AHHHHHHH not another Kimber vs. Springfield question
Both are great out of the box guns. Currently in my collection, I own two Springfields. I used to own 3 of Kimber's highest end guns but sold them. More on that later.
With a Springfield loaded, you get many features that normally cost extras on other manufacturer's 1911's. Springfield also uses Novak sights. The Kimber has McCormicks. The Kimber has an adjustable trigger for over travel. The Springfield does not have this feature. Kimber's frames are more rounded while the Springfield is boxy. The Springfield Loaded comes with 2 mags. While the Kimber has one. The front sight on the Kimber is dovetailed while the Springfield's is not.
Complaints: Springfield problems are normally related to feeding. In most cases, this can be rectified by using a Wilson or Metalform mag. Springfields also have quite a few sharp edges. If you plan on carrying it, you'll need a de-horning job.
Kimber problems are generally crappy mags, failure to lock on last round (crappy mag and or crappy slide stop), broken MIM parts and on occasion feeding (crappy mags).
If you decide on a Springfield "Loaded" in stainless, it'll take a couple of hundred rounds for break in.
Both guns out of the box are pretty accurate. The edge would go to Kimber.
Triggers are a toss up. Most production guns have some creep in them. If you plan on using it as a target pistol, check the triggers out carefully. Otherwise, you will need to get a trigger job from a good smith. That was my biggest complaint with my 3 Kimbers.
One last consideration is customer service. Should you have any problems, Springfield's reps are "generally" easier to deal with then Kimbers. This is not ALWAYS the case because you'll run into idiots with any outfit.
The price on both are relatively close. The difference is not enough to sway a decision one way or the other.
I owned a Super Match, Gold Match and Ultra Elite. The Super Match would not feed wad cutters and had a creepy trigger. The Gold Match jammed quite a bit. I even tried Federal Match ammo to find out if it was my reloads. After having both pistols jam with the Federal Match wad cutters, I came to the conclusion that the problems were not due to my reloads. My reloads were the same OAL as the Federal Match ammo.
I got a good smith to do reliability and trigger jobs on them and they flew after that. The only problem with the Ultra Elite was a creepy trigger.
So which is better? That's a tough one to make. Both are good guns. Both have their upsides and downsides. You'll get positive responses for both. If I had to pick between a Springfield Loaded or Kimber Custom Classic, even with all the problems I had with Kimbers, I'd still take a Kimber. Why? I generally buy a 1911 and picture how I would tweak it down the road. The Kimber is a great gun for customization. Springfields are no slouch either. I just personally prefer the Kimber slide and frame.
One last thing, just remember that I'm pickier then most when it comes to guns. Creep that I feel in the trigger may or may not be acceptable to you. Many of my buddies' felt their guns were flawless out of the box (Sigs, HK, 1911's, Glocks) yet I found minor flaws with most of em. I just expect the absolute best with my money. So minor problems that I find, others won't even notice them.
YMMV just my .02
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Son
1911 Addiction
[This message has been edited by ArmySon (edited September 11, 2000).]
