Posted: 6/23/2007 9:39:16 AM EDT
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Between a Colt and Les Baer, which is the "better" gun or are they of the same quality? Ken |
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They are both about the same quality in that they use good parts, however Baer eschews the use of plastic mainspring housings and triggers whereas Colt has embraced them. One notable exception is that Baer has his barrels made by Kart, which are second to none IMO. The real difference between them is in the features and fitting. Baer offers things like no-snag sights, guaranteed accuracy, checkering, ambi safeties, etc. Colt, from time to time, does similar packages, but their attempts invariably come across about as gracefully as a pack of monkeys trying to gangbang a football. For some reason Colt refuses to do things which other makers see as almost a necessity -- like a fitted beavertail, dehorning, etc. Baer also made his name by building notoriously tight guns. The real benefits of a tight gun are debatable, but there is obviously a market segment out there that appreciates them. Personally, I like Colt the best out of any of the "production" 1911s simply because they are THE 1911 and a real classic. There are definitely more usable and comfortable guns out there by Kimber, SA, etc., but since I buy 1911s with an eye towards customization, nothing beats a Colt for a base gun. I also favor Baer over most other semi-customs. If pressed, I'd say I prefer their aesthetics and their hard fit. The fact that they also a good value in comparison doesn't hurt either. |
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I don't agree with "Baer, hands down" because Colt is not a custom or semi-custom gun maker which makes this more of an "apples and oranges" comparison. They do make "enhanced" or upgraded guns (XSE and Special Combat Government) and are an excellent choice for customizing but they are a main line gun producer while Baer is definitely, at the least, semi-custom. Compare Colt to Kimber or Springfield which are their actual competitors in quality and style. |
Since Baer are custom pistols, then you need to compare them to Colt custom pistols if you are looking for equals. The Colt production line pistols (up to the gold cup) are not equal to a custom fitted pistol. Also to point out, in regards to durability/ longevity, Hard chrome plating will hold up even better regarding wear than SS, so keep that in the back of your mind when price shopping as well. www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/Special_C.asp Bottom line is a custom fitted pistol will start upwards of $1500, and you in a whole new ball game than that of one just slapped together on an assembly line with minimal paid workers. If you have the talent to wring out the accuracy that the pistol has to offer, then a custom/fitted unit is in your future. On the other hand, if you are just going to shoot the lowest priced ammo you can find, then a fully hand fitted custom pistol may be lost on you unless you are looking for a barbeque piece to show off to your friends. |
I am not so sure that the lemons to limes comparison between a production Colt and a semi custom Baer is really out of order if you recognize the inherent differences between the two. One might make the argument that you get more for your expectations with an $800 production Colt than you do with a $1700 semi custom Baer. Another argument could be "you get a better deal on the production Colt and sending it in for some custom smithing than an out of the box Baer" (or vice-versa). Now if you were going to insist on a lemons to lemons, (no pun intended) comparison, I would favor a semi-custom anything over a lightly priced semi-custom Colt from their custom shop. I have seen breathtaking examples of Colt custom work, some of which had to come out of the factory like that. However, I have not felt, inspected or fired those breathtaking pistols. I have however owned and shot pieces that came out of the Colt Custom Shop. I was appauled at the lack of QC with these specific examples. Colt might make a work of art that rivals some of the top smiths out there if they are paid for the priority, but I have seen enough examples to convince me that custom shop pieces on the lower end of the totem pole are far too iffy to expect consistent quality work today. Feel free to take my isolated experiences with a grain of salt if you wish. |
