Les Baer vs. Ed Brown

[hiyabrad]

Hi All,

I am thinking about getting either a:

Les Baer Ultimate Recon or Ultimate Tactical Carry

or

Ed Brown Special Forces

and was wondering what you all thought about the various pistols and manufactures.

Yes, I am aware of the "approved list" and prepared to go SSE.

Thanks all!

[RazzB7]

You can't really go wrong with either one. They're both great manufacturers. I personally have been lusting after a Ed Brown for a very long time.

[drdanno84]

LES BAER

Browns are nice guns, but I prefer the Baers because of their classic 1911 look.
You can't beat the quality and accuracy of these guns. The recon is a superb pistol, I recently purchased a custom carry from 1911 heaven (crazy john), got the 1.5" guarantee for around 2000.00. The brown will cost you considerablY more, give john a call, he also carries browns and can answer all of your questions regarding these guns.

[kb58]

Unless someone's shoot a lot of rounds through both it's unlikely you'll get an objective answer...

[Javi]

I saw this the other day:



I don't know a lot about Ed Brown products but apparently the guy's a jerk? Hahah, I dunno. I like Les as a person and his products.

[BoJackUSMC]

Cant go wrong with either one

[drdanno84]

LES BAER vs Ed Brown

Is the Brown really worth the extra $500.00 from a Baer? Especially with that hideous "chainlink checkering?

[drdanno84]

BROWN

[RazzB7]

I saw this the other day:



I don't know a lot about Ed Brown products but apparently the guy's a jerk? Hahah, I dunno. I like Les as a person and his products.

Looks to me like that guy is butt-hurt because Ed Brown didn't fawn all over him for being an "internet journalist".

[keenkeen]

There have been several:

"Ed Brown is a jerk."

"Ed Brown was mean to me when I called them."

"Ed Brown was mean to my LGS when they called him"

"Ed Brown is a Dick"

posts on Calguns over the last year.

Always makes me LOL...people are really sensitive I guess.

[teflondog]

I have a Les Baer TRS and an Ed Brown Special Forces. In terms of reliability and accuracy, they're pretty much the same gun. But over time I've come to appreciate the small differences between them.

The Special Forces has a few advantages as a carry weapon such as a more durable finish, being a couple ounces lighter, and not requiring a bushing wrench to clean. The grip is also slightly smaller in diameter due to a thinner front strap. Ed Browns are consistent. He makes only two 1911s: a government and a commander in either stainless or carbon steel. The only differences between the various models are options such as grip/slide texturing, finish, and bobtail.

The Baer has more character. Every time I field strip my TRS, I can't help but admire the file marks on the slide and the minor imperfections in the hand checkering. It's definitely not a cookie cutter gun like the Ed Brown.

[Freq18Hz]

Having handled both, but not shooting either I can tell you:

Ed Brown has more consistent fit and finish. Les Baer feels more solid, and look better IMO when the finish wears.

No idea about performance. Ed Brown is purportedly not a people person, I think this has zero to do with how good his guns are/aren't. I know two retailers that have stopped carrying his guns though due to some alleged shady business practices.

Ed Brown parts are supplied on other 1911's (Dan Wesson, etc.). Les Baer's aren't.

If money was no object, and I did not live in California, I would rather have a Wilson Combat than either of them.

-Freq

[LovingTheYear1911]

Wilson Combat

[rromeo]

Years ago, Ed Brown built his guns on Les Base frames and slides.

[gotshotgun?]

Years ago, Ed Brown built his guns on Les Base frames and slides.

I think that sums it up pretty much right there then, no?