Which 1911?

S

Sisco

New member
I should be receiving an insurance setlement check in the near future and decided to treat myself to a new gun. I was checking out a Colt and a Springfield 1911 this morning at my favorite gun shop when he announced he has become a Kimber dealer but won't have any in until next weekend so I didn't get a chance to handle one of those. He also carries Charles Daly (sp?) but I want to go with someting a little higher-end. Any suggestions/advice? Note; all suggestions to buy Glock will be ignored!
 
SK - I have three Kimbers, one each in sub-compact (3"), compact (4"), & full sized. All have proven to be very accurate and reliable (the snubbie is sensitive to limp-wristing, but that's operator error)and a pleasure to shoot. Of the bunch, I like the compact the best for overall balance & handling. Mine are all production stuff, no Custom Shop or 'enhanced' models.

I have no range experience with the SA's, though the one's I've handled seem to be well made and more or less comparable to the Kimbers, though I'd give the Kimbers a slight nod in overall fit & finish.

All of the Colts I handled lately have been sweet, but all have also been massaged, haven't met anyone who's been happy with theirs out-of-the-box.

I have no experience with C. Daly, from my reading I gather they're trying to build a domestic brand with guns from the Phillipines and Israel.

Sorry to ramble on, but what I'm saying is wait and compare the SA & Kimbers, then go with what feels best to you. Colt's quality has been too uneven for me, and Daly is unproven IMO, so I'd lean to either SA or Kimber for my $$. Good luck. M2
 
Kimber is a nice gun, but it uses cast parts and "jobbed out" aftermarket parts. Accordingly, custom smiths won't use the Kimber as a base gun for custom work.

Colt fit/finish is not what it used to be.

Springfield is rated tops in the field for fit/finish, accuracy. Lots of IPSC rigs built around Springfield guns. It's all forged like John Moses Browning intended. The FBI tactical contract went to Springfield. www.springfieldarms.com

Don't know anything about the CD.

You don't want a Norinco or a Ballister Molina (which is not a true 1911).

Here are a couple sites to look into:
http://www.1911forum.com/

and

http://www.m1911.org/

Para Ordnance is highly rated. But the high capacity PO is NOT a 1911 either. Don't confuse Para Ord with Auto Ord -- which is a POS.

I'd lurk in the 1911 Forum for a while before making a final choice. I like Springfield, but then my taste in women is bizarre too.



[This message has been edited by JayDrummond (edited September 03, 2000).]
 
I think that the Kimber Ultra Carry is way cool!!! :) I wish that I could afford one, but $800 is way beyond my means. :(

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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"
 
>>Kimber is a nice gun, but it uses cast parts and "jobbed out" aftermarket parts. Accordingly, custom smiths won't use the Kimber as a base gun for custom work. <<

Incorrect. The fact is that most custom smiths WILL work on Kimbers. The fact is also that Kimbers don't truly NEED any work. They are fine guns right out of the box, the best buy in a 1911.
 
Recently I "bit the bullet" as it were and purchased a Wilson Millenium Protector. I know its the bottom of the line for Wilson but even though it was spendy it has been just a dream to shoot. I shoot smaller groups than I ever thought possible for me and it has yet to malfunction with more than a 1000 rounds through it. A lot of money but well spent IMHO.
 
I've had my Colt 1991A1 for a little over two years now, and have been very pleased with its out-of-box performance (maybe I just got lucky??). Only problem I've had with it is the Pachmayr adjustable rear sight I put in it about a year ago (keeps shooting loose) so I'm going to put the original back in. But no problems with the gun itself. :)
 
Heres another vote for the Kimber, I love my Custom Combat Carry Model. Its got everything right from the factory, including night sights and 30LPI checkering on the front strap of the grip. Plus many other custom features, its a very neat pistol...

7th

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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.
 
I have to vote Kimber also. I have a C.Daly that is really accurate and so far reliable, but my Kimber Ultra CDP is my favorite shoot/carry pistol. I beleive the Springfields are made overseas also but from what I have read on TFL about them they must be doing something right. If I was running tight on funds, I would go for the Daly.That is , if I had to have a 1911.You might as well go ahead and get the Kimber to start with so you won't be wondering if you are missing out on something.Good luck
 
Seems like the guys who are suggesting Kimbers all have the custom defense packages. If thats what your comparing and thats what you want I have to agree. However, If your looking at base government models the Springfield wins hands down. I own the Custom Classic and have shot the "Loaded" Springfield extensively. In spite of the great slide to frame fit, the Kimber just feels chinsy. The Kimber's sights were off considerably as well. I think the Loaded Springfield model is a better value and a better gun. Good luck whichever you choose.
 
Actually no, I have a stainless Gold Match. And my first Kimber was a regular Classic Custom...very very accurate and 100% reliable through over 5,000 rounds.
 
SK- I have two Kimbers which I shoot regularly. A Gold Match and a custom compact, neither one a custom shop product, and have been more than pleased with their accuracy and reliability. My only addition will be night sites on the compact as I use it for carry and home defense. The only "plastic" is the mainspring housing and the MIC parts are only a fraction weaker than forged parts. It seems far more people worry about these two issues than ever experience trouble with them. For the money you can't do better than a Kimber, any Kimber.
Bill Daniel

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Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
 
I have a Kimber Classic Royal and a Colt 1991A1. Both guns have been dreams to shoot out of the box, with no work. I am able to shoot the Kimber more accurately than any pistol or revolver I have ever owned. The Kimber has had a total of 2 misfeeds, with Blazer or cheaper ammunition and odd shooting angle, and the Colt has never had a misfeed or malfunction of any kind.

I had a Springfield Armory "Loaded" 1911. It developed feeding problems, and shoots about 6" low. I liked the Novak sights a little better than the Kimber's, but for me its groups shot about 3 times as large as the Kimber's. And, I didn't like the sharp edges as much; the Kimber's finish is outstanding.

That said, I think I would buy a Springfield TRP before I would buy a Kimber Gold Combat.

But fortunately, I'm broke.
 
Thanks for all the input, still mulling it over. It'll be a lot easier next week when the dealer actually has some Kimbers to handle.
After my luck at dove hunting the past couple of nights I'm thinking about a new shotgun too. There's a Benelli Nova on the rack that's been callng my name for a couple of weeks now!
 
I went with the SA loaded, I just liked it better for some reason. And I had heard that their customer service was better in case of any problems.

They do have very sharp edges. The only ones that bothered me where on the bottom of the grip, they where wearing holes in my shirts while I carried. So I filed them down myself.

My particular one does not like the original 230gr. hydroshoks, but seems to like everything else. Has never malfed on anything other than hydroshok.
 
>>Seems like the guys who are suggesting Kimbers all have the custom defense packages. If thats what your comparing and thats what you want I have to agree<<

Per that statement it sounded as if you didn't know about it, MTAA.
 
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