Les Baer 1911 Break-in

[mikemyers]

.....that is what I showed you how to do in the two videos I made for you a week ago......

Yes, when I watched your videos the first time, when they were still sideways, I was able to see what you were doing. I remembered having seen this done before, but the page I linked to shows everything, step by step, with a description of what is being done. (I still haven't read all of it yet, just the beginning steps.) Thanks for posting them.

http://miairsoft.proboards.com/threa...own-guide-pics​

Since you've done it already, maybe you can answer a question I was asked - what is the reason for doing it this way, rather than starting out by removing the barrel bushing first?

 

[rcmodel]

Because it's 10 times easier to get a tightly fitted barrel bushing out if you don't have to fight the recoil spring & plug while doing it.

Besides, that takes it far enough down for basic cleaning with no need to remove the barrel or bushing.

rc

 

[mikemyers]

That makes sense, and sounds logical. I'm trying to figure out what Les meant by saying it's easier to control the gun as you disassemble it.

Never having done it this way, I have no idea. ....in your video, you make the dis-assembly look far simpler than the other way.



I'll have my replacement grips for the gun tomorrow I think, and will start using it. 500 to 1000 rounds for break-in..... Les said to not even think about taking it apart for cleaning until I have at least a couple of hundred rounds shot from it.

Thanks to everyone up above for all the feedback, and suggestions, and photos, and especially the photos!!

 

[mikemyers]

......Here Wilson Combat lubes a 1911 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4D2mRlDo48.....

If this video from Wilson Combat is typical, I've been using too little oil in the past. Maybe one needs more lubricant for "combat" shooting than "bullseye" shooting? (I think I read on these forums that if you don't have oil leaking out of the gun, you didn't use enough.... ).

I'm also puzzled why at 1:45 into the video, he pushes the slide stop into the gun with the part aimed downwards. Is there some logical reason for doing this, other than to save time in showing the video?

 

[340PD]

The two firearms that I feel run better on what I consider an "overlubed" state.
All my 1911's and my Sig 226 which thrives on grease and oil.

 

[mgmorden]

That sure looks like A LOT of oil to use on a firearm.. you shouldn't need or want a firearm soaked in oil.

Why is there so much oil?

I don't know. When I picked up my 2011 (which is just a modernized 1911) from my FFL who is a custom pistolsmith, he mentioned (only half joking) that if the oil isn't splashing on ya while you're shooting it then there's not enough .

1911's just like more oil than Glocks and such.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm also puzzled why at 1:45 into the video, he pushes the slide stop into the gun with the part aimed downwards. Is there some logical reason for doing this, other than to save time in showing the video?

It holds the link in proper alignment while you assemble the other parts

 

[mikemyers]

I'm getting tired of seeing the original photo I posted in this thread, covering up the checkering done by 'tark'. I took a new photo of the gun a few minutes ago, with Herrett Stocks replacing the Pachmayr's that came with the gun, but apparently I can no longer edit the original post. So, here's the new photo:

 

[drband]

I'm getting tired of seeing the original photo I posted in this thread, covering up the checkering done by 'tark'. I took a new photo of the gun a few minutes ago, with Herrett Stocks replacing the Pachmayr's that came with the gun, but apparently I can no longer edit the original post. So, here's the new photo:

Nice!

 

[mikemyers]

Several things to add to this thread....

First, here's a video made by someone whw worked at Les Baer, showing the recommended way to take the gun apart. It's what RCModel recommended a while ago, along with his own videos. I've now watched these things over and over, and I hope the "doing" is as easy as the "watching"!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJhPari7dpc​

I asked 'tark' about this, and he agrees that this is how it should be done. Les Baer told me both ways work, but he made it clear he prefers to do it as shown in this video.

 

[mikemyers]

Next, I got to shoot about 170 rounds of that Winchester 230gr White Box FMJ today. I also shot about 10 rounds of Linda Dillon's "match ammo" that she loads.

The Winchester makes a loud Snap!
The match ammo makes a muffled bang.

Towards the end of the day, all that checkering on the nice wood grips felt like a coarse wood file on my hands. The match ammo was much more user-friendly.

I would say that after 170 rounds, the slide is about 15% looser than before.

 

[mikemyers]

Finally, while I realize that everyone else on TheHighRoad is a crack shot, and can put 50 rounds into one big hole, I can only dream of that.

For better or worse, here's the first four, and last four, targets from today:
http://www.sgrid.com/2015/mike-targets,%20July%2019,%202015.jpg
I expect to hear that it's almost 'criminal' to take a gun like a Les Baer and shoot targets like this, but as lousy as they look to me, I've never been able to shoot a 1911 this good before.

I can add that when i tried my friend's match ammo, two holes went right into the 3" bull, but I figure everyone else here could put them into a single hole. Oh well.

By the time the gun is broken in, I will be as well !


I guess on a more positive note, I can add that the sights are now set properly for me, and that all the advice here and in the book "The Perfect Pistol Shot" really does help, and dry-firing helps most of all.....

..........and on an even more positive note, I now feel I *can* do this a lot better; it no longer seems like something totally out of my reach. I just have to fix a few things I think I'm not doing as well as I might be able to.

 

[rcmodel]

And you are getting stronger and tougher hands then you started with!!

rc

 

[mikemyers]

....you are getting stronger and tougher hands then you started with!!....

Ha!!!! Methinks you are right. Under the nicks and scratches, and sore places, they're doing much better about manipulating the guns. Even the recoil seems to be less and less severe, the more I shoot.

With your videos, and then the one from the fellow from Les Baer, there's maybe no need for one more, but Ed Brown had a very good video created to show both methods of working on a 1911. Some of it applies to the Les Baer, but the bushing that Ed Brown uses almost falls into place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS6N1LBfA0A​

 

[johnmcl]

Tark and all,

I checked my slide for a "W", and found a lowly "A". *sigh*

I am of the opinion that this alternative method for dis-assembly is the right track for precision guns. The approach is confirmed by two outstanding gunsmiths here in Virginia, Selnick and Garrett. I also had the same conversation with Les last year.

On background, I have a pair of LB's, a Premier and a UTC. By the way, I hate the name Ultimate Tactical Carry. The gun's superb, but it sounds like a QVC commercial. I went Expert this past year using the Premier in IDPA. The main reason for the IDPA rating was not the gun, but it sure didn't hurt.

On both guns I went 200 rounds, then cleaned them. They both were tough to reassemble, but it got done. Since that initial cleaning, I put a drop of CLP on the rails every 50 rounds. I run a cleaning doodad through the barrel after each shooting phase and I keep that pace of a field strip for a cleaning every 200 or so rounds. I never go more than 300 without cleaning.

CLP is the lubricant/cleaner for the barrel. I use a military grade light weapons grease for everything else.

So far so good.....

 

[mikemyers]

......I checked my slide for a "W", and found a lowly "A".......

I must have been sleeping in class.... What and where is the "W" or "A", and what does it mean?


I guess I need to do some more searching to find out about gun lubricants. There's a long discussion on a Les Baer forum, where many users are recommending automotive motor oil. I've got quite a selection of special gun oils myself, but figured that my Wilson oil couldn't be too bad for now. Then there are people who say to use oil sparingly, while others say to put oil on liberally, and the excess will run out. Since the gun is supposed to be wearing in anyway, to me it seems logical to NOT use the absolute "bestest" oil available, as the parts do need to "wear" until they fit each other perfectly.

 

[tark]

Hi Mike. Refer to post #26 for an explanation of the letters. johnmcl, "A" is the person I trained to fit slides and frames and he is very good. Don't be ashamed of your "lowly A" !

 

[mikemyers]

Aha! Thanks, I remember that now.

I wonder how many of us are using slides with your initial? Probably lots!!!

 

[johnmcl]

Tark,

My UTC has a W! LB361XX.

Btw, this gun rocks. I'd go to war with this one.

 

[roval]

I checked my PII as well after the last range session. And slide had an A.

 

[Taroman]

Great gun.
Glad you changed the grips.
That finger groove monstrosity belongs in the trashcan.

 

[mikemyers]

I agree - will bring it to the next club swap-shop, and trade it of give it away.

Break-in is coming along reasonably smoothly. Fired another 210 rounds today, so it's approaching the 500 mark.

With white-box Winchester 230gr FMJ ammo, zero problems. With the "Train and Defend" ammo, five times today the bullet didn't want to come completely out of the magazine. Not sure why, but I'm going to wait to see how the gun works with the white box ammo.

My hands are doing better - after a couple of hundred rounds today, my hands felt fine, not even sore from the "sharp" checkering on the new grips. The rest of me felt quite tired, but the temperature being up in the 90's had a lot to do with that.

The more tired I get, the more likely I am to "flinch" or something, as my grouping starts to get huge. I can't prove it yet, but the "Train and Defend" ammo seems to group much worse than the white box ammo. Until I find out for sure, I'm going to assume that it is all me, and not the ammo.

The gun is certainly getting easier to operate. Racking the slide is now just "tight", not "locked in place". It feels nice in my hands, and thanks to practicing with the wrist weights, it never feels heavy. I will be a lot happier once I start shooting light "target loads", most likely the ones I make myself.

 

[Rinspeed]

The gun is certainly getting easier to operate. Racking the slide is now just "tight", not "locked in place".

When I first got my Baer I hand cycled it a bunch as well as shoot it and they smooth up fairly quickly. I always laugh at those that talk about Baers being built too tight.

The only 1911s that are too tight are the ones that sit in the safe.

 

[mikemyers]

......they smooth up fairly quickly.....

I'm curious - how do you define "quickly" 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 rounds??

 

[John C]

This thread has prompted me to pick up a new P II. I've always wanted one, but never got around to getting one. All I can say is, it's worth every penny! Also, if it weren't for the links on this thread, I'd never have been able to rack the slide!

I have to disagree with RC, for whom I have the highest respect. I think the 500 round break-in is awesome. From my perspective, shooting is shooting, even if you're "breaking it in". I'd rather save the cash over, say, a Wilson, and spend the money on ammo and shoot. (I do get his point....it's just a dollar doesn't go as far in a custom gun these days).