[DontShootMe]

Thank you all for your input on my last poll. This is the first time I've had so much help choosing a pistol. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy. My buddy tells me that feeling will grow once I own a .45 caliber pistol ;)

Okay, it's between the "Big 3" 1911's

Colt --- Springfield --- Kimber

Let's hear some pros/cons and details!

:)

[Sean Smith]

Colt 01091. None of them are bad, but the Colt is a better value and all-around better gun IMHO. The XSE isn't worth the extra expense, on the other hand. If you can find a good deal on an old XS, those were pretty sweet.

If you want a Kimber, hunt down a pre-Series II. Just my opinion, but the new guns look alot crappier than the pre-Series II product. And I was a pretty satisfied Kimber owner.

At this point, Kimber is coasting on the good press of their old guns and not backing it up anymore with the product. Just my take on it.

SA... not bad, but don't care for them. Just personal preference.

[1911Tuner]

Colt...Hands down. Springfield Mil-Spec gets second nod.

[DontShootMe]

Of course after putting up the poll, I realize I should've put an OTHER option there as well.

I wasn't too sure which models meet the full size/stainless criteria.

[riverdog]

Colt 1991 01091. I prefer cleaner lines (no front serrations) and I do not like the Schwartz FP safety in the Kimber II.

[DontShootMe]

The Colt:
http://www.colt.com/CMCI/images/1991Series_O1091_SMALL.jpg


The Kimber:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/pistols/stainless_II.jpg


The Springfield:
http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/a1/PX9151L.jpg

Mmmmm.... 1911's.....

[Smoke]

My Guns:

Springfield Champion
Kimber Pro Carry CDP
Kimber Ultra Carry CDP
(Had an Ultra Carry in stainless; no gone)

My Brother has a Springfield Fullsize in stainless.

My thoughts:

My Springfield had extraction problems. Not uncommon. My Brothers had reliability problems. FTF, FTE, slide locking for no reason. Both were resolved with time and money.

My Kimbers have never hiccuped. My Brother-in-law has a Kimber Pro Carry that has never hiccuped. NEver spent a dime on any of them other than cleaning supplies and ammo. Note: all Kimbers referred to in this post are Series I

My experience with Colts is not worth mentioning. (lack of data)

I voted Kimber.

[10-Ring]

I prefer the Colts :D

[riverdog]

A full size series I Kimber would go to the front of the line in spite of its front serrations. Try to find one in CA. I have two Kimber series I pistols, a Pro Carry and a Compact Custom. I'd love a full size series I. I'll pass on any series II.

[Shmackey]

What are you doing with the gun? I have a Colt and a Kimber (and I've handled most of the Springers), and each has its place.

[DontShootMe]

This will be a range/fun gun. Something to rub and polish and handle. Glocks dont cut it in that department.

I want it to be purdy, but still a high-quality gun that is fun to shoot.

Well, taking the advice of this board, it looks like it's now narrowed down to Colt or Kimber.

What's this about series I kimbers being better than series II's??? So are they really just riding on their original reputation with a newer, shoddier product?

If I go with Kimber, should I make it a point to get a Series I???

Any particular info like that for Colts? or are they 'all good' ???

[Bren]

I remember all the crap Colt put out over the years and the terrible service and arrogance. I still can't get myself to buy one!

The older Kimbers never gave me any problems so I'd find one NIB

If names and lables mean nothing to you, I would look there. :uhoh:

[MCNETT]

Para - Ordnance P.14

[1goodshot]

I would get the colt 1991, shoot it for awhile and THEN change what you want on it.

[firestar]

I like the Colt XSE out of the ones in your list. It is a nice 1911.

[boing]

What's this about series I kimbers being better than series II's???

There were some problems reported in the early Series II guns, with bugs to be worked out of the new firing pin block system. How widespread the problems were is an issue of much discussion, but lots of people were unhappy with the way Kimber handled the complaints, and felt that the company took a downturn in QC/CS. I dunno.

I'd get the Colt (either one). The quality of Colt's small parts is better than Kimber or SA. Colt uses a forged slide stop, and machines a lot of the other parts from barstock.

(Yes, I've had Kimber MIM fail on me.)

PS- I voted for the basic Colt.

[Rob96]

Have experience with all 3 mentioned, and what do I have? The NRM Stainless Colt 1991A1, it is one great pistol.

[Dobe]

I have four Kimbers. One I just purchased, and have yet to shoot. Kimbers are very well made, and extrememly reliable. Mine have greate out-of-box accuracy. One of my Kimbers is a Compact. I was surprised at the tight groups it shoots.