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Buying a Les Baer this year

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3.2K views 29 replies 23 participants last post by  Mikey57  
#1 ·
I have always wanted a Les Baer and I am going to make the plunge this year. I am still trying to figure out what I want to get so I am in the research phase and in no rush. Since I have the patients of a grasshopper I am going to likely buying something that is in stock at a dealer as the options I am seeing works for me.

I am looking at a few different models and have a few questions
Does the UTC and Gunsite models have the standard 3" guarantee? It does not say on their site

I like the looks of the American Handgunner model a lot is it worth the extra money for the options or are you spending extra money on the special edition?

I have also found a Premier 2 in 10mm with the 1.5" guarantee I love the 10mm so this caught my eye so I may go this route or get the Premier 2 in 45.

I am still torn but leaning hard towards the Premier 2 or the UTC

While this will mainly be a range toy I will carry it some also. Is there any advice on which model I should go with out of these?
 
#2 ·
Get yourself a Hillsdale Thunder Ranch Special and never regret your purchase.
 
#3 ·
I am still torn but leaning hard towards the Premier 2 or the UTC
Pay attention to the rear sights and their dovetails.

The Premier II typically comes with an adjustable rear sight which is good for the range and usually bad for carry. The UTC usually comes with a fixed rear sight that is usually a better choice for carry.

The key point is you can't simply switch from one to the other as the Premier II's adjustable dovetail is different than the UTC's fixed dovetail. Know what you're looking at and what you want before making your choice.
 
#4 ·
I have a Premier 2 in 45 and it's my favorite 1911; my only gripe is, I'm LH and the safety lever on the right side is rather thin, I presume intended for weak-hand drills - I'll probably have that addressed by a gunsmith one day. Some right-handers prefer a single-side safety too. Otherwise, it's been a 100% solid shooter, eats my reloads, and very accurate. I'm a big fan of the Bomar-style rear adjustable sight - I think that rear sight is fine for open carry (e.g. a more conventional duty or field holster), but for an IWB holster, although I have never personally tested this theory, I imagine that rear sight might dig into your side a bit when you bend over. I suspect that, depending on your body type and how fat (or skinny) you are, and what kind of holster you are using, a Bomar-style rear may or may not work for you for concealed carry. But for a range toy, you can't beat a Bomar... and you'll never have to screw around with a sight pusher or replacing the rear sight to get the point of impact where YOU want it.
 
#8 ·
It's really tough to go wrong with a Premier II of which I have three, two with the 1 1/2" guarantee, but the third shoots every bit as well. Also, I own a Concept I, a Concept V 6", C VII Commanche, and finally a 6" PII Ultimate master. If I were buying my first model or could afford only one, it would be the Premier II and I'd never doubt the choice.
 
#9 ·
I think all Baers have a 3” guarantee. You pay extra for the 1.5” guarantee.
I have a Comanche in 10mm. It is a very nice 1911. I added an arched MSH. Unless you need to have a new pistol, you can save a lot of money buying used.

If you're looking for two tone, Alchemy does a nice job with hard chrome. They also offer two tone. But they are a bit more expensive than Baer.

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#11 ·
I only have one Baer, a 5” TRS with the 1 1/2” garuntee that I really can’t use ,,,, damn fine gun. All blues with the slide flats polished , really good looking gun ! And truly more accurate than I am.

I added a really nice set of red cocobolo 1/2 checkered grips that contrasts nicely with the truly beautiful dark blueing. The oe TRS grips are really nice but I’m not a fan of smooth grips so they’re stored for later needs. Love this gun !
 
#13 ·
Haven't had a UTC, but had two PIIs, a TRS and HBNM. The UTC sure looks like the TRS I had, minus the logo; don't think you could go wrong with either. I've kept the Baer I liked best, the HBNM, for 25+ years now. It is so reliable and accurate that I did consider carrying it, and made some minor changes to accommodate that. It doesn't feel like it's loosened up in all these years. Mine is a standard 3" gun, but came with a 10-Rd. 50 yard test target of just under 2".

FWIW, I have carried both revolvers and semi-autos with adjustable rear sights. I realize no adjustable sight is as robust as a fixed sight made of a single piece of steel. But as long as the rear sight blade was rounded or "melted" a bit to prevent bloodshed, I experienced no trouble. A very long time ago, I carried a Gold Cup IWB off duty, and the sharp rear sight blade cut my side. Live and learn;) I still prefer to actually zero the pistol with whatever ammunition I might be issued or choose to carry...ymmv
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#30 ·
I got a nice custom carry in 38 super with the 1 1/2” guarantee from Jim’s Firearms in Baton Rouge. They also have a store in Florida.

They have many Baers in stock if you want to look at a bunch of them. I also spoke to Les Baer himself one afternoon when I disassembled that gun for the first time. I called with a question about removing the extractor and they put him on the phone and we had a nice chat. Really a good guy. He spoke highly of Jim’s, they buy a lot of guns from him, I’m sure

I’m really happy I bought the gun. It’s super accurate, way better than I am. It was nice not having to wait 6 months for it. There are many great dealers out there though. Lots of luck with your choice. You’ll be very happy.
 
#24 ·
I ordered my Baer through John at 1911 heaven.

If I was in the market for a Baer again, I would hope to find something he had in stock.

When special ordering a gun through him, you need to pay your deposit with a postal money order, and you can't pay the balance with a credit card. That proved difficult for me the way the USPS has been operating.

I would prefer to call him and pay in full with a card over the phone.
I also did not care for his long winded conversations about himself. I can account for some small talk, but I don't have 40 minutes to waste talking to him every time.

Just my $.02. When Baers go up for sale used, they are usually way more affordable than new.
 
#29 ·
I have always wanted a Les Baer and I am going to make the plunge this year. I am still trying to figure out what I want to get so I am in the research phase and in no rush. Since I have the patients of a grasshopper I am going to likely buying something that is in stock at a dealer as the options I am seeing works for me.

I am looking at a few different models and have a few questions
Does the UTC and Gunsite models have the standard 3" guarantee? It does not say on their site

I like the looks of the American Handgunner model a lot is it worth the extra money for the options or are you spending extra money on the special edition?

I have also found a Premier 2 in 10mm with the 1.5" guarantee I love the 10mm so this caught my eye so I may go this route or get the Premier 2 in 45.

I am still torn but leaning hard towards the Premier 2 or the UTC

While this will mainly be a range toy I will carry it some also. Is there any advice on which model I should go with out of these?
Different models have different sights. I shoot completely different with sight th
I have always wanted a Les Baer and I am going to make the plunge this year. I am still trying to figure out what I want to get so I am in the research phase and in no rush. Since I have the patients of a grasshopper I am going to likely buying something that is in stock at a dealer as the options I am seeing works for me.

I am looking at a few different models and have a few questions
Does the UTC and Gunsite models have the standard 3" guarantee? It does not say on their site

I like the looks of the American Handgunner model a lot is it worth the extra money for the options or are you spending extra money on the special edition?

I have also found a Premier 2 in 10mm with the 1.5" guarantee I love the 10mm so this caught my eye so I may go this route or get the Premier 2 in 45.

I am still torn but leaning hard towards the Premier 2 or the UTC

While this will mainly be a range toy I will carry it some also. Is there any advice on which model I should go with out of these?
Different models have different sights. I shoot completely different with sights that I like. I suggest that you look at what sights are standard with the model that you choose?