SmokyBaer

A lot harder than it sounds but a good time shootin!! Here's my target... 12 shots including the "Grand Z". Here's my .45

I'll play!! Been boring without the TGO shoot happening anymore. Thanks for stepping up. Now, gotta get my printer some colored stuff first. Somebody ran it dry.

Been looking around to check out a Valor and you are right... the DW prices have really bumped in the last couple years. Wow!

My thoughts exactly. I know my pistol trading has slowed a LOT since stumbling onto my Wilson and Baer keepers. That PC1911 will definitely be a keeper. Congrats!!

A thousand dollar budget will get a NICE 1911. That said, all you have to do is figure out what you really want and wait for the deal to find you. Always wanted a Wilson and like you, I could not see paying the huge retail they are asking. Mine came as a total surprise when I fortunately had money stashed for a quality top shelf 1911. Patience paid off! For what you get, a Dan Wesson would be hard to beat and still meet your budget. They are tight, accurate, reliable and made in the USA. My bud shoots one and if I was in the market for a 1911 in your price range, that's what I'd be looking for. Valors shoot nice groups. Some folks love the bobtails too but they are hard to find. Keep us posted with your decision and post your range report. I am and I know others are always interested in what is out there. Good Huntin!!

Cool... I learned a LOT about 1911s by blowing money on the wrong 1911 and losing money by trading off for the one that "fit" better or had better sights or was "tighter". Bottom line is what do YOU like. My first 1911 was a series 70 Gold Cup that was possibly the most accurate pistol for the money I've ever owned. Didn't know what I had and traded it off only to learn later what a mistake that was. After 30+ years of tinkering with old and new and built a few, I'll throw out my 2 cents... - My Wilson CQB is THE smoothest 1911 I've ever held. Has never had a hiccup using all kinds of ammo. Still one of my favorites. - My Les Baer Premiere II is the tightest pistol EVER. I'm still breaking it in. Also, THE most accurate 1911 I've ever shot. - Colt 1911s are loose in comparison to the Wilson and Baer BUT 100% reliable and never had a complaint on accuracy. - An old time great friend custom built a Springer for me a long time ago and to this day that pistol has been THE one that has "felt" the best. - The little Para Carry I have now is very accurate and it's LDA trigger is a two stage with a predictable release. - The S&W and Kimbers I've handled and shot never let me warm up to them. Extraction issues and FTFs just knocked the shine off for me. Of the three 1911s I built, the last one most reflects what I like the most and with everyone being different, your list will surely be different and expected. A few of these considerations are: - full length guide rods versus GI plug - beavertail safety versus GI standard safety - standard slide release versus extended release - ambidextrous thumb safety or standard right thumb - polished frame feed ramp versus a ramped barrel - fixed night sights versus adjustable for the range - front frame checkering versus smooth for Hogue FGs - short trigger versus long match adjustable trigger - bull/cone barrel versus standard/NM bushing Grips and mags are always changing but making your decision based on the features mentioned above will make your choice a LOT more satisfying, in my opinion. Hope my bourbon talk helped a little.

Yep... that's why I been waiting to hear some friendly range reports. Thanks for posting.

I am still awe struck by the comparison.

I'm not a huge fan of the Mattel guns BUT this 458 SOCOM has magic!!

Yep... I gave one away for $400 not long ago. It didn'y have the factory scope mount though. They are very nice handling pieces. I chose to keep my 10/22. Hope that wasn't a mistake.

Got it all back together but changed a few things: 1. Opened up the rub on the plastic ferrull of my Scout stock. 2. Sanded some relief off my handgaurd to get the rub off the stock. 3. Put my original Springfield gas piston back in because it does GREAT with the tilt test. Went to the range: 1. Learned my scope setup does not bolt back up to the same zero. Had to bring it down and to the right. The thought occured to me that maybe the stock was pushing my zero. Don't know. 2. Something changed for the better. Groups shrank by an inch once I zeroed it again. Different stock in my future, I'd say. Subject for another thread.

Well... Found out why we have not been seeing them. Went to http://www.coarmsusa.com/ and checked them out. i kinda like the Scorpion but is $1200 to much for an unproven piece? It'd be a steal if it really shoots like a Baer, Wilson or Brown.

Have to admit that new extractor definitely angles the brass out at a lower angle AND stronger. I never had brass tracks at this location on the op rod. I don't know how or why it's that much different but I like it!! Here's a couple pics showing how low the brass is kicking. Notice not one mark on the flat bottom of the ARMS 18.

Wow... Way back, I saw Tubbs on Miami Vice clean up some BGs with one of those. Thought it was a Hollywood special and never dreamed it was for real. That'd make a great night stand home defender... shot on both sides of the hallway, KaBOOM!!

A while back there was a stir about a new 1911 being introduced from a maker near Memphis. Gonna give tours and all. Don't know where I been but I've not heard anymore about it thru range reports or even hearsay. What up??

It's been fun dodging the rain pockets but finally got a sit down session to check out my new ARMS setup. First and foremost the new extractor worked flawlessly at pulling the 30 empties and slinging them about 10 foot at 3 o'clock. No problems whatsoever... I was really sweating FTEs and feel a lot better now. Here's my sight in target at 50 yards dialing into the bull... Next is my 100 yard with 3 different groups. Nothing to brag about... 2.5 to 3 inches. Did notice my plastic scout stock is rubbing the gas cylinder pretty bad on the right so I have some work to do on accurizing. However, it would still put meat on the table, EH??

Hopefully I can cluster some groups like that... Great Shootin!!

Okay... got my extractor in and went to work swapping it out with the factory Springer stuff. Couldn't help but notice how dry my old parts were coming out. I guess under fire the oil and grease gets vaporized. Also, swapped out the ejector and springs for GI parts. Even put in some fired brass to check extraction. Wow, it really flings it now! Anxious to get to the range and see what kinda groups it will produce with this whole new setup AND how reliable the extraction is going to be. Here's the new GI extractor with the old Springer one. Check out the subtle differences in the cut for the rim and the shaft that pokes in to capture the ejector and firing pin. Looks bigger but it isn't.

Very nice setup GC!! Must be a satisfying shooter or you would not have kept it for that long. Hopefully, this project of mine will be a keeper. We'll know soon enough. Hopefully, this weekend I'll get some range time.

That's it... You #1

Got my ARMS 22 Low rings in and they fit snug BUT... had to drop my peep sight down 4 clicks. Not really too big a deal as long as I remember to click it back up if I jack the scope off for some reason or another. Looks great and feels right. Guess I do have plenty room to slide the scope back a 1/2" and run my peep back up but right now my eye relief is near perfect as it is. Still requires more of a chin weld than a proper cheek weld for a steady view thru the scope. May get one of those add on plastic cheek risers with the thumb nuts. Seen them around but don't know what they are just yet. Anyways... here's the clearance of a Leupold M4 2.5-8x36 illuminated reticle on an ARMS 18 M1A mount with ARMS 22 Low rings... Before I go to the range, I'll be swapping out to a G.I. extractor and spring.

You won't hear any disagreement with me... the previous Scout I was setting up had a scout scope on the barrel rail and I was almost done with it when I decided to sell a bunch of stuff. That rifle was unfired and had NIB value so it went pretty quick. It was a pretty cool setup but a bit front heavy. Almost went that way on this one but found the ARMS and wanted to try that. Here's a crosshair view of that Leupold scout scope...

I'm not sure on the sight either but mine is not hooded. I did have to pull my scope a ways back to get my eye relief about centered on 8 power. Maybe it will clear the vari ring and be on the tube. My parts should start coming in by the end of the week so we'll soon see. Hey Thanks for the measure. I been a little nervous on the order. Gonna suck if they don't fit. I will post the pics as I fit the rings and also the M14 extractor I've been told to install on my Scout for the brass to clear the low mount. On the adj gas plug... maybe I don't need that cause I'm mostly a fan of 150-168 grainers. In fact, my new Leupy's BDC is calibrated to 168s. Thanks for the feedback on it's purpose. Saved me some money I can put on ammo!! You are in the same boat I was in. Didn't know what I wanted and could not find info on what I liked. When we get done snappin' photos of this setup, at least you will get an idea how it looks and shoots. Got a couple other things to do to it too. Shim the front band and clearance the hand gaurd. May glue it too... later.

A measurement would do just fine. Thanks!! and yeah... I read about those variable gas plugs today. Those actually do work, eh?