New for 2019: Ed Brown Evolution Series KC9

by
posted on November 14, 2018
ex-brown-evolution-series-kc9-f.jpg
With more than 50 years of experience in producing custom 1911 pistols, Ed Brown gunsmiths have tried-and-true experience in bringing new innovations to the market, such as the company's trademarked Bobtail design, first featured on the Kobra Carry two decades ago. Now, the company brings another innovative handgun to market in the form of the Evolution Series KC9 1911.

"We have made it our goal to make Ed Brown the first choice in custom 1911s," Sales and Marketing Director John May said. "Why settle for less, when you can own the best? This is another step to make sure that our customers have the best quality product at the best possible price. Just one more reason, if you have not looked at Ed Brown in a while, it is time to look again!”

While Ed Brown staples, like the company's Snakeskin texture treatment and Bobtail design, are incorporated into the new KC9, consumers will notice that this new pistol is more-compact, thinner and lighter than previous designs. That's because the Ed Brown team optimized this 1911-style platform for the 9 mm cartridge rather than shoehorning the 9 mm into a gun designed for the .45 ACP.

The resulting Ed Brown Evolution KC9 preserves standard 1911 controls and even feels similar to the 1911 frame, thanks to the fact that the design allows for the use of standard 1911 grip panels. However, keen-eyed 1911 enthusiasts will note some improvements on the new gun, such as the new external extractor, easily changed front sight, smaller U-notch rear sight complete with a ledge-style front face, bull barrel and a flat-wire recoil spring.

The slide is cut down to an overall length of 4 inches, and excess material has been machined in order to reduce weight on the new platform. Stand-out features on the slide include a multi-faceted custom cut along the top with seven different flats. Specially designed serrations are located at the front and rear of the slide, allowing for maximum manipulation capabilities.

The gun measures 7.5 inches in length, 5.35 inches high and 1.36 inches wide. With an unloaded magazine inserted, the gun weighs 34 ounces. One of the priorities in the production of the new Ed Brown Evolution Series KC9 was to streamline production in order to offer the pistol at an affordable price. To achieve this goal, several custom features, like the recessed crown and recessed slide stop, are included with every gun, and no custom options are offered.

Since each gun is produced in a batch, the Ed Brown team is able to squeeze extra efficiency out of the process, reducing the total cost to the consumer by more than 30 percent. As part of the company's Evolution line, though, different batches of the KC9 will be produced with different features, so enthusiasts can wait until a desirable configuration emerges in the company's line. With this new process in place, the suggested retail price on the Ed Brown Evolution Series KC9 is $1,895.


Latest

Christensen Arms Modern Precision Rifle

First Look: Smith & Wesson Tennessee Edition Pistols

Four new pistols to celebrate the new home of an iconic American gunmaker.

Review: Holosun 507K X2 Red Dot Sight

Value and features in a hard to beat package.

New Pistols for 2024

The defensive pistol market continues to be strong.

First Look: Staccato Ammunition Subscription

Take the worry out of finding ammo for your 9mm pistol.

New Lever & Pump Action Rifles for 2024

The lever gun market is hotter than it's been for decades, and here are the guns that are driving that demand.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.