Advice from fellow patriots on a personal carry weapon

[Dr. Loomis]

I'm new to the highroad but it's an honor to be among you patriots. I just spent three years in the Army Infantry and am fairly familiar with firearms but by no means an expert. I was wondering if you give me your own personal advice about a couple of weapons I have narrowed my search for concealed carry down to: The Kimber Custom .45 or the Sig 220 Stainless. Each has the same capacity and are about the same in price (give or take a $50). I fired the Sig and loved it but the Kimber really fits well in my hand and is slimmer but I can't for the life of me find a dealer that'll rent one to fire.Any advice from you would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear Dr. L,

Thank you for your service, and welcome to THR.

Yes, from those two choices, I would definitely recommend the Smith and Wesson revolver!

LBS

 

[cyclopsshooter]

get the kimber- whats more patriotic that a 1911

 

[xmanpike]

My friend just went through this ordeal and settled on the Sig 22o Carry Elite over the Kimber.

Many reason was the double action. SInce it was going to be a carry piece he figured double action over cocked locked and loaded, with safety, was one less thing to think of if he ever had to draw on someone.

 

[flrfh213]

i say carry what you feel comfortable with. with any luck you will never need it but will carry it daily. i find a revolver is easier to pull and fire than an auto pistol unless locked and cocked and then i am a little uneasy cARRYING.... BOTTOM LINE IS IT IS UP TO YOU... WHAT FEELS BETTER TO YOU AND HOW DO YOU DO WHEN FIRING DOWN RANGE. but what will you do better with if you ever need to pull to defend...

 

[5whiskey]

Those are two fine choices, I would rock either of them. Get what fits you best... OORAH Soldier. Glad to see you made it.

 

[azhunter122]

Kimbers are very nice guns, I don't know much at all about the Sig though.

 

[DBR]

I have carried handguns in an LE capacity and as a civvy for more than 20yrs. As much as I like the 1911 and Sig, I always find myself picking up my Glock 19 or 17 when I actually might need personnel protection.

The simplicity of bringing them into action, the round capacity, the reliability, the proven effectiveness of the 9MM given modern ammo and their resistance to close on body problems (think corrosion) has won me over.

I would rather give up a Glock into evidence than one of my expensive 1911s.

Glocks are a common LE issue pistol. No explanations required
regarding choice of weapon if the worst happens and you have to use it.

Just MHO.

Enjoy your Sigs and 1911s at the range.

 

[rmmoore]

Thank you for your service, glad to see you made the long ride home soldier!!! Welcome to The High Road. You'll find a good many of us here are vets also. Another thing you'll find is that picking a gun and caliber is an aweful lot like Ford versus Chevy (no insult intended to Dodge). We all have our favorite "flavors". What truly matters is finding the one that's right for YOU. As a CCW Instructor, I can tell you that the one that fits your hand the best, will more than likely be the one that you shoot the best. Given the fact that you'll be carrying, whether CCW or not, that should take priority. Pick what feels best to YOU, and then shoot the hell out of it.

As for single versus double action, HOW and how OFTEN you practice and train is more important than the action type. I carry a sub-compact 1911 and cock the hammer as part of my draw stroke (keeping my finger OFF the trigger until I'm coming up on target), so the double action issue ISN'T an issue for me. But, in all fairness, I've been doing it a long time.

The .45ACP is the 350 V-8 of self defense calibers. Yes, there are smaller and faster "hot-rods", but in the end, the .45 just keeps going and going, getting the job done where others have faltered. Personally, I want "old faithful" close by when the SHTF, period. You'll probably find that whatever you choose, WON'T be your last purchase, and in a month or few, this conversation may be moot

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

Personally, I would feel more confident with the Sig. But that is just personal preference. It will basically come down to which one fits you better. Which one would you feel more confident pulling if you were faced with a situation...?

 

[Dr. Loomis]

I appreciate your advice. I'm mostly conflicted with the following: I've heard reports (mostly on the web) of the Kimber having issues with reliability (jamming) where as the Sig is usually great. The Kimber feels better in my hands so I was wondering if any of you could verify these claims. I understand weapons jam for many reasons I'm just wondering if this is an issue with this brand (Kimber) of pistol as opposed to operator error(limp-wristing, bad loads, etc).

 

[loop]

The way a gun fits is extremely important. I've had Kimbers and SIGs. The SIGs do not fit me well so I find them frustrating to shoot. I simply cannot shoot them up to my skill level.

The standard 1911 fits me better so I am a better shot with a 1911. Although, to get a 1911 to fit me properly I need an arched mainspring housing.

Don't believe all the pro/anti stuff you read here. I've only actually seen one Kimber that had reliability issues. I've seen a few SIGs that had accuracy issues. The chances are the gun you pick up off the dealer's shelf will 99-1 be a good gun.

Go with what makes you the most comfortable.

My personal opinion, I find SIGs uncomfortable. I've carried a Kimber for more than a decade. I lean that way.

But, you need to do what is right for you.

Choose what you feel you will be able to be most satisfied with in terms of fit and function.

 

[WinchesterAA]

Think about weight. If your hips are flat and narrow and you have an IWB holster, your pants will have to be pretty tight (thus restricting access to the firearm while normally wearing the belt)

If it's OWB, it's just a matter of finding a comfortable holster and a good belt. A 1911 is a really easy pistol to conceal, it's sufficiently potent, battle tested, tested by me a lot. It weighs a bit, but the smartcarry setup was perfect for install work. very minor printing, covered by a shirt you can't see it, it's sturdy, and can be drawn quickly.

Very good rig I think.

Smartcarry would work for anything though, so it's up to you. Don't expect to only buy one holster.

 

[geronimo509]

Kimber's have tight tolerances! They require a break in period where there might be some jamming. After the break in, most of them are great. Every company throws out some bad weapons, and people only post the problems on the internet, not the good stories.

You will not be disappointed with either weapon.

Hooah (who-ah) from a fellow 11B lol

 

[rbernie]

I have both, and mechanically I like both. I shoot the 1911 much better, due in part to the better trigger of the 1911 as well as due to the greater amount of recoil 'flip' of the P220.

 

[chuckusaret]

I bought several handguns before I found the one that fit my hand, the Springfield XD40 sub compact. The XD is small, accurate, reliable and cheap.

 

[pogo2]

Consider compact versions...

You mentioned a stainless Sig P220 and an all steel, full size Kimber. Both of these are full size guns in the 40+ ounce range when loaded. Personally I have found that carrying a gun that large concealed all day eventually becomes tiresome. Although large guns are easier to shoot, they are harder to carry concealed.

Both the P220 and Kimber 1911s come in aluminum frame, shorter barrel versions that are considerably lighter weight and easier to conceal. And you don't give up anything in ammo capacity and very little in shootability. For example, the Kimber Pro guns are available with a 4 inch barrel and a weight of about 28 ounces empty. A Sig P220 carry model is about the same size and weight.

I personally use a Kimber Pro CDP that has been modified with thin grip panels to make it even easier to conceal. It is a very flat, lightweight gun that has been completely reliable for me.

 

[gmh1013]

I hear lots more people swearing at Kimbers than swearing by them.
Im a SIG guy. Expensive, but worth every penny IMHO

 

[weisse52]

As a Vet myself I welcome you to the forum and thank you for your service.
I commend your two choices, they are both excellent platforms. I assume from this you have put lots of thought into your selection
Several people have offered some insight, but in this case it comes down to what you like and which feels better to you
I love the 1911 platform and shoot my best with it. I have a friend who has the same feelings for Sigs. I do not think you will go wrong with either.
If you find someplace to rent a "like" 1911 you will be able to see if a Kimber will work for you.

Good luck with your search.

 

[strangelittleman]

Aw heck, split the difference, check out the SIG P220 SAO (single action only) It'll go "cocked & locked" like the 1911, and perhaps a bit less expensive than the Kimber, at least in my locale.
I tried one and loved it.
If I were in the market for a .45, the SIG P220 SAO would be it.
In any event, shop around, go to a few rental ranges, try a bunch different designs and go with what you interface best with and what you feel more confident in.
Make a well informed decision! Good luck

 

[spudster]

Get a nice 1911 man... You deserve a little nicer.

 

[Water-Man]

Sig P220

 

[Dr. Loomis]

I have one more question regarding these two weapons. I know the Sig is incredibly easy to take apart. Does the Kimber require a special tool to disassemble?

 

[TIMC]

No special tools to take down either gun. I own a couple of Sigs, the P-220 and P-226. I also own a stupid amount of 1911's. I prefer the Kimber Ultra carry but I am beginning to like the Kimber Pro raptor I just got in a lot. The P-220 is very nice but it is bigger and harder to conceal.

 

[BlacklabelOP]

keep in mind you can change the slides on the SIG to make it a multi caliber platform on the cheap.