I don’t like the front cocking serrations, and prefer more aggressive checkering. I like the magwell, and have found the Black T coating to be extremely durable. The Professional is built to stringent specifications and is an excellent, proven performer.
Oh, and if, god forbid you need service, the Springfield Custom Shop has an excellent reputation. I have not heard the same thing about Baer’s service. At least not almost universally.
For $2,500, you should be able to get a pistol built with features you like. The SRP is missing some that I prefer. The Springfield Professional has the specifications I prefer. I have had Nighthawk built me a railed 1911 to my exact specifications and it cost closer to $2,000 and, in my opinion, is a better choice than buying the SRP - unless that SRP is EXACTLY what you want.
And to the other poster who suggested that the Baer looks like a SA Loaded… well, there’s a lot more to it than looks.
The few times I have had an issue with a Baer they put Les on the phone and the issue was fixed ASAP. I have no idea if that is the general experience. I don’t actually like the aggressive checking on Springfields including the TRP. I do think Baers are kind of midway between Kimber and SA checkering in sharpness. Then again I would be fine with no checkering at all but thats a matter of taste.
This guy is getting the SRP for $1800 which is about what you get a TRS for these days. Even so at $1800 I would be closely checking out other options to be sure it was the right move. Also the pistol is apparently used and I don’t know Baers policy on supporting used pistol. Should probably check that out.
I’m with federale re: price:features ratio. $2500 NIB is a LOT of money for that gun when keeping the entire market in mind and looking at other options at that price.
Even at $1800, it’s not accurate to compare a used SRP at $1800 to a new (for example) EB Special Forces at $1900. Not sure you’d find a used SF for $1400 (.28% markdown the same as the SRP), but certainly $1500 wouldn’t be a stretch for a gun that sold new at $1900.
I agree with HK45 that a $700 markdown would be a serious red flag to me unless the seller was someone I really knew and trusted and knew up front why they were giving me such a good deal.
It’s at a local (to me obviously) prominent gun dealer / outdoor store … I have it on hold so nobody can gaffle it out from under me before I look at it.
The barrel is listed as being in “good” (not “Very good”) condition for some reason. I haven’t held the gun yet. That might be why the gun’s $700 off new. The pics are inconclusive – the gun looks 97-98% condition (I just looked at them again) except for a bit of wear on the barrel hood (the part of the barrel you can see through the ejection port)… If the previous owner shot a lot of lead through it that’s not a problem, I can get the lead out. I can’t see how that would be possible though, given the overall condition of the gun.
I’ve wanted a nice high(er) end 1911 for probably 20 years now (I’m almost 37) and figured this could be it. If it isn’t, well, they also have a Wilson Combat (for more $$$) and a few Ed Brown Special Forces 1911s for me to feel up while I’m there. For comparison, I have 2 Para Ord 1911s and a very nice Kimber Classic Gold Match for comparison.
I have a Bear Police Special (64 units produced for a Texas distributor), which is esentially an SRP without the ambi safety, and a Baer factory hard-chrome TRS. They are very tight, “Baer tight,” especially the Police Special. I have never had a failure with either pistol. The triggers are perfectly smooth with approx. 4.5 lbs pull, which is about a pound heavier than my Wilson CQB compact. The Baers are extremely accurate. They are beautifully finished, which I think a purchaser should expect with a $2000.00 or more “tool.” I don’t think you should go wrong with a Baer, provided it is in good condition, or a Wilson, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, RRA, an STI (the Lawman), or another top-quality limited production pistol.
However, as HK45 and Rob suggested, if the price is uncharacteristically low, let the buyer beware.
My experience with Baer pistols has been limited. I purchased a used Concept VIII this year and really enjoy shooting it. It has run everything from light 185 grain loads all the way up to 230 grain Hydrashoks and it just keeps running. Getting close to 500 rounds with no hiccups.
I was able to shoot a TRS on Monday and the gun ran like a swiss watch. It was for sale and will be added to the stable soon.
I have never shot a TRP but have shot/owned several other Springfields and I am not all that impressed. I can say that they have very good customer service.
My SRP has shot little tiny holes w/o a FTF in over 2000 rounds. I had a Premier II that was the same way. The gun runs like a Swiss watch. The frame to slide fit is tight, so what difference does that make? If I were you I’d go check it out. If it doesn’t work out go for the Wilson Combat.
I’ve owned 2 Baers (P2 with the 1.5" option, and a TRC), and was very pleased with their performance.
They compared very well to my other high-end 1911s (Heinie, Yost, NHC, STI, and SVI).
Baers are tight when new. After about 1k, they are simply smooth as grease on glass, with no play whatsoever. People think it’s the slide fit, but it’s actually the barrel bushing that’s so tight. You need a steel wrench to remove it. It helps to retract the slide about 1/2".
My reasons for selling them in no way reflect on the pistol, I just needed the funds at the time.
Even though I own both a Springfield Custom Professional and a Les Baer TRS I don’t have enough rounds through them (a little over 10,000 with the Pro and a few thousand with the Baer) to really give a fair testimony about long term reliability or durability. Reliability has been good with both and accuracy is about equal with my mediocre skills. They’re both built tight and smooth up and loosen up nicely the more you use them. I don’t think its easy for me to say which one is better. Quality of build is equal in their own way they each have their personalities and quirks.
If you really like the 1911 platform I think you’ll like the SRP compared to the usual Colt/Kimber/SA 1911’s you might be used to. It is definately an upgrade. But if you’re new to 1911’s in general or aren’t quite committed to them it may change your mind about 1911’s for the good or it may not.
(All 1911’s are picky about which magazines they like and these are no different.).
IMO the best pistol for the money is SA FBI PRO CRG w/ LR.
Forget about the MIM parts debate. NON issue. I have talked w/ Dave and Deb at SA Pro Shop for years and they LAUGH at the moribund claims that the MIM parts are failing. Ask to see BONAFIDE documentation of MIM parts failure from SA Pro Pistols. NO ONE has it.
It’s less than .0001 %
SA spends more time on these than any other pistols and they are done right. The TDP (Technical Data Package) is par excellance. Accuracy, fitment, quality is top shelf.
