Les bear v/s kimber??
i am looking for a 1911 45, i like the kimber cdp 2 4" as well as the les bear thunder ranch, anyone with some input please respond thanks
scott
scott
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I personally would take the Kimber. Les Baers quality control has left some to be desired lately. I have a TLE and I love it. My first choice would be a Wilson Combat though.
"My faith, my country and my family will guide me; nothing more, nothing less" -Gen. Tommy Franks
Jess Hoffman
Mooseyard Precision
LE Supply & Firearms
NRA Certified Instructor
Shawano, WI 541660 -
I will readily admit that I don't know of quality issues "lately" but any of the Baers, Browns, or Wilsons that I have owned or shoot leave Kimber in the dust. Kimber makes as good of a production gun as there is but not in the same class as the semi-custom (or custom) builders. 
AN ARMED SOCIETY IS A POLITE SOCIETY0 -
Hello I agree with Punchie. If you want match grade guns There were many Les Baer guns on the line at Camp Perry the last ten years But I have not seen anybody Expert class and above useing a STOCK OUT OF THE BOX KIMBER. This said Kimber does build some very good non target grade guns. quote:"PRAISE THE HARDBALL GUN" 0 -
I have the Kimber Custom CDP II full size. I have 2000 rounds thru it without a hiccup. It is accurate and reliable. In my opinion, it is the top of the line Kimber. If you are patient and shop around, you can find a slightly used one for around $900. I also own two Wilsons. The CQB is capable of better accuracy than I am. I just picked up the KZ and have yet to fire it. My next 1911 will be either a Rock River or Nighthawk Custom.
You didn't indicate what you plan on using the 1911 for. Handle as many as you can. Shoot as many as you can. Buy the one that "fits" your needs best.0 -
quote:Les bear v/s kimber??
apples and oranges ,not even in the same league
only someone that has not fired both will tell you a kimber is just as good ,I have a Wilson ,a friend I shoot with has the les baer ,I have yet to find a kimber that is as good as quality ,and I have seen and shot several ,even their top of the line custom ,gold and team match ,don't get me wrong they are fine and I would be proud to own one ,but it would take a back seat to my Wilson0 -
I have a Thunder Ranch .45, you can't not compare the two as they are not even the same. One is cutome and one is a production pistol. 0 -
Postel, I have fired all three, in fact several different guns. I never said Wilson wasn't a good gun, in fact said it would be my first choice, but I don't put Les Baer in the same class as Wilson. Just because it costs twice as much as a Kimber doesn't mean it is twice the pistol. I'm not saying that Les Baer can't make a good pistol, I just question their quality control, and I'm not the only one.
"My faith, my country and my family will guide me; nothing more, nothing less" -Gen. Tommy Franks
Jess Hoffman
Mooseyard Precision
LE Supply & Firearms
NRA Certified Instructor
Shawano, WI 541660 -
Mooseyard ,my response had nothing to do with you ,although I did read your reply I though punchie answered it for me ,first I heard of quality control from them ,did you personally purchase a lemon ,or is this a rumor?
you can get a baer cheaper than a Wilson ,but price isn't everything you are correct0 -
Here is another side to the story.
From the purely functional standpoint, most of us cannot shoot well enough to justify the cost of a hand-built custom 1911. I have never shot a Les Baer (wish I could) and am sure for fit, finish, reliability, and accuracy it is unrivaled, except by Wilson.
However, the vast majority of gun owners will never develop the skill to better the accuracy potential of a Kimber Gold Match. I don't consider reliability an issue in this debate because the Kimber is completely reliable. Therefore, my opinion is Kimber.
On the other hand, if money is not a limitation, go for the custom hand-built 1911. It should be a good investment.
Regards,
Heavyiron0 -
I've had a Les Baer Ultimate Master and I've shot Kimbers and guns customized by Bill Wilson (but not his latest stuff). I've also shot guns customized by Chip McCormick, Limcat, Dawson Precision, and a whole bunch of other custom gunsmiths.
Bottom line is, the Kimber is probably one of the best out of the box guns you can buy, but it isn't in the same league as my gun built by Les Baer.
My Les Baer gun would shoot 1.5" groups at 50 yards. I'm not sure a Kimber could do that at half the distance. My Les Baer gun had a trigger pull of around 2.25 lbs (for IPSC, not bullseye). I haven't felt a Kimber that was even close. Most were around 4 lbs. Wilson's stuff was pretty good, but I don't think it's better than Baer as far as accuracy goes. For pure accuracy, I think it's tough to beat Baer and Clark Custom (but I haven't got to play with anything Clark's put out lately).
I'm not sure where your priorities lie, but if you're after ultimate accuracy, go with the custom gun. If you're after ultimate reliability, go with the custom gun, but tell the gunsmith what load you plan to use and have him tune it so it is 100.000% reliable with your ammo.
If you only plan on shooting local matches and want something that's "good enough", go with a Kimber.0
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