Gun Pricing Question

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Eisen Hulk

New member
Hey, guys. I know there are some pretty serious gun collectors on here, so I wanted to get an opinion.



I found a Les Baer 1911 Premier II 6" .45 yesterday for what seems like a great deal. It's used, but the owner of the shop knows the guy who originally bought the gun. He said it's had less than a box of ammo through it and by the looks of it, he can't be lying. He's pricing it at $1450, which is much cheaper than anything I can find online.



Thoughts? Opinions? Any of you owned this gun or any other Les Baer's?



Thanks.
 
EisenHulk- I'm the last guy to ask regarding what anything oughta cost but..



Les Baer makes good 1911s, very good. But a 6" oughta sell *cheaper* than a regular/short length as it's much more of a target gun as opposed to the sort of application most people choose a 1911 for (the longslide in The Terminator notwithstanding ;) ).



Wonder what recoil springs it takes, what holsters it'll fit in, what loads work the most reliably :think:



That extra inch makes for a nicer range experience in a number of ways, but I'd *really* think long and hard about it. I know that *I* would greatly prefer a 5", which IME just works out the best overall.



That does sound like a nice price, but I'd pass because of the barrel length.
 
Accumulator said:
But a 6" oughta sell *cheaper* than a regular/short length as it's much more of a target gun as opposed to the sort of application most people choose a 1911 for (the longslide in The Terminator notwithstanding ;) ).

I know that *I* would greatly prefer a 5", which IME just works out the best overall.
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Yeah, but I prefer a phased plasma rifle in a 40-watt range....:p :lol
 
Yeah, I think Accumulator hit it on the head with the barrel length issue. Are you looking for a 1911 for target use or carry use?



I'm looking to pick up one right now to keep in the car/carry on occasion, and I'm really leaning towards the 4" slide/barrel models.
 
About the only thing you gain with a longer barrel is longer sight plane, and that only matters if you're into target shooting. With all my handguns, a 4-4.5" barrel seems right to me. You may prefer the nose-heavy feel of the longer slide, though. My 0.02.
 
I'm actually looking at a 1911 for both uses. It really isn't that bad (The extra 1"). Les Baer told me that it adds an extra 40fps on the muzzle velocity and the added weight helps you get back on the sights faster.



I just think at this price, it's almost too good to pass up. I could buy it, and in theory turn around and sell it, and make a couple hundred bucks.



themightytimmah said:
Yeah, I think Accumulator hit it on the head with the barrel length issue. Are you looking for a 1911 for target use or carry use?



I'm looking to pick up one right now to keep in the car/carry on occasion, and I'm really leaning towards the 4" slide/barrel models.
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Well said, man.





wfedwar said:
About the only thing you gain with a longer barrel is longer sight plane, and that only matters if you're into target shooting. With all my handguns, a 4-4.5" barrel seems right to me. You may prefer the nose-heavy feel of the longer slide, though. My 0.02.
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Setec Astronomy- Heh heh, yeah, that quip did fit right in there :D

themightytimmah- Spend some time with a short gun before you buy, it might be a bit, uhm...snappier than you like, or it might be perfect for you. Gotta admit I don't like shooting commander-size ones, let alone the little jobs.



wfedwar & Einsenhulk- I *do* sorta prefer the nose-heavy balance of a longslide for deliberate range work, seems to pair well with an arched mainspring housing (instead of the flat ones everybody seems to like these days). And yeah, it does come back down a little quicker/easier and it's sorta a slower push recoil-wise.



But I'm too used to the 5" and I just don't index a longer *or a shorter* 1911 quite as well. Hey, just me.



I dunno about the quick-flip-for-profit, if it were *that* great a deal somebody else woulda already bought it.



Hey, I sound *so* negative, but I've been known to buy something and have the barrel swapped to something shorter/longer. Not nearly as big a job with a 1911 as it is with a revolver (but I wouldn't DIY it).



Does it have a guide rod setup or a conventional barrel bushing?

What sights are on it?
 
It seems that trying to compare prices from one Les Baer gun to another isn't a very good way to shop. I looked around and found several Les Baer Premier II's for sale, both used and new but they are all different prices because they are all different guns. Certainly, different finishes, sights, machining, and even internal hardware can change the price drastically.



I see that there is even a "1.5 inch" version offered, which is "guaranteed to shoot 1.5" groups, or better, at 50 yards". I have no idea what makes these guns any different than the ones without this guarantee but they are, in fact, more expensive.



Anyway, all I'm saying is, before you buy, do your research and learn about every aspect of this gun. You may find that you prefer certain features over other, and that's more important than saving 100 bucks here or there, especially when you're dropping $1400+ on a gun.



All of this being said, I've met Les Baer and he is extremely knowledgeable, and makes a very fine gun, but when I was shopping for a target 1911, I ended up with a Springfield Armory TGO II Legend Series, which was designed by Rob Leatham. I absolutely love this gun, and am extremely accurate with it at any distance.



Just do your shopping and don't jump into anything feet first.
 
I have a custom carry and a recon from them not a bad pistol.i have shot the 5" an 6" premier really did not like them. the 6" had a little more punch than the 5" which i thought was odd.but all in all way to high of price for what your wanting to get.
 
First let me state that I am not a fan of a 1911 as a carry weapon. That said, I've carried a full size Kimber before. They're great guns, but for carry, they're just not for me. I love my Glocks and my S&W airweight for carry use.



With a good holster, a 6 inch gun shouldnt make much difference. Concealment is all about the size of the grip when you're looking to carry IWB. Get a nice holster with a sweatguard (trust me...even if you dont sweat alot, it keeps the gun from digging into you) and you should be OK carrying that 6 inch 1911.





EDIT: Make sure you get a HEAVY DUTY BELT because that gun is going to be HEAVY and it will pull your pants down on ya if you're not careful. :D
 
Just get a Wilson Combat CQB 5" and call it a day, LOL j/k.



I agree with Way2SSlow on the weight. I am happy with a Glock 19 but after a day with my Kimber Custom TLE II, I love my polymer, LOL. I use Galco's SB2 belts exclusively with my holsters (which all are also Galco.) I also like more capacity with the Glock than the Kimber.



I am not a fan of Les Baer after dealing with their customer support, or lack there of. The guns are fine until something goes wrong. They seem to give you attitude for having a product of theirs that broke and they make it seem like you are the one who broke it, thats IME with them though.



I have had nothing but great service from WC, so I am more partial to them.
 
Thanks for all of the feedback, guys. It's very much appreciated. I haven't purchased the gun yet....All of the food for thought has got me thinking.



Hey, Jason...If you want to buy that Wilson Combat for me, I'd be happy to carry it. Hahaha!
 
Also, I wanted to state...I have my H&K I could/can use for my carry weapon. I'm just wanting a really nice target pistol. I'm really wanting to get into target shooting, so I'm thinking this may be a great choice. I don't know why I didn't mention that from the get-go.
 
EisenHulk said:
Also, I wanted to state...I have my H&K I could/can use for my carry weapon. I'm just wanting a really nice target pistol. I'm really wanting to get into target shooting, so I'm thinking this may be a great choice. I don't know why I didn't mention that from the get-go.
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Pick up a .22 for target shooting, you'd be surprised how much better you shoot after blasting through .45acp all day.



Plus there's something satisfying about blowing through 1000 rounds for $20 :D
 
I just picked up my mp7 finally after months of waiting this f---ing baby is awesome.it is a handgun/sub/mini i love it. sucks only can use special ammo for it but still this baby is badazz check it out.
 
EisenHulk said:
Also, I wanted to state...I have my H&K I could/can use for my carry weapon. I'm just wanting a really nice target pistol. I'm really wanting to get into target shooting, so I'm thinking this may be a great choice. I don't know why I didn't mention that from the get-go.
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That changes things drastcially. Like I mentioned earlier, I bought a Springfield Armory TGO II specifically for target/competition shooting and absolutely love it. If we lived closer, I'd go to the range with you and let you try it out. You may actually want to do that. Borrow, or rent a few different types of 1911's or other target shooting gun and see which one you are most comfortable with.
 
gbackus- Some people just like centerfire stuff...my wife's that way :nixweiss



EisenHulk said:
Also, I wanted to state...I have my H&K I could/can use for my carry weapon. I'm just wanting a really nice target pistol..
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Ah yeah...that changes my opinion too. In that case go for it. Get some light semi-wadcutter loads and if it won't feed 'em reliably have Baer tweak it for them (shouldn't be a big deal). A longslide with SWC match ammo would be nice for target work.
 
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