Still Searching for 1911

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RHarris

New member
I've been considering a 1911 for some time nowand am close to getting one. I have never owned one. I am not finding any deals on used ones. I want to spend in the $600 range, but less would always be acceptable. I've come to the conclusion that my options will be mostly limited to Colt, Springfield, and Kimber. I've read all kinds of information debating the pluses and minuses of these here and elsewhere.

Here are my own observations so far. I have never fired any of the Springfields, I have recently fired a few Kimbers, and was really impressed. In the past, I've fired some Colts. They all feel the same in the hand. I have not personally done any tests concerning accuracy, point of aim, reliability, etc., although I've read plenty about those topics.

I'm still hoping for additional comments and opinions. From what I've examined, the Kimbers finishes are smoother and more refined than Springfields. Rough and sharp edges on Springfields is something I've noticed. The finishes on some used Series 70 and Series 80 Colts I've examined have been very nice, but there's just something I don't like about the 1991A1 finish. I've read a lot about front sights falling of 1991A1 Colts and have personally observed this at the range a few times.

The best price I've ever found for a Kimber Custom is $635, for a SA "loaded" Parkerized, $525 and for a SA "mil spec", $430. I'm hoping I can still find them for that.

I have a few specific questions. I know the SA "mil spec" does not have all the features of the others, but the price is quite attractive. How much of a difference do these little options make? Is it any less accurate or reliable? Having little real experience with 1911's, I'd like to know about what these little features truly do.

I've examined some Kimber Custom models which appeared to have a sand blasted finish which was blued, but definitely not parkerized. The new Kimber catalog has a chart in the back and lists the finishes as "black oxide". They a have other models which are listed as "blued finish". Do they mean a polish blued finish when they say that? Are the newer models actually parkerized. Last time I checked, Springfield offered both parkerized and blued finishes. Is there any real advatage to parkerizing vs. a satin blued finish?

Does Kimber's new firing pin block system hurt anything? Does Springfield's new "safety" features hurt anything? I forget exactly what all the Springfield features are, but I think they include some sort of internal lock and a chamber loaded indicator.

I've read some gun rags which have claimed Springfield uses two piece barrels. Kimber has made a point to mention they use one piece barrels unlike "other manufacturers" in their catalog. Additional comments on this would be apprectiated.

Kimber's new catalog list stainless models with stainless barrels and non-stainless models with steel barrels. I thought the old catalog said they all had stainless barrels, but perhaps I'm wrong. Did they used to? The blued Kimbers I have looked at in the past had did not have any finish on the exterior of the barrels as some other manufacturers do. I know this doesn't matter, I just wanted to know.

I have also read claims here that some blued Kimbers really had stainless frames with a blued or black finish on them. If this is true for some and not all, is there a way to tell?
 
I own a SA Milspec and it is a reliable, reasonably accurate pistol. It is also fairly painful to get through a 50 round box. The grip safety tears up the web of my hand something fierce.

The new loaded Springfields with the dovetailed Novak sights and other feature look like a really great deal and I have seen them locally for less than 600 NIB.

Springfields have a blockier frontstrap which is perhaps to allow smiths to do a checkering or stippling thang and have the meat to do it. I am getting used to it but I prefer the tradtional contour of the Colts and Kimbers. The mainspring locking feature of the new SAs is easily ignored or gotten rid of by a mainspring housing swap out.

I own 7 Kimbers and luv 'em. The new II pin block works off the grip safety and does not affect trigger pull. The Kimber detractors will mention the MIM parts (don't bother me) and the plastic mainspring housing (still don't bother me). I carry a Kimber or two every day on my person.

Though the new SA Loadeds are supposed to have softer edges, I think the Kimbers still have better ergonomics.

Were it me looking for my first 1911 and on a budget, I would eat ramen for a month and get the Kimber.

here is a Kimber now for less than 600 (not including shipping and Xfer fees):

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=2366318
 
Have you considered buying a Systema Colt from CDNN for $299 and adding on the parts that YOU want?You can always get it hardchromed if you don't like the finish.
 
If you haven't already check out the para-ord 7.45. If that is out of the question then I would choose a kimber. My experiences with kimber have been positive. I got rid of my SA compact because of the many difficulties I encountered. This is not to start a war but just my experience with one SA. Good luck on your search.
 
I really like my Para's but Kimbers are also very nice. It sounds like you have only shot the single stack 1911's. Try a double stack. They fit my hand bettter than the single stacks.
 
How about this one...

I was just browsing my favorite shops on the web when I noticed this one. It's certainly an interesting piece. I have a .45 Series 80 GoldCup and I nothing but the best things to say about it and Colt's cutomer service. The pic and link to the place is below in case anyone is interested.

Colt Gold Cup MKIV Series 70
Caliber 9mm Parabellum, Single Action Pistol.
Features: 5" Bar-Sto Stainless Steel Barrel, 8.75" Overall, Weight 38oz, Brightly Blued Fitted Slide, Matte Hard Chrome Frame with Squared and Checkered Trigger Guard and Checkered Front Strap, Pachmayr Rubber Panels, Modified Patridge Front Target Sight, Wichita Melted Fully Adjustable Rear Sight, Competition Wide Lightweight Adjustable Trigger, Full Length Guide Rod, Beavertail Grip Safety, Flat Checkered Mainspring Housing, Skeletonized Combat Hammer, Frame Mounted Ambidextrous Thumb Safety, Rear of Slide Serrated to Match Rear Sight Blade, 9 - 9rd Magazines ( 4 stainless, 4 blue, 1 hard chrome ), Very Good Condition.
Web Price $799.95 SKU# P11896

http://www.lisc.net/
 

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I do not own an unmolested Colt, so cannot tell you how they are. They seem to be pretty well-built but lacking many of the extras that are common to similarly priced pistols from all the other manufacturers.

Here are a couple of things I've found between Springfield Armory (SA) and Kimber:

SAs do have a two-piece barrel. I've never heard of any problems with them, and the barrels are plenty accurate as is. The front strap on SAs are blockier. In the SA the only thing the lockable main spring housing changes, is you need an additional piece of wire (included with the pistol) to stick in a hole while removing and reinstalling the main spring housing. The function is otherwise identical. The two-piece full-length guide rod in the SA sometimes has the tendancy to become unscrewed at the range.

The Kimber is a nice pistol, but the slide stop hole is lower than ordnance specification -- something to keep in mine when fitting a new barrel or barrel link. The front sight on the fixed sight Kimbers is shorter than the front sight on the fixed-sight SAs. For me, the Kimber shoots to point of aim and the SA shoot 2-3" low at 15 yards because of the front sight.

The barrel lock up qualities seems to be similar between the two. The sear, disconnector, hammer, construction seem to be similar quality -- both use MIM parts. The trigger on the SA starts out more gritty but is improved with breaking in. The Kimber I have has a longer headspace but is still within spec. The Kimber's extractor is also little too long. The SA and the Kimber have similar barrel hood to slide fit -- not a very close fit, but more than adequate.


Get which ever one fits you the best; you can't really go wrong. I bought my Kimber custom in all black with fixed sights for $540 locally. I bought my SA loaded stainless for $600 locally and have just started breaking in the new pistol SA sent as a replacement for the one that broke in two.

-Hal
 
I'd say for the money you intend to spend, get a Colt. The QC on the Springfields has really sagged in the last year or two, and Kimbers are becoming overpriced. Parts breakage with the Colt is minimal. You will also have a quality base gun that you can always add stuff to later as finances permit.
 
I'd tend to lean towards the new Colt Government Models. You can tell the new ones because they don't say "1991A1" on 'em in big letters anymore. :D
 
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