1911 help needed

[Flfiremedic]

Ok guys need some help here. Bought my first ever 1911 after years of Glocks. Kimber TDL. LOVE IT. A friend is a member of several other boards and he and the gloom and doom crew are warning me of the Swartz safety and its dangers. I did some research, and LA SWAT and Denver PD have had 0 problems, but I'm a Glock guy now trusting my life to this Kimber...HELP!!!
Do I trade it for a Springfield? If so, which model is closest to mine Loaded, Operator, or TRP? I do not necessairly need a light rail.
Or do I keep it and listen to the Major Depts using this exact weapon?

 

[loadedround]

From what I have read, you would not know your pistol had a Swartz Safety unless you field stripped it. It is passive safety and practically fool proof unless some kitchen table smith played with it. It's similar too but not the samme system used in the Colt Series 80 pistols and I have never heard of one of these failing either. Your Kimber is a fine pistol, learn to trust it.

 

[EddieNFL]

Is your Kimber a series II? If so, it has a swartz safety. Kimber had timing issues early on, but seem to have resolved them. The biggest disadvantage of the swartz is possible damage during disassembly/reassembly if the operator isn't careful. You can render the gun inoperable.

It's easily removed if you don't want it. The legal eagles will be along to tell of the horrors of doing so.

 

[JDGray]

I put some nightsights on my UCII, and some junk fell out from under the rear

 

[Quack]

Personally i'd get a TRP over a Kimber

 

[smoothdraw]

Kimber is tight new. 1911 done right is reliable. So relax. I have a lot of Kimbers and just bought my first Glock. I still carry my Kimber pro carry 2 daily. Will I carry my glock 17 instead, no. I know i'm going to a hostile environment then i will bring my Glock 17 with loads of ammo. Have you checked out Dan Wesson or Colt? For the same money, these 2 might be more relaible than a new stock kimber.

 

[killchain]

I would be exponentially more worried about putting tens of thousands of rounds through that Kimber so it doesn't jam on you during it's "break-in."

 

[jeepguy]

i have 2 pro carry kimbers 1911's 1 in .45 & 1 in 9mm they both run fine. the .45 did not like the mag that came with it. but other then that they have been great. i also have a s&w that has a swartz safty & it has been perfect as well. good luck & i hope you enjoy yours as much as i do.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A friend is a member of several other boards and he and the gloom and doom crew are warning me of the Swartz safety and its dangers.

I suspect this is overstated a bit. But it does introduce extra parts and complication.

 

[1911Tuner]

There were some release timing issues early on in the Series 2 run with the Swartz system, but Kimber seems to have gotten the wrinkles ironed out as I haven't seen very many of the same complaints recently. I have a strong suspicion that much of it was due to damaging the plunger lift rod by installing the slide onto the frame with the grip safety depressed. Easy to do if you're used to dealing with pistols that don't have that particular nuance.

The bottom line is that it adds parts, and...like the sayin' goes..."The more complicated ya make it, the more Murphy it gets."

 

[Hk Dan]

Get the Springfield...Or the Baer, or the Wilson, or the Nighthawk. Or the high end Rock River, for that matter. Of all the guns I've seen run hard, Kimber is the one that screws most people on the mechanical end.

1911s require a level of expertise to run at speed that most people do not possess. Most of the guys who have the expertise have a better gun (like a Wilson, Baer, Nighthawk, or high end RR), so my indictment of Kimber may not hold water.

As far as being a GLOCK guy now trusting your life to Kimber--shinola, buddy, go to a USPSA match. Tally the number of malfs for each make and model. Do that for 3 matches. You'll be back to GLOCK, or Baer, or Wilson, or a high end RR before you can say "Wow, Kimber sucks" <g>