Mono madness
 

Well, I have a high quality problem if you will. After fondling the Mono yesterday, I noticed that there appeared to be a gap on the right side frame to slide fit. At first it looks like an optical illusion. That maybe the serration (done by hand) is just missing from that area.

I was hesitant to post this as some people will tell me quit b*tching and just shoot the damn thing. Well, when you drop serious coin for something, you hope for a little more attention to detail.

Had this gun been sitting on a shelf at a dealer, would I have bought it with that flaw? Probably not, would you? I think not.

Well, a piece of 0.0035" thick and 0.154" wide "post it" says differently.[/B]

I can live with the even gap around the ejector, that I'm not questioning at all. My issue is with the gap between the frame and slide on the right side.

And yes, I noticed the munched serration on the bottom left side.

Again, My $1200 Kimber nor my $1100 Dan Wesson have any gaps like this.

Well, I emailed Les Baer yesterday and even called them this morning....NO response as of yet. From I remember reading in regards to their customer service, this is to be expected.

You be the judge!

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1856430f.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...psf32c1da6.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...psad7dc325.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps693d8e20.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps52875ce5.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8a7d922b.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0a60589b.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ps841581fc.jpg

Not bustin horns at all...cause I am bothered too....Somebody drop it and step on it? Looks kinda twisted, weird.

Looking closer, it don't look like the slide is the problem. Right frame rail looks cocked. Your call, brother, but don't be surprised if Les says "but how does it shoot?"

For that kind of money......it should look as good as it shoots.

Personally, I would not be happy with that. If it was an assembly line pistol, I would deal with it........this is not.

I'm sorry for your disatisfaction on an otherwise beautiful pistol, Ell. Hope they make it right.

Ellison, looking at the pictures the whole backend looks out of whack to me.

I hope that you can get some satisfaction from Baer as I think that you will never really be truly happy with it like it is.

Hmmmmm

BUT...

How does it shoot? :)

+ 1 :eek:

I have seen similar things a few times. Various guns. Looks like the frame rail was gently nudged to have a tighter fit against the slide. Kind of a bad way to fit the slide but not uncommon. The question is, does the slide move. it should be locked up tight when fully forward and pretty damn tight when locked back. If it is, i doubt LB will do anything. If it isn't well you have a case for a product that does not meet your expectations.

Update 6/6
 

After a few emails and phone calls, I finally got to talk with Les today. While a pleasant man to talk with, he was steadfast about not being able to do anything about the gap.

He offered for me to send it back and he'd look at it.

I then called CJ to see about the best way to ship it or if shipping would be covered. He suggested that to save time and money, why not call Les back and find out for sure what he'd (Les) be willing to do, no sense wasting time and money for nothing.

I call back and Les is busy but a lady named Kate talks with me. She assures me that nothing is wrong with my pistol, that the imperfection that I see is just a result of hand fitting by human hands. After back and forth conversation, I'm basically told to pound sand and that there's nothing at all that can be done! I ask what about replacement? That garnered a chuckle, said that there is no way a replacement is going to happen.

She did manage to talk to me long enough to make me feel better about the pistol and somehow convinced me to shoot the pistol and just enjoy it.

I hung up with a good feeling.

Then that voice came back saying..."what about the 100% customer satisfaction guarantee"? Arghh.....

So, now I have a couple choices:

1) Send this back to Baer, have them strip the serrations off the slide, re-blend the slide to frame and refinish. That is not an unreasonable request I think.

2) Sell it to fund another Mono build. I would buy a bone stock Mono and send it to Rob at Alchemy Customs to to all that I want like this one was supposed to have been.

3) Send this one to Rob and have him fix it.

Decisions, decisions.

What a lousy lesson that cost doesn't always equal quality. :eek:

Apparently Les doesn't need the business or the money anymore; so he doesn't have to stand by his craftsmanship. It is disappointing.

Ellison, sorry to hear of the reply that you got.

I do not think that you will ever be happy with the 1911 whether it is a tack driver or not. The thought will always be in the back of your mind wondering what if...........

I did show the pictures to a few smiths at Armscor and they by no means are talking bad about the 1911 or the smith but did say that they have replaced a couple of RIA 1911 pistols that came back looking like yours. Granted we are talking about 2 completely different animals here but in business the customer needs to be taken care of.

You could always buy one of these and have it customized for you!!!:D I know Ellison..........it is still not a Baer!!!:)
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...20120917_3.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...20120917_4.jpg

Maybe Ellison could get 3 RIAs, for the same price as the Baer, and have Armscor ship them in a plain cardboard box with Baer written in magic marker. He'd be ahead. :insane:

I'd give them one more try with the simple explanation that you are not a satisfied customer and expect more of a quality builder like Baer. If you get no satisfaction then I would be sure to post those pictures on every forum which is related to 1911's or any other firearm. Something tells me Senor Baer will not appreciate that kind of publicity...

Might even consider posting those pics on his facebook page... :rolleyes:

He could actually get about 5 for the price of the Baer.:D:eek:

But like I said it would still not be the Baer Monolith that he wants!!:)

Sorry to hear that Ell, that should of never left the shop like that. Do whats in your heart, weather its to sell it or to run it as is. I won't give that man my money (not that I can afford it).
Automag, what is an average cost of a custom shop RIA?

+1

Ell, make sure to tell them you and all your Friends will spread the word across the Net about this Bullsh!t, they might sing a different tune then.

I agree with these posts......how much you want for the gun? Since the wait is sooooo long to get one you could probly sell it for more than you paid.

You can tell them that you know of one guy that was very interested in getting a Baer until he saw the shoddy workmanship, and learned that they don't stand behind their products.

Well being the professional asshat i am.... i will give you 500 for it.

You are a real pro alright.....funny

You are a generous professional!!!

No problem

You will have to get it from my fiancee's purse....good luck with that.

At least you know where to look...

That's 'cause she makes him carry it...:D

It's pink with polka dots.

Send it to me, I have a vise and a big hammer. I always wanted to work on one of those.:D

funny