thinking bout getting my first 1911

[walter]

i always wanted a SA loaded park but recently i've been looking at kimber custom ii and pro carry ii. i always hated kimber because i keep reading bad stuff about them and SA has lifetime warranty. but now I'm kinda changing my mind because 1) i like the finish better on the kimber 2. i dont like ambi safety on the SA.

iono what do you guys think?

then i'm debating between full size and commander size because cammander size seems like it better balance but then again, it kinda aint a "true" 1911.

ps anyone got better prices than buds?

[Rekrab]

I'd get a springer before a Kimber. I like the fit and finish better. Pick up both of them and play with them to see what you like better. Ambi safeties don't bug me. If it really irks you, you can always replace it, they're not too hard to take down and replace.

[DJBSR]

Springfield you'll be glad stick with a full size

[Juice5610]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=269697

[jz8114]

Can"t go wrong with a Colt 1911 full size.

[RedFord150]

Dan Wesson PM7, if you can find one.

[ocspeedracer]

I'd go full size and springer, but will admit those Kimbers look nice.

[gorenut]

In the past, I would easily have gone Springfield, because they used to be a great value for what you got. Now they upped the prices and you can get better stuff with just 100-200 bucks more.

Kimber I've heard has quality control issues recently, but don't take my word on it. Just word of mouth from a few people I know who used to be die-hard Kimber.

So depending on which route.. I'd either go cheaper or just save up a lil more for something better.

[sholling]

Go with a Springer or a stainless S&W. Both are fine pistols, both have lifetime warranties, but the Smith is a tad more refined. Kimber just doesn't back their pistols the way they should and their firing pin safety seems weak to me.

[B Strong]

i always wanted a SA loaded park but recently i've been looking at kimber custom ii and pro carry ii. i always hated kimber because i keep reading bad stuff about them and SA has lifetime warranty. but now I'm kinda changing my mind because 1) i like the finish better on the kimber 2. i dont like ambi safety on the SA.

iono what do you guys think?

then i'm debating between full size and commander size because cammander size seems like it better balance but then again, it kinda aint a "true" 1911.

ps anyone got better prices than buds?

As someone who has gone 2 for 3 in the Kimber stakes (2 out of three Kimbers I purchased run 100%, the third was a lemon, even after factory service) I'd recommend going with Springfield.

[NiteQwill]

As an old Kimber owner, stay away from Kimber. Unless you find a series I pistol, stay far, far away.

[nosmatt]

I find this thread very funny.

My wife and I went to the range today, 100 rounds thru my wifes Springer Loaded (very pretty gun). 50 through my Pro Carry II.

We used the stock 7 round springer mags (2), and 8 round Shooting Stars (3)


Her first mag, FTE. second to last round, nearly every time.


We both shot hers the most, to break it in.

With me shooting my Pro Carry II, I had my best three targets with ~3" groups at 7 yards, I know, not that impressive, but I am getting better all the time.

My best group with her gun, 4 hits on an 8" target. once.

She had 4 targets that actually had hits, and many, many more with no hits at all.


Last mag, 7 round. I give her my Kimber, She put all 7 rounds into the target, with a 5" group. not one miss, that was her best target all day.



@ home cleaning, the SA is a pain to break down. Sharp as ****, I have several scrapes on my hands.

The Kimber, apart on ~20 seconds, cleaned, and back into battery in about 15 minutes, and it was dirty as hell from the last outing. Took all of 45 seconds to reassemble.



SO, to wrap it up, about 12-14 FTE's with the SA, one of those I was shooting, and no limp wrist. ZERO malfunctions in the Kimber.


I would not risk my life using the springer, and it will never, ever be on my hip for protection.

To the OP, this is from a guy that has BOTH of the guns you were questioning.

[bwolcott]

taurus!!! lol no idk I have a springfield loaded and I havent had any problems with it, runs like a japanese car

[NiteQwill]

I find this thread very funny.

My wife and I went to the range today, 100 rounds thru my wifes Springer Loaded (very pretty gun). 50 through my Pro Carry II.

We used the stock 7 round springer mags (2), and 8 round Shooting Stars (3)


Her first mag, FTE. second to last round, nearly every time.


We both shot hers the most, to break it in.

With me shooting my Pro Carry II, I had my best three targets with ~3" groups at 7 yards, I know, not that impressive, but I am getting better all the time.

My best group with her gun, 4 hits on an 8" target. once.

She had 4 targets that actually had hits, and many, many more with no hits at all.


Last mag, 7 round. I give her my Kimber, She put all 7 rounds into the target, with a 5" group. not one miss, that was her best target all day.



@ home cleaning, the SA is a pain to break down. Sharp as ****, I have several scrapes on my hands.

The Kimber, apart on ~20 seconds, cleaned, and back into battery in about 15 minutes, and it was dirty as hell from the last outing. Took all of 45 seconds to reassemble.



SO, to wrap it up, about 12-14 FTE's with the SA, one of those I was shooting, and no limp wrist. ZERO malfunctions in the Kimber.


I would not risk my life using the springer, and it will never, ever be on my hip for protection.

To the OP, this is from a guy that has BOTH of the guns you were questioning.

FTE = Limp wrist from your wife

And most folks have already disagreed with you. Isn't THAT funny?

[elSquid]

SO, to wrap it up, about 12-14 FTE's with the SA, one of those I was shooting, and no limp wrist. ZERO malfunctions in the Kimber.

I bought a new Springer Loaded last year. First trip to the range, using stock mags and 230gr ball, I also had extraction issues. I wasn't too happy.

I forget what the stock extractor tension was... I want to say 8-10oz, but whatever it was, it was way too light. I swapped in a properly tensioned Brown extractor and the problems went away.

FWIW,

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=10261/learn/1911_Auto_Extractor_Adjustment

-- Michael