I’ve been considering an Ed Brown carry that I’ve found. While I’ve been “thinking” about spending nearly $3k on it I’ve been looking at other high end 1911s. I found a Dan Wesson that is nearly identical in features and size as the Ed Brown for about $1200 less than the EB. So the question is; Is the EB that much better than the DW? I’ve read very good things about both. Why would I want the EB over the DW and vice versa?
Edit: I currently own a SA Loaded full size that I’ve had for about 10yrs.
Sample of one I know, but a coworker of mine recently had to send his brand new Ed Brown Special Forces back due to extractor problems. They fixed it and it runs fine now, and paid return shipping, but I thought it was kind of ridiculous they made him pay for the shipping to send it out to them in the first place when the problem was their fault. For that much money, I would expect something completely reliable that doesn’t need to be sent back.
Again, anecdotal, but I’ve heard other similar stories online. Good luck finding something that works for you, hopefully some of the others here can offer you some more information.
The Ed Brown will give you more gun in the fit/finish department and parts quality. I have handled a couple of them and shot one. They are well built and the Executive that I shot was smooth as butter.
My experience with Dan Wesson pistols has been good but not excellent. Both had a parts breakage issues that did not affect reliability (grip bushing, hammer spur, barrel bushing) but still I don’t think I would have had these issues with an Ed Brown. Using Tripp magazines they run really well.
The newer DW Valor pistols seem to be much better made with improved small parts so take a look at them before making a final decision.
I had a DW CBOB, it was ok. I ended up with an Ed Brown Special Forces Carry Bob Tail. The EB is far superior in quality and ended up selling the DW as I never carried it or shot it.
I would also look at the offerings from Wilson and Nighthawk, these are slightly better quality than Ed Brown even.
3K for an Ed Brown? Thats seems pretty high. Not sure what model or retailer you’re looking at, but I highly recommend you contact George at GunSlingers, he will custom order whatever you are after.
The specific EB I’m looking at has many options including flatten and serate top, custom VZ grips, solid trigger, and custom engraving.
Looking over the EB website and their pricing guide the $2899 price is right in line w/ msrp. Now I’m not sure if EBs sell for msrp or below.
I’ll check some of the links provided.
I’m just trying to “justify” the increased price of the EB over the Dan Wesson.
I guess what I’m trying to get at is the EB really that much better than the Dan Wesson. I can afford either gun but do am I getting that much more gun w/ the EB.
Well consider it a sample size of two now … I have an Ed Brown Special Forces that had slide stop problems. I had to send it back in on my dime. They sent it to me on theirs. I wasn’t thrilled with that but oh well.
I really think it is bullshit that Ed Brown wont pay shipping, and I have two E.B. guns. However, they are really nice guns and should not cost but around $2,300 street.
Just get the EB base gun without extra work and grips etc. Its all the gun you need. And worth the extra scratch over a DW
I had to send my EB Kobra back to have the plunger tube re-staked. Yes, I had to pay for the shipping out there. Yes, they are in the middle of nowhere so it was expensive. But Berryville, AR isn’t a cheap place to ship guns to either.
That being what it is, I would still take the EB over a DW every time. You have to compare DW to the likes of Kimber or Springfield to be fair. Just like you would need to compare EB to the likes of Wilson or Nighthawk to be fair.
I hope you will not take this as being argumentative, but when your new car has a problem the dealer tells you to bring it in. He does not send a driver out to your house to get it and then return it in the same way. Of course that could be done but it would have to be build into the price of the product.
Fair response. All I know is I can buy a $500 gun from Springfield and they will send me via email prepaid postage to print-off and ship, trouble free with no hassle. Their customer service is stellar and that is part of any purchase decision. As a result, I have bought $500 guns, $1,200… and wish to buy their Pro. In fact that is what I was shopping for when I recently decided on my second Brown. In my house the Gold Standard is SA. Obviously, I still like EB guns, just think their policy is weak.
I do not know what Nighthawk or Wilson ask of their customers. I do have a NHC Talon, but never wanted to let it out of my sights:D
Anyone send a NHC or Wilson back? NHC Talon or GRP is same price as EB base model guns.
Lot of great guns, lot of great companies, just some are more greater. 500grains, one thing we can agree on: “Red Ryder Reigns Supreme, it has no equal” Caution Hijack in area.
If it’s broke down on the side of the road they will send a tow truck to bring it in. Heck, most will even send out a repairmen to change the tire for you for the first 3yrs, 36K miles.
I bought a Walther PPS about six months ago. It was a huge POS and I emailed for warranty service. They, S&W, immediately emailed me a call tag and shipping instructions no questions asked. They then sent it back. No charge to me.
P.S. It was so bad they sent me a new gun rather than fix the original. The new one is GTG btw. 815 flawless rounds through her.
EB should either pay for shipping to their facility for warranty repair or at least reimburse you if and when they find it is actually a warranty related repair. Just my opinion.
I decided to go w/ the DW (340 rnds yesterday w/ no function issues other than one fail to feed on the first round from magazine. This may be user error due to not properly loading the rounds. The rear sight either worked lose or was lose from the get go.) Reason being is this purchase was for CCW. If I decide I don’t like/want to CCW a 1911 and want to sell the DW should be easier to sell based on the lower price point. I also would predict that my “loss” on it would be both lower by % and overall $. If I decide I do like carrying a 1911 CCW I may then decide to move up to a EB or similar.
Thanks for all the replies. I really do appreciate everyone’s input.
I got to shoot one a few weeks ago. Very nice blaster. It has every thing you want in a fighting 1911 and nothing you don’t need. Oh yea, it has the Fail Zero finish on it too.
[QUOTE=Colo.TJ;808594 They, S&W, immediately emailed me a call tag and shipping instructions no questions asked. [/QUOTE]
can you PM me the email address you used? I keep trying this and they keep telling me to call, and I haven’t had time to call when I also have access to the gun during normal business hours.
When I worked as a tech at the Ford dealer we had cars come in all the time on a tow truck when they could have been driven. Dealership was given the bill, not the customer. I’m guessing the dealership gave it to Ford.
Some BMW dealerships will send someone to your house to pick your car up and drop off a loaner too. I’m not sure if that’s a BMW thing or a dealership thing.
I’m not exactly sure w/ email address I used as I have since deleted those emails.
I’m pretty sure I used the link from either their website or contact info from the warranty card. They responded in less than 24 hrs. to my email by email. I never talked to anyone on the phone. I even emailed them about the status at one point and recieved another email stating it was due to ship the next day. My only complaint, and it is minor, is it took about three weeks from the time I shipped the pistol to the time I recieved a new one. No big deal but I would have liked to see a quicker turn around. I do realize it could have been longer. I feel the CS from S&W/Walther is excellent though and would recommend them to anyone based on that.
Edited to add: I did register the original PPS w/ them online prior to having any issues or contacting them about warranty service. This may have helped speed up the delivery of my call tag as the pistol was already in the system.
