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Discussion Starter #1
I am shopping for a new 1911 and have narrowed it down to either a DW Valor or Les Baer TRS or Custom Carry.

How does the Valor compare to the LB? I have had to chance to see both in a shop, and the fit and finish of both 1911's is superb.

Is the Les Baer worth the extra money over the Valor? This is going to be a tough choice for me. Thanks for the help!
 

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I'll tell you in a month or so, as I have a custom carry on order and already have a plethora of DW's. :biglaugh:
In reading about and researching the LB, I will tell you that the only common "weakness" I find continually, is the finish. Wears and rubs through easily. Dave is going to HH my CC before sending it to me. No worries on that front for me.
Good luck!
Sarge
 

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1 of each is my final answer :) I have a DW in 10mm and .45 they shoot great. I was also lucky enough to score a Les Baer in 10mm about 5 years ago. It shoots well to. Can't go wrong with either.
 

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You can't go wrong with either gun. Baer finishes, other than the Baer coat, don't hold up real well but are so reliable and accurate, most owners can live with that. If you shop around you can find NIB Baers for very little more than the DWs nowadays. The Thunder Ranch can be had for around $1700. You can spend that much on a Valor too. Of course with the Valor, you don't have to look at the gayish TR logo. JMO
 

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You may have already indicated your preference..

Asking that question in the DW forum has garnered you some surprisingly equable answers...!

From what I have heard of the Valor, it would be difficult to beat for the price. So if I were conscious of what I were paying for a reason (don't really want the Baer that bad...) I'd go for the Valor.

There are some great threads on this already actually. Dave Severns here:
Shoot Out!!
 

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I have a CBOB and a Baer PII. The PII is worth the extra money. My CBOB is not as accurate and has more quirks than the Baer. I shoot bigger groups at 15 yards with the CBOB than at 25 yards with the Baer.

I am shopping for a new 1911 and have narrowed it down to either a DW Valor or Les Baer TRS or Custom Carry.

How does the Valor compare to the LB? I have had to chance to see both in a shop, and the fit and finish of both 1911's is superb.

Is the Les Baer worth the extra money over the Valor? This is going to be a tough choice for me. Thanks for the help!
 

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I have a CBOB and a Baer PII. The PII is worth the extra money. My CBOB is not as accurate and has more quirks than the Baer. I shoot bigger groups at 15 yards with the CBOB than at 25 yards with the Baer.
I think it would be safe to say though that the Vbob is a step up in quality, accuracy, etc. from the Cbob. I think its better then IMO to compare the vbob and baer instead of the cbob and the baer. It used to be though that you could get a Cbob for nearly HALF the price of a Bear and that truly was a deal. Nowadays the Cbobs brand new are right around the price of a Vbob so whats up with that? Just my little rant forgive me...
 

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I think it's mainly my eyes preferring a wider rear notch without dots. I've blacked out the rear dots and groups seem about the same. I need to shoot it more. But the CBOB is caught in a vicious circle. I like shooting the baer and kimber more so the CBOB usually sits in the safe. But maybe I'd like it more if I shot it more but...

That doesn't sound good...
 

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Both are fine guns but DW isn't a Baer. Simple as that. I have had a CBOB for a couple of years and recently purchased a TRS. Now you might say the current VBOB is a better gun because they are using DW parts of their own manufacture but the CBOB used parts from well known and good manufacturers. So I'm not sure it is fair to say one is better than the other based on that. Some will same the VBOB is better because of the forged frame. Maybe, maybe not as a properly done casting can be just as strong - but it isn't as expensive and that is undeniable.

The TRS is tighter than my CBOB which is a very tight gun. The TRS is smooth as glass. Both my CBOB and TRS were hard hatted so that is a toss-up in my mind. Both guns shoot better than I do.

I think it really depends on whether you want to spend the extra money for a custom gun and the hand fitting that entails.
 

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I was under the impression that while some parts are better, build quality was the same CBOB vs. VBOB. If not, you're right it's not fair to bring up the CBOB.

I think it would be safe to say though that the Vbob is a step up in quality, accuracy, etc. from the Cbob. I think its better then IMO to compare the vbob and baer instead of the cbob and the baer. It used to be though that you could get a Cbob for nearly HALF the price of a Bear and that truly was a deal. Nowadays the Cbobs brand new are right around the price of a Vbob so whats up with that? Just my little rant forgive me...
 

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I own both Baer and DW and I would have to say I would go with Baer. The reason for that is I like the idea of a carbon steel gun, even though the bluing suck. Also, I and a few others, have experienced a few teething problems with our DWs. DW has done a great job in my eyes so far trying to correct my problems, but these are problems that I feel I shouldnt have experience for the price I paid. I wont say that I would not buy another DW but as far as my ideal most favorite 1911 in my safe, I would have to say that goes to my Baer Custom Carry.
 

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I have both, plus others. Love the DW CBOB but the Baer is well, a Baer, and it is better for my money ... yea, even for more of my money!
 

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I was under the impression that while some parts are better, build quality was the same CBOB vs. VBOB. If not, you're right it's not fair to bring up the CBOB.
Probably a discussion that has been way overdone lol so I don't want to hijack the thread. Based on everything I've read I think the Vbob is a more refined pistol and probably "better" be it only marginally. If the OP can find a Cbob at the right price (another member found one recently for $700) than it's a no brainer. However, around the same price I say the Vbob would be the way to go. JMHO :)
 

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I considered a Les Baer before going with a Dan Wesson Valor and Valor Bobtail. For me it came down to my preference for how the Valor is setup versus the Baer. The Valor has a cleaner appearance and I prefer the solid trigger and 10-8 sights on the Valor among other things.

I do prefer carbon steel to stainless steel though. Which would give the nod to Les Baer.

I paid $1377 delivered for my Valor so it really depends on which setup you prefer and whether or not you find the extra $$ for the Baer to be worth it. I think both provide an excellent value in the 1911 market.
 

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I know I've never posted in the Dan Wesson forum before but I have both. The one I carry every day to protect my life is the TRS. Now dont get me wrong, the Dan Wesson is a fantastic gun, but all of my Baer's are extreamly well built and I've NEVER had a failure out of any of them. I don't think you are getting a sub par gun with the Valor, but I think you get a superior gun with the TRS. Just my opinion.
 

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Wowww....

The DW forum gurus are an interesting bunch.

Most posters here have indicated Baer is the superior pistol.

Amazing! (Hey, well it is...)

I do agree (I think the Baer is also a superior gun but I am not a regular here on the DW forum...) I do think the Valor is a significant gun for the money though.
 

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Discussion Starter #20
Thanks for the replies everyone. It is obvious that both guns are great, but it looks like the Baer takes the cake. Now I just have to decide on how much to spend. Thanks for the advice!
 
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