[awpk03s]

Stole this from TOS... but it's a good read, interesting, and relevant to our favorite pistol platform, so here goes. Recommended reading!

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=321236

[bikewriter]

Very good read. I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way but it almost reads like a big Dan Wesson Valor sales ad.

[thecableguy]

Originally Posted by bikewriter

Very good read. I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way but it almost reads like a big Dan Wesson Valor sales ad.

whatever gave you that idea.

[Wade-19]

Dave stocks and sells all the brands in the test.

[CMG]

Originally Posted by thecableguy

whatever gave you that idea.

It started with Severns in the thread title?

[HAIL CAESAR]

It is like anything you hear,

If you agree...

If you disagree....

[glock2740]

The TRS tested well enough to make me happy.

[4Baldy]

I'll take a Les B any day...

[bikewriter]

Is it fair to say the Valor has been overlooked by many higher-end 1911 buyers even though the 2010-current is on par or better than the likes of (enter your favorite 1911 mfg)? Especially the black ceramic's price, that always draws the usual "I can get a (enter your favorite 1911 mfg) for $200 less or an accuracy guarantee for the same price."

[38 Super Fan]

He really put a lot of work into that.

[MD357]

Can anyone point out where the extra "hours" went in the Baer 1.5 gun?

[BigLaw]

looks like every gun tested had something not quite right except for the DW models.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by MD357

Can anyone point out where the extra "hours" went in the Baer 1.5 gun?

Guess it does not care for that ammo?

[buckhorn_cortez]

Originally Posted by BigLaw

looks like every gun tested had something not quite right except for the DW models.

I think you're seeing the difference in manufacturing - hand fit versus machine fit. Hard to find something not fit tightly with CNC parts as long as parts QC keeps everything within tolerances. Which is not hard to do when you're only making about 5,000 of any part. That's really low production numbers.

What I found interesting is that nothing could be attributed to the Les Baer 1.5 gun that was "special" - yet it still had better accuracy than the standard LB gun, so LB did something that made the 1.5 gun more accurate.

[deadite]

Originally Posted by bikewriter

Very good read. I hope this doesn't come out the wrong way but it almost reads like a big Dan Wesson Valor sales ad.

I'm very happy with my 2010 Dan Wesson Point Man 7 and I can't see a reason for me to buy another 1911...unless 1911 fever strikes again. It has a forged frame, Match barrel, Bomar sights, Ed Brown grip safety, slide release, etc, and has a ton of tool steel parts. No MIM. It's very accurate, too.

I distinctly remember going to my local gun store less than a year ago and asking to see every 1911 they had in the case with Bomar-type adjustable sights. I was looking for a target gun.

The salesman laid out a Kimber, a Springfield, a Smith and Wesson, a Dan Wesson, a Taurus, a Para and a Colt. The DW was definitely, without a doubt, fit and finished to a higher degree than the others and had a much smoother feel to the action. I'll admit that there was the reason I bought the Dan Wesson.

The DW fell right in the middle of the pack in pricing, too. I got it for a smidge over $1000.00. I've had 4 other 1911's and this one is my second favorite after my USGI.



deadite

[Rinspeed]

Originally Posted by MD357

Can anyone point out where the extra "hours" went in the Baer 1.5 gun?

I'd bet anything that a percentage of the 1.5" Baers don't start out that way and when Les is test firing them realizes he can get an extra $300 for them.

[glock2740]

Originally Posted by Rinspeed

I'd bet anything that a percentage of the 1.5" Baers don't start out that way and when Les is test firing them realizes he can get an extra $300 for them.

I double dog dare you to call Les and tell him that.

[iLift45's]

Originally Posted by Rinspeed

I'd bet anything that a percentage of the 1.5" Baers don't start out that way and when Les is test firing them realizes he can get an extra $300 for them.

That's kind of a bold statement!

[bikewriter]

The Severns shootout had a lot of hard work put into it. Just the photos alone!

I owned a PII 1.5. Got it for a 3" price. Never shot past 25 yards. Never used that magic bullet(s) necessary for the "guarantee." Fantastic everything (except blueing). Sold it to a serious bullseye/pin/everything shooter of 60 years. This guy was hardcore to the point it was scary. He could not get the 1.5" group at 50 yards and was thisclose to laying into Les Baer for selling a 1.5 gun. Oh how that would've been a conversation to eavesdrop. Eventually he loaded a round that got him the accuracy.

I'd buy a Valor if it had an adjustable rear sight STOCK. I sure like my new Pointman 9 but I would not enjoy paying the black ceramic Valor price.

Last night the ol' lady asked if I was going to bid on the RRA LM. Nah. She then asked if I was going to put the order in and wait for a TGO1. Nah. She then looked at me and flat out asked "why do we have this conversation all the time?"

[MD357]

Originally Posted by buckhorn_cortez

What I found interesting is that nothing could be attributed to the Les Baer 1.5 gun that was "special" - yet it still had better accuracy than the standard LB gun, so LB did something that made the 1.5 gun more accurate.

Midi-chlorians?

[midliferally]

After waiting for 6mo. I finally have a Valor inbound. I'm happily paying the Black Valor price, as I believe there is value there. Pics upon arrival.

[Sarge43]

Okay, you all can jump down my throat for this, and probably will , but I have it on authority that I trust (a friend who has seen the inside of the operation), that the 1.5 guarantee pistols don't have anything "extra" done to them. They are merely the pistols identified through the build process that are a little above their brothers and then test shot to confirm that fact. I don't claim to know how this works on a custom ordered 1.5 guarantee pistol. Take it or leave it, my flame suit is on, so go ahead and yell.
Sarge

[CMG]

I wouldn't be surprised as that practice was common for rifle makers back in the day. The barrels that required straightening after rifling were used for their rack-grade guns while the barrels that didn't were set aside for their higher-grade, accuracy guaranteed, guns.

If you have the skills to actually discern the difference, does it matter how it got there as long as it did?

[nolt]

Originally Posted by Sarge43

Okay, you all can jump down my throat for this, and probably will , but I have it on authority that I trust (a friend who has seen the inside of the operation), that the 1.5 guarantee pistols don't have anything "extra" done to them. They are merely the pistols identified through the build process that are a little above their brothers and then test shot to confirm that fact. I don't claim to know how this works on a custom ordered 1.5 guarantee pistol. Take it or leave it, my flame suit is on, so go ahead and yell.
Sarge

if thats true then with a custom ordered pistol they'd just have to keep trying if it didnt measure up.

how far back they'd have to go i dont know.

[1006]

I once read in one of the magazines that the S&W CUSTOM DELUXE 44 mag is designated as such after the test firing of the 629 -- if it shoots an average group it is sold as a 629 standard. If the group measures below some predefined size it gets the "Custom Deluxe" designation. No special process is used for the Deluxe according to the article.