Ed Brown vs Les Baer

[jjs1025]

Sorry if this a repeat, but looking at the Ed Brown Special Forces or a Les Baer Premier II.
Your opinions; where should I go, or do you have a better recommendation?
Looking to keep costs down a bit, but want quality.
Currently own a SA Loaded 45, Dan Wesson PM-7 45 just looking to step up a bit.
I do know it's my choice; Your opinions are greatly appreciated.
Regards,

[E92335i]

I had that decision too. I needed a high end 1911 for my collection. Can't go wrong with both. I have the SF. Great gun and very accurate.

[Kowan]

Call John @ https://cj1911heaven.com/specials.html to find a great price on a Premier II.

[AreWeFree]

I say pass on both, you already have two nice 1911s.

It's been posted by other members that if you're spending that much money, go with a custom maker and skip the high end production.

[5ZS]

EB states 1.5 at 50 yards, so mechanically the P2 will need to add the 1.5 up-sell which is around $300 option. LB's seems to have more market price wiggle room.

If that does not matter, target vs fixed sights.

Have fun choosing.

[hunterb]

Get both.

[AreWeFree]

EB states 1.5 at 50 yards, so mechanically the P2 will need to add the 1.5 up-sell which is around $300 option. LB's seems to have more market price wiggle room.

If that does not matter, target vs fixed sights.

Have fun choosing.

I don't think I've seen an accuracy guarantee for Ed Brown, where do you see that?

[vliberatore]

Ruger SR1911

[LovingTheYear1911]

Ed doesnt guarantee 1.5" dont know where that came from. Get either. Both are good. Fondle one and pick.

[5ZS]

I don't think I've seen an accuracy guarantee for Ed Brown, where do you see that?

Here: http://www.edbrown.com/FAQ.htm#aai

Ed Brown guns are capable of producing the accuracy the highest quality ammunition is capable of. With a 45 ACP, this is about 1 1/2" at 50 yards.

States (implied of capable maybe?), but not a true "guarantee" like LB. So maybe there is a difference in the lawyer talk.

[johnny_boy02]

I would go with the one you like more. Either way ypu are buying a very nice gun.

[milotrain]

Um... What do you want to do with it?

[SlowArrow]

I really enjoy my LB. Tightest 1911 I've ever handled, and the best shooting.

[Canadadry]

Go with the Ed Brown. The Ed Brown is well beyond the Les Baer. I've had a Les Baer Premier II and Thunder Ranch. I also had an Ed Brown Special Forces. The fit and finish on the Special Force as significantly better than either of the Les Baers. The Special Forces was a softer shooting gun, I don't know why.

The Ed Brown functioned correctly straight out of the box while both Les Baer had issues. I spoke to Les Baer himself and he said his guns need a 500 round break-in. My Special Forces ran right out of the box with no issues. I don't agree that you should have a break-in period on a $2500-$3000 gun.

[tacticalcity]

The people at the family run Ed Brown company are great. Friendly, happy to discuss their products with potential dealers and end users alike, and just plain people people.

Everyone I've tried to speak with at Les Baer has been rude, stuffy, and grumpy as hell.

That's my opinion after several trips to SHOT SHOW. Where they are supposed to do nothing but talk with you about their products and get your to carry them and not be stuffy or rude.

In my opinion the Ed Brown is a MUCH better 1911. It has a smoother action, much lighter/nicer trigger pull, and much better fit and finish. I say that not just because the people working for Les Baer were always pretty much jerks to myself and my father at SHOT SHOW, but because after comparing them side by side several times (the booths are usually right next to each other) there was simply no comparison between the two. Ed Brown knocked their socks off.

I just really was not impressed with the Les Baer. There were a lot of 1911s I tried side by side that were much nicer from companies charging no where near as much. They might be in a similar price range, but they are no Ed Brown, Nighthawk or Wilson Combat. I was actually really disappointed. I wanted it to be a great gun worth every penny. I was hoping their cockiness was actually justified. Turns out it wasn't. In my not so humble opinion, even though they tend to be a little cheaper than the big boy semi-custom brands they are more on par with the mass production guns available for a few hundred dollars less.

That said it is impossible to go wrong with a 1911. You're going to enjoy either gun immensely.