Is there any quality to Kimber's Custom Shop and their new Super Carry Custom HD?

[jcwit]

Want one of the best if not the best, go here

http://www.mountaincompetitionpistols.com/1911-wad-gun

 

[rwilson37643]

If you can afford, and are willing to pay for an Ed Brown it is definately a better gun. As far as the Kimber goes I have owned several. They have all been good guns, but like others on this thread I would recomend the lower end models. the only one I still own is a compact stainless 2 that I bought for $650 and carried for a couple of years before sending it to C&S to make it better for me. the total cost of the gun plus the custom work was les than the cost of an EB.

 

[kuma]

To the OP, if you are leaving Springfield, Wilson and Nighthawk from your list, you are making a mistake. The Springfield Pro is the best 1911 I've ever seen or fired, and their custom guns aren't much different. Also, the TRP is a very nice gun for the money. I wouldn't recommend against the guns you listed, other than the Kimber, but don't limit your options at all with the 1911. There are so many great ones out there to be had.

I am buying this to be my CCW. What would be your upmost recommendation? I stated above that the Spring Pro is obv the top 1911, but the waiting lists are ridiculous and I dont want to wait a year to get one.

And is the EB Kobra hands down better than the EB Special Forces Carry?

 

[MCMXI]

Yeah Im kind of starting to wonder if I should get a cheaper model and upgrade with a few EB parts. But at the same time, while this Kimber Super Carry HD has the 'carry melt' I wonder how it will hold up vs. EB's Gen III coating. Anyone have personal experience on that?

This is a good idea. You could start out under $1,000 with a good frame and slide and upgrade parts at your own pace. This is exactly what I did with my Kimber TEII. Many parts are drop in and some require more effort/knowledge but the information is out there. If you get really stuck, 1911Tuner will usually point you in the right direction. I've put about $500 in to my TEII over the last 18 months and the only thing to change now are the sights (Heinie Ledge Straight Eight) followed by Cerakote on everything. The Kimber runs flawlessly through 150+ round USPSA matches clean or dirty. It's very accurate too when I exercise proper sight alignment and trigger control (first four plates on the Texas star :banghead. Some of the guys I shoot with refer to it as my Kimber Brown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDYX5kB3fNE

Despite my less than ideal experience with Dan Wesson, I'd still recommend either a Valor or a V-Bob for under $2,000 if you're able to compare two, three or more so that you get one of the good ones. In fact, since you're looking at the Ed Brown Carry models, try to find a V-Bob and see what you think. I don't care for the Slim-Line grips and changed mine to VZ ETC (V-Bob) and Double Diamond (Valor) grips so I had to change the grip screw bushings and screws. Other than that, the V-Bob has numerous desirable features including a well fitted forged steel frame and slide, 25 lpi checkering (my favorite), hopefully a properly fitted barrel, excellent sights, excellent thumb/grip safety, excellent trigger, no MIM and a really good salt bath finish. I have to admit, I wish that Ed Brown offered the same finish but Dave Severns is just a USPS flat rate box away.

One final comment on Kimber and their factory barrels. Barrel bump may be an issue on some (or many Kimbers). The good news is that it's easy to spot and easy to fix. But, if left unattended, it can cause all sorts of reliability issues, particularly with "awkward", momentum-scrubbing bullet profiles. I'm sure that 1911Tuner can elaborate but I did address this issue on my Raptor to be on the safe side. I saw some light marks on the lower barrel lugs so removed the link and carefully radiused the lugs so that they don't crash into the slide stop when going into battery. It easily ran through 100 185gr LSWC loads last weekend so I think it's fine. My TEII barrel has long gone, but based on the lower barrel lugs, it wasn't an issue with that pistol.

 

[MCMXI]

And is the EB Kobra hands down better than the EB Special Forces Carry?

The only difference is the checkering ... chainlink on the Special Forces and snakeskin on the Kobra. I have no experience with the snakeskin but I like the chainlink since it gives a very good but comfortable purchase on the pistol. When I ordered my third Ed Brown, I decided to opt for 25 lpi checkering which costs $200 more. I'll be using the Special Forces Light Rail for matches and classes so I wanted the best gripping texture available.

 

[Zerodefect]

If you are after a bobbed tail, get the EB Executive Elite or DW Vbob.

The 25lpi checkering really helps me hold on. I really don't like shooting the bobb tailed 1911's. Even a completely shorter CCO grip feels more natural to me. So the more aggressive checkering helps me out.

On the flip side, the Cobra or Special Forces checkering don't chew up undershirts.

Don't overlook a Les Baer Comanche Monolith or Stinger. 30lpi on those is easier on shirts but still grippy. (I'll bet that EB can do 30lpi checkering as an option)

 

[Jason_G]

The only difference is the checkering

Yep.

Personally, I think the Special Forces pistols look a little classier than the Kobras, although the Kobras look nice as well. A little snake skin pattern is alright. Go overboard with it, and it looks pretty bad- Kimber took it from classy to gawdy with those Raptor pistols. Blahh.

Jason

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I am buying this to be my CCW. What would be your upmost recommendation? I stated above that the Spring Pro is obv the top 1911, but the waiting lists are ridiculous and I dont want to wait a year to get one.

And is the EB Kobra hands down better than the EB Special Forces Carry?

For carry, I like a Commander sized 1911. It feels right to me. You get the shorter slide, and keep the full grip length and capacity. I've been carrying my Colt Commander for years and it's perfect for me. It points where I aim it easily, and follow up shots are quicker than with my others. If I can ever stop getting 5" guns, I might get another Commander.

Of the ones I have experience with, I really liked the Nighthawk Talon II and the Wiley Clapp Colt Commander. Both are very different price ranges, but both are very good for the price they ask. The WC Colt feels very nice, but I've never shot it. I can't imagine it shooting much different than my Colt, but you never know. It's claimed to be much better than a standard Commander, which is great, because my Commander is outstanding. The Talon was a work of beauty. It was as accurate as any pistol I've ever fired, and I believe Nighthawk says it's good for 1" at 25 yards, but don't quote me on that. Aside from the way it shoots, it is one of the nicest pistols I've seen as well. Fit was very tight, and the finish was just as you would expect from a $2500 custom 1911. Nighthawk also has no problem with you making any changes your heart desires to their pistols, to include the Ed Brown bobtail if that's something you'd want.

I've shot the Talon II quite a bit, and could answer anything you might want to know on that particular pistol as well as the Commander. Another idea, that might sound like heresy to some, is to grab a "lower end" commander such as the ATI GI or American Classic Commander to see if they would work for you. It will allow you to get a feel for the size and on the cheap too. If you decide you like it and want to upgrade to something nicer, you still have that cheaper one to beat on at the range. Besides, you can never have too many guns right?

 

[kuma]

For carry, I like a Commander sized 1911. It feels right to me. You get the shorter slide, and keep the full grip length and capacity. I've been carrying my Colt Commander for years and it's perfect for me. It points where I aim it easily, and follow up shots are quicker than with my others. If I can ever stop getting 5" guns, I might get another Commander.

Of the ones I have experience with, I really liked the Nighthawk Talon II and the Wiley Clapp Colt Commander. Both are very different price ranges, but both are very good for the price they ask. The WC Colt feels very nice, but I've never shot it. I can't imagine it shooting much different than my Colt, but you never know. It's claimed to be much better than a standard Commander, which is great, because my Commander is outstanding. The Talon was a work of beauty. It was as accurate as any pistol I've ever fired, and I believe Nighthawk says it's good for 1" at 25 yards, but don't quote me on that. Aside from the way it shoots, it is one of the nicest pistols I've seen as well. Fit was very tight, and the finish was just as you would expect from a $2500 custom 1911. Nighthawk also has no problem with you making any changes your heart desires to their pistols, to include the Ed Brown bobtail if that's something you'd want.

I've shot the Talon II quite a bit, and could answer anything you might want to know on that particular pistol as well as the Commander. Another idea, that might sound like heresy to some, is to grab a "lower end" commander such as the ATI GI or American Classic Commander to see if they would work for you. It will allow you to get a feel for the size and on the cheap too. If you decide you like it and want to upgrade to something nicer, you still have that cheaper one to beat on at the range. Besides, you can never have too many guns right?

Okay, thanks thats some great info. I had never really researched nighthawk until this post and I am quite impressed. What about it justifies the price range to you? And how does it differ/how is it better than the Ed Browns or Les Baers?

Thanks a lot for your help.