I think we can all agree on one thing. The first Kimbers were kick-@$$ guns, and were the reason why Colt (and to a lesser degree Springfield Armory) was sent running home with their tail between their legs. Nowadays however they've settled into the same lazy, can't-care-less form of manufacturing that the other 1911 makers are prone to. Colt, Kimber, SA, it doesn't matter anymore. You may find one that is cosmetically perfect and shoots great, looks great but doesn't shoot, looks and shoots like crap, or any combination therof. Some folks haven't had problems with the proprietary safety designs (Series 80, Series II, ILS), while others certainly have. I remember when Springfield first came on the scene in the late 1980's, everybody said they would bury Colt. Unfortunately Springfield ran into trouble by the early 1990's, and only in the past few years have they been "springing" back. Kimber arrived in 1996 and was ready to bury Colt as well, except Colt buried themselves nicely without any outside help. Then Kimber's QC started to slide only a few years after taking over the 1911 market. That left the custom makers, and from what I've read the number of folks complaining that Wilsons aren't as good as they used to be is increasing.
I think Jim Keenan said it best. Current 1911 manufacturers look at their products as toys, not as serious weapons like SIG and Glock do. I guess since there aren't too many LEO contracts out there for 1911 pistols there's no reason to give civilian consumers a product that always works 100% regardless of model or batch. I am so sick and tired of seeing promising new 1911 models introduced, then seeing the company become complacent or run into difficulties a few years later. Those of you who like the new S&W SW1911 or the upcoming SIG GSR probably should buy them really soon, before they too begin to get lazy and put out reduced-quality product like the others have done.
I think Jim Keenan said it best. Current 1911 manufacturers look at their products as toys, not as serious weapons like SIG and Glock do. I guess since there aren't too many LEO contracts out there for 1911 pistols there's no reason to give civilian consumers a product that always works 100% regardless of model or batch. I am so sick and tired of seeing promising new 1911 models introduced, then seeing the company become complacent or run into difficulties a few years later. Those of you who like the new S&W SW1911 or the upcoming SIG GSR probably should buy them really soon, before they too begin to get lazy and put out reduced-quality product like the others have done.
