Two Kimbers or One Ed Brown?

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jmahalek

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Been bitten by the 1911 bug. Have a Colt Defender, which I really like. I want to get a bigger (4-5") pistol. Initially thought a Kimber, but have read a lot about Ed Brown, Les Baer, etc...

I could get two Kimbers for the price of one of the other high end pistols. Were the Kimber issues short lived and are the new ones improved? Is one Ed Brown worth two Kimbers?
 
Personally i'd go with the Ed Brown. Reason- My friend just bought 2 Kimbers, (new) a Tactical Pro Custom II, and a Super Match II, both in .45 cal. He's had nothing but problems with both. Not feeding, slides locking back while the mag is half full, not ejecting and stove piping. 500 rounds is what he's been told. not good. go with the Ed Brown and enjoy a perfected machine.
 
I don't have a big collection, nor do I want one. At this point I own two 1911s, and that'll be it for the foreseeable future. Because I knew that I wanted a few really nice guns instead of a bunch of good guns I went ahead and bought myself a Les Baer and a Springfield Custom. I've never regretted my decision.

That's the funny thing about gun enthusiasts. We all spend money on our hobby one way or the other. A person at my range noticed my Baer and mentioned that he could never spend that much money on a gun. On the other hand I've seen him bring four Glocks to the range at the same time. It was ridiculous hearing his comment on the cost of my Baer when he easily spent more than that on his Glocks.

I would get the Ed Brown myself. Before you make your decision you should ask yourself what type of owner you are, do you want two good guns or do you want one great gun?
 
Ed Brown........if for no other reason, than the savings in return shipping charges to Yonkers NY. :)
 
Id rather have one really nice one that 2, well I just dont like Kimbers. Id go with the EB hands down. On the contrary I would rather have my two DW's than one EB.
 
If Ed Brown is anything like Les Baer, then yes, one Baer/Brown is worth two Kimbers.

It took me a lot of money and years to figure it out, but yes, My Baer is worth all three of the other 1911s I've owned over the years (Colt, SA, Kimber).

You can only shoot one at a time anyway, why not make it a good one?
 
If you have the $ for an Ed Brown or Les Baer full size, very good choices. I started with a SA Black Stainless Target and then bought a S&W1911PD Commander with CT grips. Later bought a Brown Exec Target and Baer PII, both slightly used. No comparison. Much better guns. I still have all four and do not regret getting the SA or the S&W. S&W is light weight and good for carry, also good in the dark with the laser grips.

The two for the price of one only makes sense to me if there are two very different applications you are looking for, like a heavy target range gun and light weight carry, which was my initial reasoning.
 
Thanks for the input. Found an Ed Brown Kobra Carry to purchase. I'm definitely after quality. What's the deal with the Gen III coating? Worth it?
 
I've always heard a ton of criticisms about Kimbers. All on the internet.
I've used Kimbers (never owned one) and know a lot of people that own Kimbers. Those 1st hand and 2nd hand experiences were 100% positive, 100% reliable, and 100% worth every penny. These guys would take their Kimbers into war. I think they are high quality 1911s.

I've never heard the same level of criticism with regards to Brown/Baers.
I've never known a sole who owns one. I think they are of the highest quality.

Given my experiences, I'd go with two Kimbers.
 
What's the deal with the Gen III coating? Worth it?
Click to expand...

I'd just as soon go with the stainless/stainless without the Gen III personally, but to each their own. If it's a carry gun, and you would like to still keep it looking as nice as possible, the flats on a stainless gun can be dolled back up with a super fine blending pad.

Jason
 
Ive never shot a EB either. Im gonna say its safe to assume I wouldnt shoot it any better than my Valor. That being said I would still like one, someday
 
Both of my Kimbers are great guns and 100% reliable. I also have a Colt, Dan Wesson, and a couple of Springers. All of mine are a little different in size and configuration so they have their intended uses. If I was only going to get a single 5" gun, I'd go Ed Brown or Les Baer. There will come a day that I will...
 
I have heard good things about that coating, but I am going with IonBond on my Ed Brown slide and both Baer slides/frames/small parts. They are away getting treated as we speak.
 
If you are going to get a Brown, Baer, Wilson or Nighthawk go with George at Gunslingers.

http://www.migunslingers.com/

Great prices, great guy and heck he even has layaway for the higher end 1911, even if you special order one thru him.

I also vote for the Brown over 2 Kimbers. I have had 3 Kimbers 1 was a good gun (Ultra Raptor II), 1 was OK (Warrior) and 1 was a POS (UCII). I have a Baer now and both a Wilson and a Brown coming from George.
 
I realized what I was doing by buying multiple "decent" guns was I was looking for a level of quality that just isn't there in production guns. Buy the Brown or Baer or whatever semi-custom you like and you'll realize the truth.

To be honest, having owned one Kimber that worked 100% for the short time I had it, MHO is Kimber is more hype than anything. They offer a lot of quality for a production pistol, but still don't match up to a semi-custom.
 
We have 3 Kimbers. A Raptor II, Pro Raptor II ( my wife's favorite), and Ultra Raptor II. All have been 100% with no malfs at all. I also have an Ed Brown Kobra Carry in stainless/stainless. After the black/blue finish of the Kimbers I wanted the EB to be stainless. There is definitely a level of pride in ownership with the EB. But heck, had the same pride when we first got the Raptors :D Nothing wrong with quantity and quality ;)
 
Ed Brown all the way over Kimber.

Or you can buy a Dan Wesson and spend the rest of the money on some tactical training and bullets.
 
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