Kimber Custom TLE/RL II vs. Springfield Armory TRP

[AeroEngi]

Hey guys, so I've been eyeing some 1911's for the passed few weeks and I just wanted to get your opinions on which 1911 will give me the best bang for the buck. I would like to hear if you guys own or have personally handled and/or shot both of these pistols. What are the pro's and con's of each? I've done a search but all I find are biased opinions.

Thanks for the help.

[AeroEngi]

Anybody?

[The War Wagon]

I bout my TLE/RL II used from a FL cop, and had it cerakoted, added new grips, new mainspring, ambi-safety, and now - a TLR-1s light.

Here's the before pic - I owned it for not quite 18 hours, before it was off for a refit!





AFTER pic






And now with the TLR-1s


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I have an old SA 1911-A1, which shoots quite well, but have never handled the TRP. Can't say enough nice things about the Kimber, though!

p.s. - the previous owner was also his Department's certified Glock & 1911 Armorer - he did the custom bob job himself!

[Falconis]

I own a TLE RL2 and love it. About 250 rounds through the barrel under various conditions and very few problems. Nothing a tap/rack couldn't cure.

Can't say anything about the Springfield from personal experiences. The friends of mine that do own them love them.

[FantasticPlastic]

I have had excellent experience with Kimbers, and although I don't have a TLE, I have shot one on a few occasions (belongs to my father), and it performs just as well as the more expensive 1911s. Personally, I like a little bit of wood on these guns, and all really care for the rubber grips that come with it. But, everything seems to be pretty high quality on it.

[Rocket Man]

Love shooting my TLE RL, no problems at all great gun.
Never fired a SA TRP but held one & felt good (guy next to me at BullsEye shooting) he was a darn good shot with that gun.
Both good guns, can't go wrong with that choice.... flip a coin! then buy the other gun in 30 days! heh heh

[S dot]

Have not shot a TRP operator, but the slide to frame fit on every one I have handled is excellent and surpasses kimbers. plus lifetime warranty. If you can look at each simultaneously check the slide to frame fit in the rear as well as the extractor fit. The springfield will be much better than the Kimber.

Not really a knock on the Kimber though I have a kimber custom II although not a railed version, and I would love to have a TRP operator. It really is one of the best production 1911s out there before entering the custom hand made shops like les baer, wilson combat, nighthawk custom, ed brown and the like.

[AeroEngi]

Thanks for all the input guys. The TRP is more expensive (about $400 more) and I'm wondering if it is worth that much more over the Kimber.

[chelseafc]

One thing that differentiates between the 2 is the warranty. The springfield has a lifetime warranty compared to kimber's limited 1 year warranty, at least when I was shopping for my 1911. Also there has been a lot of rumors and speculations about some quality control issues at kimber recently (some of the newer pistols not being machined properly and such).

There also seems to be some sort of stigma regarding kimbers in the 1911 circles, which most likely stemmed from their supposed quality issues of late. The springfield TRP series and the MC Operator series are viewed as one of the best made and high quality 1911s you can buy, but you do pay a premium for that "quality" and the springfield name.

But even after all that, I bought myself a Stainless TLE II....

EDIT - Just remembered, a lot of the issues people had were with the old style of extractors kimber used, which they no longer use, so it isn't much of a problem anymore.

[Cyc Wid It]

TRP is much better than a Kimber TLE II...

[bug_eyedmonster]

OP,

This is not any type of formal review or anything, but I've owned and shot both. At the moment, I have three TRPs, at the peak, I owned six total. I have shot the full size TLE, TLE RL, both in carbon and stainless. While both a great guns, they are both very different. Kimbers are less, but in my opinion, need work out of the box. I've seen some problems with the TRPs recently as well, one of mine would not even go into battery when trying to chamber a round.

The TLE is a more contemporary 1911 design but with an optional rail. They also come with fixed night sights, barrel bushing, and standard thumb safety. At the price, it's a huge value no matter what.

The TRP is a full railed, bull barreled, heavy S.O.B. It also comes with night sights, but they are adjustable, and have an ambi safety. It also comes with a magwell, and two magazines, compared to Kimber's single magazine.

I've seen the finish on both guns wear pretty much at the same rate. The Kimber is easier to find, and does not hold a premium like the TRP. Initially the weight of the TRPs didnt really bother me, but the more holster drawing and training I do, the more I appreciate the speed of a lighter firearm. I'm thinking about sending out one of the TRPs to go on a diet... but that's another story. Really the choice is up to you, but to me, they are very different guns.

[Q619]

I'd go with the Springer. You ever want any work done or have a warranty issue: they're great! Kimber.....not so much.

[ZX-10R]

Is the TRP made in USA or Brazil? Kimbers are nice and I like that it is made in Yonkers, NY...USA. This means a lot outside of CA.

[Sydwaiz]

Last December I bought a Stainless TLE/RL II. One of the main reasons is because it's made here in the US as the poster above stated. I couldn't be happier with it out of the box. And I did look at Springfields too but the imported frame turned me off. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice gun though!

[DaveFJ80]

I would've gone with a TRP, but for the difference in price an lack of availability at the time, I went with the TLE/RL II. I don't regret it at all, but still wouldn't mind getting a TRP later on.