Les Baer Custom Thunder Ranch Special 1.5″ Guarantee .45 Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $3,601.00
LSB#: LSB260519DW003
Make: Les Baer Custom
Model: Thunder Ranch Special
Serial Number: TR04545
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, fed by Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “BAER” / “Custom”. The right side of the slide is marked “TR SPECIAL” and a lightning bolt/shield logo. The right side of the frame is marked “LES BAER CUSTOM” / “LE CLAIRE IA USA” / “TR04545”. The top of the chamber is marked “BAER 45 MATCH”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Trijicon H3 with a tritium insert and is dovetailed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a Trijicon H3 with a tritium insert on each side of the square notch and is dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The tritium appears to be depleted. The top of the slide has a matte finish for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece textured rosewood with double smooth diamonds and a lightning bolt/shield logo. There is virtually no handling wear. Overall, the grips rate in Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 3x 8-round magazines in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is minor operational wear on the barrel hood. There is little to no handling wear. The markings are legible. Overall, this pistol rates in Excellent condition. This pistol appears to have only been test fired.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The grip safety and safety work properly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Serial matching cardboard box, 3x magazines, test fired casings, child lock, 1911 tool, patch, dvd, and paperwork.
Our Assessment: The Les Baer Custom Thunder Ranch Special was developed through a collaboration between Les Baer Custom and noted firearms instructor Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch. Conceived as a serious, no-nonsense defensive 1911, the model combined Smith’s practical fighting-pistol requirements with the close hand fitting, match-grade components, and accuracy for which Les Baer pistols became known. Contemporary descriptions characterize the Thunder Ranch Special as a straightforward fighting handgun built to Smith’s specifications rather than a competition-oriented or heavily embellished custom pistol. The model’s Thunder Ranch association and reputation for accuracy and reliability have helped it maintain considerable appeal among enthusiasts of premium American 1911 pistols.
This example is in Excellent condition, retaining approximately 99% of its original blued finish with only minor operational wear. The rosewood grips remain Excellent, and the bright, sharply rifled bore rates 9.75/10 with no erosion. The action and safeties function correctly, though we did not fire the pistol. It is accompanied by its serial-matching box, three 8-round magazines, test-fired casings, child lock, 1911 tool, patch, DVD, and paperwork. The box label confirms that this pistol was originally produced with Les Baer’s guarantee of grouping 1.5″ at 50 yards, so it should be an exceptionally precise pistol. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY