My first 1911

[Armedleprechaun]

I know this question has probably been answered several times, just bare with me. I'm looking for a high quality 1911 for range use and home defense. I'm also looking for one with some modern features. I've narrowed my my choices down to the following: Kimber Custom II, Springfield Loaded, or Springfield Mil Spec (Which would be somewhat of a project gun). My one concern about the Kimber is it's propensity to rust around the barrel.I take good care of all my guns, but I don't want to constantly have to worry about it. That being said both the Kimber and Springfield felt good in hand. Any help would be appreciated.

Evan

 

[Kingofthehill]

Although im very open to all brands, Kimber has let me down in more ways than one. I still own 2 (CDP II Custom and SIS), i won't own another. I have owned 6 total and have just had too many problems with galling, rusting, pitting, fitting, reliability.... and then you get to their Customer service... no thanks... they seem to think that until you put 1,000 rds through it, its not really a problem and its just "breaking In"...

I worked at a shop that sold many many guns, and there are a lot of great kimbers out there. Im just no longer gonna deal with their excuses.

The Loaded is a great 1911. Its advanced and nice enough to leave as is for quite some time and possibly for the life you own it where the Milspec or GI models might leave you wanting to tune it almost immediately... which could be totally cool if your the tinker type and want to make it your very own.

If you are looking at the Springfield Mil Spec, you might also want to consider the STI Trojan or STI Spartan. They are even better guns for similar money (not equal, but close)

Im sure i'll be called a Kimber basher or whatever, but their quality has gone downhill over the past few years, especially on their more budget sub $1000 guns. I understand all brands have the occasional lemons but how they have dealt with me over the years has been almost insulting.

JOe

 

[cobblestone]

I would guess 9 times out of ten people would choose the springer loaded....i think the custom 2 is a little over priced for what it is and the mil-spec doesnt really fit your modern features......

 

[Harvey]

Im sure i'll be called a Kimber basher or whatever, but their quality has gone downhill over the past few years, especially on their more budget sub $1000 guns. I understand all brands have the occasional lemons but how they have dealt with me over the years has been almost insulting.

JOe

If you ask me, you're not a basher, Joe, you just know what you're looking at. Kimber HAS gone down hill ... and fast. When Kimber first debutted they had some fine weaponry, but now just lay a Kimber and a Colt (or a RAI, or most any other brand) side by side and you can see and feel the difference in quality ... particularly with the light weight Kimber specialty runs.

The OTB Kimbers proudly engraved as 'Custom Shop' have never seen the inside of a custom shop. And to mass produce so-called 'Custom Shop' pistols is really stretching the truth.

First time buyers beware.

 

[Fleetman]

I have not had any bad experiences with my Kimber UC II....it has now earned the right to be a regular carry. The Kimber and accompanying five magazines have worked to perfection.

 

[Jed Carter]

I own a Springfield Longslide, great pistol, no experience with Kimber, probably never will. Plus one on the STI I have a Trojan on order from their custom shop. If you get a mil-spec, to upgrade the sights you may have to machine the slide to a novak or bomar cut. For HD I would reccomend night sights, for range use, adjustable. Warning! 1911s are habit forming!

 

[FLAvalanche]

I would take the Springer over the Kimber any day.

 

[ttheel]

Both nice guns but I would lean towards the Kimber. Just my opinion.

 

[mec]

Save up a little more and get a Les Baer of whatever type seems appropriate.

 

[robctwo]

I bought the SA Loaded Black Stainless Target for my first 1911. Did a trigger job after shooting the heck out of it. Got to know the 1911 well enough to detail strip with ease. Great guns. My SA had a fairly stout trigger pull, around 6 or 7 pounds, which is more than I liked. The Smith & Wesson PD had a much better trigger out of the box. One of my friends has an older Kimber that shoots lights out and is totally reliable.

 

[jeepguy]

i have 2 4" kimbers one 9mm & one .45 and they are both perfect. i also have a s&w 5". i would strongly consider the s&w in stainless steel. all the smiths i've looked at seem verry well put together. the only problem i had with my .45 kimber is it did not like the mag that came with it.