Diferences between a Colt XSE and an Ed Brown Kobra?

[Leaky Waders]

Hi,

I'm looking at 1911's - I already own one. And, wanted to know the main differences - besides the custom fitting - between an Ed Brown and Colt model XSE.

Like, what are the MiM parts - if any - in an Ed Brown.

Is an Ed Brown built on a colt slide/frame or it's own slide/frame or something else?

Are regular 1911 magazines able to be used in the Ed Brown? How about if it's a bobtail version...can regular magazines be used?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[rklessdriver]

First off your comparing 2 completely different class weapon. The Colt XSE is an $850.00-$900.00 gun. The Ed Brown Kobra is a $2000.00-$2300.00 gun.

There are NO MIM parts in a Brown.

The new Colts DO have MIM small parts.

Brown uses slides and frames from Les Baer (forged).

New Colts are well... Colt frames and slides (also forged).

Every piece in that Brown is hand fitted. I do mean EVERY piece. Everything is built to the minum tollerance and if it's not perfect it dosen't leave the gunsmiths bench until it is.

Every piece in that new Colt was taken off a CNC machine (if your lucky and its an XSE made in the last 2yrs), checked with a go/no-go gauge, thrown in a parts bin, then (sometime later) taken out of the parts bin and stuck in the gun as it rolled down the assy line....

That said the new XSE Colts 1911's are good weapons. DARN GOOD WEAPONS. I recommend them anyone who wants a reliable high quality 1911. IMO they are as good as anything any other company offeres for $900 (or less).... but they are assembly line made, prouduction guns with assembly line prouduction tollerances.

Colt dosen't offer the level of fitting you get with when you buy an Ed Brown pistol... Maybe in the Gold Cup... but that is not much of a carry gun and they are built in the Colt custom shop one at a time. It takes too much time, money and effort. Colt tried to keep their labor force as skilled as the smaller "boutiqe" custom builders of today, back in the 1970's and early 1980's... they nearly went broke trying to balance demand v/s prouduction output v/s quality. The market for pistols like Browns, Baers and the like today is so small and the competition is so fierce, there isn't much room for anyone else.
Will

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I thought Ed Brown made their own frames and slides?

 

[rklessdriver]

I thought Ed Brown made their own frames and slides?

I had an issue of Amercian Handgunner from about 2002 or 2003, that said he used Baer frames and slides. I think they did

You got my interest up so looked into it.

I found a few threads over on m1911.org that say Ed Brown started out using Baer's stuff and that he mfgrs his own now...

So who really knows... I know there are not too many foundarys in the USA anymore. The raw forgings probally still come from the same place.
Will

 

[CWL]

You may want to compare Dan Wesson Pointman with with the Ed Brown Kobra. You may save $1000 if you want details, forged-parts and performance -and are willing to pass on that "Kobra" checkering.

Colt XSE isnt' in the same league as the Kobra.

Regarding magazines, "regular" isn't a designation. Full size (5" barrels) and Commander sized (4.25" barrels) M1911 pistols will both accept "Government" magazines. It is only the smaller Officer's that uses a smaller magazine.

 

[Leaky Waders]

Hi,

Thank for the feedback so far.

Yes, I know the 2 pistols are in different price ranges. I've owned an XSE since 2005 and really like it. According to the websites I've looked at it has 2 MiM parts in it.

My wife - she's so awesome - has given me the go ahead to add another gun to my collection. So I'm torn between another XSE, or a semi-custom/custom pistol.

I do admit, I like the kobra checkering. I doubt that I could every shoot well enough to appreciate a factory colt from a high tolerance custom 1911.

That's why I'm asking...what's the main difference? Fitting and the kobra finish? How well will an ED Brown hold its value compared to say a Colt?

I've read on Ed Brown's website that he checks his magazine with every pistol. Do they have to be checked in some way and tuned?

I mean, I want to be able to throw in a government sized factory colt mag or wilson 47d and shoot some cans without some problems. Is the custom pistol able to relaibly do this, or are looser factory tolerances more likely to allow this?

We have an Ed Brown dealer here locally...I wanted to handle some steel today but got home too late. Maybe I'll get to check them out tomorrow or this weekend.

Please keep the replies and suggestions coming - I really appreciate it.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I had an issue of Amercian Handgunner from about 2002 or 2003, that said he used Baer frames and slides. I think they did

You got my interest up so looked into it.

I found a few threads over on m1911.org that say Ed Brown started out using Baer's stuff and that he mfgrs his own now...

So who really knows... I know there are not too many foundarys in the USA anymore. The raw forgings probally still come from the same place.

I dug out the catalog they were handing out at SHOT this year, and they say they machine all their parts from forgings in-house.

 

[Walkalong]

A Caddy and a Ferrari.

Colts are very nice, but Ed Brown pistols make me drool.......

 

[Kruzr]

Colt XSE isnt' in the same league as the Kobra.

And neither is a Dan Wesson.

 

[davidbee]

i just put a dan wesson cbob on layaway i just couldnt afford the kobra karry right now.

 

[Leaky Waders]

Update

Well after a gunshow and questing for Ed Brown's - I've only had the chance to handle one brand new pistol - it was very nice. A compact model.

But, instead...I bought two pistols (government models) and have a set of grips coming too.

The pistols are an 01918, and a 1911a1. Grips are double diamond checkering from nutmeg. Hopefully I'll have everything by next week.