So I have been thinking of stepping up from my carry Series 70 Colt, and Les Baer and Wilson Combat are the two brands at the top of my list. A couple of questions for those who know these pistols:
How do the Baer and Wilson guide rod, spring and bushing assembly differ from a standard WWII milspec (other than being tighter for accuracy)?
Is there a good reason why Wilsons seem to cost a lot more than Baer? Worth it?
Thanks!
Hard to go wrong with either, but I having owned both, I still have my Wilson CQB.
cant go wrong with a Nighthawk either.
that being said I’d get the Baer.
I owned and shot a les baer in competition PPC and the thing was crazy accurate…a les baer isn’t as pretty as a wilson combat but the thing runs like a machine and every part shows evidence of being hand fit, almost every part on a les baer has the last 3 digits of its serial number engraved onto it.
both are great guns but normally baer’s are cheaper by at least 300$
Cant go wrong with the Lesbaer Thunder Ranch . Can usually get one used for $1450 on gun broker . Its a series 70 with standarad guiderod and night sights . There is also a big discussion on snipershide about the subject . BEST BANG for the $$ !!
You can spend up to $4000 on a 1911 but you wont get a tighter gun . I think after owning all off them , get something tight shoot it loose if you can . Seen blue Lesbaers with thousaands of RDS though them that you can only squeeze the oil out of them (no play between frame ,slide or lock up) . good luck its only money
If you are gonna spend that kind of money, get a Vickers…
Its really hard to debate who’s better. I have a few different models from both makers. Both my Wilsons and Baers are very accurate and more reliable than any other 1911 than I own. I guess it’ll all come down to what features you want on the pistol. Wilson is more of a custom gun shop than Baer but Les does take special requests. If I really had to chose I’d probably go with Wilson Combat.
ditto. Can’t go wrong with a NightHawk Custom GRP which is equivelant to a WC CQB but less expensive.
WWII milspec guns had no guide rods. Original design = no guide rod. Guide rods are a contentious topic in the 1911 world, with 1911 purists firmly against them for various reasons. As both make a large selection of 1911s with various choices, you’d have to narrow down to the specific model.
Wilson guns tend to come with more bells and whistle custom touches, most of them visual in nature, but again, so many different models, hard to generalize. A les baer with similar options will run around the price of a Wilson CQB for example.
General opinion is, hard to go wrong with either, so it comes down to options, models, and what you feel it worth your $$$. Ed Brown also make a very fine 1911 and the 1911s from the SA custom shop are second to none and highly thought of with those who shoot other people with 1911s.
I’d go browse the 1911 forums for feedback on models, customer service (VERY important when buying a high end 1911) etc.
The Baer Thunder Ranch is the best value out there in 1911’s. I put several thousand rounds through mine before I got out of 1911’s without a malfunction and very little cleaning.
Mine would cycle empty brass, several kinds of LSWC’s, 230 RN at anywhere from 650 to 900 and every hollowpoint I ever stuck in it.
Basically if it fit in the magazine it would feed it. Using my home cast 230’s and Bullseye it would shoot one ragged hole at 25 yards.
Both are great guns. In the end pick the one that has the features you want. You can usually find some good deals on lightly used ones on the net. Wilson’s warranty follows the gun, not sure about Baer’s.
I really like my pair of Baer TRS 5" Pistols.
That said, a good Wilson CQB, Nighthawk (especially the 10-8 or Vickers), Brown (EE or SF), Springfield PRO, or Baer CC will fit the bill as well.
All these 1911’s are so well made that a gently used one will still be an amazing shooter, so especially if you find one configured to your liking used, jump on it.
My first TRS was a drunk impulse buy - but it came with an installed Dawson Light rail, and a pile of Wilson magazines, and I couldn’t be happier with that pistol. It goes with me everywhere possible.
Night hawk warranty follows gun also
Les Baer makes great 1911’s and so does Wilson. I tend to lean toward Baer pistols because that is what I own. You see a lot of Baer’s running strong through high round count classes and matches, mine included.
If you want something a little more refined then get the Wilson but you can’t go wrong with a Baer, especially a TRS.
I trust my life on a Wilson CQB.
I am currently using a Wilson CQB, a Wilson CQB LT and a Baer SRP. They have all worked to perfection. The Baer is hard chromed so it gets the vote because it is easier to clean.
I have experience with both the Concept IV and a Premier II from Les Baer. They are both excellent pistols and the tight slide/frame fit seems to have no effect on reliability. The Concept V was the most accurate handgun I have ever shot. Many folks have posted documentation showing high round counts through Baer’s so they are vetted as well. Wilson Combats seem to be high quality as well but I do not have firsthand trigger time behind one.
I don’t own either, but I don’t think you could go wrong.
That being said, I’d avoid a blued pistol and go with one that’s been duracoated or some equivalent (or better) finish to prevent rust.
Bluing can/will rust and if you’re carrying it, you’re going to eventually sweat on it. I think that type of finish will wear the best.
That’d be all I’d have to say. Find out the features you want, FLGR or GI Length, Mag Well, Light Rail, Front/Back Strap Checkering options, weapons sights.
I’d say look for what packages are available that fit the bill for whatever you want to do, not necessarily go with one brand or another.
Because honestly, whenever you differentiate from something that they stock, the price IMHO (That’s already through the roof, goes further).
I think you’d be fine to buy an SA Pro, Wilson, NightHawk, Les Baer, Brown, (Heck even RR apparently has nice semi-custom 1911’s.), etc.
I don’t think you can go wrong at those price points.
I forgot to mention that for exactly the cost difference between a used blued BAER and a Wilson, one can send the Baer out to get IonBonded.
BWT has it right - among the semi-custom makes and models, it’s hard to go wrong. Figure out the feature set, find the models that are closest, and price out the options with the changes you’d make to reach your ideal pistol.
Wilsons seem to shoot a little better for me. But, I paid a lot less for my Baers. The difference in quality is not enough to justify the price difference.