Ed Brown and Kimber

[Magneto]

What's so good about Ed Brown's 1911s that makes it so expensive? Is it just merely preference or brand? I have a Kimber and I think they're a fine piece of work.

[Glock32]

Originally Posted by Magneto

What's so good about Ed Brown's 1911s that makes it so expensive? Is it just merely preference or brand? I have a Kimber and I think they're a fine piece of work.

More manual labor, different manufacturing method for small parts/internals (forged and machined versus MIM). Lower production quantities.

[DVSmith]

Originally Posted by Glock32

More manual labor, different manufacturing method for small parts/internals (forged and machined versus MIM). Lower production quantities.

But if the name was ECKHARDT BRAUN, maybe I could see that...

[SVTNate]

As listed above, and the same things that make Nighthawk/Wilson Combat/Les Baer/Springfield Custom/etc as expensive as they are.

These guns are made and fitted by hand, with parts of the best materials. If you lived outside California, they would build you a gun as you like it. Holding a production 1911 and a custom or semicustom 1911 side by side, you can see several differences in the fitment.

In my experience, reliability is another advantage. But, if your Kimber has always been 100% flawless in function, that wouldn't apply.

Whether the advantages are worth the price premium is up to you.

[SVTNate]

Here, read this for opinions from people who own both Kimber and Les Baer, and the same comments would certainly apply to Ed Brown pistols.

Which to purchase Kimber or Les Baer - 1911Forum

I'm not vouching for the accuracy of all these posts, but there is a lot of input, and the topic is on point. Keep in mind, of course, that this thread is from the Les Baer subsection of the forum.

Here is the same question, but posed in the Kimber subsection.

Which to purchase Kimber or Les Baer - 1911Forum

[rundmlee]

I like my ParaOrdnance 1911's, though, admittedly, not out of the box.. both my Para's had after market gun smithing.

I'm thinking that Les Baer, Nighthawk, etc.. would not require any additional gun smithing for precision/reliability out of the box...

[Magneto]

Originally Posted by SVTNate

Here, read this for opinions from people who own both Kimber and Les Baer, and the same comments would certainly apply to Ed Brown pistols.

Which to purchase Kimber or Les Baer - 1911Forum

I'm not vouching for the accuracy of all these posts, but there is a lot of input, and the topic is on point. Keep in mind, of course, that this thread is from the Les Baer subsection of the forum.

Here is the same question, but posed in the Kimber subsection.

Which to purchase Kimber or Les Baer - 1911Forum

Thanks for the info. and all for your inputs. I love 1911s now so that got me interested.

[SVTNate]

Originally Posted by rundmlee

I'm thinking that Les Baer, Nighthawk, etc.. would not require any additional gun smithing for precision/reliability out of the box...

No, they don't. I modified one of my Les Baers, but only because I wanted to. I didn't change out any of the parts.

[Bonecutter]

I have shot a couple wilson combats and a Nighthawk Custom.

Compared to my kimber I didn't notice much of a difference on the wilsons.

The nighthawk was by far a smoother firearm. The action felt like it was on rollers when you work the slide. The fit was crazy.

Ultimatly it depends on what you need and more importantly, What you can afford.

Like the difference between a $1000.00 rifle scope and a $2500.00 one. Sure there is a difference but its the little things that make it better.

Just depends on what you need (want) and have in the bank.

[rundmlee]

I think the Les Baer 1911 safety is far superior to the Glock safety, which is.. oops... hehehehehe :-)

[Treb5]

I own several different makes of 1911 pistols. Far and away my Ed Brown is much nicer in all aspects than any of the others.

[SVTNate]

Originally Posted by Treb5

I own several different makes of 1911 pistols. Far and away my Ed Brown is much nicer in all aspects than any of the others.

My next one will likely be a Special Forces model, if I get another one. I already have a Wilson, the Springfield Custom, and two Les Baers... my desire to spend another 2 grand on a 1911 I'll rarely shoot isn't so high right now. Actually, I'm thinking about getting two matching Colt Defenders built for CCW... nothing fancy, just a carry bevel on the top end, new sights, swap the thumb safeties, refinish the frames in black, and swap the triggers for solid short triggers. Since the wait time is so long on Black-T, I have been thinking about sending a couple Defenders to Wilson Combat to build for me, and they can refinish in black Armor-Tuff which is just as good in my experience (I know others who disagree, though).

[hbliam]

I've shot my buddy's kimber back to back with my wilson. The differance is noticeable. Enough that he tried to get me to sell it to him after he shot it. I'm sure the ed brown, LB's, etc, are as nice.

Regarding the discussion about not being able to tell the diff between a 1000 this or a 2500 that...it's the same in motorcycles....most guys that ride, for instance, a ducati 1098 with the base forks can't feel the differance between the 1098s with the ohlins forks....but some can.