Ed Brown Kobra Carry Signature Pistol: Work of Art

With more than 50 years in business, Ed Brown continues to be a good choice for a custom pistol, especially when it comes to the 1911. The company has made significant investments in all areas of metal technology, using state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the customer gets what he or she asked for.

When it comes to special guns, the Ed Brown Kobra Carry Signature Edition fits that mold perfectly. The original Kobra Carry, a Commander-size gun that celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, introduced shooters to two Ed Brown innovations: the Bobtail frame and the Snakeskin pattern on key metal parts. The Signature version retains these elements and so would serve quite well as a carry gun, but it’s the relief engraving and attention to the finer details that make it a standout collector 1911.

The flats on both sides of the slide are hand engraved with an intricate scroll-relief pattern by a true master of the craft, James White. The slide’s engraving is interrupted only by the Snakeskin rear slide serrations and, on the right side, “Custom By” in a sans serif font and “Ed Brown” below that in script.

The special high-polish slide is flat on top with serrations. The top is relieved on both sides to create the appearance of a raised rib, and this rib guides your eye to a gold bead front sight. The back of the slide below the black rear fixed sight is serrated at 50 lines per inch.

Frame Engraving

The frame is also extensively engraved. A smooth section with “Ed Brown Products, Perry, MO USA” is on the right side above the trigger guard. Engraving coverage extends to the slide stop; the flat of the single-side carry profile thumb safety; the right side of the mag catch; and the sides of the memory-bump grip safety. Even one of the two supplied magazines is engraved.

The undercut grip frame features the Snakeskin serration pattern on the fronstrap as well as on the Bobtail mainspring housing. The grip panels are a dark brown cocobolo secured to the frame by engraved grip screws.

As a Commander model, the barrel length is 4.25 inches, with the crowned muzzle flush with the bushing. The hammer is skeletonized, and the three-hole trigger broke cleanly at four pounds. The gun is available in .45 ACP only.

As I’m sure you’ve guessed, with a price tag of $8,295 this gun is an investment. So in the end do you purchase this gun for a defensive partner or a safe queen? Probably the latter. I do like the Kobra Carry design, and a “plain” one bought on the secondary market would serve as a valuable piece on my hip.

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