Les Baer (thoughts)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Mark_Mark

Mark_Mark

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2021
Messages
17,904
I’m getting into 1911’s and now I know why people love them and love the .45 ACP (soft shooter, but nice kick)

What do you folks think about Les Baer, is it worth the money? Are they all hand built?

I was looking at the Stinger Rolo and I plan to carry it. Should I go with a full size?
 
I don't own one. I believe they are probably priced accordingly. They are less expensive than most of the other semi-customs, and are a little more crude than the other semi-customs. Some like and appreciate this crudeness feeling it gives the gun character.

I can appreciate that feeling, but I'd spend the extra money to get an Ed Brown or Wilson Combat as I think they make a 1911 more along the lines of what I prefer.
 
Last edited:
JTQ said:
I don't own one. I believe they are probably priced accordingly. They are less expensive than most of the other semi-customs, and are a little more crude than the other semi-customs. Some like and appreciate this crudeness feeling it gives the gun character.

I can appreciate that feeling, but I'd spend the extra money to get an Ed Brown or Wilson Combat as I think they make a 1911 more along the lines of what I prefer.
Click to expand...
I do like the cruder feel, I checked one out yesterday and it was tight light a vacuum cleaner to unlock, but smooth like butter. I’ll probably buy one and get a leather holster to get the “wear” look. Look that look on classic guns
 
Look for some pictures of how VZ Grips (just an example of a common aftermarket grip) fit on Les Baer's vs other 1911's. The Baer's have a very square front strap and leave a lot frame showing.

Look up Les Baer's finish and how the color "plum's" over time.

Les Baer's Commanche size (Commander size sort of equivalent) uses a Government size frame, while everybody else that makes a Commander size gun uses a Commander specific frame. Many Baer Commanche's cannot be sling shot because of this. You'll need to use the slide release. I do anyway, but some may be bothered by this.

Not a big deal since most folks buy aftermarket mags anyway, but even the Baer fans don't like the Baer mags.

Aside from the frame, other dimensions are a little different than most other 1911's.
 
Well, having worked for Les for 21 years (1992- 2013) I can possibly answer a few questions. Having said that, it has been eight years since I did work there and doubtless some things have changed.

As JTQ mentioned, they are semi-custom guns insofar as : One man does not build the gun from start to finish. There is an assembly line where each man does his specialty and down the line it goes. This is one way to save money in production. I used to do all the checkering and slide to frame fitting. Everything actually IS hand fitted. This includes mainspring housings, beavertails, triggers, barrels, bushings and just about everything else. With the exception of barrel lockup and final assembly, most everybody was cross trained.

The gun can be ordered pretty much with whatever features you want, and deviations, within certain limitations, are allowed. For instance, when we were doing TR Specials for Clint Smith, if a customer wanted an Ambi safety in place of the single side, that was OK. But we couldn't build one in 9mm. It was in the contract with Clint.....45 ACP only. If you call the shop for any information, ask for Brenda. She has forgotten more about 1911s than most of us will ever know. She has been with Les longer than I was and she can answer any question you might have. A Baer pistol is good value for the money. Some say they aren't QUITE as pretty as a Wilson or an Ed Brown.....but they don't cost nearly as much either.
JTQ said:
Look up Les Baer's finish and how the color "plum's" over time.
Click to expand...
This is usually caused by one of two things, or both. Many cast parts such as safeties and mainspring housings have a bit of silicone in the metal. This is to help the metal fill the mold. This will give you the "plum" color over time. The other factor is hardened steel. The harder it is the more likely it is to turn plum colored. Try blueing an M-1 rifle receiver and you will see what I mean. This discoloring is by no means exclusive to Baer guns. I've seen "plum" on just about everyone else's 1911s over the years.
 
JTQ said:
Look for some pictures of how VZ Grips (just an example of a common aftermarket grip) fit on Les Baer's vs other 1911's. The Baer's have a very square front strap and leave a lot frame showing.

Look up Les Baer's finish and how the color "plum's" over time.

Les Baer's Commanche size (Commander size sort of equivalent) uses a Government size frame, while everybody else that makes a Commander size gun uses a Commander specific frame. Many Baer Commanche's cannot be sling shot because of this. You'll need to use the slide release. I do anyway, but some may be bothered by this.

Not a big deal since most folks buy aftermarket mags anyway, but even the Baer fans don't like the Baer mags.

Aside from the frame, other dimensions are a little different than most other 1911's.
Click to expand...
THANKS! 1911’s and there mag issues!
 
I want a blued Government Model with those tight serrations in the back great front strap checkering 9mm or 45 acp and I want to shoot it a lot!
 
tark said:
Well, having worked for Les for 21 years (1992- 2013) I can possibly answer a few questions. Having said that, it has been eight years since I did work there and doubtless some things have changed.

As JTQ mentioned, they are semi-custom guns insofar as : One man does not build the gun from start to finish. There is an assembly line where each man does his specialty and down the line it goes. This is one way to save money in production. I used to do all the checkering and slide to frame fitting. Everything actually IS hand fitted. This includes mainspring housings, beavertails, triggers, barrels, bushings and just about everything else. With the exception of barrel lockup and final assembly, most everybody was cross trained.

The gun can be ordered pretty much with whatever features you want, and deviations, within certain limitations, are allowed. For instance, when we were doing TR Specials for Clint Smith, if a customer wanted an Ambi safety in place of the single side, that was OK. But we couldn't build one in 9mm. It was in the contract with Clint.....45 ACP only. If you call the shop for any information, ask for Brenda. She has forgotten more about 1911s than most of us will ever know. She has been with Les longer than I was and she can answer any question you might have. A Baer pistol is good value for the money. Some say they aren't QUITE as pretty as a Wilson or an Ed Brown.....but they don't cost nearly as much either.

This is usually caused by one of two things, or both. Many cast parts such as safeties and mainspring housings have a bit of silicone in the metal. This is to help the metal fill the mold. This will give you the "plum" color over time. The other factor is hardened steel. The harder it is the more likely it is to turn plum colored. Try blueing an M-1 rifle receiver and you will see what I mean. This discoloring is by no means exclusive to Baer guns. I've seen "plum" on just about everyone else's 1911s over the years.
Click to expand...
WOW, I was just asking for a simple question about their quality and such. Didn’t think I would get a person who actually built Les Bear’s to chime in. You pretty much answered all my questions.

The $2,000 mark is were I like to stay and I’m perfectly good with assembly line style manufacturing with each man having a specialty.

Question: How many guns would they produce in a day. How many people worked a shift?
 
I was not satisfied with my Premier II.
Poor quality adjustable sights, super thin blueing (wore to silver in the grip area in just a few weeks), extractor issues.
That was over 10 years ago, so take it for what it's worth.
 
PO2Hammer said:
I was not satisfied with my Premier II.
Poor quality adjustable sights, super thin blueing (wore to silver in the grip area in just a few weeks), extractor issues.
That was over 10 years ago, so take it for what it's worth.
Click to expand...
DANG! thanks man! I wanted to get a old blueing look for years of carry. I’ll check out the reviews on their blueing
 
PO2Hammer said:
I was not satisfied with my Premier II.
Poor quality adjustable sights, super thin blueing (wore to silver in the grip area in just a few weeks), extractor issues.
That was over 10 years ago, so take it for what it's worth.
Click to expand...
How bad of blueing wear we talking about?
 
Mark_Mark said:
Question: How many guns would they produce in a day. How many people worked a shift?
Click to expand...
It was (is) Les' policy not to release any employee info. I will honor that. It has all probably changed in eight years, anyway. I have no idea how many guns a year we made. I would guess very low four figures.
 
tark said:
I would love to ......but that question is better put to Brenda. I have no idea how many guns a year we made. I would guess very low four figures.
Click to expand...
wow that’s low! did they have any blueing wear issues?

I know some batches at a certain time have certain issues, I come from a QC manufacturing background.
 
Mark_Mark said:
wow that’s low! did they have any blueing wear issues?
Click to expand...
We did have guns come back from time to time with complaints about the blueing. Like you said, a lemon here and there is inevitable. This did not happen often. All RMAs went to the assemblers for initial assessment. They kept logs on every one. That logbook was pretty thin.
 
Mark_Mark said:
How bad of blueing wear we talking about?
Click to expand...
lesbaer.jpg
This was after just a couple weeks, it got worse. Web area, trigger guard.
The extractor hole was drilled out oval, so you could wiggle the extractor (after removing some burrs it functioned fine).
The front sight was molded crooked, you could see the left side of the blade when sighting, but it was dovetailed and blind pinned in place, so no easy replacement.
The rear sight blade was also molded poorly (molded, not machined), so the sight picture was poor.
The 'hand checkering' should have been left to machines, mine had a lot of cross overs in the lines.
Accurate? yes, well fitted too, very tight. It was just very disappointing to plunk down 2 grand and get such crappy sights and thin blueing. I could have lived with the rest.
Note the Iowa marks, Illinois was better.
 
tark said:
We did have guns come back from time to time with complaints about the blueing. Like you said, a lemon here and there is inevitable. This did not happen often. All RMAs went to the assemblers for initial assessment. They kept logs on every one. That logbook was pretty thin.
Click to expand...
thanks man! I’ll buy a Les Bear because I always wanted one. why not!
 
PO2Hammer said:
View attachment 1001269
This was after just a couple weeks, it got worse. Web area, trigger guard.
The extractor hole was drilled out oval, so you could wiggle the extractor (after removing some burrs it functioned fine).
The front sight was molded crooked, you could see the left side of the blade when sighting, but it was dovetailed and blind pinned in place, so no easy replacement.
The rear sight blade was also molded poorly (molded, not machined), so the sight picture was poor.
The 'hand checkering' should have been left to machines, mine had a lot of cross overs in the lines.
Accurate? yes, well fitted too, very tight. It was just very disappointing to plunk down 2 grand and get such crappy sights and thin blueing. I could have lived with the rest.
Note the Iowa marks, Illinois was better.
Click to expand...
WOW! I kindda like the look, if it was 10 years old from wear and tear. did you send it back to Les Baer?
 
PO2Hammer said:
View attachment 1001269
This was after just a couple weeks, it got worse. Web area, trigger guard.
The extractor hole was drilled out oval, so you could wiggle the extractor (after removing some burrs it functioned fine).
The front sight was molded crooked, you could see the left side of the blade when sighting, but it was dovetailed and blind pinned in place, so no easy replacement.
The rear sight blade was also molded poorly (molded, not machined), so the sight picture was poor.
The 'hand checkering' should have been left to machines, mine had a lot of cross overs in the lines.
Accurate? yes, well fitted too, very tight. It was just very disappointing to plunk down 2 grand and get such crappy sights and thin blueing. I could have lived with the rest.
Note the Iowa marks, Illinois was better.
Click to expand...
Was that a Fake???
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Les Baer Choices
Replies
4
Views
619
Black Majik
B
W
  • Locked
Les Baer PII Thoughts
Replies
10
Views
619
will919
W
K
  • Locked
Custom built
Replies
9
Views
409
Anchorite
Anchorite
G
  • Locked
To Les Baer or not to Les Baer
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Rinspeed
Rinspeed
Rival
  • Locked
Which Les Baer to get?
Replies
13
Views
2K
Rich357
R
Back
Top