1911: Kimber v. Springfield

[rogervzv]

Absolutely, in both .45acp and .38Super. I had a .38Super version that I still regret selling in a weak moment.

Good to know. I will check out the S&W 1911. Did not know that they made one as neither of my local gunstores had one in the display; or if they did I missed it. S&W customer service is excellent according to friends of mine; almost on a par with Ruger.

[BHPFan]

Good to know. I will check out the S&W 1911. Did not know that they made one as neither of my local gunstores had one in the display; or if they did I missed it. S&W customer service is excellent according to friends of mine; almost on a par with Ruger.

OK. If you don't care about internal vs external extractor, then sure, go for the SW 1911 (external extractor).

SW has excellent Customer Service and products (I particularly love their 3rd Gen semiautos). However, keep in mind that SW 1911's have external extractor and their own Schwartz safety. To me, I'm a purist and prefer 1911s without either. Yet from what I've seen, SW has succeeded in getting their external extractor 1911s working in comparison to the earlier Series 2 Kimber and SW seems to have a better record with their Schwartz safety than Kimber.

[itsallgood]

Just my two cents, oh wait, inflation, my 2 dollars. I was looking at both Kimber and Springfield. I shot the GI and really liked it, but wanted a rail for home defense. So I shot the Springfield MC Operator and the Kimber Warrior II. After about 150 rounds, I determined they were pretty equal in feel, reliability, recoil etc. They both had night sights and a rail and hit what I aimed at. The Kimber was about $50 more and the range officer said the Springfield Operators are back ordered about 6 months. She also discouraged me from the Brazilian manufactured Springfield but just said "You should wait for an American made Operator if you want the Springfield." After shooting, I bought the Warrior II. It was in stock, she waved my range fees, rental fees, ammunition and targets (About $50). Then she tossed me an extra Wilson Combat mag ($35) as the Warrior only comes with one. That's my opinion, but I am still awaiting my pick up date. Just remember whatever you ask them for, the worst they can do is say no. When I by a gun, I usually ask them for either the price the gun is selling for as an out the door cost, or ask them to comp a holster or something for around $50. I have yet to find a store or range that will say no when you are spending over $1000.

[kTC xDEICIDEx]

Kimber warrior II nice choice. 

[GW]

I have Kimbers (Raptor II & Custom Eclipse 10MM) and Springfields (Loaded & TRP)
I have had ZERO trouble with any of them
I've had the loaded model the longest and have no idea how many thousand rounds through it and the only malfunctions were induced ones at Front Sight.
I'm taking the Raptor & TRP in June to a 4-day to wring them out
I had dealings with SA's warranty dept on an M1A and they were first rate. I haven't had the need for warranty work on the Kimbers (or the SA 1911's) so I can't speak to that though I have read the horror stories here as well.

Bottom line Go with the one the feels best and meets your budget. I really don't think you'll go wrong with either brand
Good luck!

[osxgp]

For those who did not know...The original Springfield Armory was closed in 1968, so it is not the same company that made 1911s years ago. From Wikipedia: In 1974, the Springfield Armory name was used by Robert Reese, to form Springfield Armory, Inc., a new company to manufacture semi-automatic versions of the M14 rifle. The company is not located near the former armory site and has no association with the authentic Springfield Armory but rather is in Geneseo, Illinois.


Back to the topic. So to make a long story short, both Springfield and Kimber make great 1911s. You will be happy with either brand.