Springfield vs. Kimber

[Old Dog]

The fact remains, Kimber overall has more problems in general than Springfield, "1911's" any forum will bear this out.

With all due respect, this is not a "fact." As previously noted, Kimber sells several times more product that Springfield. If you actually read through the Kimber sub-forum on the largest 1911 forum, you'll note that most folks experiencing problems with Kimbers are new to the 1911 platform. What is a problem for a 1911 newbie is often an easily rectified, usually within minutes, situation by someone who understands the gun.

Reading through this thread, almost everything posted is entirely subjective.

I've owned numerous specimens from each manufacturer. I'd actually give the nod to Kimber (but that's just me) with regard to QC, but I certainly like the SA 1911s I've owned. I think at the price point, the SA Mil-Spec is the finest entry-level 1911 out there as well as being probably the best base for customization (many respected gunsmiths agree). I've never had a problem Kimber (and I think they make prettier pistols than Springfield, not that it matters) and my problems with SA pistols didn't necessitate return to the company.

Chevy? Ford? Who really cares?

(uh, actually, I like my Chevy ...)

 

[orionengnr]

I've owned eight Kimbers and three Springfields (as well as a bunch of other 1911s).
Two of the Springers went back to Geneseo (one of them twice). Then they replaced it, and that one went back twice (once by me, and once by the guy who bought it from me.

None of the Kimbers ever gave me any reason to use their CS, so I have no experience with them.

A friend of mine has two Kimbers and no problems. Another friend has one, no problems. The production dates of these guns varies from 1998 to last year. Some have been steel, most of them were alloy. Several of them were 5", several more were 4", and the majority were 3".

Anecdotal, yes, but factual.

Now, how about buying a safe?

 

[Brin]

Springfield.

 

[gym]

I respect all of your opinions, "let's understand that first", but how can these guns vary so greatly from user to user. My gunsmith who is well known after 40 years building guns, "some for the military", also told me last week when I asked this question, to stay away from them. Now I know he is a top notch guy, but said they used to make good guns, but not any more.
Then I read so many stories about FTE and FTF's on the ultra's that it has stopped me a dozen times from buying a CDP, although I really like the size, caliber and lines of the gun, "better than any other small 45? I just don't understand why so many people have problems with them if it's not the fault of the gun?
I would buy one in a heartbeat if I knew I wasn't going to have a 12-1500 dollar problem.
On the other hand I hardly hear any problems with Springfield 1911's, I owned an EMP, and it ran great. It just wasn't a 45. So I am indeed interested in how this thread goes because I keep coming back to Kimber after looking at everything else, and nothing is as small and compact as well as pretty as their guns.

 

[Old Dog]

gym, stay away from the 3-inchers. The 4-inchers can be quite good. Don't know if you have a local guns for sale website, but I can tell you that the NW has a couple pretty active gun boards and you just don't see very often the Kimber Pros (the 4-inchers, especially the CDP and Tactical Pro models) or Springfield Armory Champions (the SA 4-inchers) up for sale. What that indicates to me is that the owners of this pistols, which have sold like hotcakes for many years now (and the SA Champs aren't currently in production), are staying in the hands of satisfied owners. 'Course, that could just be the greater WA/OR/ID region ... mebbe we just get the good ones up here.

 

[GC51]

Somewhat surprised by the negative reviews of the Kimber...I bought mine new for under $750 about 5 years back and it has been extremely accurate and trouble free, no feed issues, etc. I was looking for a Colt when I bought the Kimber, being an old Colt fan. I have never had a moment's regret that I bought the Kimber, and find the tolerances on it to be much tighter than the Mark IV series 80 Colt I owned a few years back. You probably will find that between Colt, Kimber, and Springfield, it's going to be a preference thing-everyone likes their own gun best, and any of those three would be a good choice.

 

[CNobbe]

Have owned: Springfield Mil Specs in parkerized and SS.
Kimber Custom II and Pro Carry II 9mm.

Four guns, two from each company. Kimbers -no issues whatsoever.

NIB SS Mil-Spec with "NM" serial (meaning made in USA). Holy crap did it have problems. Sent back, no questions asked by Springfield C.S. Went through the service department i.e custom shop (had a custom shop logo engraved on the slide when it came back).

The issues were FTF, FTRB, FTE. All ammo tried.

Basically they gave it their "defense package" for free and it worked perfectly afterward. Very happy they took care of it.

My other Mil Spec I bought used never had a hiccup while I owned it...accurate gun.

My Kimbers were great, no problems at all. I shot a lot of TulaAmmo and Blazer aluminum through that gun before learning to reload, but it never failed me, even during the "break in" period.

I'd say both are good options, but Sig Sauer 1911s are also very good and some seem to be prices a little lower.

 

[gym]

Thanks Dog, that seems to have a lot more to do with it than anything else it seems. Sam also brought that up to me before. I never had problems with full sized 1911's or as you mentioned the Commander sized guns. perhaps truth is these small guns get so shrunk down that the slightest thing going to effect their timing.
Have a Gun show this week, and will be looking again, I was going to try a Sig, 227 or 229, but I really still want a commander or smaller size 1911.They were getting 975 a few years ago for a CDP in 3" but now last I saw was $1050, with post sights. Perhaps the Pro is better to get than the Ultra, with a couple of Mc'Cormick mags

 

[Casefull]

I have colts then went to kimber. Kimber is hands down better gun than any of my colts. My kimbers are real close to my Wilson combat. Much closer than the colts or SA I have are to the Kimbers. I love all the 1911's.