[ETCss Phil McCrackin]

I know this topic has been covered someplace, but, I’m looking for specific good or bad experiences with either (or both) models of weapons. I’m down to a 1911 choice of either the Springfield Champion (SS) or the Kimber Pro Carry (SS). These two models represent what I want in a defense 1911 and are also within my price range. I’m hoping some people have experience with these specific weapons, but general brand name experience is also welcome. Thanks!

[AndABeer]

If the Kimber is NOT a Series II then I'd lean that way. If it is a Series II then I'd get the SA.

[Kcustom45]

I would vote for Kimber, because every Kimber I have shot and everyone my friends and family have shot have performed beautifully. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about Springfields. I don't know if I would worry so much about the series II. If it bothers you then go ahead and get a series I or the Springfield.

[ruger357]

Another vote for the Kimber. Have been very happy with my Ultra Carry.

[MK11]

My Pro Carry is scary accurate and has been very reliable after I fixed the slide stop (kept locking back the slide with rounds still in the mag).

If this is to be more of a range than a carry gun, I'd vote for the HD model. The lighter weight carries extremely well and it's easy to shoot but an extended range session starts to take a toll on me.

[Gunfyter]

I vote for the Kimber. I love my Custom Royal.

[Fed168]

I've had better luck with my Springfield than the Kimbers I owned, think I got a lemon both times. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[davidtdm]

I have the Kimber Pro Cary HD. It is my cary gun. I have had no problems with it other than a magazine feeding problem. (corrected now) I've had no "custom" work done to it. It works right out of the box for me.

I have shot a springfield. Not sure if it is he same model that you are interested in. I liked the way it shot to. Plus a little easier take down (at first compared to the kimber method) But I can break mine down pretty quick now.

I think either Brand is good. Go with what you are comfortable with. The Kimber just felt perfect in my hands compared to the comparable Springfields.

...Dave

[Rob96]

I was facing the same decision and ended up buying a New Roll Marked Stainless Colt.:D

[TheFrontRange]

I've owned a Springfield Mil-Spec and currently own a pre-Series II Kimber Custom, both five-inch pistols. Both are really strong, reliable performers, I happen to have more range-time in with the Kimber than I ever did the Springfield. I'm considering another Mil-Spec as my next 1911 acquisition. I'd be as comfortable using one for defense as the other, personally.

I suspect you'll be soundly pleased whichever you select. Use quality magazines and, if carrying, use good leather or Kydex gear.

Enjoy! :)

[Lone_Gunman]

I have had 'em all.

There isnt a nickel's worth of difference in Colt, Kimber, and Springfield anymore.

[Shake]

Yes!

[CWatson]

I have a MilSpec SA.Bad extractor and the worst customer service in the world.After a two month run around I ended up buying a McCormick extractor and put it in myself.I own a couple dozen hand guns and it is the only one I wouldn't trust my life with.After researching my troubles with the gun and the company I found the extractor trouble is common and the company is hit or miss.

My next 1911 will be a Colt or Kimber.CW

[Grayrider]

I have both and like them both. I would give the nodd to Kimber if you don't mind the extra cost. My most recent purchase is a Pro Carry HDII in 38 Super. One trip to the range and it became my favorite 1911. The Pro Carry's have this very heavy bull barrel--the thickest at the muzzle I have seen on any pistol period. The result is almost no muzzle rise and tremendous accuracy. The gun is so tight that the slide is difficult to rack. The first mag through required me to reach up with my thumb and push the slide closed. After around 15 rounds it stopped doing that and performed flawlessly with zero malfunctions from that point on. It easily tears one ragged hole with all 9 rounds at 15 yds. God I love a good 1911!

Now mind you my Springfields are accurate and reliable, but they do not have the fit or finish quality of the Kimber. Of course that probably would not be true of a TRP. My Loaded Operator is not nearly as well done as my Kimber Pro Carry. I am already contemplating what I need to part with to get one of the new limited run 10mm models. Kimber had my number when they decided to do that! Either that or convert a .40 Pro Carry. That would be really slick.

GR

PS I cannot tell that the series II issue matters. Easy enough to remove those parts if you care to. SAs have those stupid trigger lock thingys now anyway. Lawyer + Gun never equals a good idea.

[10-Ring]

Have you had a chance to shoot these guns? Both will be good performers so it may come down to personal preference & which one you like best. I've owned a Colt & a Springfield & have shot Kimbers. Each one will serve you well.

[45auto]

I think the choice between those two comes down to the "little" things, since they are basically the same gun.

Which gun looks better to you? Fit, finish of the two individual guns you are looking at. It varies by sample.

Which sight do you like best? They are different.

Do you want a firing pin safety? Pros and cons and I'm not getting into that discussion.

How important are warranties to you? Springfield has a lifetime, Kimber does not but seems to service their customers.

Both will work so you really can't make a bad decision, just what's important to you.

[Ebbtide]

I would vote for Springfield, because every Springfield I have shot and everyone my friends and family have shot have performed beautifully. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about Kimbers.

[Smoke]

I would vote for Kimber, because every Kimber I have shot and everyone my friends and family have shot have performed beautifully. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about Springfileds.:D

I own and shoot both. Prefer the Kimbers. Nothing wrong with the Springfields a little extractor tuning didn't fix.

[sturgeon]

I have not shot a springfield, but I own a Kimber procarry and I love it! No problems with it what so ever. This is my favorite gun, of the ones I have, or have shot so far. Great feel to me, and very accurate.

[Silent Bob]

FORD AND CHEVY!

[Skunkabilly]

Get a Honda :p

Seriously, between Kimber and Springy, you're going to hear the same things--"I have a so and so and it sucked, it wouldn't work no matter how many times I sent it back..." and "I have the so and so and it works great, never had a problem," then someone else has the exact opposite results. I'd get whichever one appeals to you more, everyone else's opinions aside. Both companies have pretty good warranties, and only you can decide if you can live with a Series II safety, MIM, etc....

[ETCss Phil McCrackin]

Ok, so, what exactly are these “Series II” and “MIM” issues? I understand that there are/could be problems with the mechanics of the S2 safety, but what exactly could this lead to? Also, heard a lot of bad reviews concerning the SA customer service, what’s the skinny on that?

[Silent Bob]

The Kimber utilizes what is known as "Series II" or "Shwartz" firing pin safety. Many don't like this as it adds extra, potentially fragile parts to the gun and in the Kimbers with smaller barrels, many claim it causes reliability problems. It would be best to do a search on MIM parts to avoid a big metallurgial debate. In my view they are okay for some parts like beavertails and mag catches but not high-stressed parts like slide stops or extractors. SA has good customer service, but often-times spotty quality control. They will usually make a problem right. Can't offer much advice about Kimber's customer service.

[PCRCCW]

Out of the guns Ive owned/shot alot/stolen/borrowed and begged to get..Id take the Kimber. A pre series 2 is nice..but not really necessary.
I know guys who have a gizzillion rounds through their Series 2 guns and not a hiccup.
Never mind...get an STI...:D
Shoot well

[GeneS]

I've owned both. I've shot many examples of both. I've handled many more examples of both. I prefer the Kimber. Fit and finish have always been better with the Kimbers. On average, reliability seems a little better too.

[Kruzr]

I own or owned both (SA U-C V10, CDP Pro 2, Stainless Target 2). I've also experienced the customer service of both.

Springfields are a hit or miss situation. Their production guns vary widely in quality. SA fit and finish are not as nice as Kimbers in any of the SA production guns (PRO excluded). I had an awful time with their daunted customer service. Mine had finish problems, feeding problems, and accuracy problems. They replaced the barrel and "refit" the slide but it didn't fix the feeding or shooting problems. I ended up fixing the gun myself and then sold it. It was fine but I was pretty frustrated with SA by that time. SA had the gun over 5 weeks after I only had it a week. They paid shipping both ways provided I used a UPS walk-in office. I got a runaround from their customer service reps when I called to find out about the status of the gun and they would never let me talk to whoever was fixing the gun. They also told me that they don't have a range to shoot their guns and were dependent on the weather to go rent range time for testing. So if you have to send them your gun and they need to shoot it, make sure you do it in the summer.

My two Kimbers have a much nicer finish and are accurate out of the box. On one, the adjustable sight broke at 1100 rounds. I called Kimber and they said overnight the slide to them and they will turn it around and send it out the same day they got it. I shipped on a Monday morning and was shooting the gun Wednesday night. I paid shipping one way but spoke to Kimber about it and got a free mag to help offset the cost. The gun now has over 17K rounds through it with no other problem of any kind.

I wouldn't hesitate to get another Kimber but I never intend to own another Springfield (unless I'm given a PRO model).

[Ebbtide]

Oh I forgot to add:

Welcome to the board, you squid!!:p :p

Which reminds me, I knew a Phil McCracken when I was in stationed on the McInerney in Mayport in 88', are you him?

Ehenz

GO NAVY!!

[Lictalon]

Apples/Oranges

Pick the one that you like the look/feel of more. Chances are, whichever one you choose you'll start looking at another 1911 soon enough. ;)

Re: Series II safety

I had an issue with this, and it was very easy to solve. Not that you should have to attack a new gun with a dremel, but it's not a big deal. It's very easy to fix if you run into it...so I wouldn't worry about that complaint.

My .02

[RON in PA]

Buy the best, get a Colt.

[ETCss Phil McCrackin]

Sorry Ehenz, my real name isn't Phil McCrackin. That's a game/fictional name I created when I was the villian in a drill simulation underway (I was a renegade IRA terrorist, who had "taken over" the sub we were playing aganst!), it's kinda kept up with me though. I AM, however, an ET1(SS).

You guys are putting out some quality info, I think I'm about 90% on the SS Kimber Pro Carry. On another forum, the consensus seems to be that any benefit gained from the loss of an inch on the slide, is insignificantwhen compared with the "superior" 5 inch full size weapons. Anyone have any input on that?

[Lictalon]

Is this for carry?

If its for carry, then it's up to you...will you carry a full size gun? Consistently? All the time? If yes, go ahead...get the larger one. If you think a 4'' will be easier to carry, then get that one.

I've carried a full-size Beretta 92 and a 4'' 1911. Granted, the grip is also smaller, but I think that extra inch makes a big difference.

My .02

[skippie]

kimber;)

[Kitt]

Not trying to change anyones mind but... I just bought a series 70 Colt Lightweight Commander in 98% condition tax, tags and out the door for less than $500. It locks up tighter than a bank vault and just plain looks "RIGHT". A set of Trijicons ($75) and a Casull long adjustable trigger($21) and a set of Wolff springs and I'm set.

[jon1481]

Colt

[Majic]

I've owned Colts, Kimbers, and shot several SAs. I've seen all 3 types run right out of the box, and all 3 types that got shiped back to factory for repair. Find one that suits you, there will be many biased reports on all models.

[dbracin]

Just put 200+ more rounds thru my Kimber Compact CDP II. I've not any problems with funtioning, period. I really like the gun. The only thing I had to do was rub the checkering on the grips with a little 180 grit sand paper where it was really biting into the palm of my hand. It's feed anything I tried so far, lead reloads, jacketed reloads and the Winchester 100 round value pack at wally world ($19.95). I'm pleased with mine.