45 acp

[richstag]

Congratulations! You have done exceedingly well. Here's to years of happiness. No Regrets! Way to go with the Blued finish as well, there is something glorious about deep blue luster that really connects you to the history of steel weaponry. Can't wait to see your pics!!!

Thank you

That and parkerized:thumbup:

 

[Strabs]

Thank you

That and parkerized:thumbup:

Your Baer is Park'd? Are you sure it's not their special Baer-Coat (sp?)

I have yet to see a HC Baer in person, but Ken's TRS is right on par with what I want next.

 

[richstag]

Your Baer is Park'd? Are you sure it's not their special Baer-Coat (sp?)

I have yet to see a HC Baer in person, but Ken's TRS is right on par with what I want next.

No, its not parkerized. I should have been more clear. I think that a parkerized finished is also great looking:thumbup:

This one is just blued.

 

[Strabs]

No, its not parkerized. I should have been more clear. I think that a parkerized finished is also great looking:thumbup:

This one is just blued.

Right on! Les' blue is the nicest IMHO:thumbup:

 

[richstag]

Right on! Les' blue is the nicest IMHO:thumbup:

It sure looks good to me.

It is the Concept VII I figured out. Although it does not look exactly like the one on the Les Baer site (markings are different). Hopefully it will be nice enough.

 

[richstag]

Found this at a 1911 forum:

Making guns is an art for local manufacturer

By Bob Groene
Posted Online: Jun 19, 2008 11:57AM

Most Quad-Citians, excepting ardent target handgun/rifle shooters and hunters, are probably unaware that our expanded community is home to five firearm manufacturers who all produce ultra-high-quality guns. Those five companies, in aggregate, employ about 500 people -- a significant factor in our local economy.

The smallest, if one counts by number of employees, is Les Baer Custom of LeClaire, Iowa. Les Baer Custom has 22 employees and operates out of a brand-new 18,000-square-foot facility that was just completed in May.

I was particularly curious about Les Baer Custom having heard the name many times in the hunting/shooting community. That curiosity was piqued after I visited the company's booth and met Les Baer Sr. at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Technology (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

It became readily apparent that Les Baer Custom is highly respected in the world of guns -- as are the other four area gun manufacturers.

``I started making handguns in Pennsylvania back in the 1970s,’’ said Mr. Baer, a toolmaker turned pistolsmith. ``I came here in 1989 to start up the Springfield Armory custom-pistol shop, which I did for a couple of years before going on my own. We celebrated our silver anniversary last year, even though I’ve been making guns for much longer than that.’’

Making a high-end custom 1911 semi-automatic pistol is a very labor-intensive process. The highly skilled pistolsmiths/craftsmen at Les Baer are true professionals who know their craft and art very well and have the patience, experience and knack to work with pieces until the end result is beyond ``just right'' — it must be perfect, or it doesn’t leave the shop. In addition to machining of parts, assembly of each handgun takes more than 30 hours.

Trivia question: How many pieces are there in a Les Baer Custom Premier model 1911? Answer later.

To start the manufacturing process, parts are machined from solid forged steel. The steel is, as Mr. Baer said, ``the best money can buy.'' It's forged, which means it is repeatedly pounded by a heavy machine-hammer, producing superior steel to that which is cast.

Machining is done on computer-controlled and -operated machines that are programmed to intentionally leave most edges and holes just a bit too small or just a bit too big—that’s where the custom work comes in.

The expert pistolsmiths, using their hands, eyes and specialized tools, fit each piece together with exact tolerance — the never-compromised standard that will lead to a finished product capable of grouping five shots in a one-and-one-half inch area at 50 yards!

Mr. Baer is the alpha of the assembly/fitting process. With order sheets in hand, he selects all of the parts needed for the many variations of 1911s and sets them in custom wooden racks that hold several 1911s as they move through the manufacturing process.

Assembly starts with the slide being hand file-fitted so that it exactly fits the frame. This takes about 45 minutes per 1911, and sometimes involves a tool as simple as a Magic Marker. Pistolsmiths may use a mark from a marker to determine the closeness of tolerance between moving steel pieces.

When the slide fits the frame perfectly, the serial number is etched into the steel. Throughout the assembly process, the last of the three serial numbers are etched on each piece that is added, in order to ensure continued perfect fit of each piece to that 1911.

Next, the beavertail (the part of the upper handle that protrudes from the back of the handle) and the safety are fitted to the frame. This can take an hour and a half.

Checkering, smooth roughness that is precision-filed into the handle by hand, is the next step, and it can take over an hour per gun.

The main spring housing is fitted just before the top of the slide is cut for the front and back sights. Then the barrel and its bushing are fitted to the slide and frame. These operations may take nearly three hours.

At this point, the 1911 has taken shape, and it next goes through the pre-polishing process, in which the piece’s lines are blended by polishing wheels, then by hand. This is followed by final preparation -- final polish and bead blasting -- after which only gloved hands may touch the 1911 until bluing.

Bluing with 300-degree heated chemicals puts a tough final outside coating over the 1911—unless, of course, the piece is slated for chrome finish or stainless steel.

Finally, the trigger, hammer and sear are fit; the barrel is set; and the sites are affixed.

The 1911 is now ready for its litmus test.

Mr. Baer also is the omega of each 1911 produced. He takes every one to an adjacent indoor test range and fires up to 150 rounds through the piece to ensure perfect function, reliability and accuracy.

Only then may a Les Baer Custom leave the shop and be shipped to a customer, who may have waited months for one of the world’s premier 1911s.

Answer to previous trivia question: A Les Baer Custom Premier 1911 has a total of 53 parts.

``We have a great crew of pistolsmiths here,’’ Mr. Baer said. ``Some have been with me since we started. It can be tedious work, and you have to have a knack for it. It’s not production work — it’s true custom work, and we’re very proud of that.’’

 

[richstag]

Gentlemen,

I picked it up today. My father and I put the first few clips through it. This thing really shoots well.

Pics-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few with the aid of an SB-800. Never did figure out how to use that thing inside a dark room (maybe I need a couple more and some real lights):

A few from the walk this weekend:

Looks a snake!

The boys

About to attack

Beaver on a Busse

Found this in the dirt

 

[richstag]

Here are a couple with the aid of my "studio lights" (a 50 watt lamp on either side.....)----------:

Here is one with my 1500 lumen torch "studio light"......:

Some over head lamps......"studio lights".....:

Here is one that shows you how bright the night sights really are:

Busse in a tree:

The grips I really wanted to transfer to the Les Baer. Sadly remembered they are not cut for an Ambi-safety:

 

[richstag]

Just a few more for fun:

Friend:

Cool:

Busse:

Old glass:

Still works:

Busse again

 

[Ken44]

I should have knew better than to look at this thread! I tried to resist!

I've been fighting the urge for a new .45, and all the killer pics have me very week. I have a feeling a 1911 will be coming my way soon, or maybe another USP...crap, more decissions to make.

Great pics in this thread!

 

[ron_m80]

....second that junior....

the problem is his price limitation, he wont get the Colt that he can for the cost of the polymer, I am sad to say it as I would recommend the 1911 over any plastic gun, just about all the time. But the function and sights are there for a lesser price in the polymer.

 

[richstag]

I should have knew better than to look at this thread! I tried to resist!

I've been fighting the urge for a new .45, and all the killer pics have me very week. I have a feeling a 1911 will be coming my way soon, or maybe another USP...crap, more decissions to make.

Great pics in this thread!

Maybe others will post more awesome photos??? Not that we would want to tempt you more.....

I could not be happier with this one

 

[Tamishigiri]

Late to the party BUT since I have been doing this for awhile and I have valid opinions, I will extend my opinions.


The BEST value for the money that is reliable and DUTY ready is SA MC Operator HANDS down.


Next, But usually out of most people's budget is SA FBI PRO CRG HANDS down.

Otherwise get a Colt and have a competent gunsmith like Chuck Rogers do a relaibility, sights & trigger job and you will be happier than a "Punk in Prison". Series 70/80 not much difference if you know what to do. Get the Bronell's Firing system plate to deal w/ the firing pin block issues.

Finish, the BEST so far is IonBond (Tribo 41 process about 5 mil thick) followed by various ones, Melonite (similar to Tennifer only uses different chemicals that are illegal in US etc.) TiALN (Titanium Aluminum Nitrate about 2 mil thick) and the other proprietary PVD / CVD finishes out there.

You can IonBond over Melonite or Hard Chrome etc...


Forget about Shock Buffs, two piece guide rods etc....

A properly fitted barrel gets all the accuracy it can have from proper fitment at Lug interface and bushing.

Nowlin, KART NM, Bar-Sto, Wilson, Brown, C&S are all good and made to rigorous demanding specs etc.

I prefer Nowlin and KART NM. But have others and they all rock on....


HTH and good luck on your QUEST !

SA MC Operatror w/ Nowlin Barrel

SA FBI Pro CRG w/ LR w/ Nowlin Barrel

SS Colt Series 80 RARE Commanding Officer w/ IonBond Tribo 41 (Officer's Slide on Commander's frame 500 made) Trigger says "Death To Al Qaeda"

Colt Commanding Officer and Colt Series 70 Combat Commander KART NM Barrel

ICE Target @ 30' Certified by rangemaster.

Colt Series 70 Commander w/ TiALN and Dawson Light rail

Colt Series 70 Combat Commander w/ Dawson LR and Surefire X300 firing to show it works and is VERY Combat worthy etc.

 

[Strabs]

Awesome pics richstag!

I have the exact same CC, it is my favorite 1911 next to my old SA 1911A1 beater.

Congrats on an awesome gun:thumbup:

 

[richstag]

Tamishigiri - Awesome:thumbup::thumbup: thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge on the subject.

-----------

Thanks Strabs!

CC

 

[ron_m80]

The BEST value for the money that is reliable and DUTY ready is SA MC Operator HANDS down.

I agree 100%, but i hate to point out the OP said use the MSRP of the HK as the upper limit of his expenditures, even with California prices the HK is by far the pistol he should look to for all the attributes he listed.

And i am a self pronounced 1911 SLUT! I will never likely buy a polymer framed anything just because my 1911 experience AND TRAINING will never leave me. I am use to it, and i wield it well, why should i ever use anything but.

HOWEVER the OP is starting from scratch. And MSRP in concideration, you won't get the sights, the custom job, or anything from a .45 colt style for the price and performance of the polymer.

Wouldn't you agree?

By the way, I use this, not a polymer anything.

 

[Tamishigiri]

ron80,

I hear ya and MOST of what you elude to is true.
I appreciate your valid points and give a lot of merit to your well thought out summary.

However, any H&K (and I have owned and shot more than a few USP USP C, 45c etc.) trigger will ever be a 1911 trigger EVEN stock. It is a lot easier to learn a 1911 trigger than an H&K trigger. Creep and reset issues and then add adrenaline while your OODA loop is @ warp speed etc.

The grip even though much improved w/ H&K still is not the same as a 1911.

I think H&K 45C is their best effort and a VERY good weapon. That being said, it's NOT going to get many 1911 converts.

I will say there is not a right or wrong ONLY a preferrence. If you have not had a working 1911 you will never know.


I will admit that either Gun will do if you will do and I want a Gun that goes "bang" every time I pull the trigger...

Good Stuff !


"The 1911 was the design given by God to us through John M. Browning that represents the epitome of what a killing tool needs to be. It was true in 1911 and is true now." —Colonel Robert J. Coates, USMC

"GIs carrying 1911's defeated Axis forces, including Austrians. The 1911 was winning battles and saving lives before Gaston Glock was even born - somewhere along the way we probably figured out a thing or two on combat handguns." –Larry Vickers

 

[shunsui]

Here is one that shows you how bright the night sights really are:

Evil. :thumbup:

 

[richstag]

Evil. :thumbup:

I agree

 

[richstag]

I was starting from scratch in the sense of comparison purposes.

I learned on a 1911 and as of yet have never strayed.

:thumbup:

It is always good to go into subjects like this as if you are just starting elementary school IMO. That way you really don't overlook anything.

Thanks again!