Custom built

[KY DAN]

So I am entering a season of thought where I could definitely see myself buying a les baer Comanche 38 super and a full size les baer concept 1 45 acp.

My problem is these pistols would be range toys and ever day carry and I know a kimber anything 1911 will do that with ease. I will never shoot 50 yards competivly so a 1.5 inch guarantee is worthless to me..So why spend close to 7000 dollars when I could acquire a used kimber 45 and 38 super for 800-1500an item.

What advantages is the les baer over a mass produced kimber?

 

[nettlle]

You would have to hold both in your hand and shoot them to understand

 

[Tirod]

I might serve better to search the internet for Les Baer threads. There seems to be two distinct camps.

 

[Howland937]

I might serve better to search the internet for Les Baer threads. There seems to be two distinct camps.

As is the case with Kimber.

I'd be inclined to pass on the $800 range Kimbers since fit and finish just doesn't do anything for me. Maybe their higher end offerings are better?
For the same money, I'd be looking more into either Springfield Armory or Sig (I have a few Sig 1911's and have zero complaints).

 

[Fireball57]

I have carried and shot my Les Baer/ StrayerVolt 45, a Series 70 Gold Cup, and a Para 45. The Les Baer, with it's double magazine fits my hand and with SWC's will put five in a slow fire NRA center bullseye style. Worth every penny! Have a good day!

 

[JTQ]

What advantages is the les baer over a mass produced kimber?

You'd get to use your bushing wrench.

The Baer would probably be more reliable, for a longer period of time.

As prickly as Les Baer has a reputation to be, if you had a problem, you could probably send your gun back to Baer and have the problem addressed faster than you could with the Kimber.

With the Comanche, you'd gain experience using the slide stop to release the slide.

 

[JTQ]

I'd be inclined to pass on the $800 range Kimbers since fit and finish just doesn't do anything for me. Maybe their higher end offerings are better?

Kimber's are all fit the same, regardless of price. An $800 Kimber is a pretty good value in the 1911 world. They have a good frame, slide, and in that $800 price range, they are pretty well put together.

 

[Howland937]

Kimber's are all fit the same, regardless of price. An $800 Kimber is a pretty good value in the 1911 world. They have a good frame, slide, and in that $800 price range, they are pretty well put together.

I can say pretty confidently that none of the 3 I've owned were impressive in any way. Finish was cheap and fit wasn't spectacular. But they were 2 Custom LW's and a PC2, which are their lower end offerings.

 

[browneu]

So I am entering a season of thought where I could definitely see myself buying a les baer Comanche 38 super and a full size les baer concept 1 45 acp.

My problem is these pistols would be range toys and ever day carry and I know a kimber anything 1911 will do that with ease. I will never shoot 50 yards competivly so a 1.5 inch guarantee is worthless to me..So why spend close to 7000 dollars when I could acquire a used kimber 45 and 38 super for 800-1500an item.

What advantages is the les baer over a mass produced kimber?

Hello my friend. By now you're probably realizing that that there will be a couple of camps. One camp that believes you don't get much more with the Baer and it doesn't justify the price since a Kimber is good enough. The other camp that states you're getting a better quality pistol with tighter tolerances, better reliability, etc...

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. I'd recommend firing a Baer before the purchase even if it's not in the caliber your buying. Just know that a new Baer could be a little finicky because it will be very tight. You'll notice the difference when racking the slide and disassembly. The barrel bushings of a Baer are as tight as they come in my opinion. But all of this helps with accuracy.

Now let me tell you what I think a Baer will bring whether it matters to you or not. Everyone isn't going to completely agree with me but buying a Baer carries a certain status similar to a women buying a Louis Vuitton compare to the Walmart special. Both will carry her belongings but the Louis Vuitton will be recognized above the Walmart special. Status isn't as overt in the gun community but it's still quietly there. Personally, I don't care about status I just buy what I like regardless of what others think.

 

[Anchorite]

Baers are niche 1911s in the sense of their price point and those that adhere to Les’s build philosophy. They are a small custom shop with a die-hard following and, at least in my experience, great customer service.

I own two Baers today….a UTC and a Comanche Heavyweight. I also own a Kimber TLE and a few Colts. I’ve had over the years a few SA, but nothing out of their custom shop. No first-hand experience with Wilson or Ed Brown.

My Kimber TLE (the 4” version) has been fine. But I had an early Desert Warrior years ago that would never run and I sent it down the road when Kimber gave up on it and essentially blamed me for its faulty performance. I’d give Kimber CS a C+. They are a bigger, mass-production outfit, compared to Baer.

A Baer will have a much better resale value if you decide to upgrade one day.