Hello,

I'm another vet here in Iraq who is looking to purchase a high end M1911 as a sort of reward to myself when I get home in a month or so.

I have it narrowed down to either a Les Baer Premier II or Ed Brown Executive Elite. I carry a heavy gun like this in the colder months, but I also would like to try out IDPA shooting when I get home.

I'm leaning to the Baer as it is a little cheaper, but I just cannot abide front slide serrations on a M1911. This is a fashion trend in handguns I've despised for years. If Kimber would make a full-sized M1911 without the front slide serrations, I'd own one by now.

An email to Baer said I could order a pistol without the slide serrations at no extra cost, but I forgot to ask how long it takes to produce a gun.

After a year in Iraq having to be content with just looking at pictures of guns, I'm not in the mood to wait three more months for one.

The Executive Elite would cost a few hundred more, but it appears they keep pistols in stock and I wouldn't have to wait.

Quite a quandry. So about how long is the wait on a Baer?

Thanks.

I can't answer your question as I'm in the same boat.

Baer must be getting sick of people asking for front slide serration deletions...I emailed them last week with the same question and got the same answer.

I'll be ordering a Concept V 6" longslide soon, without the serrations.

It appears that the only production longslide 1911 available with no front serrations is the Baer (and the Olympic, which is in a different class).

I'm not in a big hurry, as weather and temporary health problems will keep me from the range until Spring anyhow.

Citizen carrier,
I ordered a Premier 2 in hard chrome on July 30. I have not recieved it yet. In four days it will have been four months but who's counting. My dealer said it would take 16 weeks or until it gets here. I do know however long it takes it will be worth it. When it gets here I will order my second Baer.
Now I want to tell you and all your buddies in your unit that there are no words to tell you guys how much we appreciate what you are doing. I will forever be humble in your shadow.

First off I would like to say is I'am 100% behine you and the job your doing unlike what the Papers say. I own three Les Bears two PII's and one concept VI. I think the best bang for the buck is PII, with a tactical carry package.Time was about 12 to 13 weeks from the time order it. God and stay safe.

Thanks for the replies and the support. I'm definitly counting down the few remaining days until I get to come home.

I'd really like the Baer, but I'm just really, really into the whole instant gratification thing as far as guns right now. I don't think I'll be in the mood to wait.

Life would be simpler if Les Baer offered front slide serrations as an option, not as standard, so ordering a proper, classic M1911 wouldn't be a custom proposition.

I think it would make an interesting forum poll.

Do you like front slide serrations or do you wish the industry would do away with them altogether? I think even Smith and Wesson knows there are people like me who simply won't buy a handgun with the front serrations, so they created a full-size model SW1911 without them.

If only Kimber would try it.

Well, if that means anything, my NHC Talon is produced right now, with no front cocking serrations and the rear ones are vertical, just like Mr. Browning designed the gun to be.

Stay safe and get home in one piece, that's what counts most.

__________________
John Caradimas SV1CEC
The M1911 Pistols Organization
http://www.m1911.org

Amen~
I recently ordered a Stinger from a company who told me ten to twelve weeks. It quickly turned to 17 and maybe more. I got frustrated and they cancelled my order at my request. I like my TRS, don't get me wrong. But I am really starting to look at other custom 1911s that are equally as good without the wait. It is fast becoming my opinion that the extra cash up front reduces the frustration of waiting to save a few dollars (IMHO).

Be well and stay safe!

It's frustrating. In July I ordered an TRS and an SRP. The TRS was delivered in about three weeks, but I only received the SRP a couple of weeks ago.

It's my understanding that Les Baer makes all guns to order, so special touches, like no front serrations, don't take longer. But I also think that he subcontracts special finishes, like hard chrome or Bear Coat (as on the SRP), so those may take longer and be less predictable.

But let's face it. As annoying as the wait may be, we're a lot better off than we were before shops like Les Bear. Not that many years ago, if you wanted a top drawer 1911, you bought a standard Colt or Springfield, sent it off to someone like Novak or C&S and waited six months -- on up to a couple of years.

And as I think of it, I have a number of "regrets" in the safe -- guns I bought because they were there now instead of waiting for what I really wanted. I could have saved some money in the long run had I been a little more patient.

Good luck.

DVC

I am with you, They are worth the wait!

I would go ahead and order the Baer. Then get a Springfield Milspec now. Shoot the heck out of it in anticipation of the Baer. The Baer is well worth the wait and when you shoot it after the Milspec, the Baer's worth becomes more apparent. I'm not knocking the Springfield, but I am comparing a work pick up truck to a Corvette.

Trust me, when it comes to 1911's, you'll end up owning more than one anyway.