Les Baer Shop Tour

Published on November 18, 2015
Duration: 10:56

This guide details the 'hard fitting' process for 1911 barrels and slides as demonstrated by Les Baer Custom. It covers precise fitting of the barrel hood, bottom lugs, and chamber reaming for optimal headspace and lockup. The emphasis is on traditional gunsmithing techniques for achieving high accuracy and reliability, as explained by a master gunsmith.

Quick Summary

Les Baer Custom employs a meticulous 'hard fitting' process for their 1911 pistols, focusing on hand-fitting barrels and slides using techniques like draw filing. This, combined with precise chamber reaming and rigorous testing of 150-160 rounds, ensures their industry-leading 1.5-inch accuracy guarantee at 50 yards.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Shop Philosophy
  2. 00:46Test Firing & Quality Control
  3. 01:23Finishing & Polishing
  4. 02:24Specialized Work Cells & Draw Filing
  5. 03:47Final Assembly
  6. 05:13Hard Fitting Barrels
  7. 08:20Range Test: GT Monolith

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Les Baer Custom's core manufacturing philosophy?

Les Baer Custom emphasizes a 'one at a time' hand-fitted approach, reminiscent of 1930s manufacturing, focusing on a small, high-quality niche market to ensure exceptional firearm performance and reliability.

How does Les Baer Custom ensure the accuracy of their 1911 pistols?

Accuracy is achieved through meticulous 'hard fitting' of components, including hand-fitting barrels and slides, precise chamber reaming, and rigorous testing involving firing 150-160 rounds per pistol before shipping.

What gunsmithing technique does Les Baer Custom use for slide-to-frame fitment?

Les Baer Custom utilizes traditional methods like draw filing for slide-to-frame fitment, avoiding lapping compounds which can be difficult to fully remove and may cause premature wear.

What is the accuracy guarantee for Les Baer Custom pistols?

Les Baer Custom guarantees their pistols will achieve 1.5-inch groups at 50 yards, a testament to their precise hand-fitting and quality control processes.

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