Full Review: Shooting the Ed Brown FX2 commander

Now, I won’t begin this piece by implying that you need to hit a certain price point to obtain reliability in a carry pistol, but if you have the means, it doesn’t hurt to invest. Ed Brown gunsmiths will always be needed, even if mass-produced pistols have made incredible improvements. A custom pistol is a great way to get exactly what you’re looking for, with the support of a team. Not only is it easier to stake your life on a firearm like this, but you’ll likely get to the range a good bit more because it’ll simply be easier to enjoy. The Ed Brown FX2 was a great way to test that theory.

Shooting with the Ed Brown FX2

Ed Brown, who attended the first Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous in recent years, allowed us to test their firearms under some of its worst conditions. Each pistol remained steadfast in the face of rain, snow and mud. I noticed that many of the pistols caught my attention. This little commander-sized one, which I later learned is called FX2, was my favorite.

The FX2 1911 is a revolutionary weapon that pushes boundaries in concealed carry. This firearm, enhanced with Ameriglo Night Sights, seamlessly blends practicality and innovation. The FX package with its distinctive American flag serrations on the rear demonstrates a level originality and skills that is simply outstanding. The Commander Bobtail is a functional piece of art with a Snakeskin texture applied to the mainspring housing and front strap. The whole pistol is finished with bold Industrial stainless, giving it a audacious look. This makes it difficult to tuck underneath shirts. The G10 grips are perfectly complemented by the flush barrel with recessed crown and black undertones. Each FX2 is meticulously hand-built with fully machined parts, so you won’t find any metal-injected molded shortcuts anywhere within the firearm. It, along with all Ed Brown pistols carries a life-time warranty because of its dedication to quality. 

Digging down on the FX2

In order to get more time with the camera, I ordered one for homework. It was a surprise to see that the Trijicon RMRcc from Rendezvous had been attached. After a little digging, I found out that Ed Brown provides this as an option for building an FX2 on their website or through the call center. There’s a little more than what meets the eye in situations like this. It’s a completely different thing to cut a slide in order to accept a RMRcc than it is to cut a normal slide. The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us: RMRcc. When milling to an optic, only the metal needed to be removed is removed. This will result in a snug fit, which reduces the chances of the housing being knocked off and the damage it can take.

Trijicon’s optics are built like tanks, and manufacturers can benefit from this. These optics also have an exceptional battery life. If you aren’t yet on board, the milled-in sight in the front provides a backup for the electronics. This system is a failsafe to those who are hard-wired to search for irons.

Get a Grip

After my hands had stopped being numb because of the cold temperatures in Idaho, it was easier to feel the grip texture. G10 is known for its ability to retain aggressive patterns. Years of “working for a living” have made my hands rougher than Andrew Dice Clay on the first two rows in the audience (OH!). As a result, I prefer a little grit on my guns, especially the smaller.45ACPs that are known to snappy. The serrated pattern was perfect for my needs, as were the front and back straps made of snakeskin that looked like a cheese grater.

Working down, I got to get a better look at the Bobtail cut and started wondering why this hasn’t become the standard yet. Clipping that corner off eliminates a major digging point in the shooter’s hand while making the platform ever more concealable. Racking open the FX2 is the American way to do it, as the serrations on the slide are like the old glory stripes. Although these cuts were intended to be cosmetic in nature, they are certainly functional. By pressing the mag release, a real Ed Brown 7 rounder is fired.

Feed it Well

Unfortunately, the 1911 has a bad reputation, especially with ammunition that is heavier than 230 grains. The feeding mechanism is the main cause of most of the problems. Ed Brown puts a high value on magazine design. Reconfigured feed libs are built largely of hardened stainless steel 410. They better handle modern ammunition. A patented steel spring and follower, polished both inside and outside, complete the magazine. They are so sure of their products that they will upgrade any 1911 magazine you currently have.

Ammunition was all that stood in my way of the range, since the gun had already been loaded. To this end, I decided that I would make this test a Rondy redo using some of my favorite ammo. Federal sent us an enormous amount of American Eagle Lead-Free.45 ACP and since I was planning to shoot some tight shots with the AR-500, it seemed like a good time to test some. Wanting to ensure reliability, I added Lehigh Defense’s Controlled Fracturing and Fiocchi’s Defense Dynamics to the mix, as both feature an exaggerated hollow point. Each of these ammo types has a proven terminal ballistics and is therefore a good candidate for my personal carry ammunition.

Rounds Downrange

As a way to establish zero, I fired a few rounds with the Lehigh Defense Ammo in the midweight weight class. Both the RMRcc and iron sights were on target with a little exception. I decided to leave the sights alone as this will depend on the ammunition and target distance. After that, I moved on to the accuracy tests, which were eye-opening. I printed exceptional groups with all three types of ammunition, something that doesn’t happen often. It was even more impressive that the FX2 stabilised the unorthodox designs so well, since they are usually problematic. The pistol performed flawlessly, just as it did in Idaho. It pointed me directly to my steel pit.

Ed Brown made the FX2 more for defensive style shooting than for bullseye target work. With that in mind, I dumped a couple of pairs into the full-sized Caldwell AR-500 IPSC. This test shows me whether there is any slop, because the recovery will be erratic. It was almost as if the FX2 barely moved between shots. The trigger was also a great addition to this design. I appreciated it more now that my blood was flowing through my fingers. Taking it to my Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge, I recorded an average break at 4 pounds, 14 ounces, which isn’t as light as it feels, largely because of how clean it breaks. The FX2 also has a very quick and short reset. This allows me to quickly perform double taps, Mozambique, and box drills. 

Final Shots

I finished the day by doing a quick stripping of the gun and wiping it down with CLP. The gun was disassembled, which gave me the opportunity to check for any tool marks or blemishes. The gun was true to its word and did not have a single tool mark. After reassembling, I dropped the gun back into my belt holster. Then I pulled my coat up over it. It is a very light gun, weighing only 41 ounces, and it disappears quickly on your waistline. However, with as much fun as it is to use, I bet it’ll spend an equal amount of time in my range bag, where I can’t stop thinking about shooting it again. Visit edbrown.com to find out more.

Range-Ready Gear: 5.11 Boots

I won’t downplay it; Rendezvous was a little rough this year. Our range became a muddy proving ground due to a driving rain. Both gear and men were put to the test. After checking the weather forecast before leaving, I packed 5.11 EVO Waterproof Boots to do the job. They are sealed with a zip up design, so they keep out the rain and snow without having to be laced every morning. The shoes kept my feet dry all weekend long and provided exceptional slip resistance. They are still in excellent condition six months after purchase, and have not shown any wear. Then, I polished them and used them as a dress boot at the Athlon Cocktail Party. (511tactical.com)

Ed Brown FX2 Accuracy Result

Load	Velocity	Accuracy
Federal American Eagle 137g Lead-Free	1,028	1.21
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 200-grain JHP	851	0.98
Lehigh Defense 170-grain Cf	978	1.39

Ed Brown FX2 Specifications

• Caliber: 45 ACP
• Capacity: 7+1 
• Barrel size: 4.25 in
• OA Length: 7.75 inches
• Weight: 41 Ounces
• Grips: G10
• Ameriglo tritium, drift adjustable rear sight, optics cut with RMRcc included
• Action: SA
• Finish: Industrial stainless
• MSRP: $4,495 (as tested)

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