springfield trophy match or les baer premier II?

blueglass · September 2, 2012, 07:22 PM

thoughts?

Smit · September 2, 2012, 07:29 PM

Both good guns. Depending on the price difference, I'd probably go with the Bear.

KyJim · September 2, 2012, 09:23 PM

The Springfield is prettier. The Baer is likely more accurate. If I had to choose, it would be the Baer.

Kreyzhorse · September 3, 2012, 06:26 AM

Both are great. I really like Springfield but of course depending on price, the Baer likely gets the nod.

Officer's Match · September 3, 2012, 08:00 AM

One really good gun, one superb gun. The LB is in a different league and is the better pistol by a good margin.

Gary Wells · September 3, 2012, 08:09 PM

I own both and I would give the nod to the Baer. Very early Springer Trophy Matches came with standard with a flattened & serrated slide top, but I don't know if they still do.

drail · September 3, 2012, 08:14 PM

I am the world's biggest Springfield fan but it will never be the quality of a Baer. If you can afford a Baer buy one.

1stmar · September 3, 2012, 08:19 PM

Baer, springfield is a good gun, but not a Baer.

G. Freeman · September 3, 2012, 08:20 PM

I'm an SA fan. But the Baer is in a different league. If u have the money, go with the Baer. With the SA, you'll still need to tweak a few things, especially the trigger. With the Baer, you're good to go!

HKFan9 · September 4, 2012, 09:37 PM

Allow me to play devils advocate here.

The Les Baer IS a step above the the SA.. I can admit to that. I have owned the same SA.. shot the same LB.

However.... both are more accurate than the shooter will likely be.

If money is no object.. I say get what you want. However the extra money you save by buying the SA will leave you extra cash for Ammo.. reloading equipment.. or mags... or buying your wife flowers to make up for bringing home yet another gun.

I can't disagree the LB is the better gun... but I would say 99% of us aren't skilled enough to notice the difference with out a rest.

Really you can't go wrong with either.. I just though I'd share a different out take.

drail · September 4, 2012, 10:19 PM

You are of course correct but having run a lot of both brands in a Ransom Rest my vote is for the Baer. I mean, Les used to run the Springfield Armory Custom shop and built guns for Rob Leatham and the rest of their team. Then he decided he could do better. He was right.

Red Dog · September 5, 2012, 07:57 PM

Just a suggestion.... To you guys who own both please state your reasons why you like one better.

Officer's Match · September 5, 2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

You are of course correct but having run a lot of both brands in a Ransom Rest my vote is for the Baer. I mean, Les used to run the Springfield Armory Custom shop and built guns for Rob Leatham and the rest of their team. Then he decided he could do better. He was right.

Correct, and this is one built during that time, and it's superb.

Kreyzhorse · September 5, 2012, 09:21 PM

Awesome Springfield Officers Match. I own a TRP and am floored by how nice it is. Your Sprinfield is a step up from mine so I can only imagine how smooth and accurate it is.

blueglass · September 5, 2012, 09:25 PM

That's a lovely weapon Officers Match.

HKFan9 · September 5, 2012, 11:09 PM

Beautiful....

Officer's Match · September 6, 2012, 11:31 AM

Thanks fella's, the original hard chrome is still holding up great, and several thousand rounds and she's still bank vault tight. I've had numerous Baer's, Browns and Wilson's, and none have impressed me beyond this old Springer. A couple more gratuitous pics:

Officer's Match · September 9, 2012, 07:44 AM

'Course Baers aren't too hard to look at either:

blueglass · September 9, 2012, 02:22 PM

Officer's Match--
Do you have an opinion about the Baer 1911 PPC Open Class .45 ACP -OR- Baer 1911 Premier II, 5" Model, .45 ACP -
I shot the Premier but not sure what the PPC is about.
Any thoughts?

Officer's Match · September 9, 2012, 09:14 PM

I have no experience with a PPC, or even knowledge of what exactly it is. Sorry.

darkgael · September 10, 2012, 06:52 AM

This:

Quote:

Allow me to play devils advocate here.

The Les Baer IS a step above the the SA.. I can admit to that. I have owned the same SA.. shot the same LB.

However.... both are more accurate than the shooter will likely be.

If money is no object.. I say get what you want. However the extra money you save by buying the SA will leave you extra cash for Ammo.. reloading equipment.. or mags... or buying your wife flowers to make up for bringing home yet another gun.

I can't disagree the LB is the better gun... but I would say 99% of us aren't skilled enough to notice the difference with out a rest.

Really you can't go wrong with either.. I just though I'd share a different out take.

is good thinking. No disrespect intended to anyone of a different opinion.
When we say that the LB is a better gun, what does that really mean in practical, usable terms? More accurate? How much more?
Is it a thousand dollars more accurate, more reliable, more finished?
I realize that much of what people want in a firearm is affective in nature and not readily quantified by numbers...ok, that being said, the difference in cost buys a lot of ammo. The difference in performance is going to be undetectable by all but the most elite shooters. If there really is a difference.
Pete

Officer's Match · September 10, 2012, 07:25 AM

I completely agree both will likely exceed the accuracy of the vast majority of shooters. And as for cosmetic finish, internal included, the Trophy Match is likely better than the Les Baer. The most notable difference in the hand will be the Springer's super agressive 20lpi frontstrap vs the LB's comfy but less grabby 30lpi (unless spec'd @ 20 which is an option).

What I meant in saying the Baer is in a different league is that it is a true hand-fit hard fit barrel lock up. Baers are build using human hands and files, more so than any other off-the-shelf manufacturer. Admittedly, I'm a LB fan, but IMHO they are the most unique 1911 offering available in that true pistolsmith craftsmen are required to build a Baer - very little CNC involvement. Not that predominantly machined 1911's are a bad thing - witness Ed Brown's fine offerings - but in this day and age a human built high quality item is getting hard to find.

KyJim · September 10, 2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

When we say that the LB is a better gun, what does that really mean in practical, usable terms? More accurate? How much more?
Is it a thousand dollars more accurate, more reliable, more finished?
I realize that much of what people want in a firearm is affective in nature and not readily quantified by numbers...ok, that being said, the difference in cost buys a lot of ammo. The difference in performance is going to be undetectable by all but the most elite shooters. If there really is a difference.

Better parts, better fit, more reliable, better trigger, more accurate. While most may not be able to take full advantage of the better accuracy, the Baer will be more accurate for most people.

shooter's inaccuracy + gun's inaccuracy = total inaccuracy

If the Baer is more accurate than the Springer, the total inaccuracy will be less. Baers are guaranteed accurate to three inches at 50 yards and many will be more accurate (not counting the 1.5 inch accuracy that you can pay for). The Springer? No guarantee, maybe 3-4 inches at 25 yards or 6-8 inches at 50 yards. I totally disagree with the statement that only the most elite shooters can tell the difference. I'm only passable but can tell the difference in my Premier and some of my other 1911s (Springer, Colt).

Difference in price more like $600 to $700. Is it worth it? That's an individual decision.

September 2, 2012, 07:22 PM	#1
blueglass Junior Member Join Date: August 31, 2012 Posts: 14	springfield trophy match or les baer premier II? thoughts?

September 2, 2012, 07:29 PM	#2
Smit Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2012 Posts: 335	Both good guns. Depending on the price difference, I'd probably go with the Bear. __________________ "Vegetarian, an old Indian word for bad hunter."

September 3, 2012, 06:26 AM	#4
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Both are great. I really like Springfield but of course depending on price, the Baer likely gets the nod. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

September 3, 2012, 08:00 AM	#5
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	One really good gun, one superb gun. The LB is in a different league and is the better pistol by a good margin. __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES

September 5, 2012, 09:21 PM	#14
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Awesome Springfield Officers Match. I own a TRP and am floored by how nice it is. Your Sprinfield is a step up from mine so I can only imagine how smooth and accurate it is. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

September 2, 2012, 09:23 PM	#3
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	The Springfield is prettier. The Baer is likely more accurate. If I had to choose, it would be the Baer.

September 3, 2012, 08:09 PM	#6
Gary Wells Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2009 Posts: 180	I own both and I would give the nod to the Baer. Very early Springer Trophy Matches came with standard with a flattened & serrated slide top, but I don't know if they still do.

September 3, 2012, 08:14 PM	#7
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	I am the world's biggest Springfield fan but it will never be the quality of a Baer. If you can afford a Baer buy one.

September 3, 2012, 08:19 PM	#8
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Baer, springfield is a good gun, but not a Baer.

September 3, 2012, 08:20 PM	#9
G. Freeman Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2001 Location: Walnut, California Posts: 155	I'm an SA fan. But the Baer is in a different league. If u have the money, go with the Baer. With the SA, you'll still need to tweak a few things, especially the trigger. With the Baer, you're good to go!

September 4, 2012, 09:37 PM	#10
HKFan9 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Posts: 3,057	Allow me to play devils advocate here. The Les Baer IS a step above the the SA.. I can admit to that. I have owned the same SA.. shot the same LB. However.... both are more accurate than the shooter will likely be. If money is no object.. I say get what you want. However the extra money you save by buying the SA will leave you extra cash for Ammo.. reloading equipment.. or mags... or buying your wife flowers to make up for bringing home yet another gun. I can't disagree the LB is the better gun... but I would say 99% of us aren't skilled enough to notice the difference with out a rest. Really you can't go wrong with either.. I just though I'd share a different out take.

September 4, 2012, 10:19 PM	#11
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	You are of course correct but having run a lot of both brands in a Ransom Rest my vote is for the Baer. I mean, Les used to run the Springfield Armory Custom shop and built guns for Rob Leatham and the rest of their team. Then he decided he could do better. He was right.

September 5, 2012, 07:57 PM	#12
Red Dog Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Posts: 217	Just a suggestion.... To you guys who own both please state your reasons why you like one better.

September 5, 2012, 09:25 PM	#15
blueglass Junior Member Join Date: August 31, 2012 Posts: 14	That's a lovely weapon Officers Match.

September 5, 2012, 11:09 PM	#16
HKFan9 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Posts: 3,057	Beautiful....

September 6, 2012, 11:31 AM	#17
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	Thanks fella's, the original hard chrome is still holding up great, and several thousand rounds and she's still bank vault tight. I've had numerous Baer's, Browns and Wilson's, and none have impressed me beyond this old Springer. A couple more gratuitous pics: __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES

September 9, 2012, 07:44 AM	#18
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	'Course Baers aren't too hard to look at either: __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES

September 9, 2012, 02:22 PM	#19
blueglass Junior Member Join Date: August 31, 2012 Posts: 14	Officer's Match-- Do you have an opinion about the Baer 1911 PPC Open Class .45 ACP -OR- Baer 1911 Premier II, 5" Model, .45 ACP - I shot the Premier but not sure what the PPC is about. Any thoughts?

September 9, 2012, 09:14 PM	#20
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	I have no experience with a PPC, or even knowledge of what exactly it is. Sorry. __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES

September 10, 2012, 07:25 AM	#22
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	I completely agree both will likely exceed the accuracy of the vast majority of shooters. And as for cosmetic finish, internal included, the Trophy Match is likely better than the Les Baer. The most notable difference in the hand will be the Springer's super agressive 20lpi frontstrap vs the LB's comfy but less grabby 30lpi (unless spec'd @ 20 which is an option). What I meant in saying the Baer is in a different league is that it is a true hand-fit hard fit barrel lock up. Baers are build using human hands and files, more so than any other off-the-shelf manufacturer. Admittedly, I'm a LB fan, but IMHO they are the most unique 1911 offering available in that true pistolsmith craftsmen are required to build a Baer - very little CNC involvement. Not that predominantly machined 1911's are a bad thing - witness Ed Brown's fine offerings - but in this day and age a human built high quality item is getting hard to find. __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES