ltwguns.com

Please give me your opinions on the Baer TRS:
a. Value
b. Quality
c. Fit/Finish
d. Features
e. Accuracy
f. Overall

While I have played with them some and definitely have my opinions (good ones) I am not qualified to address most of your questions. One, however, I can. Value. Or, more accurately, where to look. Gunbroker often has barely used TRSs for $13-1400. Thats a significant savings, if you don't mind a little bit of wear.

I had one and I liked it quite a bit. There were features on it that I didn't like however. I had almost 800 rounds thru it without 1 single problem. Accuracy was excellent. I didn't like the slim grips or the sights. I also don't like FCS.
Fit and finish was very good, but the blueing seemed to be very fragile.
Mine wasn't overly tight like some people have reported about theirs.
I think for the money get one built by one of the LTW smiths and get it configured exactly how you want it, not how somebody else thinks it should be.
If you can get a good deal on a used one then I would have no qualms about getting one. I just think for $1600 there's better ways to go. Just my opinion, but everyone has there own needs and likes.

I have one and like it very much, more so than the comparable Wilson CQB. After may thousands of rounds it looks like hell and is almost as loose as a Colt, but it runs like a champ. If you buy used, I think they're a great value for what you get.

Some more reading on this subject:
http://www.louderthanwords.us/forum/vie ... light=baer

ETA: The Baer mags are marginal. They function OK, but the base plates are very fragile. Get (and test) some quality mags for carry and keep the Baers for range use.

I bought a used TR off of an auction site and I cannot be happier with it. It looked barely fired and was extremely tight but functioned perfectly, now at least a few thousand rounds through it and it is just as tight. It is extremely accurate, shoots exactly to point of aim and is very well fitted. Internally every part is marked with the last 3 numbers of the guns S/N. I agree with a previous post that the Baer Mag Bases crack easily. My only issue has been that under the slim grips the gun rusted, I am convinced that whatever finish was used on the thin factory grips reacts with the metal causing rust. There was not a spot anywhere else. It bothered me so much that it was refinished and polished and at that time I have Les install standard lenght grip bushings so I could put "standard" grips on it.

IMHO they are the best production/semi customs out there. I've had mine for quite a while with absolutely no complaints. That said, they are not in the same realm as the work of the 'smiths here nor are they intended to be.

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Thunder Ranch THG & UR(x2), Gunsite 250C,
Yavapai Firearms Acad HG1(x2), HG2, & SG,
Shootrite Prvt Inst HG, NRA Life Member

Concur 100%. In the field of limited production guns (not true customs as those produced by the LTW smiths), I believe Les Baers represent the best value available. I own three of them. Each is ridiculously accurate, absolutely stone cold reliable with a wide range of ammunition (if you buy a new one, you will have to break it in per Les's recommendations - if that's a negative for you, perhaps you'd be happier with something else), and very will built.

There are those who complain about Baers being "too tight" or "not finished." Again, if being able to remove the barrel bushing with minimal effort is one's top criteria in a defensive pistol, others will more likely be pleasing. Once broken in, all three of mine run like oiled glass - smooth, dependable.

There are other good limited production manufacturers, no doubt, and I have nothing unkind to say about them. But in terms of value for the money, in the categories you cited, I don't believe you can beat a Les Baer.

JMHO, YMMV.

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NRA Endowment Member

I have been shooting 1911s for the better part of 40 years now and have owned over that period of time, guns built by some of the finest smiths practicing the trade today. Recently, when it came time to finance a lightweight commander type from Ted's bench, I did what many of you do; I sold guns I was no longer shooting to buy ones I would shoot. I sold my Wilson CQB, and my Brown Kobra Carry, but chose to keep the Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. I am a perfectionist when it comes to my guns and for me, it was the "best" of the bunch in every sense of the word. The only thing I did not like about it was its tight fit and a couple of unattended sharp edges. I prefer my guns to be finger tight for disassembly, and yes I do know more than one way to break down a 1911, so I had YB attend to that while they also installed a short trigger. It is a tack driver and utterly reliable. While I have no plans to ever sell my LWC signature grade from Ted, neither will I part with my TRS. They'll both be passed along to my children when the time comes. Like blondes, brunettes and red heads, guns each have their own allure, so pick a gun that fits your hand and your sense of what a gun should be. In my opinion, however, you will not go wrong with a Thunder Ranch Special.

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Land of the free BECAUSE of the brave!

I too have sold many a gun to finance new guns. In fact, I just damn near cleaned out my safe to finance two new Yost projects. Like most, I had a lot of different 1911's, almost all are gun now, but the TRS stays.

I have no experience with other's TRS's, but mine has been flawless in over 3000 rounds so far. I will admit that I have even used junk mags and put a little over 700 rounds of that wonderful Wolf ammo when my range bag and ammo was stolen at a pistol class. Even with questionable/untested ammo and mags, it never bobbled.

You will hear about it being tight from everyone and their mom. I like to consider myself a strong guy, but when I first got it, I could not rack the slide normally. I had to get it sideways and in close to my chest and really get some leverage on it. It has now since broken in and is very smooth.

For the price and the fact that you can usually find one and have it to your door in under a week, they simply can't be beat. Granted I'd take a true custom from any of the smiths on this board first, but if time and money are a constraint, I personally feel the TRS is by far the best deal going.

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Hard work pays off

Good info. The TRS is a solid semi-custom or high end production piece, depending on how you choose to describe them.

Unfortunately, a bit off topic in this forum.

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