"Tale of Two Slides"... or what $2k gets you in 1911s

[dmallind]

Couldn't resist posting this as I happen to have picked up two 1911s on opposite sides of the price range in the same week.

First up is an Ed Brown Executive Target. Look at that flawless finish and beautiful craftsmanship..

Next is a RIA M1911A1. Look at that ...well pretty damn flawed finish and absence of craftsmanship

Strangely enough both guns performed very well so far. Had a couple of FTFs to start with the RIA but they shot in just fine and did not reappear since. No probs of any kind with the EB. The Brown is noticeably more accurate even in my mediocre hands - some 40% smaller groups. But then it is $2K more! Of course that money shows up in more places than the slide - the fit and finish and attention to detail of the Brown is breathtaking throughout whereas the RIA is rough and ready. If I could not bring myself to spend a lot of money on a 1911 I would say the RIA is an excellent buy, and I truly think it is - seems to be working into a reliable and functional low cost 1911. But if you are willing to shell out the bigger sticker price of the Brown you'll find yourself happy with the value too I think.

I have two other 1911s in the middle of that price range and what do you know - the workmanship and quality is in the middle too. Amazaing, that..

Here are a couple of side on shots to go along with it - I have added Hogues and a FLGR to the RIA whereas the Ed Brown is shown in it's pre-finger grooved state.

 

[Navy87Guy]

It's refreshing to see an honest comparison of the RIA side-by-side with a high priced 1911. Most of the time, owners of Kimbers and Ed Browns seem to refer to the lowly RIA as a "POS" -- which you clearly understand it is not. While it's certainly no Brown, it's probably one of the best pistol values going when you consider the balance between accuracy, performance, craftsmanship and price.

If you haven't guessed, I really like my RIA. One of the reasons I bought it was so I could try my hand at a little gunsmithing. I've been able to replace the trigger, grip safety, hammer and sights without having to fret over what I was doing to my $1000+ pistola! I just had it back at the range and it performed flawlessly (again). Here's mine in her current configuration:



I'm not sure I'll ever be ready to hand over three figures for any firearm, but it's good to hear that Ed Brown delivers what you expect for the money.

Thanks for the review!

Jim

 

[retnav05]

Wow, beautiful guns. I checked out the Ed Brown website and was really impressed with theirs 1911s. They said that they need a copy of your dealers FFL in their files. Was this a problem for you? Or was it on file? What was the process if they didnt have it. Have your gunsmith mail it to them? Let me know, Id really appreciate it. I really liked the Executive Elite only because I dont like the B0-Mar sights strictly based on appearance, I have no experiance with them, Im sure they are better than what I can use.

 

[browningguy]

Just have your dealer fax them a copy of their ffl and you're good to go.

 

[HighVelocity]

You put an Ed Brown and an RIA in the same room? Somebody make a law! It's for the children!

 

[dmallind]

Thanks for the inspiration Jim/Navy87

Thanks for the pics.

Once again you are a couple of steps ahead of me (unless I am mistaken you also led me to Steyrs. May have got the names wrong there though)

I bought the RIA for the exact same reason. I really don't want to use the Smith or the DW and lord knows not the EB to answer questions like "can I replace a trigger myself?" for which the RIA is ideal

What have you done to yours? I can see the beavertail (high on my list - trigger bite isn't causing me any problems so far but I am comfier with the wider grip safety) and trigger (I lucked out on my RIA trigger - sub 5# and nice and crisp although a bit more take up than I like) sights and grips of course (already done that - every 1911 of mine gets finger grooves and damn the purists. Admittedly the EB gets NICE finger grooves!). What;s happened internally?

Come to think of it I will gladly receive any advice you or others have to offer on drop in beavertails (definite next planned change for me) and trigger replacement (probably high on the list) too.

 

[dmallind]

retnav others have already told you the FFL thing is no big deal - just ask your local gunshop.

I would point out you can buy at slightly (not much) better prices on Gunbroker.com. I saved a bit over 10% on the price of my ET there - just search for Ed Brown and rank by price. I would certainly say it would be a rewarding experience for you if you bought one. There's just something so satisfying about such a well-made 1911 even though objectively and functionally it is not THAT much better than a $1000 or even $700 gun in most ways.

 

[edwardyoung]

If you haven't seen it, look at this custom RIA

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=12388

 

[Dobe]

I have an Executive Target also. Mine is in carbon steel. I shot it again today. Usually, I carry a S&W Mod 18, and a Mod 28 along with one of my 1911's to the range. Today after firing the EB again, the triggers on the Smiths just didn't feel right...a little too heavy, and not crisp enough. An Ed Brown will spoil you. Now I need to get those Smiths in line.

Dobe

 

[45auto]

Navy87Guy,

What brand of rear fixed sight do you have on your RIA?

Thanks

Good thread overall. You can have "value" in a $300 and $2,000 1911 depending on what you want.

 

[Navy87Guy]

What have you done to yours? I can see the beavertail (high on my list - trigger bite isn't causing me any problems so far but I am comfier with the wider grip safety) and trigger (I lucked out on my RIA trigger - sub 5# and nice and crisp although a bit more take up than I like) sights and grips of course (already done that - every 1911 of mine gets finger grooves and damn the purists. Admittedly the EB gets NICE finger grooves!). What;s happened internally?

I installed the Wilson Combat Drop-in Beavertail safety (Part 429BG), the Wilson Combat Competition Match Trigger (Fit Code A), and a King Gun Works Enhanced Hammer (Part # 508). All of those parts dropped in with no modifications required.

Those are King Gun Works 3-dot sights, part # 109. The rear sight was a little tight -- it took some filing to get the dovetail to match the slide. Otherwise they went in fine and work well. A big improvement over the factory sights...although I do miss the classic look. But it's much nicer to be able to hit the target more consistently!

Otherwise there are no internal mods. I may get adventurous and try some sear work...bu that's down the road. Frankly, I wasn't overly impressed with the Wilson trigger and I may try something else. I had a problem with compatibility when I tried to go back to the factory trigger with the Wilson beavertail. I haven't spent enough time on it to figure out the exact problem.

And yes, I'm the Steyr guy!

Jim