1911's specifically Para

[PatriotnMore]

Lets not make this a rip on Para, or give Baer more credit because of the name.

I would like to hear from those that can explain what I get with this model http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411539236
that it costs in the neighborhood of 1,462., over buying a http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/11450
for 734.00?

Nothing in the Baer description talks about hand fitting slide to frame, and other than the full length dust cover, nothing that stands out above the Para. So, I am asking advice from some of the 1911 experts here.

[hkdad]

You can go wrong with a para, but never with a les baer. Spend the extra $$$ that will save you a lot of headaches. Les baer, all the way!

[9mmepiphany]

Nothing in the Baer description talks about hand fitting slide to frame, and other than the full length dust cover, nothing that stands out above the Para. So, I am asking advice from some of the 1911 experts here.

Short version:
They don't because all of Les Baer's offerings have a certain expectation of hand fitting...that is what makes them a high-end production 1911, some folks like to call them semi-custom; but that is a whole other thread

The Para Ord guns have hit-and-miss quality control

If you aren't tied to these two guns, I think a great quality 1911 buy is the Dan Wesson line. They offer top quality fitting while still staying in the mid-priced 1911 range

[smoothy8500]

As a current owner of a Para, I think the single stack are a decent product. I could not justify paying double for the Les Baer. ALL my 1911's took some tweaking, Colt, Springfield, and Para. I think you would be happy with it.

[jeferd]

Short version:
I think a great quality 1911 buy is the Dan Wesson line. They offer top quality fitting while still staying in the mid-priced 1911 range

+1. My Dan Wesson Bobtail feels closer in fit and fisnish to my Les Baer than my Kimber...but cost is closer to my Kimber!!!

[chiselchst]

If you aren't tied to these two guns, I think a great quality 1911 buy is the Dan Wesson line. They offer top quality fitting while still staying in the mid-priced 1911 range

+1 Dan Wesson's are sweet.

I have a few Para's, and they can be hit & miss. The one I'm selling needs tweaking...it was a miss

[MossbergMan]

If you have money to spare....

I own two Para's a P-14 that I modified with a huge mag-well and one of the first 500 P-16 Limited (marked Signature). Both gun runs fine, my only wish is that Para would dump the freaking wide front sight and put something a little thinner in there.
If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, Les B. guns are beautiful works of art. But... the samples I've witnessed are a little finnicky about ammo. Personally, I 'd spend less, get the Para and buy more ammo!

Let the bashing begin!!!

[Fishslayer]

Let's see... night sights, checkered front strap, ambi safety...what appears to be a nicer finish... Les Baer name

Plenty of guys reckon that's worth the extra $$$. I don't, but I "get it."

[Q619]

IMO, unless you're looking for a double stack 1911 I'd stay away from Para's. Les Baer is pretty much the best you can get for under 2k. In fact, function wise....it's among the best at ANY price. Anyone that tells you Baers are crap know squat about 1911's. They're not for everyone but if you want a hand fit 1911 with that old school touch and the reliability/performance that comes with a finely tuned 1911 then a Baer is in the books for you.

When it comes to 1911's, I stick with American made.

[Q619]

Let's see... night sights, checkered front strap, ambi safety...what appears to be a nicer finish... Les Baer name

Plenty of guys reckon that's worth the extra $$$. I don't, but I "get it."

IF you "don't get it" then it would likely be a waste of money for you.

[dls]

The Para is in Stock, The Baer is not.

[RogueSniper]

The ParaOrd I have was made in Canada. The fit and finish is great. Very accurate out of the box. It was used in a defensive tactical course and no failures. It won't feed TC/Semi-Wadcutters/Combat Target rounds. Look for an older Para and save your cash to spend on ammo and upgrades as you find fit. The only upgrade I did was a flat mainspring. Later, it'll be an improved beavertail safety, Heinie sights, and maybe a custom trigger and hammer but it shoots fine as is.

[DasBoost]

I don't mean to threadjack, pre-apologizing now, but what were some of the issues with Paras? I am looking into a 1911 pistol next and was looking at the RIAs and Para GIs and leaning towards Paras as they're American-made (now) and seem to have a better reputation for quality...

[Bullwinkle]

I can't speak for Baer other than to say its reputation precedes it. Never heard anything but praise for them. In fact, I think maybe the worst I ever heard about them was, "It's not as good as an Ed Brown," but at that point it's just nitpicking (and purely a matter of opinion). You'll get high-end craftsmanship with a Baer, and more than likely better customer service should something go amiss, since their name is on the line.

Paras I've heard horror stories about; but you and I both know the horror stories are the minority (and isn't it strange that very very very few of those owners ever bother to contact Para for warranty service to fix their guns?). I personally own two Paras, and I love them both, so I'm definitely pro-Para and slightly biased (through 1st-hand experience).

I have no doubt that Baer is better quality, but you know what? If "bang for your buck" is any criteria, I'll take my Stainless LTC that I paid $720 for (in Dec '08 maybe?) over a Baer at twice that price any day! Mind you, I would buy a high-end 1911 if I was making seven figures a year (a Guncrafter Industries Model 1 in .50GI w/.45ACP conversion kit to be precise ); but the reality is that money is a concern, so you get the best in your price range that you can, and I think Para is right there at the top; and Dan Wesson, too, for that matter.

If you can afford it, a top-tier 1911 is a work of art. I doubt you'd be displeased if that's the route you end up taking. There's more of a possibility of you becoming one of the horror stories if you go with Para. So those are your cost factors... brand reputation (i.e. peace of mind going into the purchase), hand-fitted craftsmanship to produce a functional work of art, and no cutting corners where internal parts are concerned (e.g. like MIM or plastic, neither of which I believe Para uses either). If that's worth twice the cost to you, go for it!

[9mmepiphany]

In fact, I think maybe the worst I ever heard about them was, "It's not as good as an Ed Brown," but at that point it's just nitpicking (and purely a matter of opinion). You'll get high-end craftsmanship with a Baer, and more than likely better customer service should something go amiss, since their name is on the line.

Have you ever heard that they use the same frame for their 5" GM guns as they do for their Commander length guns?