View Full Version : Kimber or Springfield
I looking to by either a Kimber Custom II or Springfield Loaded 1911-A1. I'm left handed and the A1 has ambo safety where the Kimber does not. Should I buy the Kimber and have ambo safety's put on? I have shoot the Springfield and loved it never shot the Kimber but heard great things about.
Maxthemutt
07-08-2004, 19:34
I'm left handed and love all of my Kimbers. Mine are all pre series II's but I still think I'd take a Kimber over a Springfield. I added an ambi to my custom, and it works fine.
Check out the SW1911. The new target model has really nice grips and is priced about $715 from www.sportingarms.com . Briley bbl/bushing, two Wilson 47d mags, xlnt accuracy, crisp 4lb trigger out of the box, best customer service in the business, all std dimensions inside and out. The frame is dehorned a bit nicer that the Springfield, and, in my experience the Q/C and accuracy will beat the Kimber.
BTW, I owned a Kimber before, and my brother owns a Colt and a Springer loaded. We've both concluded the SW is the most gun for the money. The only thing I don't like about it is the trigger is fairly low grade, but you can replace that for $16 with the good Brownell's Videcki, part #377-000-001 .
rubijeep
07-27-2004, 23:43
ive had nothing but good luck with my springer loaded. shot a kimber, but just never developed a liking for it. personal preference though both are great pistols
NetNinja
07-28-2004, 01:53
If you can get a series I Kimber get it. Otherwise I would opt for the SpringField.
There's no way I'd ever shoot another Kimber again. I'd go, and have went, to Springfield exclusively!
One day, when the stars align correctly, I'll find that perfect Colt 1911 and add that to my stable.
akapennypincher
07-28-2004, 05:28
Originally posted by covi101
I looking to by either a Kimber Custom II or Springfield Loaded 1911-A1. I'm left handed and the A1 has ambo safety where the Kimber does not. Should I buy the Kimber and have ambo safety's put on? I have shoot the Springfield and loved it never shot the Kimber but heard great things about.
If it was down to Springfield or Kimber, I would by a Colt. I too am left handed, but what ever you chools an after market safety could be installed. If it was down to only Kimberor S/A I think I would go S/A;Q
Haycreek
07-28-2004, 07:02
No contest --- Kimber is waaay above the Springer. ;)
engineer151515
07-28-2004, 07:32
Originally posted by Jeeps
There's no way I'd ever shoot another Kimber again.....
Why?
Bad experience?
Originally posted by engineer151515
Why?
Bad experience?
Yeap...two total inert objects.
FTFs, FTEs...awful. The fit wasn't stellar, all in all, I wasn't happy.
If you shot the Springfield and liked it, I would buy that one.
It has an ambi, which you need and you shouldn't have to do anything else.
And, IMHO, the Springfield doesn't have the poorly conceived firing pin safety that Kimber uses or an unproven external extractor.
How's that for being opinionated. ;)
Exactly...I'm a Springfield man.
One day, as I said before, I'll get a Colt just to have one!
engineer151515
07-28-2004, 09:05
I just wish Springfield offered a 14 round 1911 like a Para or a Kimber.
I guess I've been lucky with mine.
http://www.treasuresand.com/kimber2.jpg
I've got an SA Loaded and a Kimber. I prefer the Kimber, no series II problems what so ever.
I decided to stay away from Kimber from the first time I saw one in action. I was at a competition, probably 6 years ago, and the Kimber would Fail to Feed every so often for no apparant reason. The operator, a hard corps 1911 guy was not pleased. Every since then I've heard the same basic stories about Kimber. Their guns sure do look nice though.
I just bought a Springfield commander sized gun because it was the only 1911 with a ambi safety. No problems with it yet. And I'm happy because I paid 200 less for it than I would have for a similar Kimber.
I would go for the Kimber. I have had three of them, and still have 2. All of them have been perfect after the initial break in. My TLE/RL was actually perfect out of the box. Kimber sells more 1911's than any other manufacture by a wide margin, so you hear more horror stories on them then from other manufacutrs. But they are also accepted by more agencies than any other manufacture (LAPD Swat, Tacoma, Wa PD, USMC etc.) The horror stories are very simillar to the Hate that the Glock 40's get (mine G23 had 6,000rnds through it when I traded it on my TLE/RL with out a single problem). Get your self a Kimber you will love it and they are far more accurate and tightly fitted than anything else in the same price range. Although the SW1911 is really catching my eye ;) .
GlockShmock
07-28-2004, 23:14
I was all set to pick up a Springfield Loaded but after I picked up the Custom TLE ll, I told him to put the Springer back and wrap up the Kimby....
dwestfall
07-29-2004, 07:29
.
rlbgfish173
07-30-2004, 09:18
SA
Haven't shot or handled a mid to high end SA, but I shot a TLE/RL II the other day.
Kind of a boring shooting session. Kept putting all the bullets through the same hole. Yawn!
DAVE RICHARDS
08-01-2004, 12:02
I would get the Springfield. Please read my post about peoples experiences with Kimber Customer Service. It's a nightmare for most folks. I've seen way too many that wouldn't function from the box (or after the 500 round break in period) at the range including mine. I've seen a couple of safties just break off. They are beautiful looking guns. They shoot very tight groups. If you lucked out and got a good one you'd love it. I've heard the excuse they make more, so they get more lemons. We'll they must be shipping alot of those lemons to Middle Tennessee because lots of guys at my range have had problems. Not all though. My Springfield has had finish and extractor problems. Pretty common from what I've seen. If you get a SA get the Stainless finish and you'll eliminate the finish problems. Throw a Wilson extractor in it and it should be good to go. In spite of what alot of folks say my local gunsmiths tell me it is not unusal for an out of the box 1911 to still need tweaking even in his day and age. Granted not a complete rebuild like 20 years ago. But often minor problems. At least SA will make it right and pay the shipping both ways. Good luck whichever way you go!
quantico
08-01-2004, 12:47
I would go colt above springfield or kimber...
between springfield and kimber I would go springfield....I have heard far fewer / love or hate issues with the springfields...
if you get a good kimber you will love it.... if you get a bad one you might really hate it...
quantico
08-01-2004, 12:48
Originally posted by NetNinja
If you can get a series I Kimber get it. Otherwise I would opt for the SpringField.
I would consider a series 1 kimber a better deal....
I want to modify my recommendation re the SW1911. I have an early generation one, SN 22XX . As noted above, I have been extremely happy with it. Fit and Finish is great, as is the accuracy.
However, a friend of mine recently got the SW1911 target model. Accuracy is good (I put a full mag into 1/2" at 25'), but it looks like things are getting a little sloppy. We had to almost max out the adjustable sight to get it to shoot to POA at 25'. Much more lateral play in the slide/frame than with my gun. If you put the gun in your hand and shake it, it rattles. And as you bring the slide back it feels both sloppy yet with sharp edges.
My friend had stovepipe problems with the gun and even after having repairs done by SW, I saw him have a couple ejection problems yesterday, and a couple times the gun did not go back into battery after firing.
The trigger unit itself is much nicer than the one on my gun, and the take-up is smoother. I will probably end up replacing my trigger.
The "target" model has checkering on the front of the grip strap. This helps hold the gun, but the checkering is kind of large and unattractive.
Bottom line: I think SW make have loosened up their tolerances on this gun to try to increase profitability. It's a shame, because with a little more trigger work, my early-run gun would basically be perfect, and that's saying a lot for a $670 factory gun.
GlockShmock
08-01-2004, 14:45
I bought my Kimber 8 days ago and so far it has not reliably fed one round of ammunition...this would normally be cause for alarm but since I don't pick the gun up for another two days, I will not worry about it..Colt, Springfield, Kimber, whatever...life's short...buy what you like...or let the force guide you...either way, you have no idea what is in store for you....now I have to go change out all my MIM parts (heard about a guy who knew someone who was just cleaning his slide stop off with a feather duster and it shattered into a million pieces)
Originally posted by GlockShmock
I bought my Kimber 8 days ago and so far it has not reliably fed one round of ammunition...this would normally be cause for alarm but since I don't pick the gun up for another two days, I will not worry about it..Colt, Springfield, Kimber, whatever...life's short...buy what you like...or let the force guide you...either way, you have no idea what is in store for you....now I have to go change out all my MIM parts (heard about a guy who knew someone who was just cleaning his slide stop off with a feather duster and it shattered into a million pieces)
^6
Nuff said.
BTW, My carry gun is a basically stock Kimber 90% of the time, an officers size at that, and I'm luckily in the position I could carry whatever I wanted,..............and do.
I would have to say Springfield would probably get me money. I have a Kimber CDP II and it will not feed anything. After I sent it back to Kimber, the said nothing was wrong with it and I am on my own with an unreliable gun. It will fail to feed 3-5 rounds in every magazine with any brand hard ball. One interesting side note, though. The other day, I fired 350 rounds of hollowpoints through it, Hydroshocks, Rangers, Gold-Dots, etc. and did not have ONE failure. Nice, but that will make for expensive practice sessions.
GlockShmock
08-01-2004, 23:15
Okay, now I've heard it all...a gun that only feeds hollowpoints...tomorrow I will probably see cats chasing dogs down the street...
Coolknight
08-03-2004, 09:53
I vote Kimber.
The only 1911 I have shoot so far that worked 100% all of the time was a Kimber, plus it was very accurate.
I had a S.A. and it was not good. In the end I got it to work 100% which changed nothing to the fact that the slide and barrel were eating each other in the lugs area.
I had an STI and near every small part broke. It was very nice when it worked however.
The only 45ACP I have right not is a S&W 625 wheelgun, it is huge but it works just fine.
Regards,
Coolknight
GlockShmock
08-03-2004, 23:11
Picked her up today...a new set of grips and she is ready to go..http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/album/00000364/TLE0001.jpg
Why not get a Les Baer:) ?
GlockShmock
08-03-2004, 23:56
Who?
There's a guy on my tac team with a Kimber Custom that is always holding up the line with malfunctions and alibi shooting. I havent had any problems with my SA Loaded.
GlockShmock
08-04-2004, 07:51
Interesting...On my tac team the Springfield guy always shows up late, forgets his ammo, and keeps asking everyone to help him rack his slide...also, he never springs for lunch....even though he is loaded.....;)
FreakyBig
08-05-2004, 13:13
My vote is for Kimber. I chose the Stainless Custom II over the Stainless SA Loaded because the fit and finish of the Kimber looked much better than the SA Loaded. Not saying that the Springfield is a bad gun, I just couldnt be happier with the Kimber.
FreakyBig
08-05-2004, 13:15
Originally posted by Cast
There's a guy on my tac team with a Kimber Custom that is always holding up the line with malfunctions and alibi shooting. I havent had any problems with my SA Loaded.
You cant judge a handgun on the experiences of one person. For all you know he could have "upgraded" the Kimber to the point that it doesnt function well.
Nope, the Kimber isnt modified, just malfunctions alot. If you look around at all the posts about what gun this and this gun that, it seems to me that Kimbers are hit and miss. Some people love em and some people hate them. I've seen very few negative things said about springfields. For example if you look at the what do you have and would you buy it again post, Kimbers are only a little bit above 50% for people that say they would buy another one and I think I saw one or two people who say they wouldnt buy another springfield. That's just off the top of my head from what I read the other day, not trying to start a Kimber/ Springfield war.
GlockShmock
08-05-2004, 18:55
Hmmmm...so only half of the LAPD Swat team is armed with a functional gun....who's gonna tell them?
I was debating between a Gold Combat or TLE/RL by Kimber or a TRP or TRP Operator and I ended up buying a TRP Stainless for under $1k NIB!
I was also considering a Sig GSR but not the S&W - no real reason,
Good Luck
I was debating between a Gold Combat or TLE/RL by Kimber or a TRP or TRP Operator and I ended up buying a TRP Stainless for under $1k NIB!
I was also considering a Sig GSR but not the S&W - no real reason,
Good Luck
I'm sure LAPD's Kimbers work fine and I never said that all Kimbers had a malfuction problem, just that I've noticed alot of people aren't happy with them. You might actually be alot like my team member. He doesn't think anything is wrong with his Kimber even though it's the only weapon on our team that malfuctions on a regular basis, and since you're just trying to troll I think I'm done with this post. The sad thing is that you are probably a grown man trying to play juvinile games.
GlockShmock
08-06-2004, 08:11
My LAPD line was in jest....and I never troll...I just question the validity of the info on the web at times...
I really wanted to like Kimber because I like the TLE. Since my bad ... really bad experience with Kimber, I would buy the TRP before the TLE. Not only do you have to consider hit and miss Quality Control, but you have to factor in the absolutely pathetic Customer Service at Kimber.
My next big decision is actually going to be between the Wilson Tactical Elite or the Springfield Professional. (I really like the TGO I Leatham gun, but I don't have a reason to buy it since I use my guns on duty. It looks like fun, though:) )
Haycreek
08-08-2004, 21:00
Different experiences for different folk, I have a Kimber Classic Gold Match, Series I, it is the best 1911 I have seen, no malfunctions, exceptional accuracy, no problems at all. The recoil spring is the only thing replaced, even though the original spring was without problems. I would purchase another, but would prefer another Series I. One of the new Series 70, or GI spec models would be fine also. [Colt]
Steve H in AZ
08-10-2004, 11:19
While I have never owned a Kimber, I think they are excellent guns. They raised the bar as to what a good quality 1911 could be. I do have several Springfields and will buy more. Both will have some slip through the cracks of quality control. No one in any industry makes a perfect product all the time.
Regarding the TGO, if you shoot competition, or want a 1911 with adjustable sights, you won't find a better one anywhere. I have shot 4 of them and all were outstanding! I have shot a few of the Pro model, one in 9mm, and they were just as good, only with Novak night sights on them.
I run our monthly single stack, 1911 match at our club along with the yearly Western States Single Stack Championship, I shot all the guns on the chrono stage, and got to shoot and handle over 100 1911's, both Kimber and Springfield were well represented and both were excellent.
Steve
What do you think of the sights on the TGO?
Steve H in AZ
08-10-2004, 15:59
The rear on the TGO is a Bomar, the front is a Dawson fiber optic. I have them on most of my competition guns, I really like them. You can adjust the amount of fiber optic you want to see. It is set up from Dawson with a small hole in the sight that you see the optic through, this allows you to still have a crisp black sight picture from the sight itself. I had to replace the fiber optic and failed to trim it enough and it melted a larger "blob" just bigger then the hole on the sight. I kind of like it that way, it is just a little larger then the way is was sent, but I still have the flat edges of the top and sides of the front sight.
Steve
I've seen very few negative things said about springfields
Take a look on 1911 forum they have more initial problems out of the box than Kimber from what I've seen and read. SA does seem to have better poeple skills in customer service though they often don't get problems fixxed the first time. Now the poeple I've delt with at Kimber could use some leassons in how to talk to customers but they did answer all my questions eventually. Best bet is to hope whatever you get doesn't break and to check online for cures to simple problems before you send it in to be repaired.
By the way on another forum I saw a poll of kimber owners 87% of over 700 where happy with thier Kimbers kinda funny for a gun that has parts that break all the time and keeps jamming.
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.