Kimber CDP vs. Wilson KZ-45

[AR BLACK]

Felt a little depressed so I made a "lunch run" to a local gun shop. They had a Kimber Pro CDP listed at $980. Very Nice Piece!

KIMBER CDP

I also like the Wilson Combat KZ-45, but I have not had a chance to handle one yet. I think the price on this one is about $900.

WILSON COMBAT KZ-45


As I'm in Illinois, legal CC is out of the question. Therefore, I'm leaning towards the KZ-45 as my "home duty" gun. Wilson also made this gun around a 10 round mag vs. the 7 rounds in the Kimber (not a big difference, but nice).

Anyone have experience with the Wilson vs. the Kimber?

Thanks, Blackie

 

[Ronin 99]

A Wilson is a Wilson even if the frame is polymer. I spoke to Wilson last week and they told me the waiting time on the KZ45 was 7 months. Kimber was 10 to 12 weeks for the CDP Pro and the guy at the gun shop said it would be a lot longer than that. Went for a Sig p229 instead. If the Kimber had been in front of me I would have grabbed it so......

Ronin

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NRA/GOA

 

[jdthaddeus]

Kimber told me yesterday that it is 12 months wait for a KZ-45.

I was really torn in wanted a KZ, but here is what detered me in the end. See if it helps:

Mags are unique and they are $40 each. Keep in mind you only get 2 more rounds (10+1 over 8+1) and you can get 10 round mags in the single stack for backup if you want.
I like things that are easy to find, and easy to replace, and easy to fix etc. And, I like to be able to buy holsters and mag holders etc easily. Finding a variety of mag holders for the KZ-45 will be a chore.
Also , the double stack reloads will not be as easy to slip into a pocket. All this for only two more rounds in a flush fit mag. Not worth it to me. Not since there are benefits to using the single stack mags too.

The other thing is that the Polymer frame cannot really be modified to fit your hand. That is one nice thing about the 1911 is being able to make it "yours".

Also, they put a new extractor on it. That is cool and all, but I have no idea how to work on that, and neither will any other gunsmith. Wilson will, I am sure, but what happens one day if Wilson is not around? Where do you get parts and service?

I am realy happy with the plain jane 1911 setup and don't want anything funky that I have to track down accessories, service and parts for down the road.

Everyone buys gun for different reasons. I like my guns to be common (easy to work on, easy to find parts, easy to find accessories, easy to get service).
That may not be a very good reason, but that is why I chose to go with a standard Kimber.

Oh yeah, and the KZ-45 is really not any lighter than an all steel 1911! So, there goes that advantage of polymer. And, it has all steel inserts in it, which will reduce the flex and recoil absorbtion of polymer. So....why go polymer? It has none of the advatages that makes polymer popular. Seems to me like it has all the disadvantages (kinda ugly, doesn't feel real good in the hand) with none of the advantages (light weight, and flex). Might as well get a steel gun...or an alloy one if you want lighter weight.

JMHO of course