limited myself to used 1911, now time to pick one

[sernv99]

went to my local gunshop today and saw a consignment Springfield Armory Parkerized Loaded for $725. There was an external rail mounted on it and the sales associate some other custom work was done on it but couldnt tell me what exactly other work was done so I emailed the owner of the shop too find out exactly what was done. But overall there is hardly any wear on this gun. The mag has just a little itty bit wear at the top. That's about it. I like the rail on it consdering I wouldnt mind having a rail on a gun to mount a laser. I know some die hard 1911 fans would detest that but not me.

the other gun I saw was a new Kimber Custom TLE II, black, with the front and back strap checkering. I truly want the front strap checkering in addition to the backstrap. The Springfield only has the backstrap checkering. Anyway asking price was $876 I think.

With used guns, my local shop backs them up...if I encounter a problem down the road, I can bring it back and they will take care of it (i.e. fixing it for no cost).

has the QC problems with Kimber gone away? Is this Springfield a real deal? Can aftermarket 10 round mags work in either one?

 

[BamBam-31]

I think both are good options.

You can add skateboard tape to the frontstrap of the Springer, and there are laser options that do not require a rail for the Kimber if it's not the RL model (Crimson Trace).

Personally, I like the trigger pull on Springfields better (don't like Series II Kimbers), but almost all the Kimbers I've fondled were fit tighter than the Springfields. I wouldn't mind either gun, really.

Get either Chip McCormick or Wilson mags, and you should be GTG.

 

[bannockburn]

sernv99

I'd say both guns sound pretty nice, and if the Springfield checks out okay, maybe see if the owner can move a little on the price, versus what may be a little less negotiating room with the new Kimber. Keep us posted on whatever you decide to get.

 

[sernv99]

I think I can negotiate on the Kimber a little bit. I also plan to buy a .233 rifle from the same shop and have inquired about a Benelli as well and if i buy two or more guns from them I am pretty sure they can give me some discount. Or at least throw in some boxes of ammo.

I prefer the checkering as opposed to skateboard tape. Just my thing but I'll relook at both this weekend or next week and make a final decision. Both to me are great (fit and finish wise). I'm not an experienced shooter to tell the difference between specifics on each gun......so, as long as it goes boom and doesn't fail, that's good enough for me. I'm not planning to do any carry with it.

My only concern was Kimber's problems with its extractors but after looking at other forums, it seems to have worked itself out.

 

[JoeSlomo]

has the QC problems with Kimber gone away? I

Doubt it.

At LEAST you aren't paying full price. The Kimber QC issues may actually be a good thing simply because some folks will buy a new kimber, have issues with it, and sell it which will allow you to get it at a lower price and only require you to tweak the extractor, or change a mag release. Granted you MAY have some serious issues ie chamber specs are crap or whatever, but more than likely it will be something minor you can adjust / tweak yourself.

My TLE II had some major issues which really irked me seeing as how I bought it new, but I fixed the issues after many rounds and consistent trouble shooting, and now she runs fine. I haven't had a stoppage in over 800 rounds or more. (of course I will have one during tomorrows single stack shoot due to saying this lol!!! )

Good luck.

 

[TAB]

my exp( both as a gun owner and an empolyee at a FFL) is that both kimber and springfield are about the same when it comes to probs per X number of guns.

 

[Old Dog]

I've never had a bad Kimber. Don't personally know anyone (and I know a lot of shooters) who has, so for me, the bad Kimber rap is strictly anecdotal internet reports.

Toss-up for me. Two of my favorite production 1911s. The more I shoot my TLE II, the more I like it. I do wish SA did frontstrap checkering on their Loaded models. But, Kimber's mags aren't as good, and they give you only one with your new pistol. Also, I dislike the nylon MSHs on the TLE. I like the bigger dots on Kimber's Meprolights, but I also find the SA's triggers better. Kimbers are tighter, the Springers (to me) look a tad prettier (except for the CDPs and the Tactical models, they're sweet). You get an ambi-safety on the loaded (but some of us could give a hoot about that feature). My TLE is a bit more accurate than my Loaded.

Both have been 100%, stone-cold reliable straight out of the box.

Standing by for the "but they both have lots of MIM parts" ...

 

[sernv99]

how's the durability of the black finish on the Kimber vs. the Pakerized finish of the Springfield? It will be a range gun, not a carry pistol but still curious.

 

[Old Dog]

The finish on my TLE II is holding up extremely well after about a year and a half of regular use -- admittedly, I don't holster or carry this pistol often -- the only signs of wear, strangely enough, is on the safety, where the finish has worn off so much the safety lever looks almost grey. I'm gonna address that with Kimber, see what they say ...

My Loaded is stainless; the only park'd SA I have is a 1993-vintage (bought new) 1911 (pre-"Mil Spec"). The parkerization has worn some over the years, but not off, just has the patina of a good-looking, basic, well cared-for pistol.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I only paid 940 for my New Dan Wesson Bobtail better pistol than either of these. I bought a new Colt Agent for high 700's . Better look some more their are affordable new pistols in you range with a little shopping
Don't limint you self to a used pistol

 

[DrLaw]

Uh, stupid sounding question

...but have you ever shot a handgun before, much less a .45?

The Doc is out now.

 

[sernv99]

..."have you ever shot a handgun before, much less a .45?"

if that was directed at me, yeah it is a stupid question


anyway pulled the trigger on a matte black custom TLE II for $875....also picked up two Chip McCormick 8 rounder mags and box of magtech ammo...will give a range report....

 

[possum]

i am a huge sa fan and and a sa loyalist i own 3 sa handguns. one of which is a mc operator 1911, and i love it.

the rail is great to have as my operator does and the main reason i went with it on there is because it is gonna be a dedicated light gun. the next 1911 i get will probally be without a rail just to have one of each.

the hardest part about the railed 1911's is finding holsters for em with the rail and a light combo but there are some good companies out there, that make what you need.

plain and simple, i trust a sa 1911 moreso than a kimber, and i know that if something happens to the sa or any other sa product they will take care of me.

as far as mags, i bought a whole bunch with my loaded coupon that came with my operator. i bought 4-7rd an 4-10rd mags making me a total of 10 mags. i have only been able to try out the 2 factory mags that came with it so far and they have been perfect.

you can'tgo wrong with chip mcormick mags, all thier mags are great. and wilson too of course. but chips work just fine, and they are cheaper.

 

[DFW1911]

Don't personally know anyone (and I know a lot of shooters) who has, so for me, the bad Kimber rap is strictly anecdotal internet reports.

Unfortunately for me, a Kimber was the worst handgun I have ever purchased and, as such, was my only and last Kimber. I don't think it's fair of me to blame the brand, but the experience w/ this gun was so awful it had to be fixed by Wilson Combat before I'd even consider selling it.

My first 1911 was SA and I still have it. I probably own, I don't know, 10 or so of them and I've not had any problems to speak of. A Springfield 1911 is (was pulled out of the safe today to replace a Wilson) to be my primary CCW.

Chip McCormick makes 10 round mags that should work fine.

I hope this helps. Enjoy whichever one you get.

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[DrLaw]

Wasn't trying to be insulting

Nope, not trying to be insulting at all. This looked like the kind of question that came from a newbie and I got to thinking, now what if this person has never shot a handgun before. Are they in for a rude awakening!

Sometimes, you do get people like that, and the best thing to keep them involved in the shooting sports is to steer them the right way by starting out with a smaller caliber (or gun) and teaching them to work their way up to the big stuff.

Depending on how old you are, you might remember that after the movie "Dirty Harry", Smith & Wesson had a run on Model 29's. However, a goodly portion of them went back on the market after the neophyte owner shot one.

No, not trying to be insulting, just wondering if some help and advice might be needed.

The Doc - always trying to be helpful like the old Boy Scout that I am - is out now.