Kimber pro TLE, or Springfield RO, 4"

[george burns]

I'm stuck between these two, I want a carry/ HD, all around gun, I have been carrying for 45 yrs and shooting longer.
I just can't decide between the two. The only thing pointing me to the Kimber is the fact that I can get it in Stainless. Living in FL, that is a plus.
All my other guns are black or Blued, except for a few slides. I shoot 45 as well as 9mm, and believe a 1911 should be in 45 only, perhaps 10mm also, but not 9mm, can't help it, it's the mindset I was raised with.
I am trying to stay at or under a thousand dollars. I also looked at the Ruger Lightweight Commander, "the new one with titanium feed ramp, but keep coming back to the TLE, or RO Champion with or without the rail. Opinions from other longtime 1911 guys would be appreciated. Like to stay on those two guns if possible, as I am familiar with most of what is out there, including the R1's etc.

 

[Woolecox]

Cant speak for the Range Officer but I have owned a Kimber Custom TLE II for several years now. Awesome weapon. Accurate, reliable. It just works. I even competed with it a few times and did well.

I hear a lot of SWAT teams carry the TLE II.

 

[Rinspeed]

I like the older Kimbers quite a bit, not so sure I would buy a new one. Not so sure I would buy a 4" over a 5" from either just because with a good holster the extra inch won't make it all that much easier to conceal.

 

[Valkman]

and believe a 1911 should be in 45 only, perhaps 10mm also, but not 9mm, can't help it, it's the mindset I was raised with.

I agree, my friend, although I'd add 38 Super also. I can't help it either - back when I started shooting Bullseye and a 1911 I think all you could get was .45.

My Kimbers are all good guns but I haven't bought one in 10 years.SA makes good guns too but I'd probably go with the stainless pro TLE.

 

[bannockburn]

george burns

Have had great experiences with both company's products though they were older models. Would probably go with the SA Range Officer. Nothing wrong with a 1911 in .38 Super/9mm. Have always liked a .38 Super in a Commander size gun.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The Springfield is a good bit less expensive than the Kimber, and I've carried a parkerized Springfield on and off in assorted humid climates for years without any rust problems. And I don't like the Swartz firing pin safety that Kimber uses - I tolerate the Series 80 system on my Colts, but I prefer the Springfield approach of using a titanium firing pin instead of extra parts.

 

[george burns]

I left out 38 super because as I remember using that setup was more for a competition gun, and I am not going to compete. I just want straight out knockdown. I will be using Hollow points only, which I should have mentioned, and probably either Corbon or Hornaday, although Federal has worked for me well for many years, although I never had to actually shoot someone with a 45 to find out and hopefully never will.
I have had to use a 9mm before and found them to be fine for what their intended purpose is. I still go between a Glock 19 and a Glock 30, depending on my dress, but a 1911 is actually easier to carry for me, plus I like the 45round better.

 

[Fast Frank]

I have a stainless TLE 2 that I bought in 2005.

It has the external extractor.

Break in was difficult with lots of failure to return to battery. It would get the round about 3/4 of the way in the chamber and just stop. I could bump the rear of the slide and make it close. That pistol was crazy tight when it was brand new.

I did the fluff and buff, smoothed up a bunch of sharp edges, and kept shooting it until it started working.

It has not jammed or failed in any way for about a decade now and I trust it completely. It's still tight compared to other older 1911s, and smooth as butter.

I didn't enjoy the breakin process, and lots of folks seem to lack the skills and patience to get past that.There was a lot of complaining going on back then. I don't know if the new kimbers are still tight like that. I do know that they have changed back to the original extractor.

But the end result was well worth the effort.

My Kimber is a keeper, and my number one choice when I feel like I need a gun in my hand.

Edit*

Having said all that, If I was buying a new 1911 today I would buy SIG. I have handled and shot several and they work right out of the box.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I would get the Springfield , Colt or a Ruger I think kimber way over rated and over priced. Yes I fell for the shinny ads Once. Never again.

 

[nettlle]

I would go with Springfield or Colt. I have a Kimber but I won't buy another one.

 

[george burns]

Thanks, it's now either the RO Champion, or the Ruger Lightweight Commander. Too bad neither have a rail but for a daytime carry gun I really don't need one. It's a matter of the finish, now, I read that the RO has problems with the finish coming off just from holstering it a few times, The Ruger has a stainless slide, and the Titanium feed strip embedded in the frame, so I may go that route. It's also a full commander size rather than 4".

 

[MIL-DOT]

It's also a full commander size rather than 4".

What's "full commander size", ? 4.25" ? Anyway, I agree with the guys saying go with Springfield over Kimber, all day long. Way too many negative reports (and my limited experience,as well) to take a chance on one of them versus a likely winner from Springfield (or Colt...or Ruger.)

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I wouldn't worry too much about the finish; the finish on my parkerized Springfield has held up pretty well. Anyway, every working gun eventually shows wear, just the nature of things. Now I do have one of those Ruger Lightweight Commanders and it's a nice little gun; I don't think you'll go wrong with either the Ruger or the RO.