Springfield Armory vs Les Baer

[Tootizi]

Okay, before all the chaos let's loose, I wanted to see the differences in each aspect of the companies and their products (price, reliability, customer support, quality, bang for buck, etc.)

I'm currently in the market for my first 1911 (proud owner of multiple Sigs and HKs). I needed assistance regarding these two companies, as I've narrowed my choices to these two--more specifically the SA TRP and the Les Baer Premier ii.

So, WHICH IS BETTER?!

[Chapped Hide]

Depends on what you're looking for. LB is blued, target sights, nicer FSC and FCS. TRP is Armykote, combat sights and FSC and FCS that are pretty aggressive. Springfield's CS is second to none and LB's CS is suspect from what I've read. IMO, two completely different options.

[Sixshot87]

So many acronyms "(

[jeffrice6]

Depends on what you're looking for. LB is blued, target sights, nicer FSC and FCS. TRP is Armykote, combat sights and FSC and FCS that are pretty aggressive. Springfield's CS is second to none and LB's CS is suspect from what I've read. IMO, two completely different options.

Baer PII can come with target or combat sights ~

The Baer is the better pistol

[hambam105]

TRP way too heavy. Lester Baer...$$$over-rated$$$, great safe queens and barbeque 1911s.

You will need to spend about 3 or 4 thousand dollars in ammo to shoot up to an off the shelf SA 1911 45acp Loaded version.

Want to embarrass yourself? Buy a high end 1911...shoot it on a public range in the day light so everyone can see it malfunction. After you waste a couple hundred dollars in sending it back and futzing around trying to find the right ammo, some junior shooter is going to roll up in the next shooting and show you how his Dad's plane jane 1911 works with WWB ammo.

[HK416]

Depends on what you're looking for. LB is blued, target sights, nicer FSC and FCS. TRP is Armykote, combat sights and FSC and FCS that are pretty aggressive. Springfield's CS is second to none and LB's CS is suspect from what I've read. IMO, two completely different options.

This....

[meanrock]

The premier is probably going to be a more accurate gun out of the box? I just bought a springfield, knowing that if I ever need good customer service it's there. What disqualified the springfield professional for you?

[Steponmytoes]

customer service would go to the Springfield TRPby a mile..but crappy customer service is part of what makes it a baer.

Les Baer is the more premium gun, it is a hard fit gun and will need some break in (slide is famously super tight and difficult to rack at first). Finish is weak but it wears pretty well.

TRP is great out of the box, you are getting a lot for your money. Reliability is great and it will be the equal to guns much more expensive when talking about performance.

The TRP is the smarter choice for your money but the classic looks of the Baer really speak to me so thats what I would go with.

[Chapped Hide]

Probably going to spend $400 more for the LB also. Didn't know that about the sights Jeff, thanks for the info. Nice to have the option.

[Archon_g24]

Wouldn't the LB custom carry be the better comparison to the TRP?

[helixultra]

les baer all the way. Check the thunder ranch special and you will never look back

[tbc]

A used Les Baer and a new SA TRP are sort of equivalent in value/cost and I take a used Les Baer any day since it's already broken in.


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[ianS]

TRP way too heavy. Lester Baer...$$$over-rated$$$, great safe queens and barbeque 1911s.

You will need to spend about 3 or 4 thousand dollars in ammo to shoot up to an off the shelf SA 1911 45acp Loaded version.

Want to embarrass yourself? Buy a high end 1911...shoot it on a public range in the day light so everyone can see it malfunction. After you waste a couple hundred dollars in sending it back and futzing around trying to find the right ammo, some junior shooter is going to roll up in the next shooting and show you how his Dad's plane jane 1911 works with WWB ammo.

FUD. On avg a well fitted 1911 with high quality parts will be more reliable and durable than a mass produced pistol cobbled together with inferior parts.

The only embarrassment is when someone realizes that an expensive pistol with a super sweet light trigger that breaks like a glass rod still can't make up for the fact they have poor fundamentals. The vast majority of shooters at the range can't squeeze out the true potential of the avg $500 service pistol with a spongy trigger. You would think all those Hickok45 videos on YouTube would have led to this basic fact to the majority of shooters by now.

Basically, owning a Ferrari doesn't make one a good driver.

[XDJYo]

Springfield-Customer Service is top notch. I've experienced this.
Les Baer-Customer Service can be top notch. Check the 1911Forum for those who have experienced it. It can be the pits too. I've experienced the pits.

But, it doesn't keep my Premier II from being my favorite pistol. It has a feel, heft and look that keeps me shooting it above the others.

They will both serve you very well.

The Thunder Ranch Special or the Premier II are his flagship models. I really, really like the bluing on his pistols. The TRP is also a fantastic gun although a bit more pedestrian. It's a step below a semi-custom by just a small margin. The Les Baer is a true semi-custom with each piece being custom fit, filed, polished etc for each gun. Parts are numbered with the serial number.

Happy shopping and enjoy!

[Chapped Hide]

For $1,300 this is better than a TRP. Someone got a great gun here.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1242122&highlight=Thunder