That post on page 2 was from 7 1/2 years ago.....

 

@Wryfox very nice Les Baer. Here is a pic of my 19 yr old Thunder Ranch. The controls have completely gone plum as the slide is almost there too. Still tight and zero slide or barrel movement, amazing lock up.

Nothing better than a well worn 1911.

 

Yeah that's the only other thing I've heard about them. Long break in and the blueing. Les is old school. The break in is a love hate thing. He expects the gun to be shot alot so 1000rds is no big deal. I read an interview where he defended the blueing much like you did. He expects it to show wear and character.

That being said, mine is only a few years old but has still been shot alot, so maybe he's putting a more durable blue on.... but it's still blueing.

 

@Wryfox I actually wouldn’t want the finish done any other way. The patina is beautiful. He makes the srp versions in black (prolly cerakote) but I wouldn’t want one. I am strongly considering his Commanche (Commander) in a 38 Super right now. I’ve been searching online all week for the best price/availability. 38 Super is my fav round.

 

By the way, I always thought Baer was a "boutique" brand, but he ships about 3,500 a year. Half are Thunder Ranch. The shop looks about 10,000sqft or larger.

 

He’s really crotchety if you call lol. He picks up the phone himself a lot of the time.

Here’s some good blue on my recent 1911, it’s an Alchemy custom I ordered with a clean slide and just put these ironwood grips on it. I’ll still prefer the worn look of the Baer though...

 

I know it's heresy but the 1911 is better in 38 Super than 45ACP.

There, I said it and I'm sticking to it....

(actually, Colt designed the 38 Super cartridge for the 1911, and has made 38 Super 1911s since the 1920s)

 

Ha! that's what turned me off when I met him at the Shot Show. He was bitchin about the other makers and their "loose" guns. His are built for 50,000 rounds. He said the "big name" fancy brands won't last 10,000...if that(he specifically called out Wilson... uh oh).

Baer builds a tank, and is proud of it.

 

I've been a professional Gunsmith for 35+ years, both full & part time, the interplay & rivalry among the big-name 1911 gurus is always amusing, their products are both unique and exquisite. As far as precision built 1911's, a commercial supplier, Dan Wesson (now owned by CZ) makes a series of 1911 pistols that are very finely fitted and will shoot with the best available and are well under $2000.
I abandoned the 1911 a few years ago and now shoot mostly Glocks. 45 acp, .38 Super, all have been eclipsed by the development of the 9mm Luger cartridge, there are several loadings, like the Federal 147gr HST, that actually exceed FBI performance criteria. The FBI has recently transitioned from the .40 S&W to the 9mm, based on effectiveness, controlability, capacity and cost.

I also collect Benchmade knives

 

@PhilF 1911s, revolvers, and their calibers I see just like a fine Swiss mechanical watch. Sure, a plastic Apple Watch does everything better, but I prefer a vintage Omega. I have several modern HKs in 9, but a Python or 1911 is a lot more appealing to me for much of the same reasons.

 

Back in the 80s with the advent of high cap 9mm semi-autos, they were called 'Wonder Nines', now it looks like they'll be calling them 'Wonder Nines' again.

 

I'd love to borrow that long slide for an extended spell for fun chronographing comparisons of favorite loads.

Cute little 1911-type 9mms, those are.

I'd recommend the Smith & Wesson 9mm Shield except I get all shriveled up if I use plastic pistols.

Seriously, I can't complain about the .40 Shield I acquired about five years ago.

 

Actually, most days my Glock 43 with Glockstore +2 magazine extensions and Trijicon HD sights, filled with 8 rounds of Federal 147 HST is my companion along with my Seamaster and a Benchmade Mini-Barrage custom with S30v.
I feel well equipped to face the day. The 43 has never failed through 1000+ rounds, the Seamaster is timing within spec and I find it comfortable and super nice looking, I own 7 Benchmade knives with Axis-Lock. Over, pretty satisfied, that, in today's world, is a good thing. I don't NEED another watch, but I'm always dropping by my AD. I went to a knife show last Sunday and bought a 496 Vector, First Production, #558 of 1200. I think a FOIS might also be a numbered edition, humm, interesting. It never ends, these addictions. A lot of life is anticipation.......

 

It’s similar here, and I have several Benchmade knives which are all I carry. My current EDC is the Mini-Barrage and Planet Ocean 5-6 out 7 days, plus SIG P365 with two 10 round mags about half the time.

But I often rotate in the Northfork or Mini-Griptilian knives or Speedmaster Pro, and a S&W 360PD or Kahr Pm9 which weigh less. It’s always a brain burner deciding between more rounds and weight vs a lighter more comfortable pistol.

Today it’s the Mini-Barrage, Speedmaster Pro, and 360PD.

 

So glad to see this topic pop up, firearms are my biggest collection/passion.
I never leave the house without one concealed. I have a pretty extensive collection that will go to my sons as part of their inheritance.
To start it off with, this is my Thompson Sub-Machine gun with the infamous violin case I customized and French fit to carry it in.

 

This is my current EDC, at the moment.
Colt Lightweight Enhanced Officers in 45acp that I'm in the process of "Wilsonizing" it.

 

Welcome to the gang. Nice heater.

I'd advise yous to keep postin'.

 

A little a day, I have a few. lol

 

The owner of Alchemy, well he sold out to Cabot, but still produces his Alchemy for them is a member of the Colt forum I belong to.
That Baer isn't half the gun that Alchemy is, beautiful piece of work.

 

This is what the Colt Lightweight looked like after the night I got home with it. No MIM parts here. lol