I recently picked up a 1911 style Brolin "Legend" in .45 ACP. Needed a Wilson extractor & mag to be reliable, but it now seems to be running well. I've had very little luck finding out the history on this gun... contradictory information, mostly. I'd appreciate any information anyone can give on "Brolin".
Amongst the web data I've unearthed, here are some of the more interesting clues. I can't tell which is true, sadly, which is why I came here... help me glean the true details from the "Fat Frank" bullstuff?
1. One vague reference suggested it stood for "Brothers Lin", an Asian importer. And that although it is marked "Made in USA", it is actually Phillipine-made.
2. Brolin reworked some Norincos, adding a few custom touches and re-badging them as " Made in USA", to duck some legal issues.
3. They were a California outfit, trying to break into the "Custom" 1911 market, but went bust after making some decent guns.
It seems a decent gun, with a few nice touches... blued, flat top slide, a barrel that seems throated, extended ejection port. It has a few quirks... it can't eject a live round cleanly, not enough clearance. The slug hits on the way out. The trigger pull is very nice, but the trigger itself is a little loose in the gun, and moves around more than I'd like. I bought it used, but like new, I doubt it was ever fired much. It is quite accurate, and I'm enjoying it a lot, now that it is reliable. I just wish I knew more of the history and reputation of these guns. Can anyone enlighten me on the Brolin story?
One more web search that tells me about James Brolin will probably push me over the edge. I need information that *doesn't* make me want to head-butt my computer.
Amongst the web data I've unearthed, here are some of the more interesting clues. I can't tell which is true, sadly, which is why I came here... help me glean the true details from the "Fat Frank" bullstuff?
1. One vague reference suggested it stood for "Brothers Lin", an Asian importer. And that although it is marked "Made in USA", it is actually Phillipine-made.
2. Brolin reworked some Norincos, adding a few custom touches and re-badging them as " Made in USA", to duck some legal issues.
3. They were a California outfit, trying to break into the "Custom" 1911 market, but went bust after making some decent guns.
It seems a decent gun, with a few nice touches... blued, flat top slide, a barrel that seems throated, extended ejection port. It has a few quirks... it can't eject a live round cleanly, not enough clearance. The slug hits on the way out. The trigger pull is very nice, but the trigger itself is a little loose in the gun, and moves around more than I'd like. I bought it used, but like new, I doubt it was ever fired much. It is quite accurate, and I'm enjoying it a lot, now that it is reliable. I just wish I knew more of the history and reputation of these guns. Can anyone enlighten me on the Brolin story?
One more web search that tells me about James Brolin will probably push me over the edge. I need information that *doesn't* make me want to head-butt my computer.