Kimber Custom II vs Springfield loaded

[Justang]

I'm sure this has been covered... but... this is more of a "I'm lost" post.

Looking at my next purchase. It's going to be a 1911. I've narrowed it down to a Kimber or a Springfield. It's going to be a Kimber Custom II or a Springfield Loaded. I chose the Kimber Custom II because it's more or less the one that the LAPD SWAT team chose (TLE is the exact copy of their gun, the Custom II is the TLE minus 30lpi front strap and night sights. Neither of which I feel I need.). Then there is a the Springfield. I've shot these guns and really liked them. I've also heard things bad about Kimber and the MIM parts. But from what I read all guns have MIM parts. So I find myself in the middle of both, not knowing which one to choose. I've read about both, and both seem to be good guns. But I still feel I lack knowledge to make the right choice.

So, I'm lost. One minute I think I want the Kimber, then the next I think I want the Springfield. I've always wanted a Kimber, and the Custom II is a nice gun. But for some reason the Springfield calls out to me. So I guess if you guys could give me some feedback, or personal experience, or an opinion that might help me.

 

[HighVelocity]

I've had both and both are great. However, Springfields customer service is miles ahead imho. Maybe you wouldn't ever need to deal with customer service from either manufacturer at all. It's impossible to predict.
I'd choose the Springer based on bang for the buck and service after the sale.

Your mileage may vary.

edit: Don't forget the SA Loaded comes with Novak night sights.

 

[Justang]

Cool, that's the stuff I want to hear about.

 

[scubie02]

yeah, I'd vote springfield too. In the past kimber's have been nice pistols, and arguably better finished than springers, but for the past year or so kimber seems to have stumbled, and you see alot of people posting with problems. They seem to be having a hard time after switching to external extractors, for one thing.

And its hard to beat the bang for the buck from springfield. and as mentioned the great service. And my springfield loaded will d one ragged hole offhand if I do my part. Three springer 1911's, no problems for me.

 

[shooter1]

I'd go with the Kimber------if you get a Springer, go ahead and save yourself some trouble later and replace the stock barrel with an "Ed Brown" drop in. I have personal knowledge of three of the stock barrels spliting after a couple thousand rounds. Other than that. they appear to be sound guns.
str1

 

[Ed]

I have an older Loaded that I love, then last week got a Custom II and a new loaded. I have to say the Kimber is the most accurate pistol I have ever shot. I had 3 days between purchase and shooting and was scared to death the thing was gonna fall apart. I love it. 250 rnds and basicaly one hole with 2 fliers. I like Springfield a lot too.

 

[mattw]

+1 for the SA Loaded, frontstrap checkering and all that stuff can be added if you feel like you need it.

My father has a Kimber Custom II and I have a springfield, the Kimber has tighter tolerances than the SA pistol, personally i like that about Springfield.

Also you can buy alot of ammo with the money you save by getting a springfield.

 

[fedlaw]

My experience with my own Kimber Stainless Target II and ChuckB's Springfield Loaded is that you can't go wrong with either. They shoot about the same, (both are very accurate), have about the same trigger pulls, feel about the same and both are 100% reliable. I am well satisfied with my choice and I think he feels the same about his. I believe we could swap and still be well satisfied. Where we differ is in our choice of "next 1911's": ChuckB favors Wilson Combat and I tend toward Ed Brown.
Steve

 

[larry starling]

Of the Two choices listed I would go with the springfield. The Springfield loaded comes with a lot more features than the kimber and it has a internal extractor. Kimbers have had some QC issues with external extractor.

 

[Justang]

So I went ahead and got the Kimber Custom II. I went down and talked to the guy I buy my guns from and we did price checks. The Springfields were going to be about $750 out the door. The Kimber Custom II is going to be around $600. The place that sells him the Kimbers is not open today. I put a deposit down today and he's going to call me tomorrow. He said his last couple Custom II's have been right at $600. He's also going to check on the Stainless II for me too. But it'll probably be the Custom II.

I have heard of Kimbers MIM problems. But the price was a deciding factor. I can buy a lot of ammo with the money I save with the Kimber. I'm pretty excited about the Kimber, but still the the Springfield would have been a nice gun. But hey, maybe I'll buy one of those too in a couple months. Mil Specs are pretty cool, and he's got one down there for $419 out the door.

 

[HighVelocity]

I didn't realize an SA Loaded was priced that high in SoCal. I see them all the time at local shows priced $599-$649. Maybe Cali puts some kind of weird tax on certain manufacturers?

Good luck with your Kimber. Odds are it will run just fine.

 

[larry starling]

S.A SS Loadeds can be had for $629 at one of my local stores.

 

[jed]

I have had both guns. Either one is good. The Kimber
was tighter than the Springfield and it may have been more accurate than the Springfield.

Be certain to follow Kimber's break in procedure for sure.
This will get that gun off to a good start.

If I had to buy either one again, I would still have a problem choosing!!

 

[Serpico]

I was in the same predicament last year....I went with the TLE 11. I like the way it looked better than the springfield and it shoots great. As for problems with Limbers, this model seems to be the most trouble free....enjoy.

 

[Justang]

It ended up being $600 for the gun +tax and lic. Still about $50+ cheaper than the Springfield out the door.

 

[BamBam-31]

Did it have the internal extractor or external one? I saw a Kimber Custom II at Turners in Pasadena that was on clearance for $600. It still had the internal extractor (which I'd prefer). Tight gun, too. I'm sure you'll like yours.

I'm a Springer guy, myself. I've got a Loaded with Bar-Sto barrel and a TRP Operator, both extremely accurate and reliable pistols. Ditto the great customer service from SA, too. There was a slight imperfection in the lines around my grip safety on my Operator (purely cosmetic), so I emailed SA about it. Long story short, they smoothed out the frame and refinished the gun with not so much as a dime out of my pocket. Not bad.

 

[Justang]

I believe this will be the external extractor.

I still want a Springfield. So I'll probably get it in a couple months. I've just got a second job to fund my gun habbit.

Next on the list:
Garand 30-06
M1A .308

then maybe a couple more hand guns.