More gun help!

J

Jeremy Reynolds

Joined
Jan 7, 2000
Messages
817
Since most of the guys on this forum seem to be gun nuts as well as nife nuts, I thought I would ask for input and opinions here.

What do you guys think of the Wilson Combat KZ45? I know, polymer on a 1911 is grounds for the death penalty, but I like the looks of it and it is about the only Wilson I can afford right now.

Also, any experiences with Les Baer firearms, specifically the Premiere II, Custom Carry, and Concept series? I am also thinking of selling my Sig P239 and saving up for a Baer instead of the KZ45. Any opinions on the Baer 1911s? All help is appreciated.

JR
 
If you are looking for a custom quality 1911 but are on kind of a budget, I would suggest looking at Springfield Armory. I own two, just bought the Operator TRP, it has all the custom and reliability enhancements while being several hundred bucks less. they also make a regular TRP and the Professional model. all top notch guns, very tight fit, shoot better than you could hope for the price. Its a little off the subject but just thought I'd throw that at you.
chris
 
Hey Jeremy

I have a Wilson 1911 and their customer service is top notch and there are a ton of satisfied customers out there. There have been complaints of their Armor-tuf finish not being as tuff as what they claim it to be and easily comes off but the way around that is to have them hardchrome the pistol for you like I had mine done.

I have had no experience with Les Baer but I've had several friends who have them. Some have been very satisfied with them other didn't like the problems they had with the pistols and then the customer service. Les Baer was just dropped from the pistolsmiths guild for their bad track record on customer service. All of what I've stated is fact. What I've mentioned I've seen with my eyes and I won't comment on what I've heard and can't back up with facts.

I have seen numerous people post on how wonderful and satisfied they were with Baer products and I've seen people post on their disappointment. But I have seen more on the positive side though.

I'm a moderator on a 1911 forum and we have a section that is devoted specifically to Baer 1911s and you can see it here: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/index.php?s=

There was one complaint on the reliability of the Wilson KZ45 that I remember reading about but after it was sent back and back to the customer the customer claims that it has run flawless since.

I'm not bad mouthing Les Baer guns and I've stated at the beginning that I don't own one but I thought I'd give you as much of what I know and a link for you to find out more info if you wish.

Good luck on your journey of finding your 1911 I'm having fun on mine :)

Ross T.
 
Anything from Wilson or Les Baer is top notch so whichever model blows your skirt up is the way to go. The Les Baer Custom Carry is basically the Concept VII without a guide rod. Both are my favorites there although I prefer a guide rod as they just make sense. These days with modern manufacturing and all (to include incredible competition) you also can't go wrong with anything from Kimber and Springfield as well. They all do make the same nice hole and a nice hole is what we're all really after anyway (wow, that was very wrong).
And in that price range one can't overlook Rock River Arms. The only drawback is that they have no dealers and there's a one year wait. Oddly enough, their web address is www.rockriverarms.com .
 
AnklePocket has got a good suggestion in there too. I wouldn't overlook Rock River Arms either. There prices are good their wait is a little long but you know the saying....

I'd check them out also.

Ross T.

oh yeah! I just remembered. Wilson states that the grip circumference is no larger than a regular single stack 1911. That's true but it's not the same shape. So if you like the feel of the traditional single stack you may want to handle a KZ before you put your money down. Just a thought.

Note: I made a mistake above. Wilson states that the grip of the KZ is narrower than the standard 1911. But reports have stated that it has a super boxy feel to it. I was wrong in my original statement saying it was the same circumference but you may still want to handle one to make sure you like it.
 
Hey, Ross, which forum are you a moderator for at 1911forum?

Baer and Rock River make good parts. If buildling up a custom gun I'd consider their stuff.

Depending on your price range I'd look at the Valtro (only through the US distrib. though) $1199 for lots of features, totally dehorned gun, very good materials and fit.

In regards to the KZ, I didn't like the way it felt, but perhaps I'm accustomed to the single stack.
 
Originally posted by Izrafil
Hey, Ross, which forum are you a moderator for at 1911forum?
Click to expand...

Hey Israfil

I'm the moderator for Range Reports. But I flip flop all over the place in there.

Ross T.
 
Hey Jeremy,

For what it's worth, the Les Baer's are great guns and the Wilson CQB is probably my favorite 1911 out there. I own neither, but have fired both and oogled over them many hours from friends. About the polymer framed 45's, I would be leary of them with Hot loads, they have more recoil than steel, and the frames may not hold out as long as ordinance grade steel. Do some homework. I have heard more than a few Kaboom stories about polymer framed 45's. Of course there are always arguments for both sides. The 1911 forums are a great place to start. Good Luck

Strider content: I am still waiting for my MT, ever so patiently.

Hal
 
I believe the kz-45 is based off the Bull -"M-5" (I think they are south african) and are very similar, if not the platform, for kimber's polymers and wilson's polymer. In fact, i would not be surprised if it was the bul manufactured frame.
in fact, wilson's frames used to be provided by kimber, to slightly different specs...they may still all get them from the same maker, jerico i think.
i've held one and did not like it, but that is me. i like usp's. or 1911's. for the $1k it will set you back, either save up a bit more and get a wilson cqb or a springfield trp...I've loved the kimber custom classic I just got a while back--it has been flawless.
then again, if it fits your hand, and has a reliable track record, and you like it, go for it.
my only concerns would be parts replacement...this is rather new, and if it does not hang on, it will be a pain to get service for it, and probably expensive.
cheers,
Derek
 
Ditto, and might want to consider Wesson Guns, they are doing 1911s too.

Good luck and let us know what you get.
 
I will Just add that I own a georgeous piece of Les's work. I was given it as a gift upon my "retirement". You get what you pay for. Wilson also makes a spectacular custom.
if money is an issue, the NEW Springfield is much better. Springfield had SERIOUS QC issues, but some heads have rolled and they have gotten back to WORK.......wolf
 
I've never handled Les's work, but I hear it's top notch. I also hear (don't read too much into this, since i don't own nor have extensively shot any wilsons) that wilson's qc is sometimes spotty, as it's not like he is doing the work like he used to, it's all done by his shop, a mini production line. If you get a weapon put together monday morning or friday afternoon you might get qc problems...I've "heard" of some, but it's all been online and you know how that goes...there is generally at least an ounce of truth in some of those rumors.
I think for the money, the kimber custom classic (will set you back about $600+) is the best for the money.
cheers,
Derek
 
imho get a kimber - imy best bud has a les baer and a kimber ultra carry (i think its like a officers model) and imho the kimber is every bit as good - accurate, reliable, well made, i am impressed and i thought kimbers were overrated, not the case - not tho say the baer isnt good, but 2X better? no way - the kimber is more reliable, the baer has jammed a few times (less than 6 in about 750 rnds) no jams in the kimber ( 500+ rnds) i too have heard bad things about wilsonm recently, my bud is a real 1911 fan and really keeps up w/them, and told me a few things, nothing that bad, just some customer service probs as mentioned before in this thread, but neither the baer nor the kimber need any CS soooo -

honestly, i like the old 1911, carry a glock 32 or 33 or a SIG P220 but have a gold cup and a commander w/a few mods and honestly, that kimber is the only 1911 i've seen myself go 500+ w/no jams, while my glock/sig do it all the time - over 3K thru the glock, no jams, prob over 6K thru the sig, have had since '90, and only about 3, 1 due to a cartrige w/a incorrect OAL - i really wish i could find a 1911 that would be reliable like my glock/sig, and that kimber, i may have to try one pretty soon, would like to get the one like a commander, i really like them


sifu
 
Its hard to beat a Kimber FOR THE MONEY. I have 3 now, a Custom Target, a Compact, and a Polymer. The Polymer indeed has a Bul frame, the only high cap frame that fits my small hands worth a darn. I have converted it to use Para magazines. The Custom Targer and the Polymer are both GREAT shooters. I have put several thousand rounds through the Custom Target and have had no parts break, and the only jams I had were from the slide hitting a barracade I was using for cover.
 
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