robar
Wilson
Kimber/Springfield.

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by suckersrus:
Anything built in 1911 is an antique.
A copy of anything built in 1911 is a copy of an antique.

You cannot convince me improvements have not been made in hanguns and calibers.[/quote]


Why the hell do you have to be so anal? Seriously, MRH asked for opinions on 1911's. You sir, decided to act like a friggin 5 year old and start flaming. If you don't have any intelligent input, then STFU.

------------------
Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ArmySon:

If you don't have any intelligent input, then STFU.
[/quote]

LOL

First time I've seen "STFU", nice to start the day off with a chuckle. Thanks.
 
Two comments. As far as the gun goes, figure out which of the brands has the best warranty. All are subject to being lemons once in a while and spending that kind of money on something that is a lemon would be a huge disappointment. So consider that as well.

Secondly, as far as the anitque concept is concerned, I would like to mention a few other "antiques" that still seem to be around both in and out of the gun industry.

If you use a _______, you are using an antique or copy of an antique.

Bullet, rifled barrel, wheel, screwdriver, hammer, shoes, clothing...need I go on?

Just because something is based on "old technology" or is considered an antique or based on an antique does not mean it isn't good. It means it has withstood the test of time.
 
This is great fun, this "shopping."

I have or have had and shot a good bit most types of handgun (dueling pistols aside, they're kind of hard to find here): Glocks, Sigs, Smiths, Rugers (single actions and autos, rimfire and centerfire), Walthers, Colt SAA clones ... and I currently shoot a Sig P239, Smith J-frame, Freedom Arms 97, Ruger Mk II, Kimber Classic Royal, and Colt 1991A1.

I shoot best, am most confident, and have more fun with the Kimber and Colt. I want a better one. I'm pretty well down to Baer or Wilson, 5" models.

Still listenin',
Mark
 
I'll muddy the waters for you a bit, and tell you to forget Wilson, Baer, et al.

If you are willing to spend up to $2500, I would suggest you carefully shop around and have a top-notch solo 'smith build a gun for you to your specs. Call around, talk to people, cruise the forums. Call a few 'smiths, talk personally with the guy who is going to build your gun, decide what you want done and how long it might take. Do things with the attitude that you are comissioning a work of art, like a painting. Like any work done by a true artisan, good work takes time, and be prepared to wait up to 12 months or so. A good place to start is the American Pistolsmiths Guild. Any smith you choose should ideally be a member of the APG.

By doing things this way, you will truly have a fine firearm that is YOURS.

Good luck, and enjoy the whole process.
 
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