Before Ed Brown turned into Ed Brown Products churning out CNC frames and slides on a Henry Ford assembly line, he was a one-man shop, a tool and die maker by trade but a custom pistolsmith by choice. Ed was a top level IPSC shooter who first came to my attention when he sponsored the local hotshot, Brad Butler, from when I was competing at CenTex Rifle & Pistol just outside Waco, Texas. Brad showed me his MaxiComp and I was jealous. Brad sold me his now-unwanted Clark Bowling Pin Model, my first true custom 1911. Brad and I shot the 1984 Nationals and he placed in the top 16…. I did not. From that first impression, I promised one day I’d own a MaxiComp like Brad’s, handmade by Ed. That day came decades later with this mint specimen I chanced on. I sometimes wonder whatever happened to Brad, he was a gifted shooter. We both went to Baylor, he for a CPA, me for journalism. We’d both be pushing 70 about now. Ed left us already…. RIP Mr. Brown.

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