1911 - Want input/feedback - Next Purchase

[WVsig]

One thing to remember about Les Baers and their stainless steel guns. They will not do a 1.5" guarantee on stainless steel guns. This does not mean they don't make on every now and then that will shoot that but they will not guarantee it. This is because they cannot tighten the frame the same way they can with blued frames.

Hard chrome will wear as well or better than stainless steel IMHO.

Since you are considering guns as high priced as the Cabot which IIRC is about $3500+ have you considered doing a full house custom at your shop of choice. You could pick up a Colt Commander and have it built up exact specs.You could have everything you want and nothing you don't. Everything from Kart match fit barrel, ball cuts, checkering of choice, etc....

Someone like Don Williams of The Action Works could make you a one of a kind pistol.

 

[Winkman822]

Any of the makers listed will do very well. As stated the Baer will be the tightest fit pistol of the lot. I think that Wilson Combat would be worth looking into. I have a CQB Compact that I adore. I've got a Baer, and while it's a very nice gun, I just feel like the Wilson is slightly better. That said, I really have no experience to speak of with Ed Brown pistols nor with Nighthawk. Another maker to take a look at would be Volkmann Precision. Here's an example:

 

[Richstag]

WV, that is the kind of info I was wondering about. Being able to fit the stainless the same. What's the difference in the process?

The custom shop is a good idea and I did that about a decade ago wth my colt combat commander. Spent thousands and got exactly what I wanted. I don't shoot it as much as the LB Comanche though.

If I end up being convinced out of stainless I will probably just stick with my LB and continue taking care of it. I just didn't want to have to be so crazy about finger prints anymore. especially hand oils in the checkering. Harder to clean. And some ivory grips have corroded the frame. Wiped off the corrosion and let the steel be hidden behind the grips. I'm probably worrying about pure cosmetics over function here. And stainless I would like more blasted/brushed finishing no high polish. Hmmm.

 

[Richstag]

Winkman, thanks for the additional suggestion! Yeah, the very few wilsons I handled a long while ago always took a hold of me. They were way out of my budget then. It's still a stretch but I don't mind saving to buy what I want later.

 

[kamagong]

Everything wears eventually, but I've yet to see pics of a worn out hard chrome gun. I doubt wear will be a problem though, should that happen it'll probably be time to rebuild the pistol.

The Springfield Custom Shop does a gorgeous HC with their matte finish.

I didn't realize Cabots were so pricey. If you're considering those take a look at Pistol Dynamics. They are true customs made by Paul Liebenberg out of his shop in Palm Bay. A Combat Special is at the top of my wish list.

 

[WVsig]

WV, that is the kind of info I was wondering about. Being able to fit the stainless the same. What's the difference in the process?

The custom shop is a good idea and I did that about a decade ago wth my colt combat commander. Spent thousands and got exactly what I wanted. I don't shoot it as much as the LB Comanche though.

If I end up being convinced out of stainless I will probably just stick with my LB and continue taking care of it. I just didn't want to have to be so crazy about finger prints anymore. especially hand oils in the checkering. Harder to clean. And some ivory grips have corroded the frame. Wiped off the corrosion and let the steel be hidden behind the grips. I'm probably worrying about pure cosmetics over function here. And stainless I would like more blasted/brushed finishing no high polish. Hmmm.

It has to do with the hardness of the metal. Stainless steel fit as tight as the carbon steel Baer has a tendency to gall and seize a slide and frame. IIRC. In all honesty I cannot hold a 1.5" group at 50 yards so it would not bother me.

If you are worried about the finish on the old Baer why not send it to someone like Dave Severns and have him put his hard hat treatment on it. You will never have to worry about corrosion or real wear on the pistol ever again and it will cost you a lot less than $3500. LOL

 

[Richstag]

Thanks again for ALL of the info. I will take the time to look into all options suggested. I appreciate it

 

[tark]

Hi gang. back again. WVsig mentioned that a stainless gun will not receive an 1-1/2" guarantee from Les's shop. Here's why:

Fitting stainless steel can be a real pain and the reason is galling. You must use lots of lube (I would tell you what but it is a dirty little Baer secret) and go very slowly. With fitting Carbon steel, you start the slide on the frame, often dry, and tap it gently with a soft hammer. Then you tap it off and look for the galling (rub) marks. You file them out and repeat the process. When it is about halfway on you introduce oil into the process. But fitting a slide that is gooped with too much oil will result in a loose fit after you remove the oil. You would be surprised how a thick film of oil can tighten up a loose fit. You must use as little as possible.

Stainless is entirely different. It has chromium in the steel and that stuff is VERY hard. It often galls. If it galls the galled metal has to be removed. To make matters worse, in the process of galling (one part ripping metal off the other and imbedding it) the galled lump is almost always work hardened so much it will chew up a file. If you work slowly and with experience, the process is reasonably quick, but fitting a stainless gun takes about twice as long as a carbon steel gun.

But the story is just getting started. When you are fitting, you are not moving the slide at the same speed as you would when firing. If you assembled the gun and fired it right after fitting it would gall up on the first shot. Horribly. Enter........(drumroll).....Lapping compound!

A little J&B lapping compound works wonders to smooth up the whole thing....but at a price. Lapping compound removes metal....which loosens up the fit.....which is why stainless guns don't get an inch and a half guarantee!

And there you have it.

 

[Richstag]

Thank you, Tark! I think I'm just going to keep takin care of my LB and spend the money on more ammo