Does anyone here have hands-on experience with any of the Ed Brown 1911's? I currently have a small lightweigh Kimber for concealed carry, but am switching to a revolver for carry. But I am still going to carry a full-size 5" 1911 at home. I may be selling the Kimber and putting that money toward an Ed Brown. Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

What is wrong with another Kimber? I have shot a friend's Ed Brown and was not very impressed, especially since it is close to triple the price of my Kimber.

They are great guns, I've shot a friends EB, but if your Kimber is working for you, why switch? The EB & other high end 1911s are nice but for 1/2 the money you can get a gun just as reliable & almost as accurate. The SW1911 comes to mind. I have one of the 1911PD, lt.wt. 100% reliable through some 1000rds of factory & reloads. For under $900, I can't complain.

Well I've come to the conclusion that Kimber's 1911's are somewhat overpriced and mine has not been all that reliable (possibly because it is the compact version). Anyway.....even if I did want to stick with a Kimber I still have to sell this one because I want a full size model. The 1911 will be strictly for home defense, not concealed carry. I am switching to a S&W J-frame revolver for concealed carry. Around the house I need a VERY accurate gun because they way our property is laid out, you could easily find yourself in a situation where you would need to shoot 25-30 yards.....and my Kimber is not that accurate.

My Kimber cost $1200 and the Ed Brown I'm looking at is $2200.....so it's not triple....not even double actually.

I have owned/fired Brown's, Nighthawk's, Wilson's, Baer's and several others--

Overall I prefer the Wilson's--, though the Cobra Carry Brown was one fine and accurate piece of equipment--

Another approach is to send the Kimber to a .45 specialty smith--

but--
the cost and wait are issues--

you can often find lightly used upper end guns --
seems people at the top of the market trade fairly often for other high end equipment--

Lots of good semi production 1911s out these days.

Just get one that has the simple and original style Colt internals (like a Brown/Wilson/Les Baer/Springfield Custom shop) and you'll be fine with a 5". Kimber added internals to their Series II guns that Colt decided not to use (for good reason) back in the '30s. If you have a Series I Kimber, keep it and fix it. If it is a Series II gun get rid of it.

Smaller 1911s get less and less reliable by design as you go under 5".

As suggested previously most can be made reliable by a decent smith.

Got good-sized hands?

I have the target sighted Para-Ordnance P-14 in 45 acp. There's just something comforting about having fifteen rounds of Federal Hydra-Shocks clasped between my chubby little fingers.

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Got good-sized hands?

I have the target sighted Para-Ordnance P-14 in 45 acp. There's just something comforting about having fifteen rounds of Federal Hydra-Shocks clasped between my chubby little fingers.

Rich
DRSS

....Or 22 of 9x23...lol.

quote:

Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
Well I've come to the conclusion that Kimber's 1911's are somewhat overpriced

My Kimber cost $1200 and the Ed Brown I'm looking at is $2200.....so it's not triple....not even double actually.

I just checked out Gunbroker and you are correct. Kimbers have gone WAY up in price since I bought mine. I paid $650 5 years ago for my Kimber. Ed Browns are still overpriced IMHO. Buy another brand and send it to a smith for slicking up. You will still save $$$$ over a Brown.

Thank you for the recommendations Tembo. However, I'm not concerned about saving money. I want a gun that is going to be 100% reliable, extremely accurate, AND look very nice too. If I just wanted something that would shoot, I'd go buy a $500 XD (which is a fine gun, but they aren't any good to look at)

I already think the Ed Browns are the best looking 1911's on the market, by far. And I believe the workmanship is probably on the same level. I just wanted some first-hand input from people who have actually handled and shot the Ed Browns.

Thank you.

i do have 1 of the bobtailed ones. it does everything you have mentioned and then some. that said I'm not to sure it was worth the $$. I could have come close to duplicating it with a CZ dan wesson for 800

Ed Brown's factory builds some nice guns. From shooting them one of the things I don't like is the grip frame and the trigger guard to front strap transition. I find it too sharp. The other issue I have with most "semi custom" guns is your choice on sights..basically Novak's or Bomar's or clones of the two are the choices from Wilson to Les Baer and every "semi custom" inbetween.


Looks?
When you hit the $2000 mark and want no bs reliabilty, accuracy and good looks it is worth talking to a custom smith and looking at a Colt as the base gun. If you want to see more take a look here:

http://standingwave.org/galleryx/

25 yard, hand held. 8 round, to point of aim groups and 100% relaibility.

Series 80 Stainless Colt


CMC


Series 70 Colt


Kimber


CMC

Have you looked at Dan Wesson's? I just bought a DW CBOB in 10mm and love it. I'm now working on scratching up the cash to also buy a DW VBOB in .45. I think they're one of the best deals going.

quote:

The other issue I have with most "semi custom" guns is your choice on sights..basically Novak's or Bomar's or clones of the two are the choices from Wilson to Les Baer and every "semi custom" inbetween.

rdb, these customguns have these sights because a critical component of accurate guns is the sights! Most custom guns proclaim their accuracy as one of the benefits of paying that kind of money. Accuracy only from a Ransom rest is pretty useless IMHO. Useful accuracy is provided by a decent sight picture. I have yet to see a better sight picture than that provided by BoMars or similar target sights.
Peter.

Actually, the majority of the "Premium Brand" builders are building and selling more carry guns than target or general purpose guns.

These carry guns are very accurate--even with the "non-Target" type sights.

Wilson includes a non-Ransom Rest target with each weapon-- and they ARE accurate.

The real focus now for the "premiums" is primarily--

reliability.

The sales of these weapons would not have seen the sharp increase in sales without that factor.

And yes, there are several great 1911 smiths that build great guns--

Most consumers are not that patient- and Branding is a measure well known and used in commerce.

Branding gives the client a level of higher comfort--

particularly if they are not "gearheads" when it comes to a specific product.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
critical component of accurate guns is the sights! Most custom guns proclaim their accuracy as one of the benefits of paying that kind of money. Accuracy only from a Ransom rest is pretty useless IMHO. Useful accuracy is provided by a decent sight picture. I have yet to see a better sight picture than that provided by BoMars

A number of assumptions Peter, sadly all of them wrong from my view. Not really fair as I suspect I have a slightly broader view on custom 1911s.

Human accuracy from 1911 comes from a couple of places. First the trigger, then the sights and finally the barrel fit. Sights? Bomars are certainly better than Novaks, and Heinies better than either for a clear sight picture.

Actual inspection of all three sights will easily clarify that for you. There are fewer angles and surfaces to distract the focus of your eye on with a Heinie style sight. If a gun is built right adjustable style sights simply are not needed on a 1911.

Past that it is the difference between the width of the front sight and the rear notch that defines the sight picture. Bomar's rear notch depth and width is too tight for most eyes, even 20 year old eyes, unless you run a .100" front. Novaks? They are easy to mill into the slide, and in comparison to the other two a terrible sight picture. The majority of front sights are .125". I don't know any customer maker that ever bothers to shoot their own guns in a ransom rest, from Swenson in the '60s till now. The groups above, with the engraved stainless Series 80, I shot, but not from a ransom rest and not uncommon in my own work.

The original poster was interested in a personal protection handgun to use on his property where a 25 yd shoot might be required. Most any quality maker today will build a gun that will shoot into one ragged hole, hand held, at 25 yards no matter what sight they deem appropriate for the slide.

Better sights just make it easier to do so.

The real question is, "can the shooter?" I have found most decent shooters can literally out shoot many hand guns. Very few will out shoot a good 1911. One of the reasons it is so easy to sell a well built 1911.

DB is correct reliability is job one when building a custom 1911. The 1911 is the Double Rifle (and has been for almost 100 years) for many who carry a hand gun for personal protection. They are reliable by design and easy to enhance in that area as well.

R.D.Burns
pistolsmith

Thank you for all the input so far guys. I really appreciate it. For what it's worth, I will absolutely have fixed night sights on this gun. I have them on my Kimber now and after having them, I will never use anything else on a personal protection handgun. The only change I might make is to have an orange front sight with green rear sights.

ES? Are you looking at a EB SF? Nice guns.

quote:

Originally posted by RDB:
ES? Are you looking at a EB SF? Nice guns.

Yessir.....that is the exact model I'm looking at. Although I will probably get them to engrave something else on the side other than "Special Forces"

Can't really disagree with what you say rdb. The sights and trigger on my S&W 41, my S&W 52 and my Gold cup with Kart barrel are all excellent, and NO, I cannot shoot better than these guns! (I also have a Kimber Target 45 with excellent sights but a not so good trigger). I do however find that in all three cases I have to adjust the rear sight when going from 25 to 50 yards
Peter.

Peter, agreed on needing adjustables if you are shooting bullseye targets at 50.

As you'll have a 1.5 to 2" drop with a 45 depending on ammo @ 50. Less for a 38 Super or 9x23.

Normal pop can at 50yds should be easy pickins for a decent 1911 and fixed sights.

ES...sweet gun One of the few production factory guns I would own. You'll really appreciate it I suspect after a Kimber Series II.

If you can live with or like a "white" gun get it in stainless. (if they make one) Stainless makes it really easy to melt/round any sharp edges that bite you and no refinish costs past a new bead blast.

Similar BCP gun to the SF in hard chrome and another $1000+ in price.

ALL of my Custom 1911's have melted Bomar sights.

I am a firm believer in adjustable sights for a Primary handgun.

However my Light Weight Commander, has the factory fixed sights... Reason, they are spot on at 50 yards, and slightly high at 25. Windage is perfect.

I have been using this LW Commander since the early 1970's...

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
ALL of my Custom 1911's have melted Bomar sights.

So were all of mine up till about '87

ES, this is just one man's opinion, but I have had and shot most of the higher end 1911 pistols and I would save and spend the extra money for a Les Baer. In my never to be humble opinion, the Kimber and Ed Brown are average pistols, at best. The EB may look better, but the function, at least from my experience, will NOT be any better than the Kimber.

quote:

Originally posted by RDB:

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
ALL of my Custom 1911's have melted Bomar sights.

So were all of mine up till about '87

RDB, What happened to them???

If I was buying a spendy 1911 today, it would be either a Wilson or a Les Baer.

And I have been shooting Accurized "spendy" 1911's since 1967.

Alright.....well can some of you recommend specific models that meet my criteria? I can't spend more than $3,000 total, it needs night sights, it needs to be stainless, and it needs to be a full size 5" government model 1911.

Suggested models? Springfield CRT or Professional (FBI), Wilson CQB, Black Hawk, any Heinie version or (a bit different) the Predator versions, Brown SF. $3000 if you know what you want and will shop around will get you a simply amazing pistol.


'67?

These should look familiar Swenson's work.

quote:

RDB, What happened to them???

I started shooting Heinie rear sights. The Bomar slides sit on a shelf in my shop.

5" with melted Bomars


50 yard, 7rd 45acp target out of the comp gun, and the 5" slide I use on it now.

ES, for your criteria, here is what I would get:

Baer 1911 Custom Carry, 5”, Stainless Steel, .45 ACP $1890.00

Les Baer Custom Carry

Then I would use the rest for good ammo and/or a holster. It should more than meet your criteria with a national match barrel, slide, frame and bushing. Take a look. The pic shows a blue gun, but he makes them in stainless, as priced above. You will not be disappointed!

ES

Take a look at what Collectors gunstore in Houston had in stock.

You might find that they have something used that would fit your needs at a good savings...

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
ES

Take a look at what Collectors gunstore in Houston had in stock.

You might find that they have something used that would fit your needs at a good savings...

Not saying that's such a bad idea.....but I'm not sure I want to trust the life of my family to a used handgun.

Dan Wesson....Dan Wesson....Dan Wesson....

Okay.....I got the chance to handle 3 Ed Browns today. All I can say is WOW!!.....they are not even in the same league as my Kimber. MUCH nicer guns. Smoother, much better trigger, amazing pieces of equipment. I can't wait to order mine.

EB SF all the way. They have the nicest wood I've ever seen on production or semi-production guns.










Alan

Re Bomar adjustable sights....

My first 1911 was an accurized Hardball gun with Bomar sights.

I have had them put on all my Custom 1911's ever since.

THE advantage is, I can ZERO MY 1911 with what ever load I need to, at what ever distance I choose...

Most 1911 nuts will admit that Ed Brown builds a lovely 1911!

Not having been wealthy, I had to do with what I could have built. Have done several single column 1911s, one P12 in .45 ACP, One P14 in both 30 S&W and 45 ACP (using Baer slides and lots of good components), one Para in .38 Super as a race gun, and one STI in .38 Super.

I REALLY like the double column guns based on STI frames with Baer slides.

Caspian, STI and Ed Brown have rear sights more or less equivalent to the Bomar. Once upon a time I could get a rear sight blade that was cut like an upside down "T" ... is a great and fast sight that allows you to see more target!

For those of you who would like to see it.....I picked up my new Ed Brown today:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...7611043/m/9581095241