SmokyBaer

Dont feel bad, Jonnin, I'm in the same boat. The Wilsons have quietly shot thru the clouds with their pricing also. A fella could retire on a couple dozen of those if they keep appreciating like they have been. Standard CQBs "start" at 2550 and with just a few options they go over 3 grand. A loaded Wilson and their arch rival NightHawk are well beyond a working man's budget, in my opinion.

For $1500 and some non-waver haggling, you could be the owner of a Les Baer "Premiere II". I own one and it's the keeper of my whole herd. Has super sharp front strap serrations and awesome sights. Truly an affordable custom pistol from a highly regarded builder. Your husband will not be disappointed. In fact, I know you could wrap up a Les Baer and be assured he would cherish that gift.

I dont remember it being rated +P but i wouldn't want hot loads in it with it being so light. With regular loads it snaps pretty good but nothing like a .40 or .45. The odd thing i remember the manual saying was not to oil it which i could not believe. It just aint right. Grease what slides and oil what rotates. Never fails.

Please do... Anxious for a range report.

The Remington has true classic lines of the original 1911s without todays grip enhancements, beavertails and snagless sights. My shooting style just wouldn't let me practice well with the Remmy. I have not held the AC but if it is anything like the pic of what Nash has above, there would be no question of which one to grab, in my opinion... the AC Commander. Only drawback is the AC is not American made. I think it's Philipines. Correct me if i'm wrong.

Regarding the magwell... Like you, I had run several other 1911s with the S&A magwells. Love them on my range guns and run flat bottom grips for a smooth feel. That said, the Dan Wesson bobtailled 45 changed my preference. I'm getting ready to do a couple of commander length pistols with an Ed Brown bobtail kit. A Kimber TLE Pro II stainless and my home-built Baer Comanche clone will soon be bobbed. Before you order the magwell, go grab a bobtail and see if it likes you.

I've been thru a dozen or so nice 1911s and by far the best shooting one has been the Les Baer Premiere II with the 1.5" option. The only one that comes close to it is the Wilson CQB Tactical Elite and it's just too pretty to knock around. Should you get that Baer, I can say with certainty, it'll be a keeper. Mine is.

A buddy told me theres a gun show in Shelbyville on first weekend of August. Never been to that show myself so i thought to ask if any you been there and liked it or not.

I got my Solo about a month ago and been shooting a few mags thru it with zero problems. The trigger is awesome. Only beef i have is no fault of Kimber... my hand is just too big to grip it right. If i could fasten some kind of pinky extension, it would good to go for me. My buddy shoots it just fine. We both see POI about an inch or two low. I have to give Kimber credit, it has went bang everytime i pulled the trigger. Pretty accurate too. Mine is the stainless on silver with black grips. The weight is perfect for pocket carry and no sharp edges to snag. I have really been trying to like it. Hope that helps.

if they made that one in a 500 S&W mag, I'd have to get a couple. I like it!!

I've got an LDA Carry .45 and it has been a real jewel... VERY accurate, never chokes and the recoil is way less than me or my buds expected. It's been a reliable piece for several years now. Also, the trigger is kinda a two stage that is pretty neat. Hope you enjoy yours as much as i do.

Of the three 1911s i built from scratch, none of the parts swapped out with each other and functioned exactly the same. They all required some fitting to match perfectly and once fitted, it has proven best to let them be. Just my experience.

I love my Scout!! It handles great and has really made me rethink my longer barrelled 308s. I even changed my LRB build to a shorter barrel just for that reason. Depending on your range results, you may want to do some cheap fixes to improve your accuracy. Over the past couple years, i been active with improving my accuracy and came across some great tips on the M14TFL site. The quick fixes to watch for: Clearance stock rubs on the gas cylinder. Make sure the handguard doesn't touch the stock. Buy a shim pack to take up slack on the front band. Also, that same shim pack can increase dwell time. Best of luck fighting off the M14 addiction. Have fun!!

Love my FNAR!! No matter how easy it is to persuade somebody for or against a rifle by a mere comment on an internet forum, I can personally attest to some of these facts as i've seen them. My FNAR has been a sub-MOA shooter right outta the box with several brands of factory ammo. Maintenance on my rifle is way more complicated "looking" than my M1A but it is definitely required less frequently. It doesn't get nearly as dirty for some reason. Yes, it is kinda ugly and comfortable... Check it out!

ARMS18 is one of my favorite mounts for the M14 family. Here's a link to how i done my Scout a while back... http://m14forum.com/modern-m14/87750-leupold-m4-scout-using-arms-18-a.html

i always heard the 88 and 100 were the same too.

Here's a different selector kit you may like more than Hawk's. Kinda pricey but real looking. For Sale: Glocks M14 Dummy selector Kits - M14 Forum

Love my carbon fibers on my Springer... Feel good look good! Also, the Celtics on Esmeralda's site is one of my favs too. Not sure their available for and Officer tho.

One of the best mods i did was install a Smith and Alexander magwell extension on my Para Carry 45. Ordered it from Brownells, i think. Feels fantastic with the round A2 hump. They make flat ones too.

Longslide Springer for $900.... without a doubt.

Very nice... Great shooter too!!

FWIW... Back when i was all into big bore revolvers, the older S&W ruled. My 4" and 6" 29s were unrivalled for accuracy and fun factor when hot loaded with 180 grain sierras. Of course that was when I had great eyesight too. Played with the snub a couple of times. Mag loads in snubs are mainly best for night shooting fun. What a fire show. Still have big bore fun but with a 500 4" now. It's a flame thrower that I'm not so accurate with either, but it's fun! Anyways, it's all in what you want... A flame toy like what the Rock is using in his new movie or a hot loaded target hunter like my ol' 29s. For carry, my backup is a Smith bodygaurd 38. Hard to beat that one.

I shoot a Para "Carry" .45 regularly when i take the big guns out for some exercise. That little pistol has surprised me with it's accuracy and reliability. Even though it has never jammed using all types of bullets, I still carry with hardball just for my sanity. It's probly time to get past what i've heard and shoot what i like, hot HPs. The pic below shows it in the officer's size holster. The Para is 1/2" shorter than a Colt so it drops in a little deeper. Still fits well. Also, my hands are pretty big so i added the arched extended mainspring housing from Smith and Alexander. Made a huge difference in how it felt.

In a weird sorta way, i like it too... but it just ain't right. Ya'know, like dating your sister.

Just out of curiosity... How much are ya'll saving by building the 458 yourself instead of ordering from RRA with an ACE stock, Hogue grip and ambi-controls? If it's about the same, I'll probly order direct since I don't have a lower. Anxious...