After watching the classified for months I'm shocked how few Ed Brown's come up for sale, are their owners just happier or do they make that many less guns ?
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Go !
Brown vs Wilson
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azguy1911
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EB makes a fantastic gun, I own the Custom Classic in stainless. Simply amazing. Pick one up and you can feel the quality oozing out. I also own a couple of Nighthawk Customs, and they also make a damn nice pistol. Haven't owned a WC yet, but one day it'll get added to the collection.
As we all know, they are expensive guns. My first NHC and EB were bought used, $2200 for the EB and $2500 for the NHC Falcon. From what I've seen, people who own these guns take very good care of them; they're not abused and (used) can be an excellent way to make them "affordable" (did I just say that???).
Life is short, enjoy what you can while you can...
As we all know, they are expensive guns. My first NHC and EB were bought used, $2200 for the EB and $2500 for the NHC Falcon. From what I've seen, people who own these guns take very good care of them; they're not abused and (used) can be an excellent way to make them "affordable" (did I just say that???).
Life is short, enjoy what you can while you can...
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Pretty sure it means "We Surrender" but what do I know....Jenna said what?
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Wilson Combat and Ed Brown are different. They are different because their founders are different people. The reason why Wilson is more prolific is because they are a better marketing company. Its that pure and simple. The marketing aspect of the gun business has no relation to quality. The longevity of a company is directly related to their quality and support of their customers. Ed Brown doesn't produce as much. No. But, is that because it is the desire of Ed Brown to not produce as much, or is it because they are not as effective at marketing?
Everyone has their own taste and experiences. Most of us that have a family to support don't find it super easy to always have enough money to drop on either one of the two companies guns. Some have made it a priority to invest in 1911s over everything else. I personally have 1 wilson. I do not have an ed brown. Do I anticipate ever having one? Probably not. But, I am satisfied with the gun I have and the support of the company that produced it. That is what is important. Splitting hairs, well, i'll leave that for people that have nothing better to do.
Everyone has their own taste and experiences. Most of us that have a family to support don't find it super easy to always have enough money to drop on either one of the two companies guns. Some have made it a priority to invest in 1911s over everything else. I personally have 1 wilson. I do not have an ed brown. Do I anticipate ever having one? Probably not. But, I am satisfied with the gun I have and the support of the company that produced it. That is what is important. Splitting hairs, well, i'll leave that for people that have nothing better to do.
It may also be by choice. EB may be producing the maximum they feel they can while maintaining the level of quality they desire.
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I borrowed the "Jenna said what?" line from the Sonic commercial. "Je ne sais quoi" actually translates to "I don't know what" and is usually used to describe that certain non-specific something that makes a person or thing attractive when you can't find the right words for it.
This is the Sonic commercial -
Just got my first Brown,used, a 2016 KC-SS build with extras. I put a couple hundred rounds down range and could not be happier in this investment. I passed on the LB this time round, but I will have Baer build me one, or find a fair used deal without the ambi and FCS.
Anyone have any opinions on the need for the 1.5 accuracy on the Les Baer ?? Just curious if you have the 3", will you be able to see a big difference shooting off hand ?? Thanks
Anyone have any opinions on the need for the 1.5 accuracy on the Les Baer ?? Just curious if you have the 3", will you be able to see a big difference shooting off hand ?? Thanks
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I haven't owned a Wilson, but I have had Browns and Baers, along with plenty of Colts, Springfields, etc, factory stock and customs. I find the Browns to be very refined, extremely well fitted and finished, almost to the point of sanitary, certainly far more refined than I am. The feel in the hand is reminiscent of a Colt, as far as balance and dimensions, but overall it is a much more cohesive unit, everything is so well put together. For me, Browns are on the edge of being too clean, too refined, I imagine Wilsons are much the same.
I like to see and feel some character in a 1911, the handwork that went into building and fitting it, I like hand checkering and serrations over machined, I like hard fit guns. I've had an Executive Elite and an SFII, both pretty recent production, and a 1996 SF, built when Brown was using Baer frames and slide, of the three the old Brown-Baer SF is my favorite. Knowing the amount of handwork that went into making that gun, before everything was machined to the closest possible tolerances to reduce the amount of fitting needed, and the feel of it in your hand, it feels like it's ready to work, wanting to be drawn, wanting to be shot, it's like a gun built by a highly skilled blacksmith where the newer guns feel like they were built in a sterile environment, like a lab. I love taking the newer guns out and looking them over and seeing just how close to perfect they're done, they're beautiful. But the old SF, like my Baers, and my old King's, Clark, Behlert, Krebs, etc, customs, feels more like a gun built to work. It's probably just me, I'm sure the majority of folks don't feel that way, but, because of that, I'll probably never own a new Wilson, or another new(er) Brown, but I'll always have my eye out for older guns, made before they hit the 1911 big time.
I like to see and feel some character in a 1911, the handwork that went into building and fitting it, I like hand checkering and serrations over machined, I like hard fit guns. I've had an Executive Elite and an SFII, both pretty recent production, and a 1996 SF, built when Brown was using Baer frames and slide, of the three the old Brown-Baer SF is my favorite. Knowing the amount of handwork that went into making that gun, before everything was machined to the closest possible tolerances to reduce the amount of fitting needed, and the feel of it in your hand, it feels like it's ready to work, wanting to be drawn, wanting to be shot, it's like a gun built by a highly skilled blacksmith where the newer guns feel like they were built in a sterile environment, like a lab. I love taking the newer guns out and looking them over and seeing just how close to perfect they're done, they're beautiful. But the old SF, like my Baers, and my old King's, Clark, Behlert, Krebs, etc, customs, feels more like a gun built to work. It's probably just me, I'm sure the majority of folks don't feel that way, but, because of that, I'll probably never own a new Wilson, or another new(er) Brown, but I'll always have my eye out for older guns, made before they hit the 1911 big time.
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Wilson: called CS about three black triggers that last finishes. They indicated they were have problems with my cleaning solution ( Hoppe’s 9) taking off the finish. They talked me into completely disassembling the 1911’s and sending triggers to be refininushed. Didn’t refinish them but three weeks later sent back 3 stainless triggers I had to install and reassemble firearms. Obviously to save postage fees and work cost on pistols. Poor poor poor and last Wilson I’ll ever buy.
Ed Brown: sent Kobra Carry in for refinish; spring change; fiber optic fro t and new rear sight. Returned like new in 2 weeks with. Personal phone call from gunsmith who did work explaining what was done, cost and asking if I needed any other help. Home run fir Ed Brown.
Shot Kobe’s yesterday. Tack driver and ate jacketed swcutters like candy. Wilso s chopped on them.
My vote: Ed Brown
Ed Brown: sent Kobra Carry in for refinish; spring change; fiber optic fro t and new rear sight. Returned like new in 2 weeks with. Personal phone call from gunsmith who did work explaining what was done, cost and asking if I needed any other help. Home run fir Ed Brown.
Shot Kobe’s yesterday. Tack driver and ate jacketed swcutters like candy. Wilso s chopped on them.
My vote: Ed Brown
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WC, you sound like a guy speaking from experience. That is experience some of us (including myself) do not have. You may be dead on. Is a Brown better than a Wilson? I don't know. I have never had or shot one. So, I couldn't even comment on what is better. I know that the Wilson is more refined then all my other 1911s. That includes my Dan Wesson specialist. It was more reliable out of the box. It didn't seem to need a 500 round break-in like the DW. But, the black coating cured incorrectly and had to be redone. I had an issue with brass hitting me in the head that needed to be rectified (and it is for the most part). Didn't have those problems with the DW. But, the Wilson was far more forgiving when it came to ammo, at least for the first 500 rounds that I shot the DW. It has a better trigger (of course I asked Wilson to smooth it out to 3.5 lbs, and they did). It is a bit easier to disassemble. But, both guns are dead on accurate.
How do they compare to a Brown? I sure would like to know for my own edification. Maybe someone with a Brown in the Denver, CO area would like to have a range day with me and help me see how there is a difference. I know there are addicts out there near me, right ???
How do they compare to a Brown? I sure would like to know for my own edification. Maybe someone with a Brown in the Denver, CO area would like to have a range day with me and help me see how there is a difference. I know there are addicts out there near me, right ???
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Service can make all the difference. That comparison between Wilson and Brown says a lot about company attitude. I ordered a history letter on my old SF from Brown, paid the $25 on the website. A young lady called me to tell me that all the info they had from back then was the date of manufacture and that it would have been built by one of Ed's sons. They didn't want to charge me for a two line letter without checking to be sure I wanted it since there was so little info. That's good business.
Not a gun company example, but I sent a case of steaks to my son and his wife for Christmas, the company, Ranch Foods Direct, called me three times to let me know the progress of the shipment and that they were following it to be sure it was delivered when FedEx didn't get it there when expected. I didn't expect that level of service and have never gotten from companies like Omaha and Kansas City Steaks. Because of that Ranch Foods is getting all of my business in the future.
A good 1911 will be more accurate than the shooter holding it.
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You mention Ford vs. Chevy as if there is a debate. Ford all the way.Ford v Chevy, 'nuff said.
<-------WC fan
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Wow! This thread resolved an inner conflict of mine. Imo , there is nothing out there that feels as smooth as a Brown. I don’t own one, but at my lgs, Browns always impress me more than WC. I don’t care for the coatings in the WC, and the actions of the Brown are incredible, along with the trigger.
However , it seems most of the people I know gravitate to Wilson’s. I just have not been able to get there and thought I was missing something.
At the time I bought my customs, Ed’s customer service was irritating. It seems they have imroved that quite a bit, but are now jumping the shark on some of their marketing which is a turn off to me.
I expect a drop off in brown if they keep pumping more cash into marketing . In my experience, marketing costs are enormous and eventually result in price increases or shortcuts to save in manufacturing costs. I sort of feel like this is the path Wilson is taking too.
Along with increased sales comes a loss of the cachet held by the brand. They somehow become less special to me .
That part may all be in my head. So get what feels best to you is my motto.
However , it seems most of the people I know gravitate to Wilson’s. I just have not been able to get there and thought I was missing something.
At the time I bought my customs, Ed’s customer service was irritating. It seems they have imroved that quite a bit, but are now jumping the shark on some of their marketing which is a turn off to me.
I expect a drop off in brown if they keep pumping more cash into marketing . In my experience, marketing costs are enormous and eventually result in price increases or shortcuts to save in manufacturing costs. I sort of feel like this is the path Wilson is taking too.
Along with increased sales comes a loss of the cachet held by the brand. They somehow become less special to me .
That part may all be in my head. So get what feels best to you is my motto.
You are correct, that can happen with small outfits. Hope it does not in this case.
Ferrari's would not have the same cachet if they sold 1 million cars a year.
i have shot many high end 1911’s including a bunch of full house customs... i find the brown to be the best pistol and am completely confident in it. i own les baer pistols and also like them for function and quality.
i find the brown pistols to be better in fit and finish than the wilsons , and dollar for dollar they are a better deal.
i had a minor issue with my brown and called customer service, they were beyond nice and offered great service and had the worlds best additude. i had an issue with wilson’s work and they did not care and it is still unresolved. mr brown and mr baer will get all of my business.
i find the brown pistols to be better in fit and finish than the wilsons , and dollar for dollar they are a better deal.
i had a minor issue with my brown and called customer service, they were beyond nice and offered great service and had the worlds best additude. i had an issue with wilson’s work and they did not care and it is still unresolved. mr brown and mr baer will get all of my business.
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288 Posts
My two cents go Wilson Combat. My customer service experience has been terrific at EB, slightly better than WC, but I just seem to shoot the WC Tactical Elite more consistently than my EB Kobra. All things considered, they’re both awfully darn nice.
When I buy parts, the WC seem a little better finished while the EB generally more over-sized for hand fitting: 6 of one vs. .475 of a dozen.
When I buy parts, the WC seem a little better finished while the EB generally more over-sized for hand fitting: 6 of one vs. .475 of a dozen.
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