Would a Kimber Tactical Entry II make a good first 1911?

Status
Not open for further replies.
MCMXI

MCMXI

Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
9,233
Location
NW
I've owned SIG pistols in .45 ACP and 9mm for many years but recently have decided that I'd like to add a 1911 of some form to my collection since I've never owned one. To be honest, the huge selection available from numerous manufacturers is a little overwhelming, but according to my local gun shop owner, the Kimber Tactical Entry II is one of the best around. He makes that statement based on what you get for the money, reliability, quality etc. Any thoughts?

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/tactical/tactical_Entry_II/

Thanks.
:)
 
Its a 1911. There are 4 controlls; it was the first pistol for thousands of GIs who did just fine. The only real difference between most high end 1911s is, in my opinion, asthetics and how far the controll levers stick out.

ANY 1911 that works, and you can afford, is a good first 1911.
 
The Real Mags, thanks for the post and for the link to your review of your Kimber ... very helpful. The Tactical Entry model has a stainless steel frame so this should alleviate any concerns about feed ramp damage that is mentioned in your thread ... right? I spent a good 20 minutes handling the TE II in the store and was very impressed with it. As a long-time SIG user it'll take some getting used to all the safety features, but this ol' dog can learn some new tricks.

Grey Morel, I'm sure you can appreciate that there is an overwhelming selection of 1911s out there, so any information that helps narrow down the selection process is useful and appreciated.

:)
 
Correct on the feed ramp damage to be more likely on the aluminium frame. One thing to add is you will need to purchase 1911 mags with bumper pads to seat them easier with the magwell on the Tactical models. I like Chip McCormick shooting star and Wilson 47D.
 
seems like a nice enough "boxcar" to me. except the price, OUCH.

gotta roll with Grey Morel on:

..."ANY 1911 that works, and you can afford, is a good first 1911."...

and i own some with/without extended control levers. just more to choose from. they ~can~ just be more to get hung up on something at exactly the wrong time.

that said, my bedside boxcar will always have a light on it from now on!

gunnie
 
I sorta have to ask the OP: after you've been onboard over a year, and with more'n 1500 posts, you're asking if a Kimber 1911 would make a good "first 1911?"

I'd say yes, of course, any 5" Kimber should make a great first 1911, but there are legions of Kimber-bashers out there. Me, I really love my Kimbers; closest thing I've got to the Tactical Entry is a Custom TLE II (pretty much the same pistol sans rail and pretty grips), which is an excellent pistol. I've never bought a Kimber that wasn't totally reliable and above average in the accuracy department. Plus, they look good.

But I also think there's plenty of Springfield Armory, Colt, Dan Wesson and maybe even Smith & Wesson, Rock Island Armory or Para Ordnance (no experience with the S&W, RIA or P.O. 1911s) 1911s out there that would make good first 1911s as well.

Pretty subjective topic. I drive Chevys, but I've owned Fords, Dodges and even a Toyota I've really enjoyed owning and driving.
 
Old Dog said:
I sorta have to ask the OP: after you've been onboard over a year, and with more'n 1500 posts, you're asking if a Kimber 1911 would make a good "first 1911?"
Click to expand...

You lost me there. None of my 1500 posts have pertained to the 1911 and this may even be my first post in this section, so how are my previous posts relevant? I've never owned a 1911 and given the HUGE selection out there, I want to do this once and do it right. I don't want to buy a 1911 only to find out that I need to upgrade the trigger, or the feed ramp has issues, or the sites need upgrading, or that it's nice to look at but unreliable. Thanks for your input on the Kimber though.

gunnie, it is fairly expensive, but according to the gun shop owner, it'd cost a lot more to buy a basic model and add all of the included features.

:)
 
does the TE-II use the swartz safety?
if so i'd look at other Mfg's like Springfield or STI. just my preference to not liking the Swartz safety & i used to own a TU-II.

you could even save your penny's and get a Baer for a little more that the Kimber.
 
Unless the gun is going into a very nasty combat situation, I see no problem with a swartz safety. Unlike some other 1911s, the swartz safety doesn't interfere with the trigger pull. I have a Kimber Eclipse Target 2 that I love. I also understand that it is a target gun, not a combat gun.
 
nothing wrong with it, i just don't like the Swartz safety. 1911's do just fine without them. IMHO, the Swartz safety is a solution in search of a problem or (in some cases) a cause of a problem.

For (me) a defense gun with fewer points of failure the better.
 
gunnie, it is fairly expensive, but according to the gun shop owner, it'd cost a lot more to buy a basic model and add all of the included features.
Click to expand...

This tells me that you did some research and have a plan. Nice.

I asked the same kinds of questions, and my answer was I plan to put holes in paper, and put it in my "night stand" rotation... so I am looking for a Springfield or Colt GI model. Now, if I were to shoot IDPA with it, and wanted some bells and whistles I think I would be looking at a Kimber.

Or....

If someone wants to sell me a Kimber 1911 for $500 give me a holler!
 
Thanks for that Quack... I am still on the hunt but I will look a little closer at Kimbers. I am waiting for Gunbroker to settle down... prices are still high, but no one is bidding so I hope that means soon prices will come down.
 
My first 1911 was a Custom II. That gun makes me feel like a great shot. I had to restake the plunger tube pretty early on, but it's given me no other problems, just great sessions at the range.
 
A Kimber Custom II was my first 1911, I regret selling it. Since then I have had a Para and currently have just a Springfield Loaded Model and The Tactical Custom II. I have had nothing but good experiences with Kimber regardless of what others say. I am considering to purchase a Pro model sometime in the future.
 
i had a TLE RLII, but traded it for a warrior. did so for the very reason mentioned by Quack. before the "correct police" break down the door and rush in, let me forewarn you it is not a schwartz safety. but it does the same useless function, so who cares. i find reassembling these a major pain in the assets. in the field, it would be near hopeless. many just starting their love affair may not be aware that a stone stock 1911A1 has every tool you will need for disassembly onboard, except the grip panel screwdriver. not usually a cause for malfunction there.

also was not seeing an improvement over JMB's design with the external extractor. same a deformative addition to appease the kalyfornya "externally visible loaded chamber indicator" rule. [these were designed for the LAPD]. i prefer taking a triangular file to the hood, it is easier to see into than the narrow slot versions that have become available of late. just don't go past the extraction grove in the brass.

been a while since i had it, but think it had a full length guide rod also. one of jeff cooper's "cure for a problem that doesn't exist" features for an old schooler like itself.

LOVED the checkering on the grip frame. loved the light rail and night sights with a surefire riding point. no difference with accuracy out to well beyond real world defense ranges, day or night.

you oughtta find yourself a warrior, Quack. just as "series 60" as a colt, [no collet bushing]. my only beef was the ambi safety, but i got used to that. and it requires no special tools for takedown. like Grey Morel, i am not that wild about the extended safeties either.

love the iron even so.

gunnie
 
also was not seeing an improvement over JMB's design with the external extractor
Click to expand...
Poor Kimber, I don't think they will ever live that down. When did they finally drop the external extractor anyways? That's right the newer models do not have the external extractor anymore. BTW if you don't care about series 80 safety the TLE is a far better gun in my opinion than the Warrior.
 
many just starting their love affair may not be aware that a stone stock 1911A1 has every tool you will need for disassembly onboard, except the grip panel screwdriver
Click to expand...

if the grip screws are the original slotted design, you can use the mainspring to remove them.

you oughtta find yourself a warrior, Quack.
Click to expand...

I've stepped up to semi-customs now and just need a Baer to complete the 1911 Trinity or BBW (Brown, Baer & Wilson).
My remaining production guns are Springfields (TRP, EMP & 9mm Loaded) and a STI Edge.

Again, i have nothing against Kimbers, but when it came time to thin the heard to fund my semi's, the Tactical Ultra was the one to go. It even had an EE and i never had a problem with it.
DSC_7429.jpg
 
..."the TLE is a far better gun in my opinion than the Warrior"...

i thought the one i had was more accurate than the warrior. as far as which was far better, niether. they are both fine, i just prefer the KISS principle for my go to iron.

sorry if you took offense, none intended.

gunnie
 
SIS

I got it last week and just shot it this week. It's great! I need to shoot it more before I make it a duty weapon, but no problems.
 
Love it. it's put together very well. smoother, tighter (not Baer tight though) and has a better trigger than my Wilson. The bobtail makes it just as comfy as my EMP to carry.

I stopped by my dealer a few months back to see what he had in Commander size. He had Kobra Carry's, a Baer Commanche and a Wilson Professional bobtail. The sample of the Kobra Carry's were alot better than the Wilson & Baer from the start. People will say something along the lines of "the Baer will smoothen up after break-in". I'd rather have a gun that run's 100% out of the box, and the KC has.

DSC_9410.jpg
 
No offense taken Gunnie, just wanted newcomers to understand Kimber hasn't put the external exrtractor in their 1911s for some time. And as for the Warrior TLE deal I was just stating my opinion not fact.

-Mags
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
My next gun a Kimber Tactical maybe?
Replies
11
Views
479
TX1911fan
T
MCMXI
  • Locked
Anyone with a Kimber .45 ACP able to shoot 185gr (or any) SWC loads?
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
340PD
3
R
  • Locked
Trade my Kimber stainless TLE II for Colt 1911 WWI Collector Ed.
Replies
10
Views
1K
Retro
R
R
  • Locked
Kimber CDP II (Custom and Ultra)
Replies
14
Views
905
jeepguy
J
C
  • Locked
Want to buy my first 1911: $1000 budget, but need serious advice.
2
Replies
26
Views
980
CPshooter
C
Back
Top