Les Baer or STI?

RL1

RL1

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Which one is better in terms of accuracy, reliability etc? Which would you rather have and why? I'd be most interested in a comparison of the STI Tactical to the Baer SRP.

RL
 
RL1.

Just today I had a chance to put 130 rounds through an STI Edge. Let me tell you, Rob, I will never love another 1911 as much as I love that.

I'm flogging some #### to buy one. The Glock hasn't come up on the chopping block yet, but by God it might.

Les Baer is considered the very best 1911's in the world, and probably for good reason. The only problem that I can forsee is his insane wait time. I think for US orders, the line is currently like 2 years long or something crazy like that? And who knows if he'd actually do an international order... STI is amazing, but Les Baer's guns are ALL custom, with custom price tags.
 
Pave, the Ronin Sports web page, makes it sound like they have the Baer's instock? but it doesn't actually say that explicitly....

RL1, scully on the board here is one of the few canucks /w a Baer, you should PM him for a review...
 
HR,

I'm actually not too sure how available his guns are. From what I've heard on the handgun section of Arfcom (Haven't been there in a bit), and a bit of m1911.com, I was led to believe that they are quite rare.
 
IIRC, Everything Baer builds is in "normal" steel (don't recall the actual term...Chrome-moly perhaps). Everything is supposed to be Hard-fit and Stainless is too soft for this. I'd love to test one out for around 50,000 rounds and see if it's still tight at this point as the claim lays...not gonna happen anytime soon though.
 
Pave, I have shot STIs and even custom SVIs..they are indeed great guns...I have yet to see a Baer in person...it is also my understanding that Ronin has them in stock

As far as Baer being custom, I thought they were closer to "semi-custom" (unlike say a Yost)...they do certainly have a great rep.

Scully, can you post a pic please?

RL
 
Hands down Les Baer. I bought a new Thunder Ranch Special a few years back, brought it up from the US, it is bar none the tightest 1911 I have ever held. Les Baer has taken the 1911 to the top of the ladder. I have had Kimber, STI, Colt, Springfield and a few custom 1911's, Baer has set the current standard of what the 1911 sould be, keep in mind, that this standard comes with a hefty price, and the others mentioned are fantstic quality, but the Baer is king of the hill.
 
I've only fiddled with the STI but shot a buddy's various Les Baer's many times. 45 and 38 Super... all amazing. They are incredible! Ah, maybe some day...
 
RL1, if you are looking at high end 1911's, take a peek at the Wilson Combat pistols that P&D Enterprises are importing (Kudos to P&D for that feat). They will easily compete with STI / Baer.

Sharptail
 
Check out www.pistolsmith.com for some guys who know 1911s and you'll get some real informed opinions from some of the best guys in the business.

I really like to poke around there when needing a nice 1911 fix. Les Baer is not true custom, at least not the way these guys do it...

One day I'll sell some body parts and my soul and get a true custom gun made...

Oh and BTW super tight is not super reliable.
 
Rapt wrote:
Oh and BTW super tight is not super reliable.
Click to expand...

If you are referring to a combat pistol then I agree, a little play is more forgiving when it comes to harsh conditions, dirt etc. For a range gun though, my STI is extremely tight and extremely reliable. Yea I clean it every 500 or so rounds and I don't pitch it in the dirt. It's gone for many thousands of rounds without any kind of malfunction.

Dave
 
The Les Baer and the STI Edge do not have the same puropse.........

The way I see it, the Les baer is more of a carry/combat gun and the Edge is mainly a IPSC race gun.........
 
Rapt, oh i surf that site (and more)..just wondering about the Canadian experience :)

Simonyzer..yes, that is in line with their reputations...but STI's tactical is supposed to be a legit combat gun ;)

Hmmm...I'm surprised that Baer is perceived to be so much better than STI...interesting

RL
 
Hey, does anyone have any experience with Rock River Arms? I've read a few reviews and have their brochure but never handled one. They are suppose to be cheaper (in price) than Les Baer but the same (or there abouts) in quality. I think I read something about one of the main guys from Les Baer left a long time ago and started Rock River... Not sure though.

My friend with all the Les Baer's have handled them and says they are very nice and solid and a true steal for the price.
 
Hey Skully, i will be in ottawa at the end of the month...wanna go shootin :)

Wilson Combat...I am a bit confused about them as I have read mixed reports...some people really love them while others say they are not as good as Baer...ditto on their Armor cote (some say it wears easily, others say it is the best coating)...at least WC is said to have better customer service...the CQC with rail looks interesting

hmmm..the STI tactical is $2200...is a Baer or WC worth $500 more?

RL
 
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