Les Baer Thumb Safety options, an overview
Current production Les Baer pistols are available with essentially 3 different thumb safety options. Each safety configuration is designed with a different purpose in mind, based on your preference of how the pistol will most often be used. While the safeties differ, none are so specialized that they reduce the versatility of your Les Baer pistol, they are just optimized for a given purpose.
The three main safeties are labeled in Baer's literature as follows:
Baer Extended Ambi Safety
The extended ambi safety is an excellent design for the competitor who needs to draw the pistol and manipulate the safety quickly. This thumb safety has a wider "paddle" on the left side of the pistol and a narrower paddle on the right side. The wide paddle lets you find and swipe off the safety as quickly as possible in timed competitions, giving you a competitive edge. Note the paddle is not so wide that it will interfere with the defensive use of the pistol. Models where you find the Extended Ambi Safety include the Premier II, many Concept models, the Ultimate Master and the Monolith. Basically, all the Baer pistols designed with Competition in mind.
Baer Tactical style Extended Ambi Safety
The key word in describing the Tactical Ambi safety configuration is "Tactical". Specifying Tactical means the paddle on the left side of the pistol is narrower than it is on the Extended Ambi Safety. The paddle on the right side is unchanged in size. By narrowing the left side paddle, this safety is less likely to interfere with your holster and less likely to get accidentally switched to the off-safe position. Those possibilities are not tolerable in a concealed carry and defensive use of the pistol Conversely, in a structured competition environment, those possibilities are more of an inconvenience than a life threatening situation. The Tactical Extended Ambi safety maintains the right side "ambi" configuration, so it's the choice for those wanting a defensive pistol with ambidextrous capabilities and of course it's the choice for left handed shooters. Models where you find the Tactical Extended Ambi Safety include the Custom Carry, the S.R.P. the Premier II Super Tac, and the carry pistols like the Commanches and Stingers.
Baer Extended Combat Safety
The key word for this safety is "Combat". The Combat safety is not ambidextrous, it only has the paddle on the left side of the pistol. That paddle is essentially the same size as the left side of the Tactical Ambi safety. By leaving off the right side paddle, the Combat Safety further reduces the possibility of the safety snagging or getting inadvertently knocked into the off-safe position. Models where you find the Extended Combat Safety include the Thunder Ranch Special, the Ultimate Tactical Carry, the Boss and the Ultimate Recon. Basically, Baer's fighting pistols.
It can be difficult to identify exactly which safety is present on a given pistol from photographs alone since the difference, while significant. is not drastic. Below are a few photos of each of the configurations.
The three main safeties are labeled in Baer's literature as follows:
- Baer Extended Ambi Safety
- Baer Tactical style Extended Ambi Safety
- Baer Extended Combat Safety
Baer Extended Ambi Safety
The extended ambi safety is an excellent design for the competitor who needs to draw the pistol and manipulate the safety quickly. This thumb safety has a wider "paddle" on the left side of the pistol and a narrower paddle on the right side. The wide paddle lets you find and swipe off the safety as quickly as possible in timed competitions, giving you a competitive edge. Note the paddle is not so wide that it will interfere with the defensive use of the pistol. Models where you find the Extended Ambi Safety include the Premier II, many Concept models, the Ultimate Master and the Monolith. Basically, all the Baer pistols designed with Competition in mind.
Baer Tactical style Extended Ambi Safety
The key word in describing the Tactical Ambi safety configuration is "Tactical". Specifying Tactical means the paddle on the left side of the pistol is narrower than it is on the Extended Ambi Safety. The paddle on the right side is unchanged in size. By narrowing the left side paddle, this safety is less likely to interfere with your holster and less likely to get accidentally switched to the off-safe position. Those possibilities are not tolerable in a concealed carry and defensive use of the pistol Conversely, in a structured competition environment, those possibilities are more of an inconvenience than a life threatening situation. The Tactical Extended Ambi safety maintains the right side "ambi" configuration, so it's the choice for those wanting a defensive pistol with ambidextrous capabilities and of course it's the choice for left handed shooters. Models where you find the Tactical Extended Ambi Safety include the Custom Carry, the S.R.P. the Premier II Super Tac, and the carry pistols like the Commanches and Stingers.
Baer Extended Combat Safety
The key word for this safety is "Combat". The Combat safety is not ambidextrous, it only has the paddle on the left side of the pistol. That paddle is essentially the same size as the left side of the Tactical Ambi safety. By leaving off the right side paddle, the Combat Safety further reduces the possibility of the safety snagging or getting inadvertently knocked into the off-safe position. Models where you find the Extended Combat Safety include the Thunder Ranch Special, the Ultimate Tactical Carry, the Boss and the Ultimate Recon. Basically, Baer's fighting pistols.
It can be difficult to identify exactly which safety is present on a given pistol from photographs alone since the difference, while significant. is not drastic. Below are a few photos of each of the configurations.
Extended Ambi Safety
Tactical style Extended Ambi Safety
Extended Combat Safety
It's good to bear in mind that, while each safety is optimized toward a specific shooting regime, they are all versatile enough that any configuration can be used for any purpose. If you choose one of the "fighting pistol" models like the Thunder Ranch, there is no reason you won't be competitive on the weekends with the same pistol. Personally, I would have no problem carrying a Premier II with the wide Extended Ambi on a daily basis. The best compromise, of course may be the Tactical Ambi safety, which splits the difference between the low profile Combat safety and the wide Extended Ambi safety.
The configuration of your thumb safety is an important consideration when choosing your Les Baer, but there are other considerations too, like sights, finish, checkering and grips. Just go for the configuration that is optimized for your style of shooting and you won't go wrong.
Rick@Arms-Tek.com
Arms Tek phone: 360 253-9175
The configuration of your thumb safety is an important consideration when choosing your Les Baer, but there are other considerations too, like sights, finish, checkering and grips. Just go for the configuration that is optimized for your style of shooting and you won't go wrong.
Rick@Arms-Tek.com
Arms Tek phone: 360 253-9175