And after speaking with two retailers, I find they have nothing what so ever in the way of information about Les's guns.

the les baer website has a very long list of
rules and reg's.

but no freq asked questions section .

the lady that answered the phone at Baer's
said that they have only sold four of baer's guns in the general vicinity.

I guess very wealthy people just shovel money at them and the guns just really don't need sales people to sell them .

https://www.lesbaer.com/

With high end custom 1911 makers, customers typically contact the shop, describe what they want, and one or more gunsmiths assemble that custom pistol in that configuration and ship it to the buyer's local FFL.

Unlike a company like Glock or Sig, who mass-produces pistols in a few standard configurations, and then send them out en masse to gun stores to put on their shelves.

Les Baer does make runs of 1911s designed for retail sale, but the number of Les Baer dealers who might have one on their shelves is smaller than the number of S&W/Glock/Sig/etc. dealers, and the number of Les Baer 1911s available for off-the-shelf sales is significantly fewer.



Similar to high end custom cars. If you want a Bugatti or Lamborghini, you can't go down to Bubba Joe's Autoplex and peruse the 40 new models they have just sitting on the lot, like you do with a Ford or Honda. Yes, there are a handful of dealers/showrooms around the globe, and you could buy one off that showroom floor if you wanted, but most customers will custom order a car built to their exact specifications by the maker.

Kudos to Les. A manufacturer that does not compete with its own dealers is a breath of fresh air in this current race to the bottom pricing scheme.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rev. A. J. Forsyth,

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
I guess very wealthy people just shovel money at them and the guns just really don't need sales people to sell them .

https://www.lesbaer.com/

I bet most Baer owners are not wealthy people.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
I guess very wealthy people just shovel money at them and the guns just really don't need sales people to sell them .

https://www.lesbaer.com/

I bet most Baer owners are not wealthy people.

No but we are a dedicated bunch. I have a few and I've been a fan since 1997.

I know one les Baer owner who is not wealthy at all. (No I don’t own one)

My local gun store had a Les Baer Boss 429. It was fondled for about eight months. It sold for about $2500. It was serial 007. It was a 3 inch guarantee 45 acp.

I think most people find the products to be exceptional, and just order from a local dealer. There are videos of Mr. Baer at gun shows and one I recall shows that he is not really into marketing. A YouTube channel host attempted to interview him, and it did not go well.

They are the best kept secret in 1911's.
Spend 3-4k on Wilson or Nighthawk.

2500. on a Baer for the same quality and arguably better accuracy.

A Les Baer has been on my wish list for years.

This is a problem why? They are a custom gun maker. Plenty of them operate just like this.

I called and spoke with the same gal as before, she was knowledgeable and helpful,

They do not make up a dozen of each gun that they offer, and wait for them to get sold, so , wait times are involved..

they must keep very busy , 4 months !

Yep. Custom guns. Not mass produced.

Like a bespoke suit from a custom tailor vs. an off-the-rack mass-produced suit from a department store.

More semi-custom than custom... but yeah, low volume.

I have three Baers built frame and slide up by Toyota. All three are precision made target guns.

Not sure what you were expecting, but they have been very pleasant to deal with. I even talked with Les. He was very helpful and friendly. If you want one quickly I would check with Crazy John about one.

And they come in a cardboard box! The horror!

quote:

Originally posted by mike56:
They are the best kept secret in 1911's.
Spend 3-4k on Wilson or Nighthawk.

2500. on a Baer for the same quality and arguably better accuracy.

While Baer guns are very accurate and higher quality, they are not the same quality as a Wilson or Nighthawk. The exterior finish is not as good and neither is the fit. The entire fact that you have to run 500 rounds through a Baer just so you can get it apart, is simply for the simple fact the Baer didn't spend the time to lap the parts in on the gun (fit properly) before sending it out the door. While a very accurate and great gun for many people, and several steps above a Colt, DW etc, they're a clear step below a Wilson, Nighthawk, or Ed Brown in the fit and finish department.

From what I've seen, you may get a great one or one with crooked checkering. Depends on the one old dude that does it and what mood he's in.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by mike56:
They are the best kept secret in 1911's.
Spend 3-4k on Wilson or Nighthawk.

2500. on a Baer for the same quality and arguably better accuracy.

While Baer guns are very accurate and higher quality, they are not the same quality as a Wilson or Nighthawk. The exterior finish is not as good and neither is the fit. The entire fact that you have to run 500 rounds through a Baer just so you can get it apart, is simply for the simple fact the Baer didn't spend the time to lap the parts in on the gun (fit properly) before sending it out the door. While a very accurate and great gun for many people, and several steps above a Colt, DW etc, they're a clear step below a Wilson, Nighthawk, or Ed Brown in the fit and finish department.

Ever hear of the term “hard fit”? It is what you want in a custom 1911.

quote:

Originally posted by zdog16:

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:

quote:

Originally posted by mike56:
They are the best kept secret in 1911's.
Spend 3-4k on Wilson or Nighthawk.

2500. on a Baer for the same quality and arguably better accuracy.

While Baer guns are very accurate and higher quality, they are not the same quality as a Wilson or Nighthawk. The exterior finish is not as good and neither is the fit. The entire fact that you have to run 500 rounds through a Baer just so you can get it apart, is simply for the simple fact the Baer didn't spend the time to lap the parts in on the gun (fit properly) before sending it out the door. While a very accurate and great gun for many people, and several steps above a Colt, DW etc, they're a clear step below a Wilson, Nighthawk, or Ed Brown in the fit and finish department.

Ever hear of the term “hard fit”? It is what you want in a custom 1911.

I have owned a number of full custom 19/2011’s... none have required 500 rounds of break in. It’s a cost savings measure for Baer, plain and simple.