What a Baer...

[semiller1911]

Well I went and did it yesterday... I went down the the LGS and traded for this NIB Les Baer Stinger .45acp. It came with two LBC 7 round Magazines that have huge base plates (one of two minor complaints I have about this pistol).

Got home grabbed the 3 Wilson Combat compact magazines I have, 100 rounds of Blazer Brass FMJ, a box of Hornady Critical Defense and a box of Winchester PDX1. Off to the range I go!

This is the tightest pistol I have ever encountered. I get in my lane at the range and filled both factory magazines with the FMJ ammo. I always have an anxious feeling the first time I take a new gun the the range. What will it do, how will it shoot, will it be a disappointing POS...? Well two mags emptied and not a hiccup. Crisp clean trigger (I tested the trigger after I got home and cleaned the gun, 4lbs on the money).

Two mags down and now I load a Wilson Mag, pop it in and 7 rounds go bang no problem... But wait, now my second minor complaint. I cannot get the empty mag to release...? I finally get the button pushed using both thumbs and the empty mag pops out. Weird? I try another Wilson mag, seven shots, slide opens, and the same problem...?

I finished the remaining ammo using the factory mags with no other problems. Putting 5 rounds inside a 2" circle at 10 yards (off hand) was easy if I did my part. It shot all the ammo fine but it really likes the Hornady 185 grain Critical Defence. In two of my 2" target circles the Hornady made a single ragged hole with 5 rounds.

I got home, cleaned the gun, and played with the Wilson Combat mags for a while. Turns out the base plate on the Wilson magazines it two tall and allows the mag catch to engage just enough to work, but it was hell trying to get the release pushed in to eject the mag. I removed the base plates and filed about 1/16" off the top of the front part of the plate. They seem to work fine now. I'll see what happens next trip to the range.

I have owned several Mid-priced 1911s of various makes and had settled on Colts, because despite their loose tolerances and plain-Jane appearance, they always worked right out of the box. But after shooting this Baer... It is like a whole different level.

I know, it's not a DW, but it is one nice piece if I do say so myself. DW pistols just cannot be found in my part of the country and I hate to order one without at least getting to fondle it first... Anyway, thanks for indulging my blabber. Safe shooting Everyone!