Springfield Operator or Kimber SIS?

[Ric]

OK, I'm asking because I trust all of you. I'm only going to get one so what do you think?

SIS:
I like the rounded grip frame and sights, handles nice. No Swartz safety. I can live with the cocking serrations.

SA Lightweight Operator:
Rail, lighter. SA is building some real nice guns. I haven't handled one yet but hear a lot of good things about them.

[kir_kenix]

ive owned kimbers in the past. ill continue to buy springfields in the future. cant give u much more of an endorsment then that.

[possum]

i love sa xd's and i love thier 1911's i have the mc operator, i am not a fan of the lightweight 1911's from any company, i like the mc operator and all th weight with it. the other operators are nice but my personal preference is the mc. i will forever own and continue to buy sa products. they make the great firearms and they stand behind thier products.

[Ric]

That is why I come here. Thanks guys

[Clipper]

Only a Mall Ninja wannabe in training would own a pistol with 'OPERATOR' stamped on it... :barf:

[Ken Rainey]

I like Kimber pistols. If you plan on shooting it a lot, I'd get a steel framed pistol. If it'll mostly be carried and shot less, then a light weight one might work out for you, however, a proper holster will allow comfortable carry of an all steel pistol. I have a few full size "pre" series II Kimbers and one series II Ultra Eclipse..no problem with the safety system yet, but I prefer them without it. My UE had some issues that I resolved myself - I had bought it "almost new" for a good price so I don't complain - although, it should not have had any issues and I am thankful that I knew how to trouble shoot it myself. I only had to replace one part, the firing pin stop, and adjust, polish, and tune the others, so no big expense.

If I was looking to purchase a new full sized pistol, I'd pick one of the Kimbers such as the SIS that didn't have the "extra" safety system. Any manufacturer can put out a problem child and any manufacturer will take care of any problems caused by their products, sometimes it works out well and of course, sometimes it don't...in spite of the negative comments and experiences posted on the forums, I'd buy another Kimber, my experience with them for the last ten or so years have been mostly positive. I also like that they are made in America and not imported. ;)

[Captain Bligh]

I'm a Kimber fan. Re the SIS, I think the lack of a FPS is desireable, but I don't much care for the serations.

I think either Springfield or Kimber make great 1911s and have good customer servcie to back it up. You pay your money and take your choice.

[Geno]

Wow, here is Doc setting aside his personal bias. While I like my Colt 1911s, there is something so lustfully attractive about both pistols that you present for consideration. While my latest Colt was back at Colt for repair, I handled both pistols of which you speak.

The Springfield felt so robust that it was shocking...shocking! It felt well-built, solid, tight...like a sledge hammer with a grip. The Kimber with its frontstrap serrations, the machined trigger guard and KimPro finish was attractive...to describe it conservatively.

However, let's split hairs. The “SIS” machined into the Kimber's slide just looks funky. It looks almost toyish. It didn’t help that the saleman taunted prospective purchasers with, "You buyin' your 'Sis' a SIS?! What the Hell is SIS?!” For my likes, if I want a Kimber, and I want rough-and-tumble, I’ll head to the next show case over and grab a Series I, Kimber Warrior, or Dessert Warrior.

If I ever became so upset with Colt that I decide to file for "1911 divorce", I would guess I would propose to Springfield. Of course, this is all predicated on the assumption that you love the 1911 as-much-as I do. If not, you probably don't view the 1911 like a prom-date, and just think it's steel with no soul. :scrutiny:

Doc2005

[possum]

Only a Mall Ninja wannabe in training would own a pistol with 'OPERATOR' stamped on it...
i am a long way from a mall ninja, as a matter of fact i am a combat veteran, infantry as a matter of fact, working on my 20th month in the sandbox. anytime you want to see what i can do with my mall ninja self and mall ninja "operator" i am game.

[DevilDog0402]

Springfield

[Ala Dan]

as both are excellent weapons. I'm an "Operator" fan, but with the recent
introduction of the Kimber "SIS"; I would have too reconsider, if I were in
the market for a new 1911A1 .45 ACP~! :scrutiny: ;)

[DENALI]

Good work possum and stay frosty. As to Kimber's I don't know, at the two gunshops I most frequent I see an awful lot of them in the used window and I've never ever seen a used Springfield at either establishment. I believe that speaks volume's..................

[Big Boomer]

Although Kimbers are pretty...I would not own one. And given this same choice I just picked up a Springfield TRP, you should check them out. Basically same as the operator, no rail.

And now that I've said NO rail, you should consider getting one without a rail either, as some others have pointed out to me (thankfully) trying to find 1911 holsters that have rails is damn near impossible. In addition, the operator with its full length rail, good luck with that, I have not seen a factory holster made for them.

Now with this I was lucky, I already had a Milt Sparks made for my other 1911 and a slew of other holsters for 1911's lying around. So saved me a few hundred dollars by not having to buy yet another holster(s).

I picked up my TRP for $1359 from Sportsmans warehouse, it was a little bit on the high priced side but no $1700 MSRP either. And in this case I got to hand inspect it and did not have to pay any transfer fees, but I did have to make a trip to San Antonio to pick it up as the one in Round Rock, TX has a huge scratch on the top of the slide and they would only give me 5% off, not worth it.

This was my 2nd springer purchase, I also have an XD and love them both. My XD has a rail as well, guess what? I NEVER use it...it's my carry gun (one of many) and I don't keep doohickies on the end of it. Now if it were going to be a nightstand gun, perhaps.

Sorry no pics yet, haven't had the time with X-mas upcoming and all.

[possum]

Springfield TRP, you should check them out. Basically same as the operator, no rail.
they do make a model with the rail but it has the adjustable sights , and that is a no go for me for the use i was gonna have for the gun. this is the first sa 1911 that i checked out, i wanted a rail and didn't want adjustable sights and the trp was quite a bit more than the mc operator, and it had everything that i wanted so i went with it and i couldn't be happier.

as far as holsters go there are options out there you just gotta look. i have a
safariland 6004 for the 1911 w light attached, and since the pistol is used with the light attached there is no need for me to get a holster for just the gun w/o the light though there are options out there.

[Clipper]

Okay Possum, next time you're around Flint, bring your 'operator', and I'll show you how to shoot it...After 46 years, I know a thing or two as well...

[possum]

Okay Possum, next time you're around Flint, bring your 'operator', and I'll show you how to shoot it...After 46 years, I know a thing or two as well...
sounds great, i don't know where that is but thats what they make google earth for right!:)

i will be more than happy to take on a challenge. be sure that you bring a pair of glasses you sound old!:)

[Clipper]

LOL...That's Okay, just bring money... ;)

[possum]

LOL...That's Okay, just bring money...
well i need to know how much. are you a high roller?:)

first challenge hitting 12ga empties off the fence at 10yds, then we will back it up!:)

[Clipper]

well i need to know how much. are you a high roller?

Well, I'm a retiree, but I can usually come up with $50.00...

first challenge hitting 12ga empties off the fence at 10yds, then we will back it up!

That'll be OK for a warm-up, but I've been a handgun hunter for 30 years, so I usually practice at the 30-yard line because the local range (Williams Gunsite) doesn't have a 50-yard line, and the 100-yard fence is a bit far for my iron sights. But I'll warn you now, I shot 6" groups at 60 yards with a DAO Taurus PT-145...Pistol is one thing I've always been good at...If you'd like a real treat, I'll bring out my 10" bull barreled stainless MKII with peep sights and my homemade (I'm a Toolmaker) self-storing bipod.

[thorazine]

Springfield Operator or Kimber SIS?

"Operator" sounds more tactic-cool.

[the pistolero]

Only a Mall Ninja wannabe in training would own a pistol with 'OPERATOR' stamped on it...
To each his own, but I just can't see eliminating a gun from purchase consideration just because of the name. It may be a stupid name, but does the name really matter that much if it's attached to a great weapon?

The reason animal rights activists are more passionate about fur than leather is because it's safer to harrass rich women than bikers...
This is true, but I would pay money to see one of those activists start giving a biker a hard time because of that jacket.. :D

[MICHAEL T]

Springfield your better choice. Of those 2

[Technosavant]

I have a SA Lightweight Loaded (basically, remove the light rail from the Lightweight Operator). It's a great gun, just be careful about the grip bushings (aluminum strips more easily than steel). I'd have no problems buying one of those, but I don't know if I'd spend the extra for what is basically a carry gun (the aluminum frame is only worthwhile for weight savings for carry, while the light rail is not usually used for carry). But if you want the rail and the lightweight frame, it's your money, and I'm sure it is a fantastic gun.