1911s: Sig, SA or Kimber?

[Oldnoob]

Thinking to pick up an entry level 1911. These are with in my budget (and can be found in my state).

Sig XO, Springfield Loaded, Kimber custom II.

Can the owner share with me your personal experience on finish, trigger, slide to frame fit, build quality etc.

 

[Oldnoob]

I will not be carry it, so Sig's unique slide profile doesn't matter to me. And this will be just for range target shoot piece.

 

[foghornl]

Have 2 Springfield Armory 1911's

A 4" 'Loaded Champion' and the 5" GI-45. Both have been very good right out of the box, other than a mag spring issue with the Champion. I would always give the nod to Springfield.

 

[Chevelle SS]

I love my Kimber Stainless Target II.

 

[Upstater]

Have a Kimber custom II, I really couldn't be happier with it. I have had absolutely no problems with this gun from out of the box through 1500 rounds down range.

 

[BYJO4]

I have the stainless Custom II Target in both 9MM and 45 ACP. Both have been flawless since day one and very accurate. Extremely nice trigger pull on both.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I can't trust Kimbers. I've seen too many rusted "stainless" steel barrels on there 1911 Comander models. I was shocked when I locked the slide back on a brand new Kimber and saw a barrel that looked like it had been left out in the rain for a week. I don't know how or why it happened, but I gotta believe that someone at quality control dropped the ball. I've seen 3 Kimber 1911's at 4 different gun shops with crap barrels...more than just a coincidence.

The S&W is my vote. I love everything about it except for the ambi-safety. The price isn't even that bad. Happy hunting!

 

[Tophernj]

I love my Kimber.

C

 

[cacoltguy]

I own the Sig XO so that's where my vote goes. Heard about about too many Quality Control issues with Kimber lately. I'm sure the Springfield is a great gun but I like the fact that the Sig is 100% made here in the good old USA.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

+1 for American Made! My only problem with the Sigs are that the grips are a little large for my hands. As far as quality goes, Sigs get my vote right along side the S&W.

 

[SwampWolf]

I think current SIG 1911s are the best value for the money in today's market. Full of desireable features and a quality, all-American, forged slide/frame build for a very competitive price.

 

[LiveLife]

IME, Sig 1911 XO grips are on the thinner side providing a narrow grip than many other 1911 models. Along with the checkered front strap and the rough textured XO grips make for a tight secure grip on the pistol even though your palms get sweaty.

 

[Auto426]

Out of the 3 choices listed I would probably go with the Sig. They represent a good value and come with some nice features like serrated front straps. The goofy slide profile and the external extractor keeps me away from them, but being in CA limits your choices.

I can't trust Kimbers. I've seen too many rusted "stainless" steel barrels on there 1911 Comander models. I was shocked when I locked the slide back on a brand new Kimber and saw a barrel that looked like it had been left out in the rain for a week. I don't know how or why it happened, but I gotta believe that someone at quality control dropped the ball. I've seen 3 Kimber 1911's at 4 different gun shops with crap barrels...more than just a coincidence.

That's because many of Kimber's models come with carbon steel barrels that are left "in the white" with no protective coating or finish applied. At first glance they appear to be stainless, but they aren't and they will rust if not cared for properly.

 

[LeonCarr]

None of the above.

If I just had to have a 1911 in that price range, I would look at the STIs.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[MK11]

Kimber started off great and went to hell. Sig started off horribly and now makes a very solid 1911. Springfield seems the most consistent.

I've got two pre-Series II Kimbers that I'm happy with but if I was starting over today, I'd go Springfield.

 

[del4]

Whatever happened to the Ruger 1911's?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DC Plumber]

I have a Sig XO and a Kimber Pro TLE II.

Which ever one feels the best in your hand is the one to buy. I was very specific and told the gun dealer I didn't want front serations, ambi safety and I wanted American Made. I liked the colts, but couldn't get my features, so............... Sig and Kimber.

Though, the Springfield did feel good in my hand.

 

[JROC]

Colt, but in your list Springfield.

 

[EddieNFL]

SA
SIG
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Kimber

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

Springfield A1 - made in Brazil.

 

[Oldnoob]

I have a Sig XO and a Kimber Pro TLE II.

Which ever one feels the best in your hand is the one to buy. I was very specific and told the gun dealer I didn't want front serations, ambi safety and I wanted American Made. I liked the colts, but couldn't get my features, so............... Sig and Kimber.

Though, the Springfield did feel good in my hand.

I thought Kimber comes with front slide serrations.

 

[Oldnoob]

IME, Sig 1911 XO grips are on the thinner side providing a narrow grip than many other 1911 models. Along with the checkered front strap and the rough textured XO grips make for a tight secure grip on the pistol even though your palms get sweaty.

That was how I felt too. But I never shoot them side by side.

 

[Creature]

As much as I like the Sig, I voted Springfield...

 

[Mag10]

I have been very happy my Kimber Custom CDP II.
Classic 1911 design, all the carry features I wanted and it fits comfortably in my hand.

 

[Hk Paul]

No offense, but I can't recommend any of these. SA's frames are made in Brazil, and their parts are made from "wherever", probably China. Several years ago I bought their base model 1911, took it home and found that the frame fails were so warped that I couldn't even get the slide off. I took it back the next day and exchanged it for another one and had the exact same problem! It was appalling. Not to mention that these really aren't the Springfield Armory you are thinking of- just some guy bought the rights to use the name. I feel it's deceptive.

The Kimber I had was actually pretty good, but that was about 10 years ago. Now I am not so sure- based on everything that I have seen and heard- I hesitate to recommend them and in my opinion that's justification enough to disqualify. Something that you may stake your life on needs total confidence.

Sig, oddly enough would be the one I like the most out of all three. Sadly their 1911's are the ones I know the least about. Beware of their customer service because once the gun is over 1yr old, they don't stand by their product.
Sig was once a great company but now it's soul has been ripped out by Cohen.

On a personal note- you are buying a 1911. You should buy one that you are proud of. Have you thought about S&W? Colt? S&W makes a pretty good gun and are reasonably priced. Their customer service is great. Colt probably makes the best 1911 for the money, but they are more $$.