SA PX9152L vs, Kimber Eclispe - which is better?

[PhiberOptik]

Im deciding which 1911 to get. Im choosing between-

Springfield's PX9152L
http://nas2.gbhinc.com/GB/027597000/27597723/pix1747852390.jpg


or the Kimber Eclipse
http://nas2.gbhinc.com/GB/027890000/27890090/pix2507590296.jpg


Can anyone help me decide? I heard Kimbers warranty and customer service sucx! The SA is $100 cheaper.

[DMF]

Well it's somewhat of an odd comparison. One has adjustable sights, an ambi safety, and a magwell. The other does not.

[aglocker1911]

It's really easy. If you want a great gun you can enjoy shooting, get the Springfield. If you like a gun that only works right part of the time, get the Kimber. Kimber hasn't made a good gun since they went to their series II.

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

I personally have had *very* bad experience with Series 2 kimbers (eclipses by the way). I only owned two, might even try another someday, but I doubt it. YMMV.

So given the two you show, I'd pick the Springfield, even though the Kimber may "appear" to be better made.

I presume this would be a "range" gun. For carry, I'd pick something without adjustable sights, ambi, and magwell, as they all make the gun bigger.

[Big_Jim]

Now hold the phone here! I have the Springfield Black Stainless target in question here, and while it is a very good gun, my favorite and I would recommend it to anyone, it was not perfect from the factory. In order for it to run the way it should I had to polish the ramp, ream the chamber to the proper depth and adjust the trigger which was way too heavy. One of the rear night sight inserts was loose and I had to secure that and the night sights in general are not very bright and not very useful in low light or no light. The grip panels are constantly coming loose but I haven't done anything with them yet.And the slide serrations are very sharp.

By contrast, I have a newer (1yr old)Kimber Tactical Custom II, thats right a series 2, that has none of the above mentioned problems. It has a great trigger, bright, secure night sights that are very useful. It is very accurate and has never jammed.I have put about a 1000 rnds through it with no trouble from day one.

Money being the same I'd go for he Kimber, that said, I got my SA used at a good price and don't regret it for a minute. Bought my Kimber new and I still have sticker shock.

Point is: Get the gun that you like. IMO the Kimber will be smoother, and more accurate and need less tweaking to run right. The SA is also a good gun and you won't be dissapointed.

JR Dobbs wrote:
"I presume this would be a "range" gun. For carry, I'd pick something without adjustable sights, ambi, and magwell, as they all make the gun bigger."
-I totally agree.

[Kruzr]

Eclipse also has front strap checkering. Find a shop and take a close look at each. Decide which has the better fit and finish. See which fits your hand better. Kimbers and SA's are cut different.
You can find as many complaints about Springfield's customer service as you can Kimbers or any other makers so don't let that sway you. See which is best for you and get it.

[EX CATM]

wich ever you buy polish the feedramp and breech face and it will probably run great for you. I had a sprinfield loaded that needed it and a Kimber TLE. Both ran flawlessly after the polishing. Of the two I prefer the Kimber. I traded the springfield off, there was nothing wrong with it I just wanted a new pistol and had to get rid of one and the kimber had more of what I wanted and wasn't willing to do myself, i.e. night sights & checkering. You may also want to look at the eclipse target if you want adjustable sights.

[RojasTKD]

If you happen to have a problem with you Springfield just send it back. They are good about taking care of their product.

I'd go with the Springfield.

[Kruzr]

If you happen to have a problem with the Kimber, you just send it back and you'll get it returned in a quarter of the time it takes SA. :)

[bluewater]

I had an overrated Kimber Eclipse Pro Target II which I recently sold and purchased a new Springfield Armory PX9152L. I really love my Springfield better than all of my other 1911s. I never really cared for the Kimber, although it was nice looking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/bluewater8/SA1911-A1R3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/bluewater8/KimberLsold.jpg

;?

[nickE10mm]

I have two different Kimbers, one in .45ACP and one in 10mm. Both fullsize II-series, .45 has over 5000 rounds through it with maybe ONE jam during break in, STII in 10mm has run flawlessly. No problems at all and extremely accurate, my most fav weaspon. Don't let others' complaints about a manuf. sway you until you try one out and make your own opinion.

have fun

my vote is KIMBER

[Jerseycitysteve]

The Eclipse is a beautiful gun and the trigger is terrific! The customer service is fine. When I needed a new extractor they sent it.

I have the pro. BTW the pistol you showed has the internal extractor. Now, that's a keeper.

[quantico]

Based on recent customer problems with chamber size and extractor tension... I would be much more likely to go springfield. I own a springfield loaded stainless longslide and it is excellent. Most Kimbers are also very good... but they have had some recent quality control issues.

[Short Cut]

I own three Springfields and three Kimbers (all series II) and every one of them gets the job done reliably. On the high end I think that Springfield produces better guns like the Professional and TGO1, however under a grand I think that the Kimbers are consistently more accurate, finer fit with better triggers and features for the buck.

[Jerseycitysteve]

So far with the new extractor I've put 200 rounds down the pipe without a problem. Wow!

[SquareRound]

Bought a SA PX9152L around 9 months ago and it is one sweet shooter.
Trigger is very crisp. Accuracy is excellent. Night sights are sweet. Fit and finish is excellent. Very impressed for a first SA.