Kimber Custom TLE/RL II vs. Springfield Armory TRP

[hkdad]

both will do you good. if you have extra $$$... spend it on the TRP.

[redcliff]

Ok the "Springfields are imported guns" stuff is getting a bit old.

Only Springfields lower end models are truly made in Brazil. Their serial numbers typcially start with N and are marked "made in brazil" below the frame rails or Imbel Brazil under the dustcover, or some combination as the marks have changed over the years. These pistols are finish machined and assembled in Brazil by Imbel, which is actually a very good arms producer; it makes many products licensed from other manufacturers like Fabrique Nationale.

Pistols with a serial number of NM are considerred made in the USA by our government as more than half the machining and all the assembly is done in the U.S. by Americans. The very high end Springfields are totally finished machined in the US.

All Springfields are made from forgings (i.e. chunks of steel pressed into a rough shape) produced by Imbel in Brazil. These rough forgings are the equivalent quality wise to anything similar we make in the U.S. As to the quality of the steel, do you have any idea where the ore used to make the steel in Kimber forgings came from? is it "American ore"? If were gonna judge the nationality of a product based upon its raw forging, we may as well go back one more step and find out where the ore is from.

Personally I like Springfields better than Kimbers. I own 3 Kimber 1911's and 2 have had to go back to the factory, one twice. Kimbers customer service basically is below par in my opinion, while Springfield has the best customer service in the business.

[AeroEngi]

Ok the "Springfields are imported guns" stuff is getting a bit old.

Only Springfields lower end models are truly made in Brazil. Their serial numbers typcially start with N and are marked "made in brazil" below the frame rails or Imbel Brazil under the dustcover, or some combination as the marks have changed over the years. These pistols are finish machined and assembled in Brazil by Imbel, which is actually a very good arms producer; it makes many products licensed from other manufacturers like Fabrique Nationale.

Pistols with a serial number of NM are considerred made in the USA by our government as more than half the machining and all the assembly is done in the U.S. by Americans. The very high end Springfields are totally finished machined in the US.

All Springfields are made from forgings (i.e. chunks of steel pressed into a rough shape) produced by Imbel in Brazil. These rough forgings are the equivalent quality wise to anything similar we make in the U.S. As to the quality of the steel, do you have any idea where the ore used to make the steel in Kimber forgings came from? is it "American ore"? If were gonna judge the nationality of a product based upon its raw forging, we may as well go back one more step and find out where the ore is from.

Personally I like Springfields better than Kimbers. I own 3 Kimber 1911's and 2 have had to go back to the factory, one twice. Kimbers customer service basically is below par in my opinion, while Springfield has the best customer service in the business.

Thanks for the input. I really want the Springfield but it doesn't seem like it's on the DOJ handgun roster

[Cyc Wid It]

You can exempt any 1911 quite easily regardless of roster... but since you brought it up:

PC9105LCA (ambi safety) / Steel Pistol 5" .45 ACP 9/20/2011
PC9105LCA / Steel Pistol 5" .45 ACP 9/20/2011
PC9107L (ambi safety) / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" .45 ACP 3/29/2012
PC9107L / Stainless Steel Pistol 5" .45 ACP 3/29/2012
PC9108L (ambi safety) / Carbon Steel Pistol 5" .45 ACP 3/29/2012
PC9108L / Carbon Steel Pistol 5" .45 ACP 3/29/2012

[Jerry X]

You can't compare a Kimber TLE/RL to a Springfield TRP. That's apples and oranges.

Springfield TRP > Kimber TLE/RL

[FrankDux]

Cant go wrong with either but i prefer SA...Operator to TLE/RL would be a better comparison

[AeroEngi]

You can't compare a Kimber TLE/RL to a Springfield TRP. That's apples and oranges.

Springfield TRP > Kimber TLE/RL

Agreed! But the PC9105LP (railed) and PC9108LP (non-railed) are not on the list. The Kimber is.

[Sydwaiz]

Since this is turning into a show your gun thread...!



The only Springfield I've shot was my friends Operator with the full rail. I really wanted Kimber's Tactical Entry but it's not on the list. IMO, this was the closest I could get. I wanted a stainless frame w/ rail. I figure if I buy an ambi safety, beveled magwell, and have it blackened somehow, I would have pretty much the same thing as the Entry model. Although I do like the blingy factor of bright stainless steel, I may leave the finish alone now.

Bottom line, I love my Kimber. I am very pro "buy American" so yes, that did have an impact on my decision. It's met all my expectations and then some. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose.

[NiteQwill]

Agreed! But the PC9105LP (railed) and PC9108LP (non-railed) are not on the list. The Kimber is.

"P" means package (holster, mag pouches, etc.)

The TRP can be bought in California, yes, it is on the roster.

[AeroEngi]

"P" means package (holster, mag pouches, etc.)

The TRP can be bought in California, yes, it is on the roster.

Thank you for clarifying.

[AeroEngi]

Or how about I buy an MC Operator instead, have Springfield custom shop armory coat the frame black, change the grips and have the front strap checkered all for about $200 less than the TRP? What would you guys say about that?

[WRENCHHEAD]

try to handle both if you can.

for me, i prefer the feel of SA's beavertail over kimbers. the SA flares up more so my grip rides higher up.

i know it sounds minor, but it's one of those tid bits to look for.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Or how about I buy an MC Operator instead, have Springfield custom shop armory coat the frame black, change the grips and have the front strap checkered all for about $200 less than the TRP? What would you guys say about that?

You would still need a bull barrel, adjustable sights, and magwell... =) would cost a bit more than $200 for that.

[AeroEngi]

You would still need a bull barrel, adjustable sights, and magwell... =) would cost a bit more than $200 for that.

Thanks for the response. Actually, I don't care too much about those things. Would you still think its worth the hassle?

[bug_eyedmonster]

I dunno, it depends on what you are looking for. If you want just a cool Springfield, then I'd go with the Operator to begin with, that's a closer comparison in the first place to the TLE/RL anyway. The checkering is the only part that would require you to have the frame re-finished, so if it doesn't bother you, then no point.

Part of what makes the TRP the TRP is the bull barrel and then full length dust cover. I personally dont like their adjustable sights. I think I prefer fixed night sights that are lower profile and dont tear up hands so much. I sent one of my TRPs back to Springfield because the finish was wearing from holsters and such. I also had them round off some of the edges and sights as well. It turned out better than I expected, but I think I'm still going to eventually switch the sights out to fixed ones.

Jerry