Finishing touches on my Ed Brown SF

[shark31]

I just installed the new 10-8 sight and VZ grips on the pistol. I had my smith install the 10-8 trigger when I bought the pistol from him. This is certaintly not my first 1911, but it's the first 1911 that I would trust my life with.

The first 200 rds the pistol had trouble locking back on the 47Ds, but after that it has not had any problems whatsoever. I have put 1,500 trouble free rounds through the pistol (my reliability standard) and it puts a smile on my face every time that I put it in my hand. I want to that Rob_S for his review, which pointed me in the right direction, thanks man! Also thanks to Ed Brown for offering this pistol without the "Special Forces" rollmark.

[Lumpy196]

Damn fine looking blaster.

[Hawkeye]

Oh man.....

[markm]

The first 200 rds the pistol had trouble locking back on the 47Ds, but after that it has not had any problems whatsoever.

I've come to accept this as normal from my W/C mags. They still feed good, but...

[rob_s]

I don't use 47Ds as I have problems with them as well, both in my SF and my 1*. I prefer the McCormick Powermags, but I believe the new Wilson Elite mags seem to be working fine.

If I had known when I bought my SF that it would eventually be available, or was available, without the logo I might have waited. However it seems that the non-logo guns are commanding a bit more of a premium and it's not worth the added cost to me as there is no value added.

You also touched on one other thing that I would immediately change on any Special Forces, and that's the grips. The grips on mine feel very thick and I've replaced them with one set of grips that I'm not too fond of. Eventually I'll replace them with the same grips the 1* came with as they are by far my favorite all around grips. They are the VZ Double Diamond.

[shark31]

I don't use 47Ds as I have problems with them as well, both in my SF and my 1*. I prefer the McCormick Powermags, but I believe the new Wilson Elite mags seem to be working fine.

If I had known when I bought my SF that it would eventually be available, or was available, without the logo I might have waited. However it seems that the non-logo guns are commanding a bit more of a premium and it's not worth the added cost to me as there is no value added.

You also touched on one other thing that I would immediately change on any Special Forces, and that's the grips. The grips on mine feel very thick and I've replaced them with one set of grips that I'm not too fond of. Eventually I'll replace them with the same grips the 1* came with as they are by far my favorite all around grips. They are the VZ Double Diamond.

The 47Ds no longer give me problems, and have been great since the first two hundred rounds.

The pistol without the rollmark was actually the same price as the one with so I just got the clean slide version.

I agree that the grips need replacing, and I think I may switch out the DiamondBacks for the Double Diamond, but I'm not sure yet.

The sights and trigger I see as the biggest improvements over the stock parts. I can't stand the Novak rear sight, and the 10-8 corrected all my issues with the sight. I am really enjoying the sight picture without the distracting tritium inserts in the rear. The curved rear notch is also very helpful in finding the front sight. The trigger is something that must be shot to understand, it feels great without the adjustment screw hole digging into my finger. It also has a fantastic break and very short reset. I will be trying the flat version on my Colt suppressor host to see if I like it more.

Here's a pic of the sight picture:

[Rinspeed]

Very nice, hard not to like those EBs. I couldn't fugure out what the white stuff was, must be grease.

[shark31]

Very nice, hard not to like those EBs. I couldn't fugure out what the white stuff was, must be grease.

The manual says to use LOTS of lube...........I followed and thus the thing is lubed up like porn star doin a gang bang.

[swinkster]

Also thanks to Ed Brown for offering this pistol without the "Special Forces" rollmark.

That's good to know. I've always liked the options on this model, just didn't care for the "Special Forces" rollmark.

[tango-papa]

shark31,

Your EB looks great - thank you for sharing the info.

Also, another big thanks to Rob_S for his evaluation - in my opinion, one of the best handgun evaluations I've ever seen.

My next handgun purchase is going to be an Ed Brown SF w/out rollmark and, assuming he's still doing it, in stainless.

Your two changes (trigger & sights) are exactly the same two things I will change on mine as well.

I have a few specific questions if you don't mind:
1. Which sight did you go with (standard, .140 or .156) and why? Are you happy with these now that you've had them for 9+/- months?

2. Happy with the trigger performance? Is yours the 'lightened" version (which it appears, is the only way it can be purchased now)?

Anything else you've changes and/or are planning to change and why?

Thanks in advance,

~tp