BLR
11-29-2012, 12:27 PM
No one here should be surprised that I'm an easy mark for "matched sets." In fact, I'll be as crass as to say Wilson and Colt should offer a similar set - with matching numbers just like this.
A Les Baer Thunder Ranch Set: If one were to believe the marketing stuff (and I have no reason not to), the Thunder Ranch rifles and pistols are built by Baer to Smith's standards/specifications. That's all well and good. However, what they represent to me is a nearly ideal (if a little crude) matched pair of personal defense weapons.
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01982.jpg
The Rifle: I love LB ARs. They are one of my favorites, mostly because in an AR I hold accuracy above all else (except reliability)....mostly because I evaluate all ARs as potential coyote hunting rifles first, then as defensive guns second. Read whatever you like into that. And Les makes some of the best cut rifled barrels out there IMO. The test target supplied with this one was shot with 77g FGM, and has two impossibly small 5 shot groups that I measured in the 2s. Maybe I'm just cynical, but I don't believe much without seeing it first hand. I could do without the fluting on the bbl too. That said, Baer ARs have consistently been the most accurate ARs I've personally owned/shot. And I've gotten my grubby hands on more than a couple.
The Pistol: Really, this is a great example of a Baer, except for one part: the grip safety. I'm really disappointed with the fitting of that. Really. The gap there is unacceptable for a "hand fit" gun. However, the checkering is above the standard for Baers, as can be seen below. I would much prefer 20lpi, but they wouldn't do that on the TRS. I'd also prefer real Novaks, but hey, what the heck. Overall, it's a really good looking pistol to my eyes.
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01981.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01979.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01978.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01977.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01967.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01968.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01969.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01972.jpg
The TR set is, all considered, a really nice pair of firearms. The furniture on the AR is basic, but functional. The 1911 is basic, but very accurate and functional and especially suited for CHL use.
Now a CQB-SPR combo would really rock. As would a S70-6290 set IMO.
A Les Baer Thunder Ranch Set: If one were to believe the marketing stuff (and I have no reason not to), the Thunder Ranch rifles and pistols are built by Baer to Smith's standards/specifications. That's all well and good. However, what they represent to me is a nearly ideal (if a little crude) matched pair of personal defense weapons.
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01982.jpg
The Rifle: I love LB ARs. They are one of my favorites, mostly because in an AR I hold accuracy above all else (except reliability)....mostly because I evaluate all ARs as potential coyote hunting rifles first, then as defensive guns second. Read whatever you like into that. And Les makes some of the best cut rifled barrels out there IMO. The test target supplied with this one was shot with 77g FGM, and has two impossibly small 5 shot groups that I measured in the 2s. Maybe I'm just cynical, but I don't believe much without seeing it first hand. I could do without the fluting on the bbl too. That said, Baer ARs have consistently been the most accurate ARs I've personally owned/shot. And I've gotten my grubby hands on more than a couple.
The Pistol: Really, this is a great example of a Baer, except for one part: the grip safety. I'm really disappointed with the fitting of that. Really. The gap there is unacceptable for a "hand fit" gun. However, the checkering is above the standard for Baers, as can be seen below. I would much prefer 20lpi, but they wouldn't do that on the TRS. I'd also prefer real Novaks, but hey, what the heck. Overall, it's a really good looking pistol to my eyes.
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01981.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01979.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01978.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01977.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01967.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01968.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01969.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/blriehl/1911s/IMG-20121129-01972.jpg
The TR set is, all considered, a really nice pair of firearms. The furniture on the AR is basic, but functional. The 1911 is basic, but very accurate and functional and especially suited for CHL use.
Now a CQB-SPR combo would really rock. As would a S70-6290 set IMO.