Springfield Armory Loaded vs. Kimber Tactical Pro II

Status
Not open for further replies.

cor_man257

Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2011
Messages
105
Ive been comparing the Springfield Armory Loaded model for awhile. But I stumbled across the Kimber Tactical Pro II. Its not a full sized 1911... but it still has the things I'm looking for. I know Springfield has an outstanding customer service, but how is Kimbers? It seems good to some and not to others.

Ive been looking for a few features in a 1911.
-Night Sights
-Ambi Saftey
-Commander Hammer
-Skeletonized Trigger
-Beavergrip

I wont be buying anything until this summer, still waiting for that 21 mark to role around. Pricing and planning while I wait. After I get a 1911 it will likely be a carry peice. I carried around an M9 for a year. Weight isnt that large an issue, plus with the right holster... *poof* gone. Any carry gun should understandably also be a range gun.

So does anyone have any input about these two? Ive done alot more research on the Springfield than I have the Kimber. So thoughts?
 
Both.. either.. There is a bit of Kimber bashing here, a guy I know went from loving his Kimber to hating. I'd like to take it to the range and put in my known magazines etc. Most feeding issues are mags.

Another buddy just bought a Springer Loaded Champion (4" barrel) all the features you want.. WELL balanced. great gun.
 
This is the Kimber Tac Pro II that I bought brand new in 2003.

DSC00836.jpg

I'm not a Kimber basher but I did not have a positive experience with my (one and only) Kimber and as far as I know no subesquent owner of that gun has either....

This particular gun was a total POS. Suffers from Failure To Extract/Eject (FTE) problems. I gave Kimber 3 attempts to fix it before I traded it off to a Kimber Fan Boy (who was positive I was the problem).... I just smiled when he couldn' get it work either and after yet another trip back to Kimber with the same problems, he sold it....

The gun looked nice and it was accurate. It was light and carried well. It just didn't extract rounds worth a crap, Kimber couldn't fix it and for what I paid (and the bath I took getting rid of it) - that is totally unacceptable.

I'm not a big Springfield Armory fan these days either but that has to do with the fact that they are imported. I owned a Springer Milspec for over 10yrs and it was a good shooting gun with no problems.

If I were in the market for a new 1911 and was down to the 2 choices you have - I'd buy the Springer Loaded.
Will
 
the only issue with my kimber is the flat-welded mag that it came with. It's hard for me to make sure that it is loaded all the way. Bought two kimber aftermarket mags when I got the piece and they have little screw-on bump pads on the bottom that give a more solid feel when loading. Other than the mag that comes in the box, haven't had any issues. I love it.

Mine is a procarry II btw, but I assume that you are asking more in general about kimber.
 
Can't speak as to the Kimber but I did buy the SA about a week ago. I just finished cleaning it after its first outing. I will be the first and loudest about how lousy I shoot, I hung a soda can from a stick against the truck of a tree we have been trying to kill. At a range of about 35-40 ft after 4 rds it looked like I had missed completely which is more or less what I expected. Walked to the tree and 3 out of 4 rds had punched very neat holes thru the can and the 4th had grazed the can. So in my eyes this SA is a very fine weapon, slide action is smooth, trigger is smooth and breaks around 4-5 lbs. I as also using the Hornady Critical Defense ammo (packaged as Zombie something). I carry it in a horizontal shoulder rig, with one mag on the other side, balances out nice and weight is not a issue for me. (health issue had me down to a .380). Wish I could go into a detail review but I just don't have the skill set to write so anyone can understand so I just say SA is tops.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Are there any other 1911s that you could think of that fit the bill? Im looking up the Loaded Champion that was mentioned right after I post this.

I also for got to mention that Im looking for guns around the $800 range. Maybe one side, hopefully the other, :p . I have seen both the orginial two pistols in that area for price.
 
It honestly doesnt matter to me. I dont intend on going all california on it and dropping it until it goes off from some once in a life time drop angle.

If it has it, thats okay. If it doesnt thats also fine. It wont influence my overall choice.
 
I have the Kimber Ultra Carry II SS TLE, 45acp. I've had it for about 1yr now. It has been pretty much trouble free. I was having random slide lock backs with my practice ammo. This showed up after the 500 round break-in period. Worked fine with my carry ammo, Hornady CD. What was happening was the bullet in the mag just touching the slide lock. This was with 230gr RN ammo. I called Kimber CS and they sent me out a new slide lock,(received in 3days) problem solved. I have near 1700 rounds through it now and it just keeps on going. This gun is more accurate than I'm.

Most all of the latest reports have been more positive than negative. I would not shy away from a Kimber.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top