Hey i am looking to get a 1911 pistol chambered in .45acp i want the most accurate one out there. I already have a 9mm and .22 and want to get something more accurate and bigger. My price limit is around $1500.00 i like the kimber stainless target 2, anyone every shot that gun how accurate and reliable are they? I heard they had some problems with the extractor. Thanks
Best 1911 target?
- Thread starter spook22
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The Wiry Irishman
Member
One of the most accurate 1911s out there is going to be a Les Baer with the 1.5" (at 50 yards) guarantee, but I don't think you're going to fit that into a 1500 dollar budget, even used.
I have a Custom Target II with a little more than 5000 rounds through it. After it had two failures to return to battery while it was still breaking in between 200 and 300 rounds, it has not failed. The "extractor problem" was with their earlier external extractor models, which they no longer make. A friend has one, and it has yet to have an issue in 3000 rounds. The Kimber target sights are excellent, and the gun is fairly accurate. Not accurate enough for my tastes, so I ordered a 1.5" Baer.
I think the most important question in picking this gun is how accurate are you? Do you shoot handguns a lot? Are you into bullseye, or some other accuracy-centric competition that you practice regularly for? I'm not making assumptions on your skill, just pointing out that I've heard a lot of new handgun owners or people that don't shoot handguns much looking for "the most accurate pistol" when the truth is the way they shoot they'd never see a difference between and RIA and a Baer. Knowing how well you shoot can go a long way to avoiding throwing away money for extra accuracy that you'll never be able to take advantage of.
I have a Custom Target II with a little more than 5000 rounds through it. After it had two failures to return to battery while it was still breaking in between 200 and 300 rounds, it has not failed. The "extractor problem" was with their earlier external extractor models, which they no longer make. A friend has one, and it has yet to have an issue in 3000 rounds. The Kimber target sights are excellent, and the gun is fairly accurate. Not accurate enough for my tastes, so I ordered a 1.5" Baer.
I think the most important question in picking this gun is how accurate are you? Do you shoot handguns a lot? Are you into bullseye, or some other accuracy-centric competition that you practice regularly for? I'm not making assumptions on your skill, just pointing out that I've heard a lot of new handgun owners or people that don't shoot handguns much looking for "the most accurate pistol" when the truth is the way they shoot they'd never see a difference between and RIA and a Baer. Knowing how well you shoot can go a long way to avoiding throwing away money for extra accuracy that you'll never be able to take advantage of.
10X
Member
I would look for a used Les Baer with the 1 1/2" guarantee.
Second, I would look for a Colt Gold Cup.
Second, I would look for a Colt Gold Cup.
schmeky
Member
I agree with the 1.5" used Baer, which equates to .75", guaranteed at 25 yards. The thing about a Baer (or any other quality 1911) is it will retain it's accuracy probably longer than you afford to shoot it.
The Wiry Irishman
Member
Here's a NIB 1.5" PII, currently at 99 dollars over your budget:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129306027
Its been relisted at that same starting price and reserve about five times, so there's a pretty good chance you could grab it for 1600 if you feel its worth that much to you.
ETA: MSRP on a PII is 1795, and they charge 295 extra for the 1.5 inch guarantee. This is a very good deal.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129306027
Its been relisted at that same starting price and reserve about five times, so there's a pretty good chance you could grab it for 1600 if you feel its worth that much to you.
ETA: MSRP on a PII is 1795, and they charge 295 extra for the 1.5 inch guarantee. This is a very good deal.
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robctwo
Member
I found a used Baer PII with the 1.5" guarantee a couple of years ago for $1,750. It had 800-900 rounds through it, so was barely into the break-in. It is fantastic. It was a fluke to find that gun at that price then.
My level of shooting doesn't really call for that accurate of a gun, but I still enjoy having that capability. If you are looking for the super accurate, save a few more $ and get the Baer. You will always know it's out there if you get something else. An it will haunt you.
My level of shooting doesn't really call for that accurate of a gun, but I still enjoy having that capability. If you are looking for the super accurate, save a few more $ and get the Baer. You will always know it's out there if you get something else. An it will haunt you.
farscott
Member
I would go for a Baer as they all are supposed to shoot into 3" or better at 50 yards with the proper ammo and a Ransom rest. A used one sold on the board for $900, so there are deals available.
The Wiry Irishman
Member
The 1.5 inch gaurantee is offered on almost all their guns, and each would probably be just as accurate as the next. They do, however, offer a bullseye wadcutter gun that might edge out the rest (just speculating, here) but for that you'd definitely have to be a handloader, and you wouldn't be able to run anything but wadcutters through it.
Word around the internet is that all the Baer guns are equally reliable, even the 1.5 models, which I find surprising. Baer guns are famous for their bank-vault tight lockup - at SHOT this year I got to play with some brand new ones and they were so tight that I couldn't move the slide on some of them without whacking the front. None of those had the 1.5 inch gaurantee. But don't worry, after 1000+ rounds they get slicker than snot.
Almost all their guns are available in stainless, as well, for about $100 more.
Browse around on their site - http://lesbaer.com/
ETA - If you have more questions, call them. They're very nice people.
Word around the internet is that all the Baer guns are equally reliable, even the 1.5 models, which I find surprising. Baer guns are famous for their bank-vault tight lockup - at SHOT this year I got to play with some brand new ones and they were so tight that I couldn't move the slide on some of them without whacking the front. None of those had the 1.5 inch gaurantee. But don't worry, after 1000+ rounds they get slicker than snot.
Almost all their guns are available in stainless, as well, for about $100 more.
Browse around on their site - http://lesbaer.com/
ETA - If you have more questions, call them. They're very nice people.
ROBBY.1911
Member
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try smith and wesson...
with $1500 to spend, try s&w for the less expensive, and go to proguns and others for the les baer premier II, offered at $1560.00 or thereabouts--that's what i would do--the les baer will probably shoot into 1" at 25 yds. from a ransom rest--go for it and we will all celebrate your purchase!
with $1500 to spend, try s&w for the less expensive, and go to proguns and others for the les baer premier II, offered at $1560.00 or thereabouts--that's what i would do--the les baer will probably shoot into 1" at 25 yds. from a ransom rest--go for it and we will all celebrate your purchase!
ROBBY.1911
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i just found...
...a 1911 that will shoot into 1.50" with wolf ammo, has adjustable sights, comes with two novak 8-round mags and has no slop because it was fitted in a custom shop. big bucks? no, the rock island armory FS Match with blued finish and sexy polished wood grips has an MSRP of $650. take the rest of your money and buy a decent holster and a ton of ammo from gulfcoast ammunition.
...a 1911 that will shoot into 1.50" with wolf ammo, has adjustable sights, comes with two novak 8-round mags and has no slop because it was fitted in a custom shop. big bucks? no, the rock island armory FS Match with blued finish and sexy polished wood grips has an MSRP of $650. take the rest of your money and buy a decent holster and a ton of ammo from gulfcoast ammunition.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Doesn't mean you or I can shoot it that well.
It only means the gun is capable of it.
Very few people can shoot any handgun into 1.5" at 50 yards while standing on their hind legs.
rc
The Wiry Irishman
Member
This was the point I was trying to make with my first post. I've had the pleasure of meeting a small handful of people that can shoot like that, and they all seem to have practiced daily or close to it for at least two decades. Right now I'm ecstatic if I can hold 5" at that distance for a whole range trip.
ETA: Now that I think about it - "small handful" means "two." That really is a rare level of talent.
benderx4
Member
This one right here: (Save up another grand)
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