Wanting to thin the caliber herd, possibly sell some handguns, and get a Les Baer?

[Black Majik]

Well, the jist of it is... I want to thin out my calibers I own. I've accumulated a few things I really dont shoot much, and that in the end, I want a Les Baer 1911!

I've been wanting a Les Baer for a while, after I held one... Its the only pistol that feels like one solid block of metal. The craftsmanship is beautiful. Yes it is tight... thats understandable. But the gun doesn't rattle like other 1911s do (*ahem* my Colt *ahem*) And oh do I so admire that. Plus I'm kinda itching for a semi-custom 1911.

I have three guns that I dont really shoot. And I've come to the conclusion I really dont need multiple calibers. I currently have .22, .38/.357, 9mm, .40, .45., .380. But I just want to shoot 3 calibers with different pistols instead of having a whole bunch of calibers and buying a whole buncha value packs (notice they're all value pack calibers )

I've contemplated getting rid of the calibers I don't shoot for a while. My Glock 23 in .40 S&W, my Colt Government in .380 (which I just bought), and my S&W 686 powerported in .357 mag.

686 - I dont shoot revolvers. I prefer autoloaders. So it never comes out when i go to the range. I just keep it cuz its pre-lock and powerported.

G23 - I tried the Glock and the .40 S&W round. The Glock feels good in my hand, but it doesn't point naturally. At all. It always points up. And I'm sick of adjusting to it. I admire it because its always been reliable, its simple and its lightweight. But I dont really have a need for a Glock nor a need for a gun in .40S&W.

.380 Gov. - I like this litte pistol. Its accurate. Its pretty and "cute". But shooting .380 is more expensive than shooting .40S&W!

Pretty much, I dont like buying too many different calibers when i go shoot. I rather buy a bunch of the same caliber instead of multiple calibers.

I want to stay with .22, 9mm and .45 ACP. No more random calibers. I dont need a .38/.357. I dont need the niche' round of .40 S&W. And .380 has no use other than a pocket gun. But I dont CCW, and its expensive to shoot at $18 per 100. .40S&W only costs $15.97.

So now, I want to buy strictly 9mm and .45 pistols. I'm not sure if I'm over the polymer crowd yet.

I know many say dont sell of your pistols, you'll regret it. I have a pre-lock revolver. And a .380 that isn't made anymore in excellent condition. But why keep it if its not gonna get used much?

Sooo... how much does a Les Baer Premier II costs these days? Should I sell my 3 guns for this 1911?

 

[Jim Watson]

Current list price of a PII is $1498. I don't know if anybody discounts them.
I don't see anything wrong with selling guns you don't shoot to get one you will. I don't think those three guns will bring $1498 but they will get you in striking range.

 

[pcf]

Price is $1389 at www.sportingarms.com
Baers get into their stride after the first 1000-1500 rounds.
Don't worry about it being tight, you can run them hard without problems (knock on wood). 12,000 rounds mostly CCI Blazers, no malfunctions that weren't magazine related.

 

[Moonclip]

I'd keep the guns you have as you are in CA and it would be very hard if not impossible to replace the Colt 380 and the S&W if you did regret selling them down the line.

At a minimum keep the S&W revolver. A gun collection should have at least one good 357mag revolver and it fills a niche the other calibers you want to standardize on don't do quite as well. 357 revolvers are a very versatile platform and would also be a good choice loaded with 38spl to introduce new shooters to a centerfire handgun.

As you seem to like 1911 pattern guns and Colts I'd probably hang on to the 380 Government model also. It's also nice in a collection to have a smaller concealment type piece too even if you don't CCW.

The Glock I'd be most inclined to sell off. Would not be hard to replace, you mentioned they do not point well for you though a grip reduction/reshaping as offered by Robar might cure that. Also if you decided to replace the Glock down the line you could get one chambered in one of the calibers you want to standardize on.

I actually enjoy owning a variety of guns chambered for different calibers. I've considered paring down the collection and just having a few very expensive pieces like SIG 210, HKP7, Python, but I can't bring myself to do it. However sometime I wonder to myself why do I need over 20 guns that fire the 38special cartridge!

Also I have guns I can't even shoot due to high cost or unavailability of ammo like 6.5x54ms. One advantage though of owning a variety of calibers is that one comes upon an odd lot of bargain ammo you will have a gun capable of shooting it in.

 

[Old Dog]

I'll say, go for it ... everyone should have at least one "premium" handgun, and everyone should have at least one handgun that they really, really want ... While I have a couple "untouchables" in my collection, and there have been a couple handguns I regret having sold or traded, I have no problem letting go of something I don't use to get something I know I'll treasure ...

As for your thoughts about going down to only two calibers ... I'm getting to that point myself ... And a Baer -- most excellent choice for a great 1911 ...

 

[Rexrider]

This is one of those things that is truely for you to decide.

Having said that I will offer just a little bit of advise. If it is at all possible, hang on to the pre-lock .357 and Colt .380. It is possible both of them will increase in value down the road (or right now for that matter).

Now, if at the end of the day you look at the S&W and Colt and say "I just don't care". Well, there yours to do with what you please. You should be able to sell either one in a heartbeat and the buyers will be happy. Just think about it.

The Glock can go if you don't like it. Easy to replace if want one again.

 

[charby]

Too bad you don't live in Iowa I'd take that .380 off your hands

Charby

 

[Standing Wolf]

Well, the jist of it is...

Gist. Trust me. I was an English major.

 

[waterhouse]

I went through the same thing a while back. I wanted to limit calibers, so I got rid of my .40 cal sig 229 and my .380 sig 232. That left me with 9mm, .45, and .357 (I don't count the .22 since it doubles with my rifles).

I also got rid of my 2 16 gauges leaving the 12s and 20s, and got rid of all rifles that weren't in .308, 30-30, or .22.

As I said, that was a while back. It was a great feeling to only have to worry about a handful of calibers. But then I got great deals on a 16 ga. 870, a Marlin guide gun in .45-70, and a couple ARs. I've managed to keep the handguns to the 3 above, but in general I'm pretty terrible at the reducing caliber game. More power to you if you can manage it

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't know why anyone needs to "thin the caliber herd". I have in fact done this years ago and then ya know what happens.... you want one of those niffty 357, 380, or 40 S&W guns you used to have.... you buy another one. Keeps commerce active.

My suggestion is to sell nothing and just save up for the what you want and get it (cash).

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have been thinning down the "common" guns and getting "nice" ones instead. I keep my carry guns (H&K PSP) but most of the rest are on the way out, or have already gone. Things like the walthers, glocks, CZ's, EAA's, Beretta's are moving on down the road. Even a few Dan Wesson's went. What I kept were the Baer's, Sig 210's, S&W Pre Numbered N Frames, H&K's and early Colts and a couple of DW's.

I don't miss plastic guns, I don't miss the guns that broke like the CZ's and I have regrets about the Beretta's but then again they are dime a dozen.

Trust me when I say, you put a say 10mm Les Baer next to a say glock 10mm, and look at the quality differences and the feel in the hand, I will take the Les Baer any day! (and I did)

 

[GunGoBoom]

Should I sell my 3 guns for this 1911?

I'd say yes. I think you're on the right track. Get rid of .40 & .380. Stick with 9, 45, and possibly 10mm - that's what I do now.

 

[Ky Larry]

I thinned my collction down a few months ago to get a gun I really wanted. I traded a SIG and a S&W auto for a Colt Python (6 inch, blued, never fired, circa 1974). These were good guns but they didn't get shot much. Now, I have a gun that goes to the range with me every time. I'll hang on to my Colts, Smith revolvers, and CZ auto's that get shot, regardless of caliber. Quality over quantity.

 

[Chuck R.]

Luckily I’m in a position now where I don’t have to make those kind of decisions anymore. But, if I was I’d say go for the quality every time.

I bought a Baer last month and so far I’m very impressed with it, it just feels “right”. The Baer, and my 6” Python are the handguns I shoot 99% now, the other 7 just hang out in the safe.

Chuck

 

[Bullet Bob]

Moonclip Moonclip - I know! Because the .38 Special is the most fun centerfire cartridge ever!

 

[Smoke]

Get rid of the Glock...because it's a Glock.
Get rid of the Colt Gov't .380 and the S&W 686 ...because I might want them.

Then go get your Baer.

And I'll sit in the corner and contemplate why I bought two reject guns instead of getting my own Les Baer.

Smoke - w/custom 1911 envy

 

[goon]

If you can do this you will have my respect. I would like to reduce my "overhead" right now too. I am thinking about making .308 THE RIFLE ROUND, keeping .22 LR and 12 gauge, .357, 9mm, and getting a .45. That would remove my M-39 though. I might make an "exception" for it.

 

[Black Majik]

Well a little update.

My G23 is going to be sold tomorrow. Good bye fantastic plastic. I just cleaned it, and stored it away for someone else to enjoy this pistol.

And... I just received $200 of disposable income.

I'm getting closer. I still have reservations about selling my 686 & government. I only shot the .380 once and owned it for a month or so, but I really dont have any use for it. Its a fun plinker, but with how much .380 is for shooting 9mm short, dont think its quite worth it. Plus, it was more of an impulse buy, I got caught up on its rarity, especially in California. Both guns are in excellent condition, If I can sell both, I'm considering also picking up a HK USPc .45 along with the Les Baer. I've come up with money for the LB, but I can get a USP if I sell of the last two. Should I?

For sure I want a Les Baer 1911. But then ALL my .45's are going to be 1911 format. I'm contemplating between a USPc or a P220 for a non-1911 basis. But I do want a semi-custom 1911 also. I'm not gonna get rid of my Colt Government, cuz its my first gun I ever bought (sentimental reasons) and my Series I Kimber, I ain't getting rid of that either. Hmm...

What other 9mm's too should I look into. Price? I have no clue, say $700 price range. Its funny. When people ask I could list a whole crapload of guns to recommend and suggest, but when I'm wondering myself, my mind goes COMPLETELY blank. Only 9mm I have so far is a P226. If I dont get the USP, then I can get a gun in 9mm. Suggestions?

Wow I dunno what to do.

 

[Moonclip]

As you seem to like Browning designed pistols why not a Browning High Power if you are going to get another 9mm? I have one in 40S&W but I probably should have got a 9 instead. I guess ammo costs savings will make up some of it too in the long run if you sell off the Colt 380acp and you do much shooting as you mentioned 380auto ammo can be quite pricey compared to 9x19.

You seem to have your heart set on a semi custom 1911 so I'd forget about the USP for now especally as you were not that enamored of your last polymer pistol. I'd just save the money for a DA high quality non 1911 format 45auto and get it later. USPs are better than Glocks though I feel but better yet I'd get a Sig Sauer P220ST, wish I could afford one right now. Had to settle for a Ruger P97dc. Love Swiss guns(well it's sort of Swiss) but it's a case of champagne taste on beer budget for me sometimes.

 

[Chuck R.]

Black Majik

I currently am down to two 1911s, the Baer and a Colt Gold Cup.

My HD gun is a SIG 220ST it is an awesome gun. I like it so much that I stopped shooting my Gold Cup for close to two years and had almost given up on 1911s…..till the Baer came along. The 220 is my second SIG, both have been flawless.

I’d recommend getting the Baer, then a 220 when you get the chance.

Chuck

 

[Rinspeed]

Don't sell the 686, you might not shoot it a lot now but someday you will realize what a classic they are. I sold a few real nice pistols to purchase my Baer TRS and so far no regrets what so ever. In fact I'm thinking of letting three or four more go because some idiot keeps posting these pics of a Ed Brown 1911

 

[Mute]

I only have two rules for selling guns.

1. I only sell something that I never or rarely shoot. (I probably won't miss it).
2. Being this is California, never sell something that will be hard or downright impossible to purchase again (e.g. I have a Colt Python that I will never sell).

Other than that, I say have at it. You clearly have an obsession with the Baer (it's ok, I get like that too) and you're not ever going to be happy until you get one.

 

[Black Majik]

The Glock is gone. $420 in my pockets.

Now, both my 686 & Gov. Both are rare in Cal, and both almost unobtainable again because of California. The 686 pre-lock and ported which I do kinda like but never shoot, and the .380 Gov which is discontinued. It seriously was a fun gun to shoot, one of those pistols you shoot a magazine, and drop the mag and admire how fun the gun was to shoot! But only thing is, the ammo price is rediculous for a .380 at $18/100 vs. $11/100 of 9mm. I'd rather plink with 9mm, its a lot more fun to shoot, and I'll save more in the end. Should I keep the .380 because I'll never find a gun like this in this condition. I bought it virtually new, it was a safe queen. Should I keep it because maybe sometime this gun will appreciate? Or... should I sell it cuz I dont think I'll ever really shoot this thing? I dont CCW, no need for a .380 especially to plink with, hmm...

I think the 686 I'll keep, but I can use an extra couple Benjie's for the .380.

Decisions decisions...

 

[Black Majik]

Update

I sent in my payment to Sporting Arms for the Les Baer Premier II today. Hopefully this would be a good start to semi-custom/production 1911s.

I'm excited. Cost of $1349 + $26 shipping = $1375. Much better than the best price I found in Socal for $1489. I even found it for $1595! Plus I dont have to pay for tax.

Im excited. Thank you everyone for your help. I'll write a range report when I get it.


btw: Would this count for the 1 gun every 30 days since it was bought new?

 

[garyk/nm]

Black Majik,
You want 9mm affordability but didn't like the Glock grip angle, and obviously like 1911s, have you tried out a Springer XD? Grip angle on the XD is the same as 1911s so the pointability factor is a natural. Not expensive and CA approved, too!
Just a thought.