First 1911: SA vs Kimber?

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I'm looking to purchase my first 1911. I plan on using it for HD and general target practice (No CCW in Illinois). I already have a reliable 9mm ( Glock :D ) and am looking for a reliable .45. So far, of all the ones I've seen, I've liked the SA Loaded (SS) the best. (It had a lot of features and just felt right in my hand) Local price is $699. There was also a comparable Kimber II (SS) for $50 more. I'm looking for the best bang for my buck and don't plan on modifying the gun, save maybe for grips. These two are right within my price range.

I'm curious of which is the better (more reliable) handgun? Or is it Ford vs Chevy? Or is it the luck of the draw?
 
Its Ford v. Chevy, and luck of the draw. Field strip the guns (or have the salesman do it) and look at the finish on the inside of the gun. SA's tend to be a bit rough (to be kind) and most Kimbers are finished better. Look for machining chatter marks and sharp edges, then make up your mind. Kimber will stand behind their guns for as long as you own it so don't be swayed by a "written lifetime warranty versus a written one year warranty". (This has more to do with marketing and the Magnuson-Moss Act than anything else.)
 
This question always gets a lot of response. Do a search and read the replies and you will be busy for a couple of days.

Most of us have been in the position you are currently in. The long and short of it is both the Springfield and the Kimber are fine pistols. If you can swing it rent both and shoot them. The ergonomics vary just enough that you will feel it.

Good luck.
 
Hey Another vote for the Colt! M1991A1. SA experiences I have had are poor to POJ. Kimber has a flawed safety design and POOR customer service. The S&W 1911 is the same safety as Kimber and S&W is recalling their pistols.
 
This is a mixed bag; I know folks with both guns, some have had minor problems, most have had good luck with them;

If reliability is your number #1 criteria, and you're a low-maintenance kind of gun owner, get a Glock 21, or a Sig P220.

If your set on a 1911, take your pick of Colt or Kimber, and then have a good, preferably local pistolsmith do a reliability tune on it. This involves polishing and throating the barrel, polishing the feedramp and breachface, and tuning the extractor. Use good quality FMJ 230 gr. ammo for break in and general use, either Win Whitebox or Fed. American Eagle. Buy 2 or 3 CMC 8 rd. Powermags, keep it cleaned & oiled, and you're set to go!
 
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My vote is for the Kimber. Personally, I have had good luck with the Series II. I own several Series I, and chose them over Colt, because of Colt's poor quality control in the past. I have also found that for the price and for the extras that I wanted, I got far more from Kimber than Colt.

If the Series II is a problem for you, you can find many NIB Series I Kimbers just sitting on the shelves. I have one on lay-a-way now. I am sure that either will serve you fine.

Dobe
 
Ahh the internet, a place for the never ending 1911 myths to propagate.

You don't need a "reliablity job" on any new Colt, Kimber or Springfield. Anyway, with the Colt's new dimple throated barrel, there is no "throating and polishing" to be done!

Though a problem gun slips through once and a while in these mass production pieces (more dependent on properly fitted parts and with more parts than a Glock), you should have no worries with any of the above. The biggest reliability problem with 1911's is crappy mags, including factory mags. Use only Wilson or CMC Powermags and you'll be fine.

The Kimber series II schwartz safety also works fine. People love to bitch about it but I'd be more concerned over mim parts or the mag jamming or my gun rusting or the sky falling on my head than worrying about the series II safety. :rolleyes:
 
You don't need a "reliablity job" on any new Colt, Kimber or Springfield. Anyway, with the Colt's new dimple throated barrel, there is no "throating and polishing" to be done!
Click to expand...

The thread stated that reliability was a high criteria for selection, so I offered the suggestion. Lets not kid ourselves; the level of barrel fit and finish on these guns is quite dependant on the price of the gun; you "may not" need a reliability job on any of these guns; if I'm buying a $1,800.00 Kimber Super Match, I'd probably be "psst" if I did need it, but you just might want it (not necessarily need it) on a $450.00 Springfield MilSpec. Let a good gunsmith inspect the gun, and decide if the barrel was throated and polished properly, and polishing for the feedramp and breachface, and tuning of the extractor can only help the reliability of the gun.
 
Both should be pretty good.

I bought a SA Milspec a couple of months ago that I am VERY pleased with.
Accurate and reliable (except for some mag-related problems with one of the aftermarket mags I bought)

Plus I prefer the clean look of a mil-spec with parkerized finish. Sleek and menacing
 
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