Which to purchase Kimber or Les Baer

[IFRPilot]

I am looking to purchase a custom 1911 pistol and am seriously looking at the Les Baer Concept 5 or the Kimber Team Match or Grand Raptor. Any thoughts about any of these models or manufacturer? What do you like/dislike?

I am going to post this in the Kimber Forum also...

Thanks,
Rob

[Rinspeed]

I really like Kimbers and am always on the lookout for a good series I at a decent price. They is however no comparison between a Kimber and a Les Baer. The Baer will be more accurate, probably more reliable and will last a whole lot longer.

[charlie-6]

Les Baer always

[tastysp]

Although I have neither right now (waiting on a Baer). I would say the Baer, for a comparable price you get a much better put together package than the Kimber. One of my range buddies has a Colt that Les worked on over 20 years ago and it shoots great and hasn''t had a problem. Meanwhile other friends have had quite a few problems with their Kimbers (plunger tube housings coming loose, front sites breaking, rear sites becoming loose, etc).

[Only a 1911]

I have both a Kimber Compact CDP and a full size steel Baer. They are not in the same league quality (fit/finish, MIM and plastic MSH vs tool steel parts) or accuracy wise. Mine have been comparable reliabilty wise (near flawless), but again to be fair my aluminum frame carry pistol sees alot less rounds than my Baer. Being smaller and lighter, my Kimber sees sbout as much holster time as my Baer. I do not fear issues with either. To be fair, they are not in the same league price-wise either.

If you have the approx $700-800 extra, I would say go Baer. If you don't, go Kimber and don't look back. If after you get a Baer, there is no budget left for much practice ammmo, you would be better served with the Kimber until you could budget a Baer.

[Niagarafallss1]

Baer

[tbougie]

I have two LB's. One was built by Les in 1989 when he ran the Springfield Custom Shop. This the best 1911 I have ever owned. Les remembers the gun as he built it for a friend of mine. 10,000 rounds later it is still a tack driver. I bought a PII ser#12x1 back in th early 90's. This pistol has had close to 15,000 rounds shot through it.Still tight as hell. There are many matches to Les' quality but IMHO none better. On another note I have a USGI 45 coming from Bill Laughridge at C&S. All USGI parts with an Essex slide and frame. I will give you guys a look when I get it.

[gunfighter45]

I have owned 4 Kimbers(Gold Match, 2 early Classic Customs, and a Compact)
and they were good guns BUT I now own 2 Les Baers and they are much better guns IMHO.

[surjimmy]

My friend had a Grand Raptor II, it shot great. I got a Les Baer PII, there are no words on how this gun shot. Oh by the way my friend shot my PII he sold his Kimber.

[1563621]

My grand raptor is up for sale as this is written. My P11 shoots great.

[Metaloy Ind.]

I guess we have a different definition of what custom is.

[Shark]

I have owned both, Kimber is not in the same league as a Baer. Get the Baer - no firing pin safety, no MIM parts, better fit and finish.

[E5MC]

Kia or BMW ?

[primersinmyshoe]

I've got all of them, with an Ed Brown Executive Target on order. The Baer's are great, that's why I have two.

Welcome to the forum Rob. You'll find tons of great info here.

One thing though - The mods frown on double posting.

[lil ron]

Hands down. Les Baer.

[crc]

To each his own, but to me Baer's are hands down the best buy out there. I've considered buying Kimber's in the past but just couldn't bring myself to do it.

[makeminea1911]

I have a number of Kimbers and two Les Baers. One of the Les Baers is a Concept V. I would say if you can afford the Baer by all means buy it. If not buy a Kimber and be happy. There is nothing wrong with a KImber but having said that, IMO they are a step down from a Baer.

[DevilDave1911]

Originally Posted by IFRPilot

I am looking to purchase a custom 1911 pistol and am seriously looking at the Les Baer Concept 5 or the Kimber Team Match or Grand Raptor. Any thoughts about any of these models or manufacturer? What do you like/dislike?

I am going to post this in the Kimber Forum also...

Thanks,
Rob

FYI. Nothing "custom" about a Kimber. LB is heads and shoulders above Kimber in all regards. If you want a custom, you will have to buy a base frame and slide and send it off to a smith. OR...you could buy a full house custom off of a place like Louder than Words. they have full customs for sale all the time. For a production gun, LB would be my pick right along side an Ed Brown, Wilson Combat or a Nighthawk.

[supertac45]

Originally Posted by Metaloy Ind.

I guess we have a different definition of what custom is.

And your's is?

[mr white]

Originally Posted by Metaloy Ind.

I guess we have a different definition of what custom is.

what the hell are you talking about?

[Niagarafallss1]

Originally Posted by Metaloy Ind.

I guess we have a different definition of what custom is.

Ditto here. Anything production is not custom. ...tis just another fancy marketing gimmick like "Tactical". Harley Davidson is another to capitalize on the word "Custom" for it's run of the mill production bikes.


Mataloy, I'm with ya !

[Niagarafallss1]

Originally Posted by E5MC

Kia or BMW ?

[primersinmyshoe]

Originally Posted by E5MC

Kia or BMW ?

Jeep

[Novice]

I'll jump on the bandwagon. If you can go the extra dollars go for the Baer. After reading posts about Baer on this forum I bought my first one end of June. Last friday I recieved two more Baers that I ordered from Pro Load in Idaho. Talk to John at Pro Load Distributors (sales@proload.com) or via phone
208 772-2339. IMHo he has the best prices on Les Baer. He is a straight shooter and provides excellent service. I have a Wilson and couple of Nighthawk Customs. They are very good shooters, but the Baer is just as good for a great deal less $. If you are looking for cosmetics, go for the Nighthawks, but for function and price the Baer's are outstanding values.
BTW I sold my Kimber Eclipse after I shot my first Baer, a concept VIII. I prefer the commander size 1911's. I picked up a Baer Stinger and Concept VI last week. It helps that I sold the Kimber and two other guns. I'm going to learn to shoot the full size Baer. BTW John has a special on the Baer Premier this month. Call or e-mail him for price.

[bjones4545]

Originally Posted by primersinmyshoe

Jeep

.......or Bronco? j/k ya primersinmyshoe.

I have three Kimbers and a Colt Series 70.....all Full size (like my Bronco). They are all excellent pistols and I would not sell, or trade, any of them.

When I started looking at Commander size 1911's, I decided to purchase a Les Baer TRS Comanche HC. It is expected to ship sometime in September.

Time flys, but sometimes it doesn't fly fast enough.