Wilson CQB
I am looking at buying a new custom 1911 and I would like some advice. At this point I am leaning towards the Wilson CQB, but I am also looking at others including the Les Baer "Thunder Ranch Special." Any advice you might have on these or other custom 1911's would be appreciated.
E.L.
E.L.
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I think that Wilson is the better deal of the two you mention. I was looking at the wilson combat as well but when I found out that they use Kimber slides and frames I opted for the Kimber. It is extremely accurate as well as reliable. I highly recomend Kimber so since Wilson uses Kimber parts I would say that you would be happy with it.
When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....0 -
Some of the reasons I am looking so hard at the Wilson is the accuracy warranty, printed product warranty, the Armor-Tuff finish durability, and the favorable review in Gun Test magazine. Thanks for the input! I am also considering buying a Kimber CDP in addition to the Wilson for concealed carry.
"Mercy is for the weak...and the unprepared."0 -
Wilson makes a great gun, but I'd buy a Les Baer any day first. I have a whole bunch of Les Baer parts in my custom Colt. If you do buy a Baer, hit the gym before taking delivery--they are some of the tightest guns and you'll need good arms to work the slide.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.php?topic=461&forum=5
for Baer's reputation as reported by Dane Burns.
I just acquired a new Les Baer Premiere II. It'll be my 'beater' gun (equal to a 'beater' car--you know, the pig that ya use to haul lumber and fertilizer with). It's very tight, as was attested by MBallai; I don't find it as hard to rack as a Desert Eagle 50, nor any tougher than any other 45 come to think about it. For customized production guns, I've got two Wilsons and a Clark. The Clark has about 12,000 rounds through it; it's now loosened to the point of being equal to the Baer. That's not to say either of them rattle like a wind chime in the wind, but they have a few (2-4)thousandths play in the barrel-frame lockup now, and the slide-frame fit is still certainly what I'd consider tight, but not rock solid. The Wilsons are in a class by themselves. One has about 8000 rounds, the other, 4000, and they still feel like a solid bar of iron. No slop at all anywhere. For fit and finish Baer ranks last in my stable, even lower than the Colt 70 and 80 series (I have one of each). About equal to the Kimbers I've seen in the stores. There's some 'grittiness' to the feel when I rack the Baer, and it's bone clean and lubed. The Wilsons are like glass sliding on glass with some Castrol in between the panes. Clark isn't far behind. This sounds like a negative review. It's not really. The gun shoots as well as my KZ45, but it's not quite as refined in fit and finish; but that's Baer's reputation, too.0 -
Can't find the 'edit' button. Bad thing about the Wilson guns is they're priced at a premium. I'd suggest buying used. The Wilson guarantee works. There's really no need to pay top dollar for the built-in 'depreciation'. I've only seen 3 Baers up close. My first impression frankly, was, is this all I get nowadays, for a 'new' price tag of $1400? (I bought mine used, but it was never fired; the face never ever saw a brass casing. My co-owner had just bought it in June. He didn't have time to shoot it, got jammed up buying a house, and though I was never interested, he lowered the price until I couldn't say 'no', at < $900).
I said in my previous post that the Baer lacks "fit and finish". I dropped a cliche, and didn't mean to; I meant 'finish'. I can see the machine marks on the slide, both inside and out (of course, they're much more faint on the outside, but easily visible). Nothing near the Clark or Wilson work. Fit is better than mass production, but I still reference my first impression (is this all I get for $1400??). It's'gritty', there's a roughness in the feel.0 -
I have a seperate question on customized 1911's and this seems to be the post to ask on.What is the thinking on Ed Brown Customs worth $2,000.00 +?Also the Wilson Combat Super Grade why would this pistol be worth the very high $$ price is it as good as it gets?
Eric S. Williams0 -
Never seen an Ed Brown live. I read Brown produces 1 gun for (about)every 8-10 guns that Baer and Wilson each make in a year, or something akin to that ratio. Whatever the numbers are, assuming equal gunsmithing talents are applied more attentively across 1/10 the number of guns, that's a possible explanation as to the reputation behind the Ed Brown guns. I've never heard anyone say Wilson or Baer were Brown's equal. In everything I've ever read, Brown is ranked by himself above Wilson and Baer, for fit, finish, consistency, reliability and service. His service is supposed to be just a hair better than Wilson and Baer. In my recollection, guesstimated rank according to customer service (on a scale of 1 to 10) would be Brown at 10, Wilson at 9.2-9.5, and Baer at 8 or 9. A lot of Baer fans will jump on me for that, but there seem to be more disgruntled Baer service 'victims' than Wilson 'victims', or else they're more vocal on the forums I read.
The Super Grade's one hell of a gun, but for one hell of a price. It really does feel like a solid iron bar as has every Wilson I've ever handled. The trigger on the SG I handled was very impressive; about 3 thousandths take-up, broke like glass, and backlash is minimal enough to call non-existent, at least, I can't feel it enough to gauge any. My impression was, 'DAMN, I mean GODDAMN, that's one hell of a trigger. I didn't know it could be like that.' I'd say that SG trigger was the most impressive trigger I ever felt, and wouldn't begrudge WC if that was a $350-400 itemized cost as part of the gun, it was that good. A rifle shooter (he's terrible with pistols) I know couldn't stop dry firing it. His first reaction was to laugh out loud the first time the trigger broke, and he's used to a 2 OUNCE Jewell on a Rem 700 .223. He got out a trigger guage (Sinclair I think) and measured it out at 3lb. 12 oz. That surprised us. We thought it would come in at 2 1/2 lb. or so. That gun really had no slop whatsoever. The only play we could get was pushing the beavertail and the hammer side to side (maybe a thousandth). Incredible gun. Very easy to shoot. That being said, I hear the Browns are even better in fit and finish. Are they worth the 'new' price? I bought my Wilsons used, because I don't think so. I'd give $2200 for that SG, used, but I don't think I'd part with $3500 for it. Money comes too hard for me for that.0 -
Everyone gave some good advice,and when spending that much you can use it.If you could find a Gun shop that stocked both.Or if there was a way to compare the two guns,to see which one is at your best likeing that would be a big help.I own a Wilson combat .45 and I like it very much.I also went to thunder Ranch last year and shot some of Clint Smiths toys and fell in love.But they say the grass is always greener on the other side?
Best!!
Rugster
Toujours Pret0
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