Kimber or Sig 220: Put up or shut up

[J.Bourne]

Time for me to finally make a decision on my next .45ACP. I'm choosing between a Kimber Series II and a Sig-Sauer Stainless 220 w/rail.

The Kimber is $520, the Sig is $639.

I LOVE the way the Kimber feels in my hand, tight and slim. I am worried about it's MIM parts, however, especially the sear. I don't want my .45 to go full auto on me.

I know the Sig will be rock-solid reliable and relatively accurate.

I am making this purchase in the next day or two, and am completely confused. I want the Kimber's feel and the Sig's reliability.

The time has come for me the put up or shut up.

 

[LeonCarr]

Sig P220. Much more reliable than the 1911, and Sigs are very accurate out of the box. Worth the extra money.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[tiberius]

I don't have any Kimbers, so let's just call it "quality 1911". A quality 1911 is the best SA .45 in existence and the Sig 220 is arguably the best DA .45 in existence. If you really like the way the 1911 feels, then you should get that. Based on the prices you posted, you will have ~$100 to fix any deficiencies you find.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

have you considered the springfield mil spec? it's a pretty rock solid pistol, and costs less.

you might also consider getting the kimber and just replacing the MIM parts you don't like. a sear doesn't cost that much.

 

[tiberius]

Sig P220. Much more reliable than the 1911

 

[shooter.45]

Another Vote for the Springfield milspec. I have the WWII and love it. I also have the Sig 220st. But back to your question the Sig of course.

 

[J.Bourne]

Does a Springfield milspec use MIM parts like Kimber, what does it cost, and is it as tight with the same "feel" as the Kimber? Thanks.

 

[pale horse]

Between the two that you mentioned I would go with the 1911 just because I shoot it the best.

Springfields are great pistols as others have mentioned. They use MIM parts as well, but I have had no problems with either of mine. There is a weak side to the SA pistiols and that is the extractor in general, they dont always come tuned properly. As to the tightness of the SA milspecs, they are tight, I dont know about the WWII modles though. But the standard modles are very nice when it comes down to the bottom line and they cost around 400 to 450. For that price I would pick one up shoot it and see if there is any part that I did not like and replace it. If you get a 1911 you will see how versitile they are to modify for your personal preference. Just a side note I have the 5" loaded modles.

 

[shooter.45]

My WWII model was just as tight as the Kimber TLE I use to have and I never liked the Plastick MSH on the Kimber cheap looking. And the Springfield was 300.00 cheaper also. Cant beat that and has a titanium firing pin also..

 

[45auto]

I don't think you will find a mil-spec model that will feel as good in your hand as the Kimber. I would take a look at the Springfield Loaded as a similiar gun and feel.

 

[shooter.45]

The new springfields with the new rounded front strap feel great in hand compaired to the overpriced Kimber. And horrible customer service.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Here is another vote for the SIG P220ST!

You can't go wrong with a SIG.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[clubsoda22]

CDNN has some police trade in sigs for $380 blue and $400 duotone if i remember correctly. The HK LE trade i got from them is immaculate. If price is an issue, i'd get one of those, otherwise, I like them both. I have a 1911, i want a sig too.

 

[45R]

J.Bourne-

I own both a Sig220ST and a Kimber Custom II Target Model. I had the same dilema last year. The Kimber has not had any problems with MIM parts. There are lots of companies that use MIM parts and they are fine. Us 1911 fans are really picky about what goes into our guns. Look at M1A owners....the hard core guys will only go with USGI parts. Everything else in their opinion is sub par.

So for about 630 you can purchase a NIB Sig 220ST at Bachmans in Texas 214-351-0572 or you can buy a Kimber for a wee bit cheaper.

I personally love both my pistols. The Sig 220ST has the sweeetest DA/SA trigger and the weight of the ST model really tames recoil. I shoot both pistols well. Both have functioned reliably, accurately and the Kimber eats JHP ammo all day. I havent put any though my Sig yet. IHMO both will serve you well.

Want the best, it comes down to which one you shoot better. Mags and parts for both guns are cheap. ACT sells excellent aftermarket magazines for near 20 bucks for the Sig and Wilson Mags are a little pricer at 24 bucks each. Both companies have excellent customer service.

Check out SigForum for more information on the Sig and check out the 1911 Forum for more information on the 1911.

Sactown once said something like buy quality and buy once. Buy Junk and buy forever.

Best

45R

 

[KMKeller]

Sig P220ST

 

[Preacherman]

I own three 1911's (including a Kimber) and three SIG P220's. For carry purposes, it's the SIG every time for me. It has a heavier first-round trigger pull, which is useful, because I don't want to shoot unless I absolutely have to, and this makes that first shot more deliberate. Its accuracy is at least as good as most 1911's, and superior to many of them. Its reliability is legendary, and I've never had one of mine jam on me even once - but my 1911's have done so from time to time. Finally, the Kimber, or any good 1911, has to "tweak" the basic specification to be really good - tighten the slide-to-frame fit, make sure the barrel is properly fitted, etc. Any defect in any of these areas can make the pistol less reliable. The SIG P220 was designed the way it is from the outset, and requires no "tweaking".

I love 1911's, and enjoy shooting them - but the SIG is at my side if I want a .45 to accompany me into a danger zone.

I'd also like to second the earlier recommendation for the CDNN police trade-in SIG's. I bought one, and at $375, it's a steal! It's also in very good condition. You might want to buy one of these, shoot it for a while, and then move up to the P220ST. (I promise you won't want to get rid of your first one! )

 

[agony]

I have both a series I Kimber stainless target, and three P220s.

The Kimber, when it feeds, is so accurate it's boring.

However, when I feel the need for tight 45ACP shooting, I choose the trusty P220ST. More accurate than the aluminum-framed versions (at least in my limited experience), and 100% reliable.

 

[jar]

Don't let the idea on MIM parts get in your way. Get the one that feels best to you and the other next time.

 

[George Hill]

SIG>Kimber

 

[10-Ring]

I go w/ the Kimber & then go check out the deal on the 220's at cdnn

That's my way of saying "Get both!"

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Alright, someone has to say it...

I don't want my .45 to go full auto on me.

You _don't_ want it to go full auto? Hmmm... Anyone who doesn't want a full auto .45 clearly is lacking in an appreciation for the finer things in life.

Ok, sorry. It's out of my system now. I'll be good. I swear...

 

[J.Bourne]

Well, I really appeciate all of the feedback.

I've decided to get the SIg 220ST, and I have started to save for a Springfield Mil-Spec 1911 if I happen to get a chance to hold one and it feels right. I was going to get a STI Trojan, but at $900+, it's a little steep.

By the way, this is a great forum if anyone needed to be reminded.

 

[10-Ring]

I don't think you could have gone wrong no matter what you decided

 

[PCRCCW]

Having shot/owned/carryied a few quality 45's...Kimber/STI etc in 1911's..and A Sig 220ST/CZ97 etc................

Id say it comes down to which ever fits your trigger style and hand the best. My custom kimber/sti and my loaner 220ST were as accurate as you will EVER find....out of the box.

Shoot well........