Which 1911A1?

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Do-Man

New member
Any thoughts out there on which 1911A1 to get as my first .45ACP? I've always wanted a Colt Gov't, but the current SA 1911 "loaded" model looks pretty good. Don't plan on customizing it much.

- prefer to keep price <$650 in CA.
- no "race gun" stuff, just practical stuff.
- no Kimber.

Are the Colts hard to find now?

Doland
 
If you want a Colt, get a Colt. Right now because of the "scare" in which Colt stopped production of certain guns, many of the lesser quality 1991A1 are going for big bucks. As much as a new Kimber in fact. Your best deal will be the Springfield Armory "loaded" or milspec version. That is, unless you are willing to track down a Colt at a good price ( www.kyimports.com ) , I would opt for that.
 
If you want a Colt, get a Colt. Right now because of the "scare" in which Colt stopped production of certain guns, many of the lesser quality 1991A1 are going for big bucks. As much as a new Kimber in fact. Your best deal will be the Springfield Armory "loaded" or milspec version. That is, unless you are willing to track down a Colt at a good price ( www.kyimports.com ) , I would opt for that.
 
Why no Kimber?

Halffast

------------------
"I say that big talk is worth doodly-squat." Granny Hawkins from the Outlaw Josey Wales
 
Just some observations.....


Someone : Springfield or Kimber ?

RikWriter : Kimber


Someone : Single Action or double action ?

Rikwriter : Kimber


Someone : Shotgun or pistol ?

Rikwriter : Kimber


Someone : Ford or Chevy ?

Rikwriter : Kimber


Someone : To be ? or not to be ?

RikWriter : Kimber, definitely ....


:) :) :)

[This message has been edited by MusclesMcGee (edited February 25, 2000).]
 
MusclesMcGee & Sod,

That has got to be the funniest thing I have read on TFL. Thanks so much for the laugh.

Someone: Beef or Chicken
RikWriter: Kimber



------------------
"By His stripes we are healed..."

PeterGunn
 
RikWriter,

Back in '92 when I first got into guns and was looking into a .45, alot of dealers told me Kimbers were piles. I've been out of it since '94, so they may have changed, but Colt and SA seemed to be the better ones.

SB23 got me back in again, so I'm back on the market for a .45. I really wish I'd bought the Gold Cup back in '93.......sigh.

Doland
 
Don't get me wrong Do-man, I own a Kimber and think its a fine gun, but just ok for the money. It is more reliable than a factory Colt, but shoots mediocre groups and lays a pattern 3 inches to the left and 2 inches high at 15 yards with the factory sights (which are rather poor to begin with, huge gap). Totally unacceptable.

Other than the slide to frame fit, I don't see what is so remarkable. The arched mainspring and beavertail suck, the sights suck, the slide is ugly, the trigger has way to much creep and is too long, the finish is like chalk, MIM parts ect. ect. ......

What attracted me to the Colt was a 1991A1 I would rent at the range. Felt great in my hands, didn't have the B.S. doodads that Kimber seems to think people want (most tactical stuff is simply crap), and while not as reliable as my kimber, it retails for at least $150 cheaper.

Its cheaper, its the original, its more comfortable (imho), and most importantly YOU get to decide what "tactical" or "custom" extras you feel are necesary. Don't overpay, Colt has a better resale value too.
 
I can say for a fact the Kimber is a great gun Ive owned just about every brand of 1911 at one time or another and the Kimber is the best factory Quality 1911 on the market PERIOD.Having said that i do own a few colts and Love them ,but they are not a Kimber.The Kimber when it came out was and still is a great gun if you need proof just look at who uses thier frames to build custom 1911`s. IE Wilson and Chip Mccmormick.The people that blast Kimber on this board have not owned one and have not inspected one for themselves cause that is what thier buddy says ,Iknow i was like that once till I bought the Kimber Gold Match. It will outshoot my Para Ordinance P13 Custom that i have twice the amount of money in ,and i though it was a good shot .But the bottom line is if you wnt a 1911 go get the Kimber or a colt and you can`t go wrong.But if you do decide to go with the sa take a close look at the slide to frame fit,then look at the barrel it does not look up tight,then look at the barrel bushing same thing,END OF STORY!!!!!!!!!
 
"The people that blast Kimber on this board have not owned one and have not inspected one for themselves...", so says killer45auto.

Man that is not even close to the truth and we all know it...there goes your credibility.

Why is it that some people become so brand loyal that they can't recognize that all manufacturers will produce a bad product from time to time, whether it is a car, pistol or a shoestring? Even though I got a Kimber with problems, I at least have the decency to publicly state that my problems are the exception and not the norm.

Why can't the Kimber lovers at least show experienced shooters enough respect to acknowledge that Kimber is experiencing some quality control problems and the customer service can be lousy depending upon workload? Kimber's current state of affairs is well known throughout the industry and is no secret to any knowledgeable firearms enthusiast.

I know that constant product bashing is tiresome, so I am going to post a positive experience as a new thread.
 
Ankeny,

Whats most frustrating for me is that my problems are not big enough to bother Kimber about. Most of them are easily corrected and have to do with my lack of knowledge prior to purchase. Honestly, I can't believe some of the stuff people are willing to complain about and send their gun back to the factory. I mean, if the cupholder in your Taurus was improperly sized, would you send it back to the factory ? Or if the CD player wasn't to your liking, would you send it to Dearborn and demand an upgrade ?

For its intended purpose, the gun suits me fine. I still think your getting a Cavalier with "rally" wheels and a screaming chicken sticker (ala TransAm) on the hood for the price of low end Caddy. Sure, the Cavalier gets you from point A to B just fine, but does it have bucket seats ? Fine Corinthian leather ? Hell no !!!! ok ok......lets see which one of those stupid smilies suits the... :o there we go. Ignore the car analogy
:) .
 
Hey, you can make all the asinine jokes you want, doesn't bother me. I only know what *I* have experienced and what *I* have heard first hand from dealers and buyers. The internet being what it is, I don't take anything I hear on it as gospel, I only trust what I know and what I KNOW is that I have not had a single jam from any of the five Kimbers I have owned, nor a single parts breakage, and none of them have failed to be very accurate. I KNOW that none of the people I have talked to first hand have had any problems with any of their Kimbers. I KNOW that every single one of the three Kimber Master Dealers I know personally in this area have had nothing but good words for the Kimbers they have sold from the buyers. I KNOW that the number of guns they have had to send back for customers can be counted on one hand.
I KNOW these things. The things I hear on this message board I don't know.
 
In a 1911 the two best for the money ARE KIMBER and Springfield Armory. I currently have a Kimber Gold Match and SA Trophy Match, they are both about equal. The SA has the fore grip stippled which I like a little better. But accuracy, fit and performance are in both guns. KIMBER or SA.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top