mwpslp said:
OK here goes a tough question. I am nearing the purchase of a new .45 and have narrowed it down to one of two. I know this will bring some speculation and opinion but I would also like some real world information from current/prior owners or people who have shot one or the other. Now the 2 finalists....
Wilson Combat Professional -or- Ed Brown Elite Carry / Kobra Carry
Both are basically the same size with a 4 inch barrel (approx.) This will be a concealed carry gun for me. Thanks in advance for any input and suggestions.
The Ed Brown guns are known to be unreliable. There are good smiths out there making a living on making Ed Brown guns work. Ed won't make em work for you. Send it back to him and he'll send it right back to you, having done nothing and telling you the reliability is acceptable to him.
As for Wilson, they make reliable guns, but absolutely do not deal with the company directly. Have a gun shop that you trust order into his stock for you, and then purchase it from the gun shop. Wilson has occasionally screwed people over in various ways if they think you are small potatoes. They will not screw a store over as readily, and if you have a problem with the store bought Wilson, you have the store you can deal with directly, and they will stand by you. If you bought directly, you are all alone, and Wilson will give you the run around and just figure you are a lost customer, and they are so big that they figure they can afford a few lost customers, especially after they sold you a gun already that they will not take back and will not make right. Their typical product, though, is excellent. Just don't deal with them directly.
As for the Four inch Wilson CQB, keep in mind that they are a pain in the neck to field strip. Consider getting the standard size CQB instead. Takes down like a GI 1911. Most people think that a four incher is going to carry more comfortably and conceal better. Nope. The other way around. The five incher will conceal better, and be much more comfortable to carry. That's because the extra length is hidden by the pants in an IWB, it actually helps stabilize its position in your pants, making it more comfortable and more concealable, because it hugs your body better.
Honestly, though, you can save yourself about a grand and by a Springfield Armory TRP and it will be just as good as a CQB. I have had all three, and am most happy with my Springfield TRP. It's the gun I have been carrying 24/7 for a few years now. Many thousands of rounds through it, and no failures from day one. The black T type finish they put on it is still on there, almost like the day I bought it. No significant holster wear after many years of every day carry. Cannot praise the gun enough. But, if you want to spend twice as much and get a gun not that much better, then go for the Wilson CQB, not the Ed Brown. My opinion.