Here is what I know, don't know if it will help.......
Anyone that says anything other than both are outstanding guns should be shot with the gun that he criticized.
I'm talking to Hammond about buying an Executive elite that is more or less a Custom Classic with 10-8 tactical sights.
I recently sold an older Supergrade.
My problem was not with the gun. It was made by two master smiths, one of whom is now in charge of the dept., or so I was told, and the other is at Nighthawk. It was very tight and functioned beautifully. Trigger was a thing of beauty.
Ron Phillips, once a master smith at Wilson and now in charge of R&D, I'm told, when he was on his own, between gigs at Nighthawk and Wilson, could make a hand fit, 1911, for $2400 and make a profit.
What is the difference between that gun and the Supergrade you'd buy. "Bullet proof parts," which is the mkt. term for cryogenics, plus "armor tuff," instead of blueing.
I think that Wilson is a company in transition. It is being run by Bill's son and they are expanding what they sell and the reps. are up-selling what they make. Of course, that is one man's opinion.
Ed Brown does not help his own case. He states on his web site that all his guns shoot the same. You pay for features, and finishes, although I'd like to think that they spend a little extra time on the Custom Classic, but I don't think they do, other than had polishing the sides.
Critics of Ed Brown guns say they machine everything-although when you make your own parts, you have the opportunity to make everything to fit.
Personally, I'd think that they'd be surprised just how much hand fitting there is compared to a Wilson, described here, as perfection. They are allowed to go slow on a Supergrade, they have their most experienced smiths and a special dept. To be fair, Wilson reps. claim that there is a lot of extra hours of hand fitting. My question has always been, does it really make it better or do they reach diminishing returns? I don't know the answer.
Of course, like I said, your extra $1500 will get you frozen parts and a coating. There is more hand fitting and they take their time to get it right according to Wilson, which begs a question that nobody on the Internet asks: why aren't they taking time with their other guns.
You are going to get an outstanding gun, no matter which way you go. In my opinion, the Custom Classic is prettier, has equally good parts, a slightly better sight, and is made by smiths with the same kind of experience and expertise.
The Wilson will have a lighter trigger, a coating, and you'll pay a premium because you were shopping in the frozen food section or because the parts were laying next to Ted Williams' head in the cryogenics lab.
In terms of accuracy, you could play William Tell with a 1911 with either.
Not only do I not have anything against a Supergrade, I think they are wonderful guns; but somewhat over-valued guns.
I think the Custom Classic is truly beautiful and under-valued.
I do challenge you to get both and give me the one that you don't like.