SW 1911sc, or Kimber Pro Elite

[jerkeejoe]

Hey, I'm new to the world of 1911's, and need a little advice. I'm torn between the two guns listed above. Please help! Pro's, con's, and opinions greatly appreciated.

[CCV]

Buy the S&W. Based on what I read and see S&W is making better 1911's than Kimber.

[paul45]

Given your choices....I choose the Smith.

[SilverState]

It is somewhat misleading to go by the number of complaints. If Kimber sells 1,000,000 1911s in 2004, and S&W sells 100,000 1911s in 2004, and 2,000 people complain about Kimber while 1,000 people complain about S&W, does that mean that S&W is twice as good as Kimber?

The answer is no, at least not based on the above numbers. You have to look at the PERCENTAGE of complaints to get a more realistic idea of whether the respective companies are putting out good products.

Given the above numbers, Kimber has 0.02% complaints and S&W has 1.00% complaints. That would mean that PERCENTAGE-WISE, S&W has fifty times more complaints than Kimber.

Now as for your question, I have never owned/shot a S&W 1911. However, I do own/shoot two Kimber 1911s (one in 10mm and the other in .45acp). No complaints. They shoot as good as my Wilson and STI 1911s and they shoot better than my Colt 1991s.

http://sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/Kimber1911LVZ.jpg

http://sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/eclipseL.jpg

[CCV]

Originally posted by SilverState
It is somewhat misleading to go by the number of complaints. If Kimber sells 1,000,000 1911s in 2004, and S&W sells 100,000 1911s in 2004, and 2,000 people complain about Kimber while 1,000 people complain about S&W, does that mean that S&W is twice as good as Kimber?

The answer is no, at least not based on the above numbers. You have to look at the PERCENTAGE of complaints to get a more realistic idea of whether the respective companies are putting out good products.

Given the above numbers, Kimber has 0.02% complaints and S&W has 1.00% complaints. That would mean that PERCENTAGE-WISE, S&W has fifty times more complaints than Kimber.

Now as for your question, I have never owned/shot a S&W 1911. However, I do own/shoot two Kimber 1911s (one in 10mm and the other in .45acp). No complaints. They shoot as good as my Wilson and STI 1911s and they shoot better than my Colt 1991s.

http://sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/Kimber1911LVZ.jpg

http://sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/eclipseL.jpg

Buy the 'Smith.

[OUSooner]

Unfortunaltly they both have external extractors. With that being said I have heard of no extractor complaints with S&W like I have the new Kimbers.

[spober]

my kimber has internal extractor.there gos you angle!;z

[CCV]

Originally posted by spober
my kimber has internal extractor.there gos you angle!;z

What he said.;)

[jerkeejoe]

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning toward the Smith, so we'll see what happens on Monday. I did get to handle a couple of SW 1911's today at a local shop, and they felt great! The trigger was very nice, and overall feel was great. Thanks again!

-Joe

[waktasz]

The SC will be lighter unless the Kimber is allow as well. Just the facts :)

[larry starling]

Have had both S&W and Kimbers the only one I still have is the S&W. The smith has turned out to be a accuarate and reliable gun. Of the choices you listed go with the smith. If you want to add a manufactuer to the mix look at Colt's XSE commanders. But im a little biased of coarse.;Q

[SilverState]

Oh, as for internal versus external extractors, both of my Kimbers have internal extractors.

[CCV]

Originally posted by SilverState
Oh, as for internal versus external extractors, both of my Kimbers have internal extractors.

But do they work?

[FLIPPER 348]

internal, external...............who cares?? as long as they 'extract'
BHPs tend to extract pretty well

[SilverState]

I like to go with what is proven to work. And since 1911s with internal extractors have been working for about 100 years...

Why reinvent the wheel?

So yes, they work, and yes, it does make a difference - IMHO.

[FLIPPER 348]

"Why reinvent the wheel?'


why not?? If internal extractors are such a good idea for auto pistols why do most all have an external extractor? They both work just fine.

[SilverState]

The real test is war. And several wars have proven the 1911 to be reliable with INTERNAL extractors.

So you just go ahead and keep reinventing the wheel. Me, I will benefit from history.

[DAVE RICHARDS]

1911Sc hands down! Kimber quality is hit or miss right now. You either get one that works or or that doesn't. Real pain in the arse if you have to send the gun back over and over to get it fixed. I know from experience. The 1911Sc I have has been a real gem. 100% all the way right from the box. Accurate, light for it's size, and goes bang everytime. Plus if you need it Smith has great custoer service.
As to the trigger they seem to vary some from gun to gun. I may have gotten lucky but one of the guys at the range shot mine and thought it had work done on the trigger. It gets better the more you shoot it. Check out the 1911 forum. You'll find most people rave about their 1911Sc's. Really mixed reviews on the Kimbers. Good luck whatever you choice!

[Compy]

2200 rounds through a Kimber Classic Custom Series 1
2500 rounds through a Kimber TLE/RL II
21,000 rounds through a Kimber Compact Aluminium
1200 rounds through a Kimber Stainless Target II 10mm

I had less than a handfull of failures (none in the Compact).

That being said, I want to make my next 1911 a S&W Scandium commander, just to see how they perform. Sounds like a great platform and a great opportunity to build a lightweight 10mm commander.

[stepper]

My dad bought the S&W SC and is very happy with it. Its not a range gun, it has some pretty hefty recoil, but its very light and very accurate. I would buy one in a second! I would go with the Smith.

[SilverState]

stepper,

Funny you mention the recoil. I had a Smith and Wesson Scandium .357 five-round revolver a while back. I put Crimson Trace hard plastic lasergrips on it. Although I am not a recoil-sensitive shooter, I had a hard time being accurate with the .357 loads. It was better with .38 ammo, and better still with a rubber hogue grip. But I found that when a gun is too light, the recoil goes right through the gun to your hand. At least with my Desert Eagle .50ae, the weight of the gun and the fact that the barrel doesn't move, causes the recoil to be manageable.

So I guess there is a downside to having a light 1911.

[waktasz]

WOW! Whiners!!!

[SilverState]

You spelled it wrong. It is "winners".:cool:

[impala]

Is the Pro Elite used? The Pro Elite is a Custom Shop gun that was made in 1998 I believe. Either way it is a Series 1 gun and has the internal extractor. Many people say that the build quality was better back then. I have owned 3 Kimbers and the Pro Elite was built the best out of all of them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/impala_ss/ProElitesmall.jpg