Les Baer -Fix-sighted 1911s specifically the TR Special and the Gunsite model

[mec]

In c/2006 I bought this TR SPECIAL from an owner who had not shot the recommned 500 rounds. I completed the recommend break-in and arrived at full reliability which it has demonstrated ever since. The performance and accuracy prompted me to have Baer apply Hard Chrome.
Some time ago, I got the impression that the Thunder Ranch Special was discontinued. Recently I noticed that a gun with the same visible features is now cataloged as the GunSite Model.

Are the two models exactly the same? Are all fixed-sighted Baers with this same slide serration pattern identical regardless of name?\ THANX

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know for sure, but I suspect they are all the same inside.
What Greener called the American plan in shotguns, same action, higher grades just having engraving, fancy wood, fancier Damascus, etc.
English shotguns tended to have more elaborate machinery, going from boxlock to sidelock to self-opener and with more locking bolts.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I guess Baer took over the Gunsite model from Colt.

The only difference seems to be if you prefer a Shield on the forward part of the slide or the Raven behind the rear serrations...and of course a Raven or Shield on the grip panels.

If you don't want either the Shield or Raven, you can get the same gun as the Ultimate Tactical Carry

 

[tark]

Don't look at me!!! I retired from Baer Custom over ten years ago. I'm not up to speed on Les' current lineup.

 

[tark]

P S. I did the checkering and frame to slide fit on the OPs gun. Hope he likes it !

 

[Riomouse911]

I just read about the latest Thunder Ranch model last night. It looks awesome with the burnt nitride finish .

One thing I found interesting in the article involved the calibers Les Baer customs are taking orders for. Whoever at LB who was interviewed said that in years past LB used to take orders for roughly 70% .45 ACP, 25% 9mm and the rest 10mm, .38 Super, etc. Now it’s roughly 70% 9mm, 25% .45 and the rest 10mm, .38 Super, etc. (Maybe Tark has more insight on this?) I get the idea for the popularity of the 9mm 1911. Once I bought one and shot it, a couple of other 9mm 1911’s quickly followed.

I would love one myself, but $3,700 for a new TR 1911 is a bit rich for me.

Stay safe.

 

[mec]

I just read about the latest Thunder Ranch model last night. It looks awesome with the burnt nitride finish .

One thing I found interesting in the article involved the calibers Les Baer customs are taking orders for. Whoever at LB who was interviewed said that in years past LB used to take orders for roughly 70% .45 ACP, 25% 9mm and the rest 10mm, .38 Super, etc. Now it’s roughly 70% 9mm, 25% .45 and the rest 10mm, .38 Super, etc. (Maybe Tark has more insight on this?) I get the idea for the popularity of the 9mm 1911. Once I bought one and shot it, a couple of other 9mm 1911’s quickly followed.

I would love one myself, but $3,700 for a new TR 1911 is a bit rich for me.

Stay safe.

GREAT NEWS! Theyare listed for mere $2700!

 

[mec]

P S. I did the checkering and frame to slide fit on the OPs gun. Hope he likes it !

The one in the picture? I still have it and the metal work and fit are perfect. The brief time it spent with the original purchaser
suggests that his wife found out about it and threw a wild-eyed fit.



.

 

[johnmcl]

A couple of points here:

• The current Thunder Ranch 1911 is a Nighthawk offering and not a Les Baer. The gun still looks good.
• The Gunsite 1911 appears visually to be like my Ultimate Tactical Carry sans the birdy stamp.
• Can't stand the Ultimate Tactical Carry moniker. That name seems appropriate for a mall ninja. Hence, I carry a UTC.
• Tark did my checkering too

 

[johnmcl]

And for a little Sunday morning fun. My UTC from a recent outing.

 

[JTQ]

I just read about the latest Thunder Ranch model last night. It looks awesome with the burnt nitride finish

A couple of points here:

• The current Thunder Ranch 1911 is a Nighthawk offering and not a Les Baer. The gun still looks good.

Correct, the current Thunder Ranch is a Nighthawk https://www.nighthawkcustom.com/pistols/1911s-government/thunder-ranch-combat-special

 

[mec]

A couple of points here:

• The current Thunder Ranch 1911 is a Nighthawk offering and not a Les Baer. The gun still looks good.
• The Gunsite 1911 appears visually to be like my Ultimate Tactical Carry sans the birdy stamp.
• Can't stand the Ultimate Tactical Carry moniker. That name seems appropriate for a mall ninja. Hence, I carry a UTC.
• Tark did my checkering too

he current Thunder Ranch 1911 is a Nighthawk offering and not a Les Baer. The gun still looks good.

That 'splains that.

 

[mec]

OK.... It Really DOES cost $3700 +. It looks like Smith or somebody likes flgr. I supposed the wide serrations and the smoke finish are marks of the truely refined taste that I don't have but I'm relieved that I got my Baer and plan to keep it.

 

[Riomouse911]

A couple of points here:

• The current Thunder Ranch 1911 is a Nighthawk offering and not a Les Baer. The gun still looks good.
• The Gunsite 1911 appears visually to be like my Ultimate Tactical Carry sans the birdy stamp.
• Can't stand the Ultimate Tactical Carry moniker. That name seems appropriate for a mall ninja. Hence, I carry a UTC.
• Tark did my checkering too

Oops, you are right . Nice looking gun no matter who makes it .,

Stay safe.

 

[WVRJ]

And for a little Sunday morning fun. My UTC from a recent outing.
View attachment 1130180

That's great shooting,and it's good to see someone who appreciates the quality of a pistol like that enough to use it and not just take it out of the safe and wipe it off and put it back in the safe.Be like having a Corvette that's never driven and driving a Cavalier every day.

 

[tark]

I just read about the latest Thunder Ranch model last night. It looks awesome with the burnt nitride finish .

One thing I found interesting in the article involved the calibers Les Baer customs are taking orders for. Whoever at LB who was interviewed said that in years past LB used to take orders for roughly 70% .45 ACP, 25% 9mm and the rest 10mm, .38 Super, etc. Now it’s roughly 70% 9mm, 25% .45 and the rest 10mm, .38 Super, etc. (Maybe Tark has more insight on this?) I get the idea for the popularity of the 9mm 1911. Once I bought one and shot it, a couple of other 9mm 1911’s quickly followed.

I would love one myself, but $3,700 for a new TR 1911 is a bit rich for me.

Stay safe.

Well, when I retired in 2012, We were making a lot of .45s and very few 9MMs. I would say the above numbers are correct.

 

[mec]

That might have been (?) about the time the FBI said that the 9mm with modern bullets was the ideal Instant Destroyer and Killer (IDAK) Now all of the alphabet agencies and police seem to be using them. .It's cyclical. One wag here said, "Sooner or later, they'll go back to saying, Awwww, the 9mm won't kill a, Anybody.'"

 

[J-Bar]

Ain’t it grand when you can count on the bullets going where you want?

Well done, Sir.

And for a little Sunday morning fun. My UTC from a recent outing.
View attachment 1130180