Kimber or Springfield?

M

muleshoe

New member
I want to get a nice 1911 and have decided to mainly focus on these 2 manufacturers. I'm sure there's a bunch of you guys out there that have or have had both brands. Knowing what you now know, which would you go with? Oh yeah, we need to keep it under $1000. FWIW, I do have a Sig P220 that will be with me "till death do us part".

------------------
bullet placement is gun control
 
Fit and Finish, Kimber has an edge, but Springfield can be just as nice, just not consistent (so don't order it, buy it out of stock). I've seen a new Kimber Gold Match that wasn't as nice as it ought to be. I don't own either; I bought a Gold Cup and have regretted it.
 
I have a Springfield Loaded 1911-A1 and its great not one jam have about 500 rounds thru it very accurate too!! I would go with the Springfield :)
 
Hello. I own (old) Colt 1911s as well as those made by Springfield and Kimber. For the money, I think the Kimber has the edge on fit and accuracy. Mine's given no problems whatsoever although I've noted some posters here who've had troubles. The same can be said for SA or any other pistol. I mean this as no flame, but of the two, I think that the Kimber is the "better" gun. Best.
 
I had a Kimber and it's finish was very nice, and it's accuracy was great. However, I had the now-famous slidelock problem, and eventually got rid of the gun after finding that the Kimber "custom/repair shop" lack a lot of customer service tact. (New Yorkers) They made me pay for shipping all three times that I had to send it back. I bought a Springfield Ultra Compact V-10 for my wife, and we both liked it so much, that I bought a Champion model. The darned thing is reliable s heck! Now honestly, I'm having some accuracy problems with it, but I spoke to the head gunsmith at SA today,and he's personally interested in making it right (possibly putting in a new barrel). He talked to me for about 20 minutes at a leisurely pace until I had exhausted all concerns. They're paying for the overnight shipping both ways.
 
I have been shopping for months and have been looking at both the SA loaded stainless and the Kimber Custom 1911-A1 Stainless. The Springfield goes for about 595.00 NIB and the Kimber is about 150.00 more. I almost bought the SA but the price went up from 540.00. This is when I started looking at the Kimbers. I must say that the Kimber just seems like the better of the two as far as quality is conscerned(fit and finish). I don't think that it is a huge difference either. I would probably be very happy with the either. I have not fired the SA, however, I have shot the Kimber, and was very impressed. If you are comparing base models only and can spend the extra $ I would go for the Kimber. If you are looking at the SA TRP or the Kimber Gold Combat I have no idea. I should have my Kimber soon just waiting to sell a consigned Colt 1911-A1 US ARMY to help foot the bill. I've already gotten in trouble this year for the gun budget so I'm kind of trading for this one. As for the Sig 220 I couldn't agree more it is one fine pistol.
 
I would go with the Kimber. Nothing but good experiences with Kimbers I have owned and Kimber-owners I have talked to face-to-face.
 
I was so unsure, I bought one of each... Then compared them...

You asked... (grin)

Yes, it's true. I have lost my mind to 1911 lust....

Finally found a Kimber Custom Stainless at the Reno Hilton gun show today. Really had to think about it. Why would I need 2 Stainless 1911's??? Cause I needed to know which I liked best...

So. I handled the Kimber. Felt good. Nice and tight. Trigger was good. It was $2 and some change more than the SA 1911-A1.

$2 more than the 1911-A1. And they dinged me 3% extra for Visa. In actual cost, the Kimber was *CHEAPER* than the SA 1911-A1 (now refered to as the SA). Kimber = $669.99 SA = $689.99 Gee, that's $20. Bout $10 cheaper than it would cost me to get a *one* *piece* guide rod for the SA. ($20 savings+$10 to equal the FLGR & shipping)(grin)

Side by side comparison -
Fit - N - Finish:
Overall, I think the SA is prettier - Polished flats, wood grips. A beautiful, classic looking 1911-A1.

The Kimber is a dull finish. Rubber grips. All work, no eye candy. No flash, just business.

A couple of glaring differences:
The SA, although prettier, is harsher. Lines are sharper. The slide contacts you during recoil, those rear finger serrations will cut you!.. Kimber is softer. Smoother and softer in finish - the safety is rounded, not squared like the SA. In fact, the SA safety was bout to get buffed out! It hurts me in recoil... Not too cool. With 225 rounds in the SA, there is a recoil scuff mark directly under the forward serrations extending from the frame/receiver forward to the muzzle. Torquing under recoil? or a fitting issue? We will see how the Kimber does...

*Update* - Kimber now has 200 rounds through her - No external finish marks added due to use. *SWEET* Shooter!

Initial impressions on function:
The SA was gritty when working the slide, trigger gritty and *crunchy* - even after strip and lube. Kimber - She is smooth. Both tight, but Kimber glides on her rails. Kimber's trigger is right. Now. Easy takeup, crisp break - No Creep. Wonder what it will be in a couple of days when the dryfiring fever subsides... The SA trigger is lighter than the Kimber now. Getting to the break requires wading through lots of crunching and creep - it's actually noisy!

Range Testing -
I will be shooting Kimber tomorrow. I will know then for sure what I know now - Kimber will be nice from the git go.

*Update* - I did experience one stove pipe early in the shooting session. I think that I wasn't paying attention and limp wristed on that one...(that bum next to me with the FA FN-FNC - MORE LUST!!! NO!!!!) No other issues of any kind, even when using the SA magazines. Slide locked back even with the McCormick mags. Nice under recoil - I didn't realize how much I *don't* like the squared off safety of the SA. It's gotta get worked on or go... No bite from the Kimber safety at all. Perhaps the rear site will get loose in the next 25 rounds. It's solid now. The Kimber shoots right to the point of aim at 25yrds. *V E R Y* Accurate! The one piece guide rod didn't unscrew (grin). She is a KEEPER.

SA? She stuck. A little bit of b*tch in her, she stuck the slide at full recoil the *first* shot. Functioned fine for 2 mags, then stuck about every other shot, or more for the next *8* mags!!! Required a smack (I do mean a SMACK) with the heel of the hand to break the slide loose. Someone mentioned that it was possibly galling... Could be - she was pretty lubed when she hit the range, but may have needed to have the lube spread again...

Mags eject forcefully from each pistol. Mag releases are different, the SA is smoother in this respect (should be, 225 round through her).

At the range, I noticed an occasional flyer from the SA. Don't really think it was me.. and I just proved that. The rear sight is indeed loose! (got me again! :*)) Glad it was the sights and not my eyes.

*Update* - I have not shot the pistols for accuracy, just function and to see if they go where I point them. I intend to do an accuracy test as soon as I can at the indoor range. Guess I could post the results here...

I am not a profesional reviewer. I do know what I like and what I expect for my dough. See my other thoughts on the SA in the Kimber forum under "I have sinned" topic. I am impressed with the SA - It's pretty, for sure! If the Kimber jams, it may be out the door! (grin)

*Update* - The Kimber stays. So will the SA more than likely. Need something to tinker with... Anyone interested in a nice STG58?!? (LOL) Gotta fund that FLGR and dremmel session, not to mention the Dillon reloader that these animals will require! (grin)

Botom line - for me, the Kimber excells. All that I would do is put some yellow flourescent paint on the front sight. The SA is *VERY* pretty, but needs some work to get to the IDPA zone for me. The safety and Guide rod need fixing or replacing. Trigger on the SA could use a touch up. Yellow flourescent paint again on the front sight for good measure.

I imagine that accuracy will be comparable. I lost confidence on the SA when it loosened the rear sight in use - A little locktight and acetone will get this right. I was drilling soda cans with the Kimber from the git go at 35 to 50 yards bout 50 to 70 percent of the time.

Of course, these are 1911 pattern pistols, not Glocks, so some work and customization is needed - Almost expected - to get them where you want them. (LOL!!!) I prefer the Kimber at this point, but I would not attempt to dissuade anyone from purchasing either pistol if they asked me point blank. I see both as a good value.

Hope it's not too long winded...
Hope that Glock comment didn't offend anyone... (grin)
Pierre-9/45
 
I owned two Springfields. They were OK. I now own two Kimbers. They are great. 'Nuff said.

Halffast

------------------
"I say that big talk is worth doodly-squat." Granny Hawkins from the Outlaw Josey Wales
 
I had 3 springfields, they were excellent quality over the colts, till'I bought a kimber. Honestly the main apeal to me is the attention to detail, thier quality control seems to set the standard for semi custom 1911s. I sold my springfields and now own 6 kimbers, the strange thing is I was never really a 1911 nut until I bought that dad burned kimber.
Out of the 6 the worst groups 8 in 5" at 50 yards off hand on a regular basis. Occasionally I could get it to 4-4.5" but there always seems to be a flier. The longslide racegun will put 8 into 3.1-3.4" at 50. Even the bad apple will topple gallon milk jugs on a regular basis at 100 yards with an improvised rest.
 
RedCrosse, either all the other folks who have had problems with Kimbers have been killed on RikWriter's hit list ;) or Kimber has really figured out the problem. There was a time when Kimber had real problems with their slide locks not locking the slide at the right time (either before the mag was empty, or not at all). I expected better reliability, and Springfield delivered (but also delivers sharp edges---who cares?). Update on my Springfield accuracy probs: Dave Williams, head pistolsmith at SA, got in touch with me and SA paid for shipping both ways and they're looking at the pistol to see whether the gun is shooting within factory specs. If not, a new barrel is in line, under warrantee. Reminder---SA has a lifetime warrantee, of which Dave Williams reminded me...Kimber only has a year...if I had this problem 10 years from now, only one company would give a crap. No, Rikwriter, I'm not going to get into this again :D

[This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited June 02, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited June 02, 2000).]
 
The service issue is very important. I'll take the SA "mil-spec" any day.

------------------
"Keep shootin till they quit floppin"
The Wife 2/2000
 
two new loaded springfields(full size &
compact)both very good,tight,accurate,
reliable, plus the warranty cannot be
overlooked.A super accurate 1911 (may)
be like the old british cars,(run one
day and not the next) to me reliability
is a big issue,both my SA's feed my
reloads from the "very" weak to strong
loads.

------------------
 
I've owned four Kimbers. All were exceptionally accurate. I had ongoing problems with three out of the four of them.
I no longer own any Kimbers and will not buy another one. I did buy a Springfield Compact
for $519.00. I put $400.00 more in it and now have a very nicely customized 1911. BTW,
I did this because I wanted a customized pistol, not because there was anything wrong with the pistols reliability or accuracy out of the box.
Daddycat

------------------
"A rigid investment in flexability is but another closed system of thinking"
 
I recommend:

Find a Springfield.
Pick it out from stock.
Roll the money you save back into the gun, plus a little more.
End up with "your" 1911.

As an example, I'm decideing what to do with mine. I found a great parkerized Springfield Loaded government model for $500, NIB. I can have the "minimum" work done on it that I want for $230. The "maximum" I want done runs $550. (There's an area pistol smith with a good reputation involved, of course.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top