Comanche Design Defect

[Rick McC.]

As an update to the concerns I referenced while speaking with OD* in the like named stickie back in 2010:

My Custom Carry Comanche did come sans the ability to be “slingshot”. That said, it has never experienced any malfunctions, was, and still remains, amazingly accurate.

The only modifications made to the pistol (other than stocks and grip screws) was the fitting of a Wilson Combat tactical thumb safety (single sided), to replace the ambi safety that it came with.

For those that are concerned with such things; about November of 2015, the pistol loosened up enough (with enough rounds down range) to allow the slide to be dropped via the “slingshot” method. That said, it still requires a bushing wrench for removal and installation of the barrel bushing.

I have no doubt that, when my currently three year old grandson attains ownership of the Baer; it’ll still be a tight, and extremely accurate, 1911.

[Hawkmoon]

Rick, could you provide a bit of clarification, please? To me, "slingshotting" means racking the slide and releasing it to chamber the first round. This can be done either from a closed slide position or an open and locked slide position. The term simply means releasing the slide when it is fully retracted, rather than holding on to it and "riding" the slide to the closed position.

If you can't chamber a round when inserting a fresh magazine, obviously the pistol can't be shot at all -- so you must be describing something different. Are you saying that when the slide is locked open you can't pull it far enough to the rear to disengage the slide stop? That's a known fault of the Les Baer Comanche, and one reason why I would never consider owning one. My memory on this is fuzzy, but I think Les Baer also does not move the front end of the rails and the frame abutment surface back by .10" (or so) as Colt does on their Commander and Officers ACP pistols, and that contributes to the problem.

[Jim 1855]

The Baer Commanche pistols are difficult to release the slide when it is locked back (out of battery) by the Slingshgot method of grabbing the slide and retracting that last little bit to drop the slide stop. Some may call this a defect, LBC calls it intentional design. The design generally doesn't allow the slide to move back far enough so that the slide stop drops and releases. You are generally forced to depress the slide stop. I say "generally" because it isn't every gun with the Commanche length slide.

I've talked to Les Baer about this over the phone and at SHOT. His guns, his design. From what I understand LBC uses government dimensioned frames instead of Commander length frames for the Commanche guns.

I have had two Stingers (Commanche length slides) that would allow the slingshot method and another that won't. I also have another Commanche length gun that is about 20 years old now that will slingshot.

Jim

[Hawkmoon]

From what I understand LBC uses government dimensioned frames instead of Commander length frames for the Commanche guns.

That's my understanding, as well.

[Rick McC.]

Rick, could you provide a bit of clarification, please? To me, "slingshotting" means racking the slide and releasing it to chamber the first round. This can be done either from a closed slide position or an open and locked slide position. The term simply means releasing the slide when it is fully retracted, rather than holding on to it and "riding" the slide to the closed position.

If you can't chamber a round when inserting a fresh magazine, obviously the pistol can't be shot at all -- so you must be describing something different. Are you saying that when the slide is locked open you can't pull it far enough to the rear to disengage the slide stop? That's a known fault of the Les Baer Comanche, and one reason why I would never consider owning one. My memory on this is fuzzy, but I think Les Baer also does not move the front end of the rails and the frame abutment surface back by .10" (or so) as Colt does on their Commander and Officers ACP pistols, and that contributes to the problem.

Yes, I was referencing using the slingshot method when the slide is locked to the rear by the slide stop.

[T-TAC]

I used to love Baer guns, but have drifed away from the brand.
Les uses full size government frames on his 4.25 barrel guns. Some can not be sling shotted and Ejector peening also happens on these guns.
I once did a replacement trigger on a Thunder ranch and it took over a half hour to just fit the top and bottom of the trigger shoe .
Les uses differant dimensions over the original design.
I have also seen poor machine work under the slide. Cosmetic, but still doesn't belong on a gun in that price range.

[Rick McC.]

I have two Wilson Combat 1911s, and one is very pretty.

I prefer my Baer Comanche to either of them.