Ed Brown EVO+KC9+G4 = One Awesome Affordable Custom 1911
Last updated: March 23, 2026 · Originally published: January 31, 2020
When you hear the words “custom” and “1911” in the same sentence, does your wallet cringe?
For the last 20 years, 1911 fans have had an icon in the form of the Ed Brown Kobra Carry…and recently, the custom 1911 company took their famous high-end, hand-built 1911 pistols to a place few 1911s have gone before: the magical land known as “an MSRP below $2K.” They call it the Evolution series, and the KC9 G4 pays homage to the original Ed Brown Kobra Carry that is still spoken of in awed whispers among those in the know. Like its spiritual forefather, the KC9 has the revolutionary Ed Brown Bobtail (which is now a standard offering among major grip makers), stainless steel base, and Snakeskin treatment.
Of course, much has changed here in America in two decades–and when it comes to concealed-carry laws, the changes are for the better. So the latest Ed Brown Evolution has changed with our expanded self-defense freedoms with an optimized CCW pistol. It’s a 9mm, and it’s smaller, thinner, and lighter than the original Kobra Carry. The re-engineered slide has been shortened to 4 inches, thinned substantially for weight reduction, and includes a unique 7-top custom cut, with special front and rear serrations. A recessed slide stop completes the package, making for the perfect custom 9mm 1911.
Naturally, the KC9 retains 100 percent 1911 controls and handling characteristics, and makes use of standard 1911 magazines. It boasts standard 1911 grips with the Ed Brown Bobtail cut. Some parts were completely re-designed to take advantage of modern improvements such as the new external extractor, easy-to-change front sight, smaller “Tactical Edge” rear sight, bull barrel, and a flat wire recoil spring system.
Completely hand built with fully machined parts, and backed by the Ed Brown Lifetime Warranty, it’s available at an MSRP of $1995, fully equipped. For more, check out the cool video below, or visit Ed Brown’s page to check availability here.
I bought two of these when they were released, haven’t shot either one.
I am very disappointed in them both. It takes two thumbs to get the safety on and off.
I have to turn the gun sideways to get the magazine release pushed flush or past the edge of the lower in order to get the mag to release.
The trigger must be a Liability Trigger, I don’t have a scale but it is nowhere near the trigger on my older Browns.
It comes with an Orange Sight, since I was getting two I wanted to try one of the Identical sights in Yellow.
A matter of picking it out of the box next to the Orange ones, but Brown wanted an extra $75.00 to do that?!
Overall, Not at all impressed with these pistols and what has happened at Ed Brown Co. since Ed is no longer running it.
Don’t even try to call and talk to a person, you will be told to fill out a form and they’ll get back to you?!
The 4 Brown’s I purchased several years ago, Ed took the order himself and I had the Pistols with the option in short order.
These were promised for 90 days or less, took almost twice as long.
I’ll be dumping them at a loss before long and I’ll move on…Sad indeed.