Need help choosing 1911's

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Bazooka Joe71

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Ive narrowed my next gun choice down between a kimber or a S&W 1911. Im just talking about one that doesnt have to be cosmetically beautiful or anything, but one for around 800-1000 dollars. When i get one of these 2, what modifications will i have to make to it and how much will i spend adding "stuff" to it to make it shoot smoother and more accurate.

Oh, and which of the two brands do you prefer...

Thanks alot for the suggestions in advance!!
 
A Kimber TLE or Smith and Wesson SW1911PD would fill your needs. I would say you would not need to do any modifications to either if the primary goal is CCW.
 
Actually, the primary goal isn't CCW. Its more for range use, and the fact that i really really want a 1911:) . So i want it to be quite accurate at various distances as well.
 
I'd go Smith & Wesson- less trouble with extractors, and S&W provides a lifetime warranty with excellent service. Kimber's warranty is only for a few years.
 
I'd probably go with the S&W, though Kimber's internal extractors seems to be doing well (again). The Smiths 1911s have been gaining a great reputation as a production gun.

If you do get a reliable working Kimber, I'd rather have that than a Smith. But really, its a toss-up, hit or miss, heads or tails kinda game. You either get one that works, or one that doesn't. Currently, I don't trust Kimber current line enough to spend my money on them. I do have a Series I Kimber that I absolutely adore though! :D

When i get one of these 2, what modifications will i have to make to it and how much will i spend adding "stuff" to it to make it shoot smoother and more accurate.
Click to expand...

There won't be any simple modifications you can add to make it run "smoother." To achieve that, you'll have to send it to one of the top smiths and have them handfit your gun to better tolerances. And it ain't cheap. Just enjoy the gun you'll buy, 1911s are AWESOME platforms.

Good luck! :)
 
I'd lean towards the Kimber, but I'm biased, I own four Series Is, and no S&Ws. Never did care much for the billboard.

For a while Kimkber didnt impress me, but I havent handled a current production kimber in a long time.
 
Three years ago I had the same decision... Kimber vs SW1911

I went with the SW1911 $660, my shootin' buddy bought the Kimber for $725.
sw1911_r.jpg

Neither gun has been anything other than great, and I've got over 15k rounds through mine. My buddy took up cowboy shooting so his Kimber is still low milage

We're both happy...

Joe
 
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660??? the cheapest sw 1911 i found is 856.... where did you get it? was it brand new???
 
you can find them on guns america for cheap alot of times, I saw one for 600 on there today.
 
I'm trying to find a 1911 in 10 mm.

I'm trying to find a 1911 style 10 mm. I know they make a few and if I find one I will buy it on the spot. I know they make a few in that caliber. I need to head over to Gunbrokers in Portland. I bet they have one.

:)
 
Kimber Eclipse Custom II 10mm - about $1000

I have a Kimber TLE/II, internal extractor now... "new slide/second life"... since comeing back from KMI with the internal extractor it's been 100%.

The only things I've changed and they were personal choices nothing with function; I went to a GI Guide Rod & Plug and an Ambi Safety. The Guide Rod choice was out of "bad habit", from press checking from the breach, which a full length guide rod won't allow. I happen to love it with the factory rubber grips, thought about a mag-well but have 2 other 1911 projects in the works at the moment :uhoh:
 
Thanks for all of the reply's everyone!

But yeah, i think im more than likely going to get a S&W 1911, if not just because of the lifetime warranty opposed to a couple year warranty.
 
just had the same dilema

I opted for the S&W and it is amazing.

You can't trust internet rumors but "supposedly" S&W makes some Kimber frames. Purely passing on rumor here.
 
OK, i was looking at the S&W website, and I found 1 that really caught my eye. It was the 1911PD tac rail series for 1,120. Now the place i shop for guns, unfortunately takes a nice drive to get there, so i cant just go look, sells their new guns for 10 percent over cost. If the S&W site is selling them for 1,120, how much do you think it would be for 10 percent over the cost they get the gun for?
 
I don't own a high end 1911. I have shot a few Kimber's as a few of my friend's own them. I was looking to buy Springfield Armory Mil-Spec & have my gunsmith work it over. I went to my favorite gun shop last week to look at the 1911's. while I was there, I asked the owner if he was going to get a Taurus PT1911 anytime soon. He just got one that afternoon. It came home with me. Today, I shot with my buddy who own's some Kimber's & a few STI's. He was very impressed with the PT. So am I. I will still buy a high end 1911, but for now the Taurus is going to be just fine!
 
I'll toss a quarter into the S&W hat too. S&W makes a good 1911, although they do have MIM internals to keep the price down.

I am a diehard Colt 1911 man, but I took in two SW1911s at irresistable prices, thinking I would trade them off later for Colts. Both SW1911s have been 100% reliable, very accurate, and all around good guns. There are a few things that I don't like about them, but their value in the $700 range is indisputable.

Here are my range reports.
SW1911#1
SW1911#2
 
When i get one of these 2, what modifications will i have to make to it and how much will i spend adding "stuff" to it to make it shoot smoother and more accurate.
Click to expand...
First shoot the gun for a while. Break it in and get used to it for several thousand rounds. Then decide if you want to do anything different to it. You may notice that it's just fine as it comes from the factory.
 
Smith 1911

I'm quite pleased with my Smith 1911 after 1000 rounds. I had one failure to eject in the first 50 rounds. After that, smooth sailing with a mix of 230 FMJ and 185 JHP.

I like this basic model. Right now, I have no interest in changing anything about it, though down the road, that could always change. :D
Smith_1911_reworked4colorcorrection640Sept2006.jpg
 
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Kimber...

They both have problems...
S&W doesn't know how to fit barrels so the lugs typically impact the frame at various points. They also don't machine the breech face correctly so you typically get dented brass because there is a shelf instead of a square corner. Inspect the gun CLOSELY for known issues... It is almsot guaranteed that your S&W 1911 will have one of these defects. I examined four guns at the local gunshop and they all had both these issues.

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=4245
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=3608

My S&W 1911 had to be returned three times because it was doubling and tripling and they only got it right on the third time. I then had to pay a smith to fit the barrel correctly because it was impacting the frame and breaking link pins (I could have sent it to S&W and had them do it wrong and not have the gun for months). I now have to fix the shelf on the breechface so it stops denting the brass that I want to reload.

When you buy a S&W 1911 you get a gun that will go bang everytime with decent materials (some MIM, but it works), but odds are that it will not be assembled correctly. S&W denies there is a problem and would rather take the gun back and maybe fix it after two or three trips then do it right the first time.

I live in MA so S&W is the only game in town. My next 1911 will be a S&W, but I will inspect it closely and likely send it back before I ever leave the gun store.
 
Between Kimber and S&W, I'd pick neither and get a Dan Wesson. I know,I say this on every "which 1911?" thread. But you can get a tricked out Pointman 7 for $800 or so. And it's available in 10mm if you prefer,as is the Razorback.
 
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