DC Plumber
Member
NONE. So far.
Sorry for the title, but I had to make a splash entrance.
I just picked this gun up a week ago. I have a thing for carbon steel blue handguns. I like 4" N frames and I like commander sized 1911 style guns that are blue carbon steel with 70 series triggers. (I'm sure I will be corrected on my terminology, but I am not a proofreader"
I have a Les Baer Concept VII which is a commander sized 1911 with a 70 series trigger. I've had it for around 10 years and have about 7000 rounds through it. I love it. I wanted another one because my son is now old enough to handle the bigger guns when we go shooting and he has taken "possession" of my Smith and Wesson Model 25-2 which is a 45acp wheel gun. I am not about to let him take my Les Baer, plus sometimes I am afraid to take a $2000+ gun to the cabin plinking on guy's weekend.
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The Garrison is the same configuration as Les except for: Ambi safety, ramped barrel and the fitment. It has a very nice blue job and has no wiggle or rattle. I could remove the bushing without a bushing wrench. Les I cannot. Yes, there is slight bit of slide overhang at the rear of the slide on the Garrison, but for $800, I don't care. Les is a $2000 gun and it has perfect fit and finish, which I expect for that money. Les may have a slight less trigger pull, but I can't measure it and I was hitting the gong at 100 yards with the Garrison. Good enough for me.
It was suggested by the guys at the gun store to run a healthy dose of 230g FMJ before I get bent out of shape if it has any malfunctions. Other than running a patch down the barrel, I took it to the range with 100 rounds consisting of 230g FMJ factory ammo, 230g FMJ handloads, 200g JFP Montana Gold handloads and 200g LSWC handloads. Les Baer factory mags, Remington R1 factory mags and a bunch of GI style mags from various sources. Not one malfunction.
Les has a non-ramped barrel and the Garrison has a ramped barrel. I've read a ramped barrel for 45acp guns won't run with 200g LSWC bullets and may only run 230g FMJ. Sure, it is early but so far, perfect. In the next two weeks I have two days set up to run about 500 rounds of 200g LSWC ammo through the Garrison. I did a field strip today and cleaned and oiled the gun and I want to see how long I can go without a malfunction due to getting dirty.
I used to think that Les was hard to rack the slide because the slide was tight, but I think it is because the barrel lugs are fit tighter than standard production guns. Les and the Garrison have the same slide pull resistance except for breaking it free which I'm sure is due to the barrel lugs on Les.
If you are considering a Garrison, I am sure you will love it as long as you don't expect Les Baer fit and finish for $800.
Sorry for the title, but I had to make a splash entrance.
I just picked this gun up a week ago. I have a thing for carbon steel blue handguns. I like 4" N frames and I like commander sized 1911 style guns that are blue carbon steel with 70 series triggers. (I'm sure I will be corrected on my terminology, but I am not a proofreader"
I have a Les Baer Concept VII which is a commander sized 1911 with a 70 series trigger. I've had it for around 10 years and have about 7000 rounds through it. I love it. I wanted another one because my son is now old enough to handle the bigger guns when we go shooting and he has taken "possession" of my Smith and Wesson Model 25-2 which is a 45acp wheel gun. I am not about to let him take my Les Baer, plus sometimes I am afraid to take a $2000+ gun to the cabin plinking on guy's weekend.
,
The Garrison is the same configuration as Les except for: Ambi safety, ramped barrel and the fitment. It has a very nice blue job and has no wiggle or rattle. I could remove the bushing without a bushing wrench. Les I cannot. Yes, there is slight bit of slide overhang at the rear of the slide on the Garrison, but for $800, I don't care. Les is a $2000 gun and it has perfect fit and finish, which I expect for that money. Les may have a slight less trigger pull, but I can't measure it and I was hitting the gong at 100 yards with the Garrison. Good enough for me.
It was suggested by the guys at the gun store to run a healthy dose of 230g FMJ before I get bent out of shape if it has any malfunctions. Other than running a patch down the barrel, I took it to the range with 100 rounds consisting of 230g FMJ factory ammo, 230g FMJ handloads, 200g JFP Montana Gold handloads and 200g LSWC handloads. Les Baer factory mags, Remington R1 factory mags and a bunch of GI style mags from various sources. Not one malfunction.
Les has a non-ramped barrel and the Garrison has a ramped barrel. I've read a ramped barrel for 45acp guns won't run with 200g LSWC bullets and may only run 230g FMJ. Sure, it is early but so far, perfect. In the next two weeks I have two days set up to run about 500 rounds of 200g LSWC ammo through the Garrison. I did a field strip today and cleaned and oiled the gun and I want to see how long I can go without a malfunction due to getting dirty.
I used to think that Les was hard to rack the slide because the slide was tight, but I think it is because the barrel lugs are fit tighter than standard production guns. Les and the Garrison have the same slide pull resistance except for breaking it free which I'm sure is due to the barrel lugs on Les.
If you are considering a Garrison, I am sure you will love it as long as you don't expect Les Baer fit and finish for $800.
