All,
Hi, I currently own a Les Baer SRP built on a single stack Commanche slide/frame. I can honestly say that after 3000 rounds this is an excellent gun. Is it perfect? Absolutely NOT.
However, no other production 1911 can touch it IMHO. I don't like the too slick Baer Coat and the gun is almost too pretty to shoot. I bought it new (ordered it) and it ran sluggish during the first 500 rounds or so, but after that it has run perfectly.
I've had very few stoppages with this gun and all are attributeable to my limp wristing of the gun. I hate the stupid cheap a$$ mags that came with the weapon. They work, but I don't like the flimsy followers and frankly I prefer Metalform's to anything I've tried.
I must however point out that my gun is over two years old now and it was built shortly before several key 'smiths left Baer's plant (from what I've read and heard).
I belive this gun was built shortly before the Rock River Arms guys left his shop to pursue their own banner. Of course I don't really know who built the gun, but if the performance, fit and finish is any indication it was someone who knew their way around a 1911.
From what I've read around TFL and other knowlegeable places (to include Baer's own website which has advertised for one or more knowlegeable smiths recently) Baer's current crop of gun plumbers are inexperienced at best.
My two cents is that I would not currently order a gun from Baer's shop. My latest project is being worked on at the Cylinder and Slide Shop in Nebraska.
For those of you with the cash and serious desire to own a truly custom, hard core 1911 check out the smaller shops with a good rep. Brian, I've been checking you out and you'll likely get my next pet project.
DR
[This message has been edited by DesertRat (edited February 21, 2000).]