Kimber Custom TLE/RL II or Springfield Operator

[SDM44]

I've been looking at the 2 guns lately and was wanting to get one of them. I've heard "better" things about the Springfield 1911's, but finding the Operator is actually harder than it seems for me. Unfortunately, I don't have access to shoot either, so I'm going off of what I can research. I did find the Custom TLE/RL II's on sale at Turner's for $1050 (not the best price, but I'm willing to pay it), and I usually see Operator's for anywhere from $1000-$1300. The main things I want out of a 1911 is a rail, satin black finish that's durable and won't show wear too fast, comes with night sights, and is just an all-around good quality gun (with good resale value if I decide to get rid of of it later).

What are somethings that I should consider between the Custom TRL/RL II and the Operator?

[Cyc Wid It]

Neither of these gun's standard finish will hold up to extensive rail use. You're going to need hard chrome/melonite/Ionbond for a finish that doesn't show wear.

I prefer Springfield to Kimber as Kimber's custom service worries me and I'd prefer not to have the Schwartz system. Springfield's ILS is easily removed with parts available from Brownell's etc.

I found my Operator on Gunbroker, and if you search on riverofguns you see them for sale on other forums more often than here. I've also seen some used ones at around $800 on Gunsamerica before.

[SDM44]

does it matter if the Kimber Custom TLE/RL II has an internal or external extractor?

[RTE]

SDM44
I know a guy that has one in AZ 4sale $700
if your interested,I could check into it more.

I saw it once looked clean enough (like new)
TLE/RL might have been a pro carry?

[Cyc Wid It]

Kimber's external extractors are very problematic.

[BigDaddyGuns]

Kimber's external extractors are very problematic.

The TLE/RL II I've seen have internal extractors..

[Shawn L]

MC Operator is my vote but I've never handled the Kimber.

I had a poll going on for awhile:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=307234

[Plisk]

Between the two, I'd say the Springfield has a bit of the advantage with the finish durability. Their Armory Kote is some good stuff. Your profile doesn't say location, but if you're local to me (or any of the other many Operator owners) you're more than welcome to meet up to check out mine.