Those of you who think that Colt is behind Kimber and Springfield in the QC department need to learn a little about metallurgy. Virtually every gunsmith I know and respect prefers a new Colt over either of the other two for a base gun. I'm talking Dane Burns, Ted Yost, Dave Helton, Mike O'Hara, just to name the ones I actually know. I too prefer the Colt, as I have learned that Colts are almost all forged steel with only about three or four MIM parts total. Kimbers are all MIM except for the slide, frame and barrel. Springfields are forged with MIM small parts, and appear a little better than Kimbers regarding durability of their MIM parts. But they still have a wavering QC issue to deal with. Colt simply isn't making as many guns each month as the others due to low production capacity. However the fact is Kimber's and SA's sales have slowed while Colt is selling every one they can make.
By the way, the other week I went into a local gunshop and asked about a new Series 70. The dealer's answer was that they weren't even available yet. I really should have had the one I already own with me just so I could personally show him what an ignoramus he was. The bottom line is they will sell you whet they have. Special ordering is way too much fuss and trouble for them. I agree, so nowadays I order most of my guns through the Internet. They apparently don't want or need my business.
