Some 1911 Guidance

[Bman505]

I have really been looking at adding a 1911 to my collection, every man should have one right? My question is, when I look at a Kimber and compare it to a lets say, Springfield Armory, the Kimbers are an easy $300 more. I really think the Kimber's are sharp, but the price tag is a little steep for my budget. Just want to know your thoughts.

[rtuck77]

the Kimbers are a lot tighter on the slide tolerances and stuff,both are good 1911s,I am personally wanting a Kimber

[riggergreg]

I've owned all kinds of 1911s and Springfields line is a very well built and good shooting line of pistols. I've had almost all of the lower to mid range Springers, including the GI, Mil-Spec, and loaded models, including the Ultra Compacts, Champions, and Full sized. I've only had very minor problems, but nothing bad enough I couldn't fix it myself. Springfield has a lifetime warranty on all their pistols and those I know that did have to send theirs back, got excellent service, so I can highly recommend them.

As far as Kimber, I've had a few and the only one I've hung on to, is a pre series II compact. I my personal experiences with the series II models, I've found they are loose fitting, ammo finicky, and just not dependable enough to bet my life on. Others love em and have had no major problems, but that just my take on em.
If you can find a pre series II, go for it.

I'm also a fan of Colt and STI

Hope I didn't upset any Kimber owners, but that is JMHO

[Tucson]

I've had a couple of Kimbers and now I have only one 1911 and it's a Springfield. The first Kimber I had was good. It was a Kimber TLE II. Yes, it was a series II that actually worked very well. I got rid of it because I was funding an AR-15 rifle build. The other Kimber was a Tactical Pro (also a series II) and had a lot of problems with it. It took major amounts of tinkering and fine adjustments to get it to run. I literally invested time over several years to make it run. I sold it when I had it running well because I just couldn't trust it.

I purchased my Springfield back in Nov. of last year and so far it's been trouble free. I bought the full size "loaded" stainless model.

This showed up in your post and deserves an answer even if it's just and opinion: "I have really been looking at adding a 1911 to my collection, every man should have one right?"

My answer is "yes". It's been called the greatest fighting pistol ever and is certainly a piece of Americana. Folks have even been known to say things like "The 1911 was the design given by God to us through John M. Browning that represents the epitome of what a killing tool needs to be. It was true in 1911 and is true now." - Colonel Robert J. Coates, USMC

If your going to have a "collection" of firearms, and you're an American, then the 1911 should be part of that collection.

[Sam]

If you want one that works properly get a 1911 that meets 1911 specs not one that has been CNC'd to death to achieve unrealistic and unneeded performance.
Take that however you want but Kimber/Springfield/S&W/BAER/STI do NOT meet the spec.
Shooting is NOT a hardware issue, it's a software thing

Sam

[NMDawg]

I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. I have been carrying it for about three years now. When I first got it I had failure to feed problems. Upon more research into the problem I discovered that they require a break in period. I believe Kimber says 500 rounds. On other forums some guys were saying more like 1000 - 1500 rounds. I have my Kimber around 2500 - 3000 rounds right now. When I got it to the 1000 round area it stopped with the FTF problem. It is now very reliable. Just recently changed the recoil spring (suppose to change them every 800 rounds in the Ultra version). As far as ammo my Kimber will eat everything I feed it except Corbon Powerballs. Weird I know. That ball in the hollow point is suppose to help with feeding. It sticks to the feed ramp (yup had the feed ramp polished). The only draw back I see so far is the 3 inch barrel. I can not get the velocity from the 230 grain hollow points (gold dots, HSTs) for proper expansion. I started using Hornady's Critical Defense ammo and now I get velocity and expansion. They are .45 cal 185 gr. and they feed well. My 2 cents worth.

[calvin]

The one and only true 1911 "COLT"

[Tucson]

Both Kimber and Springfield have military contracts so each of their designs does in fact meet mil-spec requirements or at least those requirements of the special units that still use this pistol platform for special operations. They are not the same specs that were used when the military first adopted the 1911 but requirements change over time with the advancement of time and technology. Spec or not, the 1911 was designed to be hand fitted. Don't expect one to roll off the assembly line and be perfect. You can do one of several things. Learn the 1911 and how to work on it yourself, pay good money to a good gunsmith, or buy one that it produced through careful hand fitting by someone who knows the art. Even then it will require maintenance...

I think it's valuable to learn the platform and how to work on it. Owning a 1911 is like owning a classic car. Have a good mechanic, know how to work on it yourself, or expect it to break down at some point.

[Descreet38]

kudo's for Sam and Calvin.

There is only ONE M1911 and that is a "COLT". I own 9 of them and would not sell a single one of them.

I have owned two Kimbers, one Springfield and one S&W in .45. Have sold or traded them all to get more Colts.

Colt served this country for 70+ years "officially" but continues to be the preferred choice by many professional gun toters - military, police and civilian.

I have Colt M1911 and M1991 made from 1919 all the way to 2000. They all are original and functional. I do make it a point to not shoot +P in anything made before 1970. Other than that I have shot them all and they function well and are accurate.

My Grandfather carried one of them during his time in the Army. It was presented to him at his retirement and subsequently passed down to my dad and then to me. My grandfather used to hear the stories about 1911's not being accurate and he had an open bet to anyone at 25 yds that he only needed one round.

He had no takers.

[calvin]

kudo's for Sam and Calvin.

There is only ONE M1911 and that is a "COLT". I own 9 of them and would not sell a singly one of them.

I have owned two Kimbers, one Springfield and one S&W in .45. Have sold or traded them all to get more Colts.

Colt served this country for 70+ years "officially" but continues to be the preferred choice by many professional gun toters - military, police and civilian.

I have Colt M1911 and M1991 made from 1919 all the way to 2000. They all are original and functional. I do make it a point to not shoot +P in anything made before 1970. Other than that I have shot them all and they function well and are accurate.

My Grandfather carried one of them during his time in the Army. It was presented to him at his retirement and subsequently passed down to my dad and then to me. My grandfather used to hear the stories about 1911's not being accurate and he had an open bet to anyone at 25 yds that he only needed one round.

He had no takers.

Colt's are going to be around forever.

[Coyote_Slayer]

I'm a huge fan of Springfield 1911's. Mine have match grade bbl's in them. Kimber makes fine firearms, without a doubt, but so does Springfield. I've never been let down with Springfield and these guns are way more accurate out of the box than I am so, "tolerances" aside, Springfield gets my vote!

[Descreet38]

Hey as my late father taught me - stick to what works for YOU!

I will only comment that all of the other manufacturers should not use 1911 designations as there is only ONE M1911! and that is a COLT.

Other manufacturers selling their knock-offs is kind of like buying a Yugo "Mustang" or maybe one of the Yugo "Corvettes".

OK Dez - quit venting!

[MasterBlaster]

It's not the pistol, it's the man holding it!

[Descreet38]

I have really been looking at adding a 1911 to my collection, every man should have one right? My question is, when I look at a Kimber and compare it to a lets say, Springfield Armory, the Kimbers are an easy $300 more. I really think the Kimber's are sharp, but the price tag is a little steep for my budget. Just want to know your thoughts.

sorry Bman505 - I kind of got off track as to your question. I would suggest that if you are looking at a 1911 style that Springfield or S&W are probably two of the best without getting into the custom series offered on the market. Of course you do (for the most part) get what you pay for in the custom side but I typically like to get the plain jane and then customize it to my preferences - which can be done over time rather than the initial outlay for a fully customized pistol.

[Bman505]

So, my wife told me today that for Father's Day she would help buy me the gun that I wanted. WOW, this was a surprise! So, I have always wanted a Kimber Ultra Carry II. Anyone have any good or bad things to say about Kimbers in general?

[357 S&W]

So, my wife told me today that for Father's Day she would help buy me the gun that I wanted. WOW, this was a surprise! So, I have always wanted a Kimber Ultra Carry II. Anyone have any good or bad things to say about Kimbers in general?

You can't go wrong with a gun someone else is buying you!!!. I have a Kimber gold match II that kicks butt.

[Colt 45]

Wow, what a great wife! The only thing bad I can say about a Kimber is that I don't have one! Enjoy! I hope you let me give it a try...

Max

So, my wife told me today that for Father's Day she would help buy me the gun that I wanted. WOW, this was a surprise! So, I have always wanted a Kimber Ultra Carry II. Anyone have any good or bad things to say about Kimbers in general?

[Bman505]

Thanks guys. I will post some pictures once I get it.

[Bman505]

Going out to the range this weekend to shoot my new Kimber! Finally get to try this new beauty out!

[Colt 45]

It's a great looking 1911 Bman!

Max

[Bman505]

Here it is! I really love it. Went through 100 rounds like nothin! Says I need to put 400-600 rounds through it to break it in! wow$$$$$$
http://www.concealcarrychat.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC05351.JPG

[Colt 45]

Nice! If you need some help breaking it in, let me know!

Max

[sinclair]

EEEEEK !

Where's the barrel ?

Somebody stole your barrel.

[Bman505]

EEEEEK !

Where's the barrel ?

Somebody stole your barrel.

HA HA! It is still there! All 3 inches of it.

[calvin]

Looks great Bman. If it had COLT on the side it would be perfect. he he he.

[Colt 45]

HA HA! It is still there! All 3 inches of it.

Size doesn't matter. ;-)

Max

[Colt 45]

So, now that you've had it for a while, what do you think? How many rounds have you pumped through it?

Max