New 1911?

[LIMPINGJ]

I am wanting to get myself a new 1911, have had a few Colts but would like a nicer from the factory pistol. I have seen the Dan Wesson Valor and it looks nice. Am also looking at Les Baer. Does anyone have experience with these two? The Les Baer is a little more money but not a deal killer amount. Anyone with knowledge on these two brands please chime in.
Thanks

[bullseye67]

Good morning,
I have had several different 45ACP's. I used a Clark long slide that was very well worked over and used for the 50 yard line. I have also used several, including, Norinco, RAI and lately a Remington with the threaded barrel. All do the job.
A couple of the guys love SIG and another has a Smith PC.
I am sure a couple of others will comment on this. Remember every possible piece, part, and design of the 1911, has been refined for over 100 years!
My advice is buy what you perceive as the best and you can afford. I haven't been disappointed when using those parameters for lots of purchases.
Have an awesome weekend :drinks:

[country gent]

I have several kimbers that are good also. Clark has been building 1911 for many years for Bullseye, ipsic and other disiplines. Les Baers have a good reputation also. There are many upper end builders out there that do very good work. Another route is to buy a decent one and have it tuned by a specializing smith, kind of a pain due to the wait times most of these gentleman have. But you can get exactly what you want this way.

[Hickok]

I also have a Kimber, and it has been an outstanding and accurate pistol right out of the box.

[Joni Lynn]

I have both. Which one to adopt depends on what you expect of it. The DW is perhaps the best assembled production 1911 I own. The LB is reliable and very accurate. My LB guns are more accurate than any other 1911 I have bought although a couple of them have so much barrel/bushing tension that they are all but impossible for me to rack the slide on. No bad choices with either one but in the end, a DW is not a LB but it's a very well made gun. All the parts on a DW seem to be fit up as close as possible without being too snug. I can take my DW apart without any tools, none of the LB's can be taken down without a bushing wrench.

[Char-Gar]

I have two Colts and a Ruger and see no need or purpose in buying another, particularly one that costs lots and lots of money. I had a pair of Norincos that worked just fine, but I have given them away to friends and family.

I am set for life, with 45 Automatics!!!!!

[jmort]

Ed Brown
That is the direction I would go
http://www.edbrown.com

[Plate plinker]

For that amount of money check out Guncrafter Industries. Alex really knows his stuff.

[TexasGrunt]

I have two 2007 Dan Wesson 10mm 1911 pistols. They are fantastic. I know there are a couple of people over at the 1911 forum that aren't particularly happy about the LB pistols and the customer service.

If ya would like to shoot one or both of my DW pistols just let me know. One is a CBOB and the other is a PM7-10. I've also got a very early Sig GSR, and a couple of nice Springfields, including a half rail TRP, a couple of S&W 1911s and a stable of Colts. 13 1911 pistols in all.

[Love Life]

You really won't go wrong with either a Dan Wesson or a Les Baer. I'd choose the Baer over the Wesson, but that is just a personal choice for me. I like Les Baer guns and if you hunt around long enough you can find good deals on new ones. Check out 1911 Heaven for your Les Baer needs.

[jrayborn]

I have had the stainless Dan Wesson Valor for a while now and it shocks me how accurate it is. I will never be without it and plan to get several more.

[osteodoc08]

Dan Wesson is my current go to for best production gun. Some hand fitting and no MIM. My specialist is more accurate than I am. My next will likely be a Duty Coat Valor.

Les Baer also makes good stuff.

I don't think you'll be disappointed either way. Get which one is more pleasing to the eye.

[birch]

I have owned just about every production 1911 imaginable. I will always love Colt firearms, but I wish I would have dropped the coin on a Les Baer years ago.

I have not shot a Wilson or Brown semi-custom, but I can tell you through extensive shooting and experimentation, the Les Baer is a masterpiece of a firearm. If I don't shoot one hole groups, it is my fault. I have never felt that way with any other 1911. I always wondered if it was the gun or me.

I feel Dan Wesson makes a very nice 1911, but if you are looking for master class hand fitting and durability for a lifetime--I strongly suggest the Baer. Also, there are some pretty good deals on second hand Baer pistols right now.

If you would like, PM me and I will give you my phone number to talk out the pro's and con's (cant really find any con"s) of Les Baer. There are a few very good videos on Youtube of Les Baer Factory tours. I think they really give an honest feel of Baer's business model and level of commitment in creating a fine heirloom of a 1911.

[DougGuy]

In the years that I have been throating barrels for use with .452" cast boolits, I have been sent every maker's barrels EXCEPT Les Baer. Out of hundreds that have been through my shop, the Kimbers are no better than any of the others when it comes to cutting a proper throat. I have seen good examples of all the maker's work and some iffy examples of all the maker's work. Except Les Baer. That would tell me that they don't need throat work because they are sufficiently throated at the factory with proper freebore, which is something I cannot say for any other maker.

[buckwheatpaul]

Like country gent and Hickock .... I am a Kimber person....have a Series 70 Colt as well.....Like 'em all......

[waco]

I bought my Kimber about 18 years ago. Only 1911 I've ever owned.
I do love it though. 198443

[salvadore]

Like Char Gar, I have all the 1911s I need and see no purpose to spend the bucks for another, that don't mean I wouldn't do it.

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive never owned one but my buddy has one and like it a lot and he shoots more then anyone I know.

[TexasGrunt]

Like Char Gar, I have all the 1911s I need and see no purpose to spend the bucks for another, that don't mean I wouldn't do it.

Blasphemer, heretic, you must recant those words or be burned at the stake!

One can NEVER have "enough" 1911s.

[Love Life]

Sheeoot, my local Gander Mountain has Kimber Custom II pistols for $670.00. I almost bought one out of principle.

[Shoot66]

I could not get a Les Baer in my country, so went for a DW Valor (2009). I am very happy with it. Tight, accurate. Out of the box it can stay within 4 inches at 50 m and withing 8 inches at 100 yards easily. If it doesn´t, it is me... You cannot go wrong with any.

[6bg6ga]

Well, I have a Gold Cup national match, several other Colts, a S&W 1911 from the custom shop and several Kimbers. The S&W at around $1500 is probably the best out of the box 1911 that I have. It will easily out perform the Kimbers and the Colts and the Gold Cup. I never really thought I would like the S&W but I was wrong.

[Love Life]

My 2015 series 70 Colt GCNM is a real humdinger. It'll hold 4 inches for 20 shots at 50 yards from a ransom rest.


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[Bigslug]

If you are looking for a sniper rifle that fits in a holster, the build quality of Les Baer will fit that bill. In my opinion, they're completely overkill for any game outside of NRA Bullseye; applying those kinds of individually-fitted, minimal tolerances to a combat/plinking pistol defeats what the 1911 is all about. For anyone not actively trying to stand the Bullseye winner's podium, that consumes caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, that has anything like normal blood pressure, the GI rattletrap will usually shoot better than the operator.

If you ARE playing the Bullseye game, carry on. If you're looking for a fixed sight, go to war gun, you can get there with A LOT more money left in the ammo budget.

[Love Life]

A les Baer has many more uses than bullseye. My Baers are every bit as reliable as any of my colt rattle traps, and I shoot it fast and dirty. A tight 1911 does just as fine as a rattle trap.


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[Walt]

I've not owned a DW but I have several LBs. I also own Wilsons, Ed Browns, and several custom built Colts. 5" Kimbers are also a good guns and currently have several of those. Having said all that, I believe the Baers are, hands down, a best for the money.