Goodness, what a hot thread! It locked while I was reading it.
Let me quote Brian Bilby: I think Baers problem is that they build the guns way too tight, don't test fire them to check function and then tell the customer to fire it a lot to break it in. Well, that's bunk. A gun doesn't need to be that tight to be accurate. I know. I build my package guns to be tight, but the slide can be retracted with normal effort and I test fire every gun with at least four different types of ammo and bullet styles to insure reliability before finishing. After finishing it only needs about 3 mags to break in then it will work so long as you do your job.
I'm sure not going to argue with Brian! I have two Les Baer's. The first was an early Premier II. I waited a LONG time for this pistol, and it was worth it. It took about 200 rounds for the pistol to loosen up to the point it wasn't a struggle to strip. It's seen LOTS of rounds since then, and it continues be incredibly accurate and reliable. It was worth every cent, and I doubt I'll ever find a pistol that I would trade it for.
Based on that good experience, I bought a Concept VIII about a year ago. I first noticed that the slide stop was remarkably hard to disengage--certainly a two finger effort. (Yes, I typically "sling shot" the slide to release it). I then took it out to shoot, and the firing pin stop fell out during the second magazine of ammo. I was not a happy camper.
I sent in back promptly to Les Baer and also e-mailed them. To their credit, they promptly fixed the problem and shipped it back to me (on their nickel). At the time, I was fairly annoyed to have a high-dollar pistol that wasn't in perfect shape at delivery. I remember thinking that if I were running the shop, I'd have thrown an extra magazine in the package. At least I didn't have to pay their shipping back!
The rumor I have heard (and if somebody actually knows, please correct my ignorance) is that the Les Baer shop started out with true pistolsmiths assembling the guns. For whatever reason, most of these guys left and Baer's ended up hiring and training people to assemble the guns. Now I have no problem with that, if the guns are just as perfect at completion. Since they do not seem to be, I'm amazed that Les Baer's shop isn't taking each pistol out and firing a couple magazines of ammo just to check function. Seems like it would be cheaper and simpler then dealing with problems.
I'd agree with the suggestions to deal with the smaller shops with good reputations. I had the pleasure to meet the two gentleman at Rock River Arms last August, and was so impressed by their work that I'm expecting another 1911 in the next month or so. I'm not crazy enough to assume it will be perfect, but I'm pretty confident. Even if it isn't, I sure know who I need to talk to.
Let me quote Brian Bilby: I think Baers problem is that they build the guns way too tight, don't test fire them to check function and then tell the customer to fire it a lot to break it in. Well, that's bunk. A gun doesn't need to be that tight to be accurate. I know. I build my package guns to be tight, but the slide can be retracted with normal effort and I test fire every gun with at least four different types of ammo and bullet styles to insure reliability before finishing. After finishing it only needs about 3 mags to break in then it will work so long as you do your job.
I'm sure not going to argue with Brian! I have two Les Baer's. The first was an early Premier II. I waited a LONG time for this pistol, and it was worth it. It took about 200 rounds for the pistol to loosen up to the point it wasn't a struggle to strip. It's seen LOTS of rounds since then, and it continues be incredibly accurate and reliable. It was worth every cent, and I doubt I'll ever find a pistol that I would trade it for.
Based on that good experience, I bought a Concept VIII about a year ago. I first noticed that the slide stop was remarkably hard to disengage--certainly a two finger effort. (Yes, I typically "sling shot" the slide to release it). I then took it out to shoot, and the firing pin stop fell out during the second magazine of ammo. I was not a happy camper.
I sent in back promptly to Les Baer and also e-mailed them. To their credit, they promptly fixed the problem and shipped it back to me (on their nickel). At the time, I was fairly annoyed to have a high-dollar pistol that wasn't in perfect shape at delivery. I remember thinking that if I were running the shop, I'd have thrown an extra magazine in the package. At least I didn't have to pay their shipping back!
The rumor I have heard (and if somebody actually knows, please correct my ignorance) is that the Les Baer shop started out with true pistolsmiths assembling the guns. For whatever reason, most of these guys left and Baer's ended up hiring and training people to assemble the guns. Now I have no problem with that, if the guns are just as perfect at completion. Since they do not seem to be, I'm amazed that Les Baer's shop isn't taking each pistol out and firing a couple magazines of ammo just to check function. Seems like it would be cheaper and simpler then dealing with problems.
I'd agree with the suggestions to deal with the smaller shops with good reputations. I had the pleasure to meet the two gentleman at Rock River Arms last August, and was so impressed by their work that I'm expecting another 1911 in the next month or so. I'm not crazy enough to assume it will be perfect, but I'm pretty confident. Even if it isn't, I sure know who I need to talk to.