Still looking for a 1911...can't decide

From my limited 1911 experiance, I'll offer you this. I've owned only 3, a Springfield Loaded, S&W SC Commander, Kimber UCII. The S&W was by far the most accurate, tightest best fitted gun of the 3. My Loaded needed a bushing fitted to the slide and barrel in order for it to shoot groups, it also had a loose extactor that would clock on me, not to mention it stuck out of the slide. My Kimber has never missed a beat since day one, but had two issues that I fixed, or eliminated. The S&W needed no tweaking what so ever!
(YMMV!)

Good luck picking a winner! And check it out in person if possible, I'd never bought the Springer if I had seen it first.

Good luck picking a winner! And check it out in person if possible, I'd never bought the Springer if I had seen it first.

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Yeah, they all suck. Those of us that own them as well as many other brands are just making this up.

Accidents don't ever happen and mistakes never sneak through from time to time.

BTW- Ive had the unfortunate pleasure to deal with S&W customer service... Have fun if/when your's craps out hahahaha..

JOe

Have fun if/when your's craps out hahahaha..

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***!

Only have the Kimber left to worry about, and thanks for your concern

Wasn't slamming Springfield at all, my poor example sounds like Friday at 4:30, good enough gun! Your definatly not gonna beat their warranty.

i didn't sleep at all last night. My response was a tad cranky and i apologize.

i didn't sleep at all last night. My response was a tad cranky and i apologize

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No sweat

I wasn't trying to bash Kimber as being its jokingly coined "MIMber" title. Sorry if i came off as putting them down; I'm skeptical of everything - especially after reading about four threads of people not seeming to like MIM in regards specifically to Kimber. It seems that Kimber is the only one getting a bad rep from this, despite being only one of many guns of various makes that use MIM nowadays.

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Very accurate statement. Kimber being bashed for MIM is really idiotic when virtually all of their competition uses the same stuff. It merely is a product of the fact that they produce 55,000 1911's annually....far more than any of the other competition. Big dog on the block tends to get the most hatred, its just the way it is.

If those were cranky replies then I must have sounded like Rosie O'Donnell on Viagra: ready to get dirty but strangely unequipped. Your experience will likely be unique to you and no one else regardless of what you choose. Some failure is likely at some point, I just don't think the Kimber is likely to disappoint in the manner described. I can also say I must live a charmed life in that I've never experienced a failure in any gun of any make that I have owned over the past 26 years. That is perhaps a testament to the quality of the firearms industry or perhaps to careful research before every purchase.

The only major failure in a gun I have ever owned was in a Glock, all the rest of my problems were with fit and finish on 1911s but never a problem with Kimber.

I brought home a factory new Colt 1991a1 Combat Commander today (the all stainless steel). Probably won't get time to shoot it until next weekend, but I field stripped it once I got it home and am very impressed. For a "no frills" 1911, it is very nicely put together.

Previously, I had owned a stainless Taurus PT1911 and put about 2000 rounds through it before selling it. It never gave me a single issue of any kind and was a great shooter.

But I do like the commander size better, and I also do prefer my new Colt's standard thumb safety over the extended and ambi-safety of the Taurus.

Kimbers suck they kaboom every other round or so. Mine have exploded over 500 times. Here they are after I reassembled them. The crappy MIM parts shear off in my hand and turn to dust. I never really shot one and I just heard from some guy who dated my sister in high school whose uncle's cousin said Kimber imports 6 year old immigrant children to work in their American sweat shops and that is why Kimbers suck so bad. I never really even handled one but I did see one in a picture on the internet once. I think Kimber even has a safety similar in design to the Colt series 80 safety that blows the gun up after every shot. Whatever you do don't buy a Kimber.

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...wow, I guess I'm lucky compared to you, because my Kimber just jams a lot.

--Stork

Kimbers suck they kaboom every other round or so. Mine have exploded over 500 times. Here they are after I reassembled them. The crappy MIM parts shear off in my hand and turn to dust

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For me it isn't about actual failures, it's about a company charging so much for a gun with a higher percentage of cheap parts than anyone else.

But just the idea that they think they are so clever as to sneak crappy parts into my guns and get me to pay $1250 for it just chaps me! And yes, they did it!

But just once.

Springfield all the way.

i dont like how kimber puts a new name on the 1911 everytime they add a different color grip and add 300$

i would buy a kimber for 750. i did buy a colt for 950.

And the Ford Pinto was a lemon yet my Ranger gave me 11 years of trouble free service replaced only when it failed my occupancy requirements (I had three kids). They can't all be winners fellas and if you think the Corrolla is built like the Lexus with a big price difference just because they're both Toyotas then keep living in fairyland.
If your Kimber "just jams alot" then get the feed ramp polished or sell it, it's obvious you don't like it. Maybe try a different model, maybe research what could cause such a problem and correct it yourself, hey the parts are available. How about telling us which pistol you WOULD recommend instead of the same Ford vs. Chevy wonk wonk. I got sick after eating at McDonalds once but I still drop by from time to time.
Does anyone here believe that some roomful of ironworkers are busy forging parts in the back room at Colt? How about Springfield with their Croatian XDs? Machining parts for Santa or upcharging for outsourced ones, you decide. Right now I've got to get to my Kia dealer cause I think my Jeep is gonna blow up.

springer would be the way to go.

I'd go with a Rock Island for a first 1911, and save up for a nicer one to go along with it later

Skylerbone in the 41st post of this thread:

If your Kimber "just jams alot" then get the feed ramp polished or sell it, it's obvious you don't like it. Maybe try a different model, maybe research what could cause such a problem and correct it yourself, hey the parts are available. How about telling us which pistol you WOULD recommend instead of the same Ford vs. Chevy wonk wonk.

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Me in the 3rd post of this thread:

All of the above except the Kimber are great choices for a first 1911. My first 1911 was a Kimber Custom II, and right now I'm considering the Springfield Loaded and the S&W as it's replacement. --Stork

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Further amplifying information:
My Kimber Custom II has been back to Kimber once and to other gunsmiths twice and it still "just jams a lot."

--Stork

The Kimber Custom II. Horrible gun. Selected by the LAPD SWAT as their official issued sidearm. Once again do sell it and enjoy it's replacement. I'm sure whatever you choose will be hassle-free for a lifetime. What more is there to say? This is a waste of time and energy. If I wanted to argue I'd go to a NASCAR race.

My Kimber Custom II is the best handgun I have ever owned.

i bought a used 2005 s&w 1911 & love it no problems at all.

I recently bought a springfield loaded and man let me tell you, that thing is special. Just a blast to shoot.

I'd like to add another +1 for the PT1911... yes it has horribly ugly serrations on the front of the slide, but other than that mine has easily become my favorite range gun; and has proven itself 100% reliable. So much so that it has become my nightstand gun. I am approaching 8,000 rounds w/ out a malfunction. Other than bad ammo, of course.