I have a question for anyone though. After looking at Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Kimber, etc.....who is buying these guns at these prices? Cheapest 1911 in Baer's price list is nearly 1700 bucks! Wilson isn't much different if not higher. I CAN afford to but never would.
When I purchased my 2 Springfield 1911's and my H&K USP a few months back I gave serious thought to a Les Baer or a Wilson Combat. I even looked at a Ed Brown and a Nighthawk. All of these guns were very nice, but I'm sorry, I just could not see it. I mean $3,000.00 for a top shelf Nighthawk or Ed Brown is just too much out of the ball park.
My Springfield Trophy Match was $1,300.00 and my "Loaded" 1911 was an even grand. Toss in the H&K USP for another $859.00 and the grand total came to $3,159.00. The nicest Ed Brown I looked at was $3,000.00 and change. Same with a Nighthawk. 3 nice pistols, or one? I didn't even think about it.
I carefully compared the Springfield Trophy Match to both the Ed Brown and the Nighthawk, and I'm sorry I could not see that much difference. Same when you compare the top shelf Les Baer. The slide on the Baer was so tight I could hardly move it! I'm told this is "normal" on these guns and they are shipped that way on purpose. They require a "break in" of at least 300 rounds of stiff hardball to "wear in" properly. I grabbed both Springfield's and was gone! I'm sure the money was there if you look hard enough. I just couldn't see it. Bill T.