RainDodger
Member
I have both. They are both great guns. That's the bottom line.
Springfield vs. Kimber
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zerobarrier
Contributing Member
Kimber. I don't agree about the comments about their CS. As far as I have seen and heard they are the best. Example: I have a CDP custom and when I was firing it the saftey would creep up just enough to engage it and not fire the next round. The safety had a little wiggle to it. It seemed like the plunger spring was to light. Called them told the guy what was happening and what I thought it was. So he said I was probably right but just in case he will send me a stainless ambi safety($60) as well as the plunger tube and spring ($22) for free and no shipping. Hell they didn't even ask for the serial# of the pistol.
Oh the spring fixed the problem, so now I have an extra ambi safety and housing
Oh the spring fixed the problem, so now I have an extra ambi safety and housing
dusty14u
Member
I would go with Kimber for several reasons. They outsell SA 6:1 so if they had the same percentage of problems as SA it would be 6 times that of SA. Kimber is American and SA is Brazilian and I still have more faith in American production and quality than I do in Brazilian production and quality. IMO the fit and finish of Kimbers is higher than the SA's I have handled and shot.
My take is that in the under $1200 market, Kimber is superior, better fit, far better finish (especially on small parts). And with the far better finish and fit, the best of the lower priced triggers, you can always upgrade those small part's you are concerned about in the Kimber (I haven't have the need with any of mine). Also, no one is going to convince me to drop a grand on a Brazilian made, US "assembled" Springer over an American made Kimber. Springfield has a much smaller capacity, and really actually builds very few actual guns from start to finish. I would personally take the AZ built Ruger SR1911 over any of Springfields lower priced 1911's. I would also look hard at the Remmingtons in that price range.
Now I will say this for Springfield. Their truly American made small shop guns, like the TRP are exceptional, and certainly competitive with Kimber and perhaps even Dan Wesson. In the $1500 range, they build world class 1911's.
One other note. One hears a lot of complaints about Kimber, you must remember that Kimber sells more 1911's than all other 1911 companies combined. They OWN the 1911 market. Anytime someone is that dominant their detractors will tend to be loud. Also Kimber is probably the most purchased first 1911 and many times first gun of any 1911. Beginners tend to ignore, break in and proper maintenance, something a good, tight 1911 needs.
I know several members of LE who are allowed to choose 1911's and they all choose Kimbers. They work, they are tight, and they've run a long time. The two I've owned were flawless, had to sell one, and one remains my main carry.
Now I will say this for Springfield. Their truly American made small shop guns, like the TRP are exceptional, and certainly competitive with Kimber and perhaps even Dan Wesson. In the $1500 range, they build world class 1911's.
One other note. One hears a lot of complaints about Kimber, you must remember that Kimber sells more 1911's than all other 1911 companies combined. They OWN the 1911 market. Anytime someone is that dominant their detractors will tend to be loud. Also Kimber is probably the most purchased first 1911 and many times first gun of any 1911. Beginners tend to ignore, break in and proper maintenance, something a good, tight 1911 needs.
I know several members of LE who are allowed to choose 1911's and they all choose Kimbers. They work, they are tight, and they've run a long time. The two I've owned were flawless, had to sell one, and one remains my main carry.
Kimber gets a lot of bad talk on the net. But mine has been far better than any of the many Springfield's I've owned. I'd buy another Kimber in a minute, BUT, for about the same money I think the S&W 1911 is the best 1911 in that price range right now.
RainDodger
Member
Someone said "no comparison"... well, there is a comparison. Asking a question like that on an internet forum about two major manufacturers is going to get you every kind of answer you can imagine! There may be no comparison between a Springfield and something like an inexpensive Hi-Point, but between Kimber and Springfield? Pick the one you want and you're going to get a nice gun. Every manufacturer has problems once in a while, but they generally turn out nice products.
I own multiples of both Springfield and Kimber. I've had very minor maintenance issues with both, and they've both been either fixed by me with a part change, or the manufacturer has sent me a new part (slide stop, etc.). Nothing serious. They're all nice pistols. You're paying for a nice pistol.
I own multiples of both Springfield and Kimber. I've had very minor maintenance issues with both, and they've both been either fixed by me with a part change, or the manufacturer has sent me a new part (slide stop, etc.). Nothing serious. They're all nice pistols. You're paying for a nice pistol.
G'dale Mike
Member
Never owned a Springfield 1911, but did have a kimber cdp, nicest shooting handgun I've owned. Now , just an observation, but it's interesting that all u springfield guys #1 or 2 praise is for the company's customer service dept,,, just sayin,,,,lol
loose noose
Member
Had both, definitely prefer the Springfield over the Kimber, both by price comparison and customer service. Note I also have a Colt Gold Cup Nt'l Match,70 Series, that will put them all to shame from an accuracy standpoint.
Zaydok Allen
Member
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Jeeze ColtPythonElite, lately I've been finding the exact post I want to write next to your post first. Got any bridges you'd like to sell me, cuz I might bite.
This ^^^^^^
Personally IMO I think Kimbers are over rated and overpriced. I looked at a NIB one at a LGS. It had surface rust on the muzzle. $1200 for a rusty gun? No thanks.
This ^^^^^^
Personally IMO I think Kimbers are over rated and overpriced. I looked at a NIB one at a LGS. It had surface rust on the muzzle. $1200 for a rusty gun? No thanks.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Kimber's CS woes came from the days Dennis was in charge. Then he left for SIG, and their problems started. Your example is the type I most hear about now, if at all. I have only a Kimber as well, but I have never needed CS. I'd likely go Kimber of the two, since I have only a Springfield Armory rifle, and it has been perfect, but have 2 friends that have SA 1911s and both have had multiple issues.
Rusty Luck
Member
Springfield, for customer service and great pistols.
Welding Rod
Member
I won't buy another Kimber.
L
They are feature rich but they are IMO the Ruger of 1911 manufacturers, meaning they are a great value if you get a good one, but they put out a lot of slip shod work.
I have a TLE and a Grand Raptor. Both had chronic premature slide lock back due to incorrectly sized slide stops that hit the bullet nose of the cartridge coming up in the magazine.
The Raptor had an unsafe chamber. When "45 acp" was stamped in the chamber they hit it so hard it made such a bump inside the chamber that cartridges would frequently not chamber completely.
I bought the gun a couple of years before I had the time to shoot it (long story) and because of this Kimber would not pay postage to ship the gun back even though this was clearly a manufacturing problem.
On the TLE the sear and/or hammer hook angles must have been wrong as when the trigger was pulled, the hammer would move forward prior to the trigger break. Again, Kimber would not pay shipping to send the gun back. They did fix the problem without charge.
These incidents tell me that the company lacks any kind of meaningful QC program.
I did have an older SA that I bought back in the 80s and it was a reliable gun. Wish I hadn't sold it.
L
They are feature rich but they are IMO the Ruger of 1911 manufacturers, meaning they are a great value if you get a good one, but they put out a lot of slip shod work.
I have a TLE and a Grand Raptor. Both had chronic premature slide lock back due to incorrectly sized slide stops that hit the bullet nose of the cartridge coming up in the magazine.
The Raptor had an unsafe chamber. When "45 acp" was stamped in the chamber they hit it so hard it made such a bump inside the chamber that cartridges would frequently not chamber completely.
I bought the gun a couple of years before I had the time to shoot it (long story) and because of this Kimber would not pay postage to ship the gun back even though this was clearly a manufacturing problem.
On the TLE the sear and/or hammer hook angles must have been wrong as when the trigger was pulled, the hammer would move forward prior to the trigger break. Again, Kimber would not pay shipping to send the gun back. They did fix the problem without charge.
These incidents tell me that the company lacks any kind of meaningful QC program.
I did have an older SA that I bought back in the 80s and it was a reliable gun. Wish I hadn't sold it.
I read that all the time when it comes to SA and always wonder why anyone would consider that a good selling point. What I mean is if they built a little better 1911 no one would need to post in every other thread that they have great customer service.
Welding Rod
Member
Rinspeed- Like Ruger and Kimber, SA is ate up with QC problems.... But in the event you have an issue they are good about taking a gun back for repair, and the big thing, paying shipping to get the gun to them. At least in my experience.
That said, I am done with M1As as even though SA was great about customer service, as you say, it was needed way too frequently.... Simply put, they put out a lot of junk just like Kimber and Ruger.
I have to think these companies do no gauging after machining operations, and perform no post assembly QC inspections.
That said, I am done with M1As as even though SA was great about customer service, as you say, it was needed way too frequently.... Simply put, they put out a lot of junk just like Kimber and Ruger.
I have to think these companies do no gauging after machining operations, and perform no post assembly QC inspections.
TAKtical
Member
How about instead of saying SA has excellent customer service, we just say that Kimber is notorious for having some of the WORST customer service in the industry. I was literally told to f**k off and was hung up on by customer service a few years ago for saying "Its ridiculous that I paid close to $1000 for one of your pistols, had to send it in to have it looked at because of all the FTF FTRB problems. Then you shipped it back with rust on the barrel that wasnt there when you got it and also without fixing the issue." I ended up having to change the recoil spring to a Wolff XP spring, and have a gunsmith polish the feed ramp before it would run 100%. Also it would fail with Kimber mags. I HAD to run Wilson Combat mags. Sold it once I got it running right and bought a Glock 21. I now have a SA full rail TRP Operator and a Rock Island Armory full rail 2011 tactical. Both have been flawless. Although the (mec gar?) mag that came with the Rock Island was junk.
Actually the main problem is most people who buy a 1911 are not even close to be smart enough to own one. That may seem harsh but it is simply a hard reality. If you buy a $1000 1911 and can't grasp the simple fact that the $8 junk magazine they include with it isn't going to cut it you deserve all the problems you get.
The other thing that always cracks me up is all the ones that buy these mini 1911s with a 3 or 3.5" barrel. Again, if you're that clueless to think these 1911s might work you deserve every single problem that comes with them. Some of them even do work but even a broken clock is right a couple times a day. This is just my opinion of course and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but on the other hand I get tired of all the drama.
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I dunno if I agree that anyone who purchases something from a supposedly reputable company is a twit for expecting it to work out of the box. I'm not talking about break-in. That's a debatable necessity, but I actually mean purchasing a machine that is functional with all of the supplied parts.
To most people, $1000 is a very major purchase. However, if I spend $1000 on a gun and the magazine doesn't work in it, then I'm going to be a little miffed (ya know, being thick in the head and whatnot). If I were a smart man, then maybe I would expect the manufacturers to include a magazine that works in the gun. If they can't do it for $1000, then maybe they should just charge $1028 and supply the parts needed for the gun to work properly, no? I don't think it's a problem for people to PAY for the right parts. I just think that some don't feel that they should have to jump through one more hoop to get a 1911 to run the way any firearm should when it is purchased new at full price.
No other automatic pistol that I have purchased requires me to go out and buy more premium parts for the gun to run. I clean it, load it, and shoot it. The end.
Once again, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if I buy a truck I don't expect it to have the wheels of a fiat mounted to it that I have to pay to have replaced before I drive it off the lot
To most people, $1000 is a very major purchase. However, if I spend $1000 on a gun and the magazine doesn't work in it, then I'm going to be a little miffed (ya know, being thick in the head and whatnot). If I were a smart man, then maybe I would expect the manufacturers to include a magazine that works in the gun. If they can't do it for $1000, then maybe they should just charge $1028 and supply the parts needed for the gun to work properly, no? I don't think it's a problem for people to PAY for the right parts. I just think that some don't feel that they should have to jump through one more hoop to get a 1911 to run the way any firearm should when it is purchased new at full price.
No other automatic pistol that I have purchased requires me to go out and buy more premium parts for the gun to run. I clean it, load it, and shoot it. The end.
Once again, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if I buy a truck I don't expect it to have the wheels of a fiat mounted to it that I have to pay to have replaced before I drive it off the lot
Those who get a great working gun of either type will tell you to get the one they got. The fact remains, Kimber overall has more problems in general than Springfield, "1911's" any forum will bear this out. If you get a good one you will love it, if not you will rue the day you dropped a grand on it. I love the way the Kimbers look, but I am not spending 12-15 hundred on a gun that has as many poor reviews as they do.
Lostaviator
Member
I'll vote for the Springfield because I have two of them and never a problem.
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