Need some Good ole' 1911 advice.

Which would you buy. Cost being equal.

  • Springfield Loaded ( stainless )

    Votes: 54 77.1%

  • Kimber Stainless II

    Votes: 16 22.9%
  • Total voters
    70
  • Poll closed .
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Greg8098

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I know this topic has probably been beat to death, but I need to decide on which 1911 style pistol that I will buy for the new year. I have narrowed my choices down to the stainless Springfield Loaded and the Kimber Stainless II . Both cost about the same in my area give or take a few dollars. I have heard some bad things about Kimber, but I know that the internet has a tendency to exaggerate things sometimes. Need some good advice from people with actual experience. Once again thanks.
 
There are at least 100 reasons to avoid current Kimbers. You would be far ahead of the game if you went with a Springfield. I would suggest you look at the TRP or Operator models.
 
Most everyone that I know in the real world (friends and people at ranges) like Kimber better. This forum surprises me by all the anti Kimber rhetoric. I know a lot of law enforcement officers and avid shooters with 30+ yrs of experience that like Kimber. I have nothing but good things to say about Kimber, but I have had an SA Champion, a Milspec, and a fullsize loaded model that had issues. All issues were taken care of and the guns were sold. I will never buy another SA.
 
Most everyone that I know in the real world (friends and people at ranges) like Kimber better. This forum surprises me by all the anti Kimber rhetoric. I know a lot of law enforcement officers and avid shooters with 30+ yrs of experience that like Kimber. I have nothing but good things to say about Kimber, but I have had an SA Champion, a Milspec, and a fullsize loaded model that had issues. All issues were taken care of and the guns were sold. I will never buy another SA.
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It's not just this forum, it's pretty much universal. Kimber's quality is suffering as of late.

When the top 1911 gun smiths like Yam, Vickers, Hackthorn and Lau all agree and say that Kimbers quality stinks, you have to listen. These guys are the top authorities on 1911's.

Read the link supplied then come back and dispute the pictures and quotes form the top smiths.
 
I think you will find that the older Kimbers were awesome handguns. The II version isn't looked upon as favorably.

Therefore, the sentiment that the Springfield is a better choice as the Kimber I's are harder to find.
 
I have a Kimber Custom Target, a Gold Match, a Springfield Champion and a Loaded model. My Kimbers are the older pre series II models.

Pros and Cons:

I paid more for the Kimbers.

The fit and finish on the Kimbers is better than the Springfields.

The Kimbers are more accurate than the Springfields. I think this is because of two reasons. 1.The trigger on the Kimber is lighter but this is no longer the case with the new series II guns. 2.The barrel fit is better on the Kimber.

Both have been very reliable.

Springfields come with Novak sights. I really like Novak sights. :D

That being said, my next 1911 will not be from either company. I am currently looking at STI or building my own on a Caspian.
 
It seems that when Kimber went to the series II pistols that trouble just followed - mostly due to trying the external extractors - but also some instances with the new safety system. They went back to internal extractors and solved those issues even though some of them ran fine, mostly the full size models. The new safety system just incorporates more parts and procedure to deal with - just more things that "could" go wrong or cause issues in most peoples books. Most 1911 fans just prefer the pistol without the firing pin safety systems added, me included, even though I've never had a problem caused by them.

I prefer the pre series II pistols. Kimber makes some models without the new safety system and these are the ones I would look at if wanting to purchase a new 1911 style pistol between the two companies that you are considering.....OR, you could always just watch the internet gun sales and find a pre series II model! ;)
 
Sturmgewehr, I did not dispute crap! If you could read the post before you quote it, I was simply giving my own opinion and experience. I have read many of the posts on this site discribing Kimber shortcomings and they seem valid enough. The guy that started the thread was asking for real world experience and I gave mine.
 
This forum surprises me by all the anti Kimber rhetoric.
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I think you need to look up the definition of "rhetoric".

rhet·o·ric /ˈrɛtərɪk/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ret-er-ik] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
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Your choice of words does in fact suggest you are disputing the comments made by myself and others about Kimber. You posted this after my post which implies that my comments were less than accurate or somehow exaggerated for the purpose of deceiving the OP.

Don't get mad at me because you choose your words poorly.
 
i say get the sa. i am kinda partial to them i own 3 sa handguns one being a 1911 i have never been disappointed with them, plus they are backed by the best customer service you could imagine. i have the mc operator and i love it, i couldn't be happier. plus with all the issues that i have heard and read about in regards to the kimbers, from reputable sources i would stay away from them until they get things sorted out.
 
Read the link supplied then come back and dispute the pictures and quotes form the top smiths.
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I read through page 4 of the link posted above, and I'm happy that all my kimbers were made before they came with the "II" stamped into the slide...

And the most I paid for any kimber was $650, maybe $675 for a compact. I paid $500 for my carry gun:D

I have limited expeirance with the series II guns, most of that being with three, two with broken slide stops (replaced with chip parts), and one with a broken safety (that was sent back to kimber). So I wouldnt reccomend one. These werent my pistols, they belonged to shooters at the range I frequent.

Every series I've fired was a dream to shoot, the four I own have several thousand trouble-free rounds through them, one with 10k+.

If you see a used series I pistol on the shelf, I'd reccomend it. If not, I'd reccomend the SA loaded.
 
Oh, this reminds me of a phone conversation I heard a while back, forgot all about it till now:

"Hi Dennis, this is Jeff."
"From On Target?"
 
If you could find a pre Series II, I'd say go with Kimber over the SA, if not then go with the SA.
 
Wow Doc....
that is some pretty compelling evidence. Just sending that to the BBB would completely screw with Kimber. I believe that other small custom shops will be able to pick up the slack. Too bad though, Kimber has some very pretty pistols. But if they don't work well... you know what they say about Italian sports cars...
-bix
 
I prefer the Springfield. If you're like alot of gun owners, you'll eventually want to personalize your pistol. From what I've found, Kimber has some proprietary parts (like the sights) that aren't totally compatible w/ all other aftermarket 1911 parts makers.
I'd go w/ models above the Loaded tho, becasue they are made in the USA ;)
 
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