All these threads on custom 1911s and AC’s great insites have rekindled my interest in a nice 1911. (I have two olderKimber’s already.)
What is the better choice between a stock Colt (either a standard Gov. or Delta Elite) upgraded by their custom shop or a Les Baer UTC. It seems the pricing is about equal.
i’m a colt whore, so i say colt, or a custom shop springfield
i’m just not the biggest LB fan but most of their owners love em.
I like Colt.
Custom colt over a les baer. But don’t kid yourself, the money isn’t close. Baer is the cheaper option, and a les baer can be made into something super nice for very little money.
Having said that, throwing Wilson Combat into the equation makes the decision for me much harder. Wilson is making super consistent and functionally perfect 1911s. The only reason to choose a custom colt over a Wilson is for aesthetics.
There are very few things as beautiful as a Colt that has been customized by Jason Burton.
To keep the Colt reasonable, the idea was for the Colt custom shop to do the tactical package. But you are right, it ends up being more then I could get a Baer for.
if your Kimbers are from the mid-late 90’s, they make good bases for customs. I had one done up, but being the slave to Colt that I am, I had the rollmarks shaved off. It was a superb custom
Another Colt whore. If you don’t have one, you will always want one. Period.
Baers are very nice guns, but I still see them as more optimized for the bulleye crowd than for the defensive set. They are just incredibly tight, and that makes me slightly (if unjustifiably) nervous.
AC
Target guns make me nervous outside of a range. Tolerances and tolerance stacking has to be considered. Using optimal materials in my mind is not the same as closing tolerances. Grouping 1/16" closer is not worth any % reliability loss. Customizing for personal fit, reliability, and strength makes way more sense to me. I am a Colt whore as well. Seems like colt found a nice balance if fit and reliability.
If it is between a customized Colt and a LB (you are dead-set on only those two as choices), go Colt. My closest friend bought the Colt rail gun and had the Novak “The Answer” package done to it. I challenge anyone to find a better duty/defense/combat 1911. I have handled and shot many high dollar customs (including LB) and that Colt is by far the one I would take into harm’s way. The overall price will shock you with what you get in return…very reasonable. However, be prepared to wait for the work to be completed. The timeframe is reasonable for the amount of work to be done, but don’t expect it in a month. As far as LB, their reputation speaks for itself. However, I am of the belief they are more of a range/bullseye pistol then one for defense. Something built so tight it takes two men and a strong boy to rack the slide on (when even slightly dirty) is not what I want in a pistol. Wilson is definitely worth a look, and Springfields are great production out-of-the-box options as well.
I’d go for the Les Baer. I have a custom carry without front cocking serrations and no ambi safety. It is a great gun. Everything is fitted nice and tight (I know, 1911’s don’t need to be tight) and is very accurate. I went with the LB because I didn’t want to wait to have work done to a base gun (In my case, it would have been a SA Mil Spec) and have always liked the Les Baer’s. Either way, I don’t think you will go wrong. Whatever you prefer.
I wouldn’t mind having one of those built up for myself. The CRG has appealed to me almost since the moment of its release, and Novak knows his way around a 1911 – or a BHP, for that matter.
AC
Another vote for Colt.
Go with the Colt. In the world of 1911s nothing scratches the itch like a custom Colt.
Colt all the way. I like basic stock Colts. The custom stuff never did anything for me.
My vote is for the Colt, along with everyone else. I must admit, I have yet to touch my new Colt Series 70 Repro, it is in the possession of Steve Morrison of Mars Armament. A graduation gift to myself, and in a twist of fate I get stationed in Germany while it’s being built. So in a few years I’ll be able to finally shoot it.
If you’re having it customized, I’d go with the Colt.
sorry couldn’t give me a colt,
well you could then I would put the money towards an Ed Brown.
Shop around for a used Brown, :)Wilson or Baer (not a big Baer fan:no: , most are too tight)… 1911’s don’t wear out:no: , they wear in!!
That’s actually kind of how I feel about a Springfield GI.
But I can’t justify the purchase, so I’m saving my $700.
I’m not sold in the Colt Rail Gun.
Seeing the reports about cracked frames and whatnot while endurance testing it makes me leery.
Have a good smith properly fit Wilson Bulletproof internals and use a non-Match barrel bushing is probably all you’d need to turn ANY semi-custom gun into a “fighting worthy” pistol if that is the goal.
Of course, dehorning, checkering to taste and whatever mainspring housing fits your mits are ALWAYS part of the project as well as the sights if your choice.
May I add meloniting the slide and frame? Or at a minimum use W DLC. If you can afford it do both.
“One man with courage makes a majority.”
I would probably go with a baer over the colt custom shop, as long as you were talking about a five inch gun.
I have both and like the LB better. Better accuracy and overall better feel.
Thunder Ranch Special
