Baer Monolith
THR,
For a number of years now, I have been shooting a lot of different weapons for competition, for fun, and for carry. I have had many that were great weapons... but I wanted to change the sight or the magwell or the....etc.
In 2003, I spent six months in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After making it from Kuwait City to Baghdad and back, I had some time design the "ultimate pistol" in my head while I was waiting for a flight home. It also helped that I was collecting 6 months of combat pay, hazardous duty pay, and was in a Tax-Free zone. When I got back to the states, I treated myself to a premium gun, a Les Baer Monolith heavyweight. The only change I made was to have a Smith & Alexander 1 piece magwell installed and blended. I also had Conrad at GunGrips make me a set of USMC grips to personalize the pistol for the occasion.
When I relinquished command and left my unit, the Marines from my company presented me with a gift - a felt-lined wooden presentation box for my pistol with our company logo etched in the glass window on the lid of the box. I cherish that box as much as the pistol in it. Whenever I have guests visit, I include the Baer and the presentation case in the tour of my home.
It shoots like a dream. It also gets quite a bit of attention on the occasions that I do take it out to the range. As you mentioned in the first post for this thread, I beam with pride when I shoot it and when I show it off to friends and fellow shooters. I hope to pass this to my son someday (when I get around to having children).
Now, I'm back in Iraq as an Advisor to the new Iraqi Army and am trying to design another "perfect weapon" to buy when I get home. Any ideas?
Semper Fi,
Howard F. Hall
Major, USMC