The House of 1911s - Available Stock Thread

caramel said:
Those are irresistible and after thinking about it, in my 1911 collection even if it's not my favorite, i will need a 1911 in 9mm, one like Harry Callahan LB Prowler, it would be a great addition... JP.
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Yeah, love my Prowler III. Heard that LBC makes between 1 and 3 Prowler III a year, custom order, never seen a dealer with stock. Doesn't seem like a popular model from LB Custom but I can honestly that it worth every penny.

As a side note, if I was going to buy a semi-custom single stack 9mm 1911, I would take a look at the LB Premier II w/ the 1.5" @ 50y option, a Ed Brown Executive Target with a few custom options or a Dan Wesson Pointman 9 the last one is only made once or twice a year in very limited numbers and is supposed to be a great 9mm 1911.
 
Prowler IIIs are extremely cool. They make more than three a year, but they remain one of Les Baer's rarest pistols. Few are harder to get, and the Prowlers out there often came after longer waits than other models. From what I've seen, they may be one of the best shooting pistols on the planet, and that's even when stacked up against the rest of the Les Baer stable. Anyone who owns a Prowler is in great company as they're easily one of the most sought-after models of Les Baer 1911.

As for stocking them -- we've tried, and it didn't make it to the shop unpurchased. A lot of shops, also, do not like to stock extended bull barrel 1911s as their customer niche is much narrower and so it can stay on the shelf longer than they'd like. In a shop like ours, where 1911s are the specialty and our turnover is rather high on 1911s, this is not much of a risk, but I would bet it would contribute to why you cannot find them even on US shelves. An extremely uncommon pistol with long waits to start with, and one which is riskier to a shop than a Premier II for store stock, means you'd see even fewer of them out there (in turn making them seem even more scarce). A Prowler III would likely last all of ten seconds here, if it even made it into the country without being snatched up, but we're a special case... and very proud to be Canada's source for 1911s! :)

The Ed Brown Executive Target 9mms were a limited run last year and will likely get another limited run this year. Ed Brown has long had a policy that you can have his pistols in any caliber you want, as long as it's .45ACP -- but bent the rule here and there for these 9mm runs. They're gorgeous guns.

Cheers,
Daniel
 
I like the Colt series 70, but not at sucky exchange prices.. I was about to jump on one elsewhere last Friday but the price shot up unexpectedly.

I can't commit to pre-ordering a LB Hardball. Can't guarantee the funds will be there.
 
All out of the Dan Wesson Specialist model this morning, and the S&W E-Series! We are also down to the last single Colt Series 70 Government and Colt Combat XSE here at the vault, so if you've had your eye on those it may be time to make your move. The Series 70 is especially cool for coming in a super nice old school box in Colt's customary blue and gold:






Shout-out to Matt's coat for volunteering for backdrop duty this morning :p
 
S&Ws and SAs in high demand, looks like Canada has cleared us out of several models! More of a lot of different 1911s en route over the next couple of weeks, should be a lot of new stuff coming in. :)
 
With Gary, Dan and the guys, i learned to keep my 3K handy, ready to draw, you never know what's gonna pop up suddenly in the House of marvels... Just saying. JP.
 
I'm crossing my trigger fingers on Les Baer. last time I talked to Gary, he said sometime in Feb.

sorry Gary I can't resist it!
 
WanstallsOnline said:
Prowler IIIs are extremely cool. They make more than three a year, but they remain one of Les Baer's rarest pistols. Few are harder to get, and the Prowlers out there often came after longer waits than other models. From what I've seen, they may be one of the best shooting pistols on the planet, and that's even when stacked up against the rest of the Les Baer stable. Anyone who owns a Prowler is in great company as they're easily one of the most sought-after models of Les Baer 1911.

As for stocking them -- we've tried, and it didn't make it to the shop unpurchased. A lot of shops, also, do not like to stock extended bull barrel 1911s as their customer niche is much narrower and so it can stay on the shelf longer than they'd like. In a shop like ours, where 1911s are the specialty and our turnover is rather high on 1911s, this is not much of a risk, but I would bet it would contribute to why you cannot find them even on US shelves. An extremely uncommon pistol with long waits to start with, and one which is riskier to a shop than a Premier II for store stock, means you'd see even fewer of them out there (in turn making them seem even more scarce). A Prowler III would likely last all of ten seconds here, if it even made it into the country without being snatched up, but we're a special case... and very proud to be Canada's source for 1911s! :)

The Ed Brown Executive Target 9mms were a limited run last year and will likely get another limited run this year. Ed Brown has long had a policy that you can have his pistols in any caliber you want, as long as it's .45ACP -- but bent the rule here and there for these 9mm runs. They're gorgeous guns.

Cheers,
Daniel
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I'm really amazed on how my Prowler III shoots, really is the best semi-custom 1911 I've had compared to some very nice ones I owned (SA custom shop Professional Operator, Ed Brown Executive Target w/custom options, Valtro 1998A1, DW Black duty Valor & V-BOB to name a few).

Les Baer discontinued the Prowler III in 1999 IIRC and brought it back in the 2003 catalogue. Mine took over 2 yrs from order date to get up here, 2005 Hillsdale production, the good ol'days when the shop was 1/4 of what it is now and judging by the Prowler III's built certificate that shows 9 signatures including Les signature, employed 8 people at the time including the shop secretary & treasurer (Karen & Brenda back then), 1500 guns made each year. They now make more than 6000 guns per year, luckly still building them right & tight!

Can't find the Prowler III listed anywhere on the Les Baer website, doesn't show in either the 1911's & pricing section. Is the Prowler III discontinued again??
 
Our last Kimber Grand Raptor has left the building! We'll see some more Kimbers a little later on but we may have a nice surprise here from another company in the next few minutes. :)

Cheers,
Daniel
 
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