Les Baer Premier II goes to .38 Casull

[norfok]

We all know the warnings, don't chamber a standard 1911 to .38 Casull and don't use ACP brass...

A few years ago I got an RCBS DIE SET in .38 Casull. But I don't had a gun at this point.

It took some additional years to check out which pistol grip could be the base and hold the forces for an system in .38 Casull.

And ofcourse to make them ready to shoot.

The solution, so funny it is, was my old Les Baer from Hillsdale.

He got a new heavy slide and an huge bullbarrel without bushing.

I will not say that this solution from Mr. Zindel is better than the CA3800 Model, but I don't need a lot of muscle power to withdraw the slide, there is no big difference to standard ACP or 9mm pistols.

Test shoot with formed .45 ACP brass was very good, it was not the hardest loads to beginn. I started with 124gn Bullets and with 17gn W296 up to 18gn W296. (1621fps)

The max. load from Dick Casull was 18,5gn W296 with 124gn Bullets and his factory load was 1814 fps fast.

Very impressive to shoot this little rounds.

The gun had no problems with the .38 Casull rounds. And the formed ACP brass after that tourture wasn't for the trash bin, but I have alot of ACP brass, so it's matter for now and the test.
Further loads, will be made with trimmed .45WM brass.

I guess it is another masterpiece from gunsmith Timo Zindel / ZPW Custom, Germany.

What should I said more, I'm very happy, it was a real christmas surprice, not cheap but worth the bucks.

[Deleted]

Nice. That will be fun.

[James]

that`s impressive.....

[iwsbull]

That’s awesome.

[junebug]

Very nice! Sharp looking pistol!

[bradshaw]

Thomas.... the origin and work on this pistol deserve a detailed report. I’m especially intrigued as to its accuracy. My experience with a bushing-free barrel in a 1911 is limited to a couple of expensive customs----with dismal accuracy. The two I shot lacked the SIG/Sauer method of an angled hole in the front of the slide to firmly seat the muzzle as the barrel cams into lockup. The SIG/Sauer method of triangular seating firmly “locks” the muzzle, yet provides operating clearance the instant the barrel chamber tilts downward. Whatever the origin of triangulated barrel support, I first saw it built into the bushing my (mid-1960’s) pre-Gold Cup National Match. and later as a production concept on SIG/Sauer pistols.

As to the slide on your Les Baer frame, the muzzle end is slotted to insert & remove the barrel. If the bull barrel is removable from the rear, the slot seems unnecessary.

Thanks for presenting this build,
David Bradshaw