My Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded is the smoothest pistol I have ever owned. Good luck with your 1911's. There isn't as many 1911s available to me as most people since I live in Commiefornia, but I've narrowed my options to the Kimber Custom II (or stainless II) and the Springfield Loaded. It's going to be a 1911. Springers are great guns, and I've always got good response to any questions aske of the factory.i. Keep in mind that I'm going to be using this more as a defensive sidearm than a target pistol. The trigger pull is around 3.5 pounds from the factory which was what I was looking for. I've been happy with the Kimber… A friend brought in his dad's Spingfield Arms. ... 1911 8-Round Stainless Steel Magazine w/ Slam Pad – .45 ACP. The S&W Performance Center 1911, the Kimber CDP Pro and the Stainless Springfield Aromory 1911-A1 With Springfield, it seems just the reverse. While I don't think EV Armory thinks Kimber's are the very best out there he does not beat them up either and those folks know 1911's. I also have a series 80 Colt Government Model, a Colt Commander, an SA GI and an SA Ultra Compact. Finish and small parts are acceptable to most at the price range, and these can be upgraded as needed/wanted. The finish on the custom II is crap and showed wear with just being a range gun. The first ones were really nice. The TRP is an amazing pistol and highly respected. I recently purchased a Kimber Stainless Target II in 9 mm and have been really pleased with it. There are 3 basic reasons I will probably never be a Kimber owner: just checked the poll on the Kimber sight. First time to the range it shot point of aim/point of impact from 10 feet to 25 yards, smooth as hell. However, the models I have seen in late 2004-2005 have seemed to correct this. Saw a Springfield Armory "Loaded Target" .45 today, first time I'd … Love mine. Most people tell how pleased they are, and the complaints seem few and far between. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Quality is the true measure of value. Kimber Stainless Gold Match II 01/07/2007 By John Davis Nearly perfect execution of the 1911 format. $40.00. I'm considering selling it and buying a Springfield range officer or loaded. Do your research on it now. Both are known to be great pistols, but which exactly is going to be better? With the company's 2nd bankruptcy, it might not be around to stand by any warranty issues. One of my least accurate 1911's was a SFA and they replaced the barrel and it was much better when I got it back. You've decided you want an upscale 1911 but not quite custom shop; thus, you're trying to decide between a Sig 1911 vs Kimber 1911. I wonder what this poll would look like in the Kimber forum :biglaugh: I just found this same poll in the kimber forum, and surprise, Kimber is ahead there. I'm not sure how impartial this will be here on the Springer board, but I say Springfield all the way. About 3-4 years ago I bought a new SA Loaded Target. The modern production 1911 - high visibility sights, beavertail grip safety, aluminum trigger, good trigger pull, enhanced slide/ frame fit, accurized barrel/bushing fit. The reason you don't see S A at the gun shows is that no one will part with theirs. I had a 2002 model year loaded and the frontstrap stuck forward about 3/8 of an inch past the grip, and the dust cover hung down so low on the outsides that it would not fit into my Kydex holster. I personnaly like the Springfield EMP. I selected the Kimber based on all the positive reviews in all the gun magazines. I love it. On the other hand, the Kimber was not adjusted properly from the factory, and I had to use a gunsmith … I would put the SA loaded models a slight cut above the newer kimbers that I have shot other then my own. A good place to get Kimber on sale is Smoky Mountains Gun and Ammo. I would just like it for target shooting. Low end 1911’s? Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Springfield is a Champion model (very base model). It's going to be a Kimber Custom II or a Springfield Loaded. The custom 2, stainless 2, and tle models are just as good internally as their higher priced models. I have had very good luck with Kimber's. #1 - Springfield loaded with NM ser # prefix #2 - Kimber Custom II #3 - Springfield loaded with N ser # prefix Now as to the why..... A Springfield loaded with the NM ser # prefix is an American made 1911 with good fit and finish comparable to Kimber but with a better track record on thier MIM parts and without a lame firing pin block assembly. Compare the dimensions and specs of Kimber Micro 9 and Kimber 1911 Ultra Having owned both I can say without a doubt that it would be a Springfield. JavaScript is disabled. Were as reliable as each other (after springfield fixed my loaded). Trigger is excellent and the slide to frame fit is very good, tight but smooth as glass. Bought a Kimber Grand Raptor II This last year I went shopping for a 1911. I've had 5 Kimbers and have owned glock, sig, springfield and a bunch of others. :biglaugh: I have been looking at buying a .45 for the last ten years. I've been happy with the Kimber… I watched various shooters with Kimbers at matches. Had a 5 lb trigger out of the box, and after shooting her around 300 rounds the trigger smoothed out to 3.5 lbs, and accurate too. They have the two tone custom on sale for $619 shipped. Kimber no question about it. I previously owned, but refused to carry a Desert Warrior. I am seriously looking at the Ruger 1911 or Springfield Loaded. Accuracy is the name of the game for me. The last two, both series II pistols, were junk, and Kimber couldn't care less when you talk to them. I had a Kimber Series I Good Match, great pistol. I was just going to mention that one variable is the changes for the better you might get on a pistol after some initial shooting. Ah well, we all make mistakes. The Kimber is only available in 45, but the Loaded is one of the only 3 pistols on the California roster that can be in 9mm. I've owned several Kimbers. The overall fit and finish I feel is better on the Kimber's. My Springfield loaded has yet to have a failure, going on about 700 rounds. I have 2 Springfields, a full size loaded stainless and a Champion stainless, both nice weapons and I would recommend Springfield to anyone. I carry the Springfield as my duty weapon. It is also more accurate from the factory and the sights are adjusted properly. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Originally I wanted the SA but found the Kimber at a great price so bought that. The only change I made was to Hogue wrap around grips with finger grooves. I looked at the Colt Defender, Springfield Compact, and Kimber Ultra Carry in stainless. Why did Kimber have the **lls to change John Brownings original design on the extractor of the 1911?????? That said, $969 is a bit high IMO. Or spend a couple hundred more and get a SA TRP. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Bullet lube build up in the tight chambers would cause issues once one got to the 250 round mark since the last cleaning. Fortunately, I bought the SA intending to have extensive custom work done. I'm not just speaking from internet rumour, either. gee, i best not look in the mirror right now. Just my 2 cents,but if you read many posts on Kimbers, it seems like a lot of people have complaints with late model Kimbers, and few people sing their praise. In my opinion, Kimber hits it out of the park at the sub $1K realm. Oversized ejection port and extended magazine release enhance competition performance. The forged frame and slide, the heart and soul of Springfield Armory 1911 pistols, sets this gun apart from competitor’s cast models on the market by surpassing them in both strength and durability. I have the 9mm version and it is really nice. Beware the man with one gun, he's cranky because he can't afford more. I have owned several SA pistols, but not in the last 10 years or so. 1911 Loaded .45 ACP Handgun – Stainless This gorgeous 1911 Loaded .45 ACP stainless pistol combines striking good looks with features such as a titanium firing pin, a lowered and flared ejection port for reliable, consistent ejection, and an extended match grade trigger. As I write this, strapped on my side in a Safariland duty holster is the pride and joy of my handgun collection, a blue steel Kimber Custom II in .45 ACP. Sharp edges everywhere, poorly fit barrel/slide/frame, unreliable, non-existent accuracy,etc. On the strength of quality, Kimber has become the world's largest producer of 1911 pistols. 1911 Loaded Handguns. It usually came down to the then new FO sights losing the light tube. Own a Springfield and a Kimber. When it came time to purchase my own 1911, I went with the Springfield Loaded. I don't understand all the hate for them. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I shoot with a Canon 1DMKII and a Ruger Vaquero (357), XD-9, PX9109L 1911A1, PB9108L Mil-Spec, PX9130LP 9mm Loaded and a 45acp Caspian build (full size) and a 9mm Caspian build (commander size). Because as received, the SA was disappointing, to say the least. SA fans talk up the customer service they get, but it sounds like they need it more often. I can't exactly answer the question regarding the two mentioned. Just my thoughts. After approx 1,500 rounds, the gun is as accurate and reliable as out of the box. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. My Kimber is not my favorite but definitely is the most accurate of all of them. I want the one that is most accurate. What I liked about the Desert warrior was the clean, crisp trigger pull and lack of Series II … Series 70, lifetime warranty, best SS on earth, yes please. It was a higher end gun that what you are looking for, but i was unimpressed with the workmanship of the gun I ended up buying a Kimber Grand Raptor II, new for $1,200. I have owned many 1911’s, my Kimber Custom TLE II and my Smith & Wesson 1911 are as nice as they come. Compare a Kimber with any other brand of 1911—or any other type of semi-automatic pistol—and see for yourself why Kimber is what all guns should be. I have a Springfield stainless Loaded model, and a Kimber Target. I found that the reviews were both right and wrong. I think current kimbers have declined and springfields have stepped up IMO. I presently own and carry a stainless TRP and LOVE the gun. The Springfield was pretty crude compared to the Kimbers of the time. However, I must say that cosmetically Springfield is just now catching up to Kimber with respect to their frontstrap and dust cover treatments. Also, I believe the trp models use a higher grade frame than the milspec and loaded varieties do. All of my Kimbers shot well and I never had a problem with any of them and they were accurate and well finished. Not a big fan of the Kimber extractors. The Kimber is the Custom Stainless. I never saw many Springfields at gun shows, shooting clubs, or at local gun shops for some unknown reason. Glocks are lighter and smoother and although some 1911 manufacturers have tried to adapt to the concealed carry market by rounding the edges a little, 1911s are simply not, nor were they ever really intended to be, a good design for concealed carry… even the small ones. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. I've narrowed it down to a Kimber or a Springfield. I have shot both Springfields and Kimbers. Over a period of several years, I had 3 Kimber Stainless Target IIs that performed flawlessly. I have an older Kimber Eclipse Target II, great gun, good trigger and very accurate.Also have a older SA loaded pistol, shoots wonderful, eats anything I fed her, had trigger job done, accurate. Katie and I review several 1911 pistols in the $1500 range. If it’s not a Kimber, it’s a copy. Overall, both are great. Sig 1911 vs Kimber 1911: Paring Down The Premium Pistols. I keep hearing of the external extractor troubles that Kimber is having and the somewhat lackadasical customer service issues that I would not buy a Kimber at this time. Kimber Custom Stainless II 1911 45 ACP. ... Springfield Loaded 1911 vs Kimber Custom 2 1911 - Duration: 6:28. shepherdbrooks 166,353 views. at least 50 or 60 hand guns. I am in the market for a new 1911. JavaScript is disabled. From my personal experience, Springfield had less failures and was simply more reliable than the Kimber Custom II and the Kimber TLE II that I had tried. Slides, frames, and barrels are excellent. that being said, for me, they shot about the same. Both are very accurate, dependable 1911s. I held two guns side by side ,A kimber and a LOADED,Bought the Springer.Hands down a much better bang for your buck.The S A cost $50 more,but had hundreds of $ more QUALITY built into it.My 2 cents. Excellent trigger, very good, consistent accuracy. I am wanting to spend around $850 or less. I sold the Kimber because I didn’t like the finish, but it was reliable and accurate. I also own aKimber Tactical Pro II and absolutely love it. but this is a … Have been kinda wanting to get another Kimber Classic Target model but in stainless. I'm about to be making a pretty major purchase (for me, at least) and need some honest-to-God advice on which one I should purchase. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. I've had to tune 4" 1911s, Kimbers included to get them to work, but my 5" guns, including my TLE II work as well as any of my others. Not to speak is to speak. it's the American way to mess around with things. Call me a traditionalist but with the possible exception of .38 super, 1911s are supposed to be chambered in forty five. Picked up a SA loaded in 9MM a few months ago. Nowadays I would give the edge to Springfield. Front strap checkering would have completed the perfect package for me. I don't think that I'd buy a Kimber over a Springfield again. All of my Colts were also excellent, accurate, dependable, and well finished. Glocks are great utilitarian pistols and most certainly reliable; but a tuned 1911 cannot be beat. Maybe the truth does shine thru afterall! Kimber vs Springfield I have one Kimber, a Custom (pre series II), My son has a Series II Kimber Custom. we all know guys who screw around with their guns modifying this and that in their own homes. PERFORMANCE: Ruger SR1911: Positive barrel lock-up allows for a superior accuracy out-of-the-box. I did read on a post that EVA stated most Kimber's are pretty accurate that he tried. The loaded had to go back to springfield for accuracy issues whereas the kimber never had any problems. I'm considering selling it and buying a Springfield range officer or loaded. parts and the SFA does as well. Unless I was willing to spend a small fortune for a Wilson or Nighthawk, if I ever buy another 1911, It would be either a Kimber or a Smith and Wesson 1911… Spingfield all the way. Springfield 1911 A1 Loaded / Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec, Second Media Corp., 111 Peter Street, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. I own several brand of 1911's and like them all. You can save a couple hundred $’s and go with a SA Range Officer. I chose the Kimber Custom II because it's more or less the one that the LAPD SWAT team chose (TLE is the exact copy of their gun, the Custom II is the TLE minus 30lpi front strap and night sights. A guy at work is looking for a 1911 and wants to buy my Kimber TLE II. Hey. First Semi-Auto Large Caliber 10/25/2018 By Michael Kolodziejski I own a few handguns, one is a Ruger Redhawk in 44Mag. Pass on the Remington unless you get a great deal. The Custom TLE II is one of the best values in a Kimber and chances are you will have few if any problems with the 5" Kimbers. Kimber Stainless Raptor II Review - Duration: 9:45. evaunit365 54,868 views. I was looking for a smaller lighter 1911 pistol for concealed carry. 1911 Belt Slide Holster – Right Hand. As a result, I purchased a Kimber Gold Match II last year, and have been quite pleased with it, and it shoots less than one inch groups at 25 yards from a bench ( hand held ). Remember they are all production guns, luck of the draw. It depends partially on which Sig or Kimber 1911 you mean. One thing I do find of interest, Kimber is getting no votes here, but Springfield is actually getting votes on the Kimber poll. Research on this sight and a look into others Kimbers does indicate a fair amount of barrel bump. A guy at work is looking for a 1911 and wants to buy my Kimber TLE II. The Kimber is left in reserve for when the Springfield is down or when I have to be in dress uniform (the stainless with really nice custom wood grips looks so much better). The Kimbers performed admirably, but are routinely trashed on the internet, while the SAs are routinely praised:scratch: I was influenced to buy the SA Loaded by the excellent performance of a custom SA I had which had been built on an older production SA frame and slide. I have owned CZ 75s (The best 9mm I have ever shot), H&K USPs, Smith and Wessons, Bersas, Rugers, Berettas, and Glocks. My question is how would the folks in this Kimber forum compare functionality, reliability and overall performance between the SA Armory stainless MilSpec 1911 A-1 to the Kimber Custom TLE II (LG) in SS? I had both guns concurrently so I can compare both. Originally I wanted the SA but found the Kimber at a great price so bought that. Some of the newer Colts are very nice also. Glockwins this category hands down. I am new again to this 1911.org forum after a long leave of absence. I have owned four Kimbers and owned seven Colt 1911s. Once I had no trouble reccomending Kimbers, but there is too much trouble with their external extractor design, especially since you said this is to be a defensive side arm. in semi auto the 1911 is the best and of all the 1911's the Kimber rocks right out of the box. Very reliable. Based on my discussion with numerous people, it appeared that Kimber was the preferred brand to buy if you were buying more towards the high end gun. as a Kimber junkie, and, a springer fan boy, this one is almost a net wash. I have a Kimber and a Springfield. it's in our make up. It was not quite as accurate as other 1911s I have owned in the past - In fact, the most accurate 1911 I have previously owned was a Kimber. Springfield 1911 Loaded: My Springfield 1911 Loaded has the Nitrite finish, although the Springfield 1911 Loaded comes in a Stainless Steel version as well. 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