Which 4" 1911 to get?

D

deej

New member
OK, so I have a sudden desire to buy a Commander-sized 1911. Currently I have a full size Springfield, which I really like, but I'm looking for something a little smaller. I don't like the Officer's-sized models, so I'm sticking to the Commander size.

Considering the following:

Kimber Pro Carry
Kimber Pro CDP
Springfield Champion
Charles Daly EMS

I'm leaning toward the Champion, but the Kimbers are also nice. Night sights are a must, which is why the CDP is there. The Chuck? Well, it's cheap... :D

Also, does anyone know a good online source for Springfields? www.bauershooting.com seems to have good prices on Kimber.

If anyone has any other suggestions, that would be great. As long as they are approved by the Great State of California.

Thanks guys and gals!

DJ
 
I have a Kimber Pro Carry. Wouldn't trade it for anything else currently available. Mine has all the accuracy of a full-size gun, plus it feels MUCH better in the hand than one of those slab-sided Springfields. Years ago I had one of the first Springfield Champions back when when they called them Commanders (before Colt cried infringement). It had the older Springfield frame contour and was a nice piece.
 
I don't see a dime's worth of difference between the two Kimbers and the Springfield. They all 3 have the most common bells and whistles that people want. Quality wise they seem very close.

If you don't like to tinker and just want to shoot it, the Kimbers or the Springfield would be the choice. On price, the CD has the nod, particularly if you like to tinker. Why spend that much money on a Kimber or Springfield if you're going to be changing stuff anyway?

The CD I have is the EFS and I'm quite happy with it. When I bought it I didn't realize CD made so many different models. If I were buying one now I would get the EMS. The only problem I had with mine was the trigger face and pull. A few minutes with a Dremel fixed the trigger face and some stones fixed the trigger pull.

I'm happy with the CD so for me, of the models listed, I'd go for the CD.
 
My Kimber Pro CDP has worked well for me. I wanted the night sights, ambi-safety, and serrations. The only thing left for me to add was a metal mainspring housing and thin grips. Plus it looks great.
It has always shot well, and shows little sign of wear. I believe it when Kimber says that their alloy frames will go over 20,000 rounds without measurable wear.

The Kimbers felt better in my hand than the Springfields, which is admittedly a subjective impression.
 
2nd vote for the Pro Carry HD or SLE

both are stainless frames. That's my next 1911.... put night sights, an Ed Brown Bobtail, and you've got a wonderful carry piece! It's going to be my birthday gift to myself....

Jason
 
EXPERIENCE (your results may vary)

In my experience the Kimber pistols seem to be delivered with better accuracy.

Not sure why (yet), but testing continues.

Either gun makes a great base for customizing, and the Springfield Custom Shop does awesome work.
 
Champion

I've been shooting the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of a stainless steel Champion for the last year and a half, and have had no complaints except for some eratic ejection patterns before I put in a Bulletproof extractor.

I vote SA - of course, I don't own a Kimber, but they look really nice.
 
I don't have a Pro Carry, but do have a CUSTOM STAINLESS and ULTRA CDP. I'm happy with each.

Never owned a Springfield, so I can't say. A lot of folks seem to have issue with the front-strap profile on these guns.

Never owned a Daly either. I considered one when I was looking for a 5" 1911 to use at the range, but after examining both pistols side-by-side, and at the urging of my dealer, I bought the Classic Stainless.

Based on my experiance, you would be happy with the Pro Carry.
 
Another option could be a Colt Custom Carry Commander. The one I bought a couple of years ago has a stainless frame and a black slide. I've seen the reverse variation of stainless slide and black frame also. They come with big chunky rubber grips w/finger grooves that I immediatly removed and replaced with the black rubber grips off of my Kimber. (I replaced the Kimber grips with wooden double diamonds). The supposed story of this run of Custom Carry Commanders is that they went through Colt's Custom shop for some mild work (fitting and trigger work as well as enlarged ejection port and throating/polishing I imagine). IIRC, mine listed for $825 or $850 or somewhere thereabouts. Considering the work done, and the aftermarket price I was quoted for doing the same to my Kimber, the 7 hundred something plus tax I paid for mine was a pretty decent deal. I have 2 Kimbers to compare it to, and I have to say it shoots better than either of the Kimbers. I'm impressed enough with mine that I may pick up another one if I see one and sell off one of the Kimbers.
 
Don't know about the others, but...

I think I'd advise against the Champion. I've been shooting one for about two years now, and its as reliable as can be, but DANG they've got a heavy recoil spring in there! (24#) It seems like Springfield had a real hard time getting this one to function correctly, so they just forced it to with a heavy spring. My wife's SA Ultra Compact and my Full Size are both easier to operate. This may sound trivial, but when you're doing emergency action drills, that weight can cause your grip to slip.
 
I went through the same decision process about 9 months ago. I ended up with the Kimber CDP and have been very impressed.
 
I carry a Kimber PRO Eclipse.

I couldn't ask for better accuracy or reliability. I credit this to the bushingless(bull) barrel system.

You loose all the bushing related factors; i.e. Fitting of bushing to frame, fitting of bushing to barrel, possible bushing 'pinch', possible bushing breakage.

In the end you get a solid lockup of the barrel to slide, with .000" gap. I passed the 1,000 round mark about 3 weeks ago, with 100% reliability and excellant accuracy. Have been carrying it since Sept.

The Eclipse is the steel-framed brother to the CDP, it's sister.:)

I honestly think the Pro Carry HD is the better buy. Aside from the finish, it's basicly the same gun as my Eclipe, but much less expensive. Also, I scrapped the Kimber sights for Ashleys(standard dot).

Good Luck
 
Hmmm...

Kimber definitely seems to be in the lead. I didn't consider the Pro Eclipse because, frankly, I didn't know about it :( but it looks like a winner. Good source on it? Is $847 a good price?

I definitely like the idea of a steel frame, although I don't think I'll be putting enough rounds through it for aluminum to be a major detractor. Plus most of my handguns right now are plastic anyway. :eek:

DJ
 
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