Still looking for a 1911...can't decide

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I'm still trying to decide if I got ripped off spending $500 for a 2003 (I think) Kimber Pro BP .45 cal. Talk about differing opinions! Sure will be glad when the weather lets me get out and shoot a few boxes through it so I can decide for myself. That is, if it fires at all and doesn't blow up in my face! Oh well, my next purchase will probably be a CZ 75B. So I'll at least have a bug in case the kimber turns out to be junk. lol Or... I could just keep shooting the Taurus 24/7 PT Pro C 9mm that hasn't failed me since the day I took it out of the box. And it was a lot cheaper too!
 
Where in central MO is it too cold to go out shooting? I'm in central IA and managed to get out four of the last five weeks (my 14mo. old had pneumonia last week). Whether or not a weapon fires in weather ought to be determined by whether or not the trigger is depressed. Great buy on the Kimber in my opinion, though I'm sure SOME will disagree.
If not you can always call customer service which I did this morning just to check their attitude (never had to before). They were helpful with my imaginary problem and knowledgeable in their responses but I've heard on the Internet they tell everyone else to suck rocks and buy a Springfield...maybe you could be proactive and give them a call to check for yourself? I'd recommend that to anyone interested in owning one.
 
I just purchased my first Taurus PT 1911. I traded in my Remington 870 20 gauge shotgun and Mosin Nagant 91/30 and its ammo and accesories for it. Out of the $550 the store offered, I only had to pay $140. Sweet! And yes, I am very happy with the pistol. It feels great in the hand and points naturally. I made ragged holes at 10 yards easily. The trigger is so short and light I could easily double tap keeping the 2 shots just about an average of 1 1/2 inches from each other.
 
glock i would seriously consider the SW but all the stupid markings turn me off (cosmetic i know but on a 1000$ gun it matters) "gun can fire without magazine" etc etc just "1911 .45acp" and serial number would be plenty.

but really all that writing took them out of the running for me.
 
RP88, to answer your question...
The only last question I can ask is: how would you rate customer service? Mainly interested in Kimber owners that had bad luck, since there seems to be at least five personal stories that left bad taste per page of every Kimber-oriented topic.
Click to expand...

My Kimber's plunger tube assembly came un-staked and fell off somewhere in the 500-1000ish round count neighborhood. I called them, and their representative told me to mail it to them with a letter describing the problem. I wrote a short letter stating that the plunger tube had come off and that the gun experienced occasional failures to feed. I mailed the gun (and paid shipping), and got it back in a reasonable amount of time. (I don't remember exactly how long. This was back in early 2007.) When I got the gun back, the tube was re-attached, but it still experienced the same feeding malfunctions (at a rate of about 1 per every 100 rounds).

I hope this is the information you are looking for. If you have any more questions about my Kimber experience, please ask.

--Stork
 
the only thing I can think of after CS is how light the depression weight on the grip safety and the trigger are.

I've heard that kimber makes some really light-pull/grip stuff. Same with S&W. Springfield and Taurus - good triggers, but coparably heavier.

I doubt I'd know the difference since I'm not anywhere near a match-grade shooter, but stiffness in the grip safety would be something I'd like to avoid above all else (I have skinny hands).

I know these are things that I'd have to see for myself first-hand. Although trying out various higher-end Springers, a Kimber Eclipse II, and a combat-readied S&W at the local shop, but not of any of the exact models I am looking at.
 
It was the $500 price tag that sold me on the Kimber. I still love the Taurus and I'm quickly warming up to my Bersa Thunder .380 Del. I may be lieing to myself, but I see guns not only as a source of enjoyment and protection if needed, but also as an investment. I may end up being VERY wrong, but I don't see the price of handguns going down any time in the near future. And they sure as H%#* appreciate more than money in a CD (at 2% or less in a yr). My main problem is a lack of knowledge concerning their value so I could get the shaft quite easily. I look at "Buds" and other sites before any purchase and ask questions on this site. So far that's helped a lot. Only got hurt once (price only) on the Taurus 24/7 PT Pro C. I'll keep that one rather than take a loss, not to mention it always goes bang. Am currently looking at CZ 75B, but haven't had much feedback yet. But I want one sooooo bad. Also like the .45 cal Dan Wesson Marksman. But I can't find one and wouldn't know a good price if I did. I'll hang on to the Kimber for awhile. Wouldn't wanna do something I'd later regret. Been there, done that.
 
RP88, don't get too spun up about the "stiffness" of the grip safety. If you are gripping your 1911--or any handgun for that mater--the way it is supposed to be gripped, you'll never even know the grip safety is there. Grip it strong, and get your shooting hand up as high as possible. This helps you control recoil for quicker follow up shots. Putting aside my overall disappointment with Kimber, I will admit that the trigger is very nice and crisp. I've shot mine side by side with friends Taurus and Springfield Loaded 1911's, and my Kimber has a nicer trigger than either of those.

Jonah71, I rarely shoot my Kimber anymore because now I have a CZ-75b in .40S&W. At risk of side tracking this 1911 thread with my CZ love, I highly recommend you try one out. Look for other CZ threads in this forum. People typically gush over their CZ's...and for good reason.

--Stork
 
I've pretty much made up my mind that a CZ will be my next purchase. I just haven't decided on the 9mm (I do love that nickle plated 75B) or a .45. It may come down to the difference in price. I bet I end up with the 9mm.
 
I had a 75 series CZ and never could get used to the trigger.It was also pretty gritty.
Sold it at a slight loss.:(
Hope you have better luck if you get one than I did.
 
Skylerbone said:
Where in central MO is it too cold to go out shooting? I'm in central IA and managed to get out four of the last five weeks (my 14mo. old had pneumonia last week). Whether or not a weapon fires in weather ought to be determined by whether or not the trigger is depressed. Great buy on the Kimber in my opinion, though I'm sure SOME will disagree.
If not you can always call customer service which I did this morning just to check their attitude (never had to before). They were helpful with my imaginary problem and knowledgeable in their responses but I've heard on the Internet they tell everyone else to suck rocks and buy a Springfield...maybe you could be proactive and give them a call to check for yourself? I'd recommend that to anyone interested in owning one.
Click to expand...
The only reason it's too cold for me is that I always make it a habit to get to the range just before or at sunrise. I set up my targets and have usually finished shooting and policing my brass before anyone else gets there. I don't like crowds (that's anyone except me or someone who's with me) at the range. At 6:45-7am it's still a bit too cold for old men to be out there. But it won't be long....
 
Thanks for all the help, guys. My choices are (sorta) narrowed down. If/when I'm able to get one of my choices I'll be sure to post up.:)
 
This may be a stupid question, but why do some of the 1911s have a 8 or 7 round (Springfield) capacity? Is it just the magazine or is it limited by the gun itself.

I really like the Springfields, but I don't care for the the 7 round mags.
 
it's the mag design, some are designed for 7 rounds, others for 8

generally speaking, the more reliable 8 rounds mags have longer bodies that extend below the frame like the Act-Mag (also marked Novak) and the Tripp CobraMag. Devel was the first company to successfully introduce a flush 8 round mag...they were later bought by Chip McCormick and marketed as the CMC Shooting Star and PowerMags
 
I bought a SA loaded and a S&W 1911 PD Commander. The S&W has a much better trigger out of the box.

On another note, the 1911 9mm is alot of fun. You can get them in Springfield Armory for around $900. Kimber, Dan Wesson and STI also have them.I bought a Baer PII 9mm which is a dream, but is closer to 2 grand.
 
*update*

Choices now are:

-Springer Loaded Stainless (used with pachmyer grip)
-Springer Milspec package in black/park
-Springer loaded in black/park
-RIA Tactical SN finish (i.e. the "save some money and put the rest towards a 92FS and/or a P228" option)

just waiting for my tax return to come back before I make my choice. Leaning towards the milspec or the new loaded for a new selection. The used stainless loaded is pending a response from the seller on GB.

Thanks for all the help, guys. Once I make up my mind and receive it I'll post a report.
 
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