Originally Posted by
KevH
My experience with Ed Brown has been pretty mixed. We've had at least three guys that have had to send their gun back multiple times. I've heard it's getting better, but in the past their customer service, to be quite blunt, sucked.
I've seen some of the folks on here complain about Wilson guns. We had nearly twenty running at one time (would have been around 2010). They all seemed to work and when there was an issue Wilson took care of it. I ordered an aluminum framed 5" 9mm CQB for myself about six months ago. Once it's here I'll let you all know how it runs. If it sucks, I'll let you know that too.
I think we've had to replace or refit something (plunger tube, extractor, etc) on just about every sub-$2000 1911 we have in service. From a starting point I've been pretty happy with the TRP, the MC Operator and the LB Operator.
Any team that collectively purchases 1911's is going to have problems, no matter who the manufacturer is, for a variety of reasons. Keeping on top of a fleet of 1911's to keep them running is a time intensive job...especially when they're issued to people that can't maintain the gun themselves. Glocks or M&P's is a piece of cake. I'm not sorry at all that younger guys have been gravitating to polymer guns since it's made my job much easier.
I used to own a Springfield Professional. It was ok, but I don't think they're the end all be all like I once did. They were a steal when they were $1950 LE price (that's what I paid for mine), but you were stuck with super sharp 20 LPI checkering, no undercut, and a ridiculously tight barrel bushing. With the price they're going for now I think there are probably better options out there than when the FBI spec'ed it nearly 25 years ago.