Opinions on Production Hardball guns

[Murphy]

Who makes the best production Hardball 1911? By 'production' I mean factory guns like those built by RRA or Les Baer.

Also who else offers a production Hardball 1911 - e.g. is Clark's available when ordered, or do you need to wait a long while.

thnx

[James]

Neither clarks nor RRA's are availible when ordered. Only the les baer.

I have a RRA and I like it and would buy another RRA.

[Murphy]

I didn't know that. What's the turn-around on the RRA?

[James]

Several months. Call them to get an estimate. Sometimes they have a gun on hand. I know one shooter that got his RRA hardball with no wait.

Les Baer is the only one that you can probably get right away. I got lucky and got a used RRA.

[Murphy]

That's good to know.

I'm guessing that there's not a very large market for hardball pistols. I've been looking at options for a custom built pistol as well (e.g. by Marvel, Masaki, Sams, etc..) but the turn-around times are very long if they're even taking on new jobs.

[wra]

I must have been extremely lucky. Got my hardball RRA in 3 months turn around, but that was a couple of years ago.

Some dealers may have them in stock. Don's Guns in Gilbert or check the RRA forum on 1911.org -- there are a couple of dealers there you can contact.

[Ed Hall]

Gil Hebard Guns, Inc. used to have hard ball guns in stock. I think they may have been Clarks. I haven't gotten a catalog for quite some time and they have no web page, but it might be worth giving them a call at (309) 289-2700.

Also note that he gives discounts to FFL holders and active duty military patrons.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
U.S. Air Force Competitive Shooting Teams
Bullseye (and International) CompetitionThings

[mikeschroeder]

Hi

According to the Gil Hebard catalog (which was borrowed FROM me on Tuesday), they stock Les Baer's. Personally, I don't think you're losing out buying a Baer instead of a RRA.

Mike
Wichita KS

[Steve Swartz]

"Amen!"

I know this was a "ball gun" thread but FWIW - purchased my Les Baer Wad gun in 1998. Shot for USAF team for 4 years, with intense training/competition (700 rounds per week for 9 months, then 300 per week for 3 months, for 4 solid years . . . then somewhat less [but still a regular shooter] for three years . . . then occasional use for last 3 years]. Basically I put a metric buttload of ammo through it.

Federal Gold Medal Match for long line, 185 swaged lead powderpuffs for short line.

Went in for some tightening/tweaking at around 50,000 rounds. Still shoots incredibly eye watering ten shot groups at 50 yards (10 shot, less than 1.5"; with an occasional 1.7" group. I think once I had some crappy ammo [CCI Blazer?] that opened up to 2.5").

Les Baer?

Yeah.

John Moses Browning is smilin' down upon them boys.

Steve Swartz