Ed Brown,Wilson Combat or Les Baer

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ge0624me

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Its probably been asked 100 times, but just looking for some feed back from some 1911 semi-custom owners, especially those that own all 4 big name manufactures. Im leaning towards an Ed Brown Kobra in SS or dual color, but can some one give a reason i should be looking at a Wilson Combat or even a Les baer, or even a Custom Night hawk, ahhhh to many choices,...this will be my first Semi -custom. I kinda get the feeling that any of them mentioned are worth what they go for ,and it's more a preference and presonal taste of the appearance and extras etc...also before i forget, SS or Dou Tone FInish SS on BLK? THX in advance.
 

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I personally like Les Baer. I've owned Baers anD wilsons and the Baers have ben my favorite. I like the Blued finish on the Baers and the super tight fit. Both of my Baers run 100% and are fit like a bank vault. The wilson wasn't tight at all but it was 100% reliable. I think it's just a personal prefrence .
 
I think it may be difficult to find someone that has owned most of the top of the line 1911's.

After months of research and soul searching, I bought a Les Baer. I want to emphasis the comment about "bank vault" lock-up made by Glocks Rock, concerning Les Baers.

It is absolutely true. In fact, I'm going out on a limb by saying that even though a Les Baer is a 1911, it's a 1911 of a different genre. Les Baers have a totally different "feel" to them, almost not like a 1911.
 
Doesn't really matter which one you buy, they all have stellar reputations that have been earned.

If you were able to test similar samples of all 4, you probably wouldn't notice any difference in paper-shooting accuracy. The real difference will be what you add to the equation. Buy any of these guns and start taking defensive handgun classes so you can really learn how to operate it.

For carry, get black matte, for anything else -whatever floats your boat.
 
I bought a Brown two tone executive target used, lnib. Great gun. Then found equally attractive deal on a 1.5" guarantee Les Baer PII. The Brown feels more refined. The Baer is more robust. The Baer has been slightly more accurate for me, but the Brown has come along with a new fiber optic front sight.

Go here and look under each manufacturer heading. http://forums.1911forum.com/
 
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these, so my post is worth exactly what you paid for it. :D

If I had my pick, it would be an Ed Brown Special Forces Carry, but I would very happily own any of the others mentioned as well.

Jason
 
All four brands you mentioned make a great 1911, so it's hard to go wrong. I guess it depends on what you want. Although they are all 1911s, the guns from each maker feel different from one another because of the finishing touches that go into crafting a 1911. I don't care for the Wilson or Nighthawk guns because of the tactical styling these two outfits choose. I like Ed Brown or Les Baer more just on looks alone. That said, I prefer Baers because of the tank-like feeling that Baers have. Ed Browns in comparison feel a little sleeker. I know it sounds like rubbish, but try and handle the different makes, you'll see what I mean.
 
MAN, thx to all you guy's, so far it seems from the feedback so far, i need to be taking a closer look at the LES BAERS, !!!
 
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Check out the many posts and pictures by Bac1023 on Glocktalk.com
He is downright extravagant and has all the guns named and many more besides. Probably won't call any one "best" though, he likes - and can afford - all of them.
 
Only one I can tell you about is the Eddy Brown....it shoots like a shootin machine and is a joy to own and fire.
1526252790996509373973.share.jpg
 
Fusion

Fusion 1911's are worth a look. One reason is that you can get one with Ion Bond finish. I live in a damp climate and worried some about the blued Thunder Ranch so considered the Fusion. I thought about just having the Les Baer Ion Bonded but realized, with shipping etc, I was looking at $3-400. Anyway; some more info to muddy the waters!
 
I see you like my Brown. The other side will be at the bottom.:)

I have owned the Brown, a few Baers, a Rock River, shot some Wilsons, handeled some Night hawks, own some Performance Center models, have some full house customs.

Out of all of them the Brown is the most refined. (finished) The Rock Rivers are just sweet, the Baers and the Nighthawks are like tanks. The Wilsons are great, just not my cup of tea, unless it is the black over grey two tone, OOOOO !!! The PC models (1911 and DK 38 Super) are just great shooters and will stand up to anyone elses.

They are all great, just comes down to what you like and are looking for.

Bob 8414EB_Right.jpg
 
rbert0005 said:
I see you like my Brown. The other side will be at the bottom.:)

I have owned the Brown, a few Baers, a Rock River, shot some Wilsons, handeled some Night hawks, own some Performance Center models, have some full house customs.

Out of all of them the Brown is the most refined. (finished) The Rock Rivers are just sweet, the Baers and the Nighthawks are like tanks. The Wilsons are great, just not my cup of tea, unless it is the black over grey two tone, OOOOO !!! The PC models (1911 and DK 38 Super) are just great shooters and will stand up to anyone elses.

They are all great, just comes down to what you like and are looking for.

Bob 8414EB_Right.jpg
Click to expand...

sorry i hope you dont mind to use your pic, anyways, i hope its a compliment to a very nice pistol, thx.
 
I own a Brown Kobra carry and Special Forces. I have two friends who own Les Baers.
Bottom line is, they are all so close its like splitting hairs. Decide if you want full size, carry, blued or other and go from there. LB has a few models for un der 2K, the rest are going to tap the wallet.
I am not fond of the "tactical overkill" being pushed, I prefer the "classic" John Browning lines. Which means no front cocking serrations for me. I have had no problems with mine and both are more accurate than I am.
 
I put the slim Dawson Precision fiber optic front sight on my PII when I had it refinished. Was out to the rifle range today and had some targets set up at 50 yards. The slimmer post makes sighting at 50 easier. Not sure that I like it as well for action pistol, the fiber is slimmer as well. Definitely nicer for distance shooting. I was hitting a 6" target with some regularity, certainly not every shot, two hand unsupported with 155 gr lswc.

I impressed the guys I was shooting with. They find 8" plates at 15 yards a challenge with their Glocks.
 
It's like Throwingdown say's their all so close. IMHO I think you get more for less money in the Les Baer. I own the PII and now the Concept II, but what really sold me is in the past 2 years I have called the Baer factory 7 times and have talked to Mr. Baer 4 of those times. The man answers his own phone. It may not be much but it was sooo nice not to have to punch 1.
 
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Need I say more?

All these guns are excellent, but after more than 12 months of research and first-hand experience, I gave the nod to the Les Baer.

In my mind, this gun gave me the most bang for the buck. (Pun intended.) Having said all this, I'm in the midst of working a deal for a Nighthawk Talon as well.

You won't go wrong with any of the brand names you mentioned. Don't forget the Springfield FBI Professional too!
 
Was out to the rifle range today and had some targets set up at 50 yards.

can i buy your magic gun instead? 50yrds woahhhh your the man....
 
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