I can see ole REV is just having fun kibitzing from the sidelines, along with a few others. When Les Baer or anyone else turns out a 1.5" guaranteed pistol – the group is shot with a ransom rest by an individual who knows how to set up and use that rest – there is a little finesse that goes into shooting from that type of rest. I just have to assume most everyone knows how the "customs" are test fired – some are even test fired without sights in the Ransom rest, leaving it up to the individual to decide the type of sights or optics he wants to use.
I don't see why a builder wouldn't let you watch how the pistol is shot once he has it dialed in, if he is giving a guarantee. You can also take it to most large gun clubs, as they usually have a member or two that have a ransom rest if the club doesn't own one outright and test it yourself.
I tested my Clark & Shockey pistols with a ransom rest that was made available to me and put 10 rounds in 2.25" at 50 yards and back then – that was a very impressive group.
Have I ever seen a 10-shot 1" group shot at 50 yards – Nope, I haven't but others probably have. The best I've seen from a ransom rest was around 2" at 50 yards. I've never shot one of Les Baer's over a Ransom rest but I'll believe what he tells me without question. He is a man of integrity and that's good enough for me.
I have one of Baer's 1.5's and I can occasionally go under 3" at 50 yards with 10-shots rested (hands) - but I have done 5-shots right at 2" but I can't hold 10. 40 years ago I'm pretty sure I could have broke 2600 with this Baer, as I knocked on the door a few times with both the Clark & Shockey, but close only counts with heavy artillery.
Now do I believe that there have been 1911's shot from a ransom rest that printed a 10-shot group at 50 yards that measured 1" or less – yes I do, as I believe some 1911's made by the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force in recent years have turned out some sub-1" pistols shot at 50 yards.
Here's a few current National Records – you'll see that some ole timers still are holding the National Records and they shot with open sights – today, most use optics, but it's still a matter of having an accurate pistol and years of practicing correct shooting technique.
Oh, and good luck with those Tiger Clubs – I think your "luck" on the course with those might be about the same as if you had a 1.5" Baer PII at the shooting range.
http://www.nrahq.org/compete/natl_records.asp
I thought the above web address would take you to the sites showing the records - my mistake. In the Discipline portion select outdoor pistol-15, in the Program section select whatever you wish to view and in the course section just select whatever yardage you want to see.