Choose One: Colt X.S.E. or Kimber C.D.P.

[jlh26oo]

This isn't perfectly fair since they are not at the same price point, just two that have caught my eye. Not particularly for C.C., but not specifically not for it either. Just an accurate, reliable, and pleasurable shooting 1911.

So I really like the C.D.P.'s looks, finish, melt treatment, fixed N.S.'s, trigger... and I would assume it has a nicer trigger than the X.S.E.? I like that the Colt's a Colt, it's all S.S., and it's $200 cheaper. I've heard bad things about Kimber mags, and "Custom C.D.P." is redundant, which mildly annoys me (Custom Custom Defense Pistol). Like "A.T.M. Machine" L.O.L. (joking)! Is it significantly smoother or nicer fit and finish vs the X.S.E.? It looks that way but you can't really tell without actually picking them up, so does anyone have experience with both? Which is the better shooter?

B.T.W. do the C.D.P.'s have F.P.S.'s? I think this particular X.S.E. does not, but some do.



Kimber Custom C.D.P. II


Colt X.S.E.

 

[osteodoc08]

I have a Kimber Compact CDP II and absolutely love it. Sure it has MIM, sure the frame is aluminum, sure it costs more than the Colt. Do I love it any less, hell no! LOL.

It has been 100% reliable through all of the 1200+ rounds through it including ball, JHP, and plain ole lead reloads. That is more than I can say for my SA-XD. My Ruger P89 on the other hand is still chugging away after countless 1000's of 9mm ammo, but that is neither here nor there.

It is my nightstand and carry gun. Did I mention I like it. Go get yourself some Kimber Kool-Aide.

 

[Black Majik]

I prefer the tighter fit, and smoother look of the Kimber more. All the Kimbers I've shot have been quite pleasing to shoot. Colts are great, but I kind of feel they're overpriced for what you get. The XSE is great too, but it wont be fit to as tight as the Kimber.

 

[Old Dog]

Well, if you must buy a full-size 1911 with front cocking serrations ...

... Colt's been relying on its name for too long now ... if you want a full-size Colt, I think the best of their current production models right now is the Series 70 reissue. Their are better 1911s than the XSE out there with the same features.

Frankly, I think the Springfield Armory Loaded is a better pistol than the Colt XSE. My Loaded (the "made in Brazil" and MIM issues aside -- oh, and Colt does use MIM parts, too) is fit better, looks better and shoots better than my now gone XSE did. I have the Pro CDP, so I can speak to the Kimber as well.

As far as the Kimber CDP, it's lighter than the XSE, looks nicer, has better sights, well-done frontstrap checkering and is better suited for carry ...

Yes, the Series II Kimbers have a Schwartz safety system.

 

[10-Ring]

Colt XSE -- Recommend Colts very highly!

 

[redneckrepairs]

I have an xse gvt stainless , a buddy of mine has 12 or 14 different kimbers that i shoot on occation. IMHO its a toss up on quality but i really think that over the years the colt will retain/accrue more value . You wont go wrong with either pistol so buy the one you can get the best price break on lol .

 

[Siderite]

I have a XSE Govt. Stainless and had the original manual safety break:

which then was replaced by Colt with a beefier one. Just something to be aware of if you change your mind and decide to carry it.

I don't recall for certain, but I thought 10-ring mentioned having the safety and internals replaced in another thread. 10-ring, could you confirm?

 

[nwilliams]

I love my Colt XSE, I've had it for years and thousands of rounds through it and not a single malfunction that I can honestly recall. I wouldn't part with it for any Kimber or pretty much any other 1911 for that matter.

 

[jlh26oo]

O.K. thanks for the great replies! L.o.L. I hadn't even noticed both of these have front serrations (and it just occurs to me that no autos I've had thus far have either). I guess rear vertical only serations are preferred?

I'd just get a series 70, but the X.S.E. has stuff I kind of like for the same price (the undercut trigger guard, and a long trigger, flared & lowered E.P., and no night sights but I like ramped 3-dot inserts, and little touches like the hex bolts instead of screwdrivers in the grips look nicer, and the hammer etc). I wouldn't mind a series 80 except that I understand it is harder to put back together because of the F.P.S.? What about Kimber's F.P.S.? The same?

Siderite- Ouch! Any clue if that was one of the parts that is forged on the Colt but M.I.M. on Kimbers? Not that one example means anything, but if they do break just as often what would be the point of forged I.T.F.P.?

 

[koja48]

After shooting my Daughter's Kimber, I voted Kimber . . . carried a Colt Officer's Model for many years, then adopted Springfields, but will likely a Kimber of my own to the family of 1911s.

 

[RonE]

I know that Kimbers are fine pistols but being partial to Colt, it is my beliefe that if it is a 1911 style pistol and not a Colt, it is an immitation

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt of those choices. Look at a Dan Wesson I bought a new Bobtail and fit and finish way better than my Kimber I can out shoot my Kimber with it also. Only 1 MIM part Colt has 3 and Kimber is to many to count.

 

[koja48]

it is an immitation

You bring your "original," I'll bring one of my imitations and we'll shoot . . . bring something to wager that you won't feel too bad losing, also. You are, however, entitled to your "belief." If your theory were valid, we'd all be driving Fords . . .

 

[ak-kev]

I have to say Colt. I do have one Springer Champion that I like, but I love my 5 Colts!! I was shooting my Stainless .38 Super yesterday and it was like silk. Not a hiccup, just pure perfection. Just my opinion.

 

[Wes Janson]

I'll concur that the Dan Wesson bobtailed Commanders definitely look to have better fit and finish than a Colt. IMO, while both the Kimbers and Colts can have various problems, altogether the Kimber has a nicer feel. There are some Colt models that stand out as particularly nice, as mentioned above, but on the whole I think I'll prefer Kimber.

And that's coming from someone whose first firearm, starting the entire obsession, was a Colt WWI Replica (and still loves it).

 

[SubSolar]

I bought a new Colt XSE last year and am very pleased with it. It's my first and only 1911. I did a lot of research on 1911 brands and magazines because reliability is #1 for me. I've shot over 2,000 rounds with it and had only one malfunction and it was using hollow points with a 10 round magazine. After that I never used the 10 round magazine again. I only use 8 round Tripp Research Cobramags and it's been 100% reliable with this combination with target and hollow point ammo (Federal HST). Everything is stock although when I get around to it I want to change the grip safety with a Wilson because I don't like the factory downward duckbill beavertail. Not sure how the XSE compares accuracy wise to the other 1911's. Kimber was out because of all the reliability problems I heard about. It was between this and a Springfield, but I chose the Colt cause it's the original, made in America and they hold their value the best.

 

[weisse52]

A Colt will always be the right answer!

 

[Walkalong]

Colt over Kimber for me, despite having an Ultra CDP II that is awesome.

Got a couple of Colts that are pretty dang nice too.

 

[Hunter0924]

Colt, it is a much better built pistol with much better material.
Colt pistols are hand fitted at the factory while I believe Kimbers are assembled.

 

[epic4444]

i recently picked up a brand new Colt Commander which is the Gov lil brother and i love it...its super accurate and the fit and finish are awesome...couldnt be happier with it

 

[jlh26oo]

Hey 10-Ring and N.W.- I notice both you guys have a different type of sights than some of the X.S.E.'s I see pictured for sale (like the one in the O.P.), and apparently that's a recent change. I've heard the ones on your guys' called a "dove tail", but I thought that referred to the type of cutout the sight goes in, not the sight itself. What is the actual name of those type sights and the newer style? Any other less obvious changes Colt might have made to the X.S.E. that I might have missed? SubSolar- did the one you bought last year look like the picture in the O.P. (sights and the "downward duckbill" B.T.)?

Also, does it look like the C.D.P. does NOT have a cut out under the trigger guard, or is Kimber's just not as pronounced? The only common complaints I've read about the X.S.E. thus far is what S.S. mentioned, too "extended" of a safety, and the edges being too sharp.

Colt, it is a much better built pistol with much better material.
Colt pistols are hand fitted at the factory while I believe Kimbers are assembled

B.T.W. what exactly IS the difference in hand fitting and hand assembling? Fitting sounds more deliberate while assembling seems maybe less careful, but is it a different process (like shaping the slide down for an individual fit for each pistol vs just putting together what is in front of you however it matches), or just semantics?