Found it!

[giantsfan]

After looking around and doing some research which included customer service reviews, country of manufacture, quality for the price and performance, I've decided on a 1911..

The Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II...now all I have to do is find one. Every store I went to around me had Kimber's but not this one.

The search begins...

[PolishMike]

What the hell kind of research did you do that made you want to buy a Kimber?

[giantsfan]

What the hell kind of research did you do that made you want to buy a Kimber?

I think my post was really pretty clear. Was it not clear? I would like a 1911...I looked at Colt, Springfield, Ruger, Kimber and Sig..

I like the Kimber....issue??

[skyscraper]

All I'll say is make sure you inspect any Kimber before you buy it. I had one with a rusty barrel I bought over the net, so I wasn't able to inspect it first.

[NorCal Einstein]

I think my post was really pretty clear. Was it not clear? I would like a 1911...I looked at Colt, Springfield, Ruger, Kimber and Sig..

I like the Kimber....issue??

Well just off the top of my head Springfield and Sig have a lifetime warranty on their guns compared to Kimber's stated 1 year.

Yes Springfield uses Imbel frames made in Brazil, but most final assembly is done up here and any research would show that Imbel does produce quality.

The Ruger SR1911 is one of the "hotter" 1911s out there at the moment. A friend told me his Cabelas is sold out and back ordered on SR1911s for 6 months. In terms of price to performance, the SR1911 has to be a strong contender if you've done any real homework.

So basically what PolishMike and I are wondering is what research and information did you use to place a Kimber II-series ahead of the rest.

[nocomply25]

I had a kimber. It was a nice gun but i would not trust it enough for self defense use. Unless it has had some work done. then again that is most 1911s, I decided after selling my 1911 that the next time i purchased one it would be a nighthawk or any other high end custom 1911. Just my .02

[Gary13]

I believe a lot of people like their Kimbers, have had no problems with mine. I also own a RIA and SA. If I were to buy another 1911, I would look at the Sigs as they seem to be well built and priced.

My question is, what is the purpose of this gun? Range, CCW, competition? This is the commander length, isn't it? Personally, unless I was carrying I would get a full size as my first 1911.

Have you checked all of the gun shops in Sac? Is so, check on-line.

[hornswaggled]

If you've made your decision, that's that. But Kimbers are pretty damn expensive for a gun that has a limited warranty. I would go Sig or RIA, but that's me.

[keenkeen]

Well just off the top of my head Springfield and Sig have a lifetime warranty on their guns compared to Kimber's stated 1 year.

Yes Springfield uses Imbel frames made in Brazil, but most final assembly is done up here and any research would show that Imbel does produce quality.

The "NM" serial numbered guns are assembled in the US...the "N" marked guns are both forged and completely assembled in Brazil. Even very basic research would reveal this...

The Ruger SR1911 is one of the "hotter" 1911s out there at the moment. A friend told me his Cabelas is sold out and back ordered on SR1911s for 6 months. In terms of price to performance, the SR1911 has to be a strong contender if you've done any real homework.

The Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II and your recommended Ruger SR1911 are completely different firearms in many ways...the least of which being the Kimber is a commander size and the SR1911 is full size. I would question the "homework" of anyone saying they are comparable alternatives.

So basically what PolishMike and I are wondering is what research and information did you use to place a Kimber II-series ahead of the rest.

So basically what I am wondering if maybe your Calguns handle is one of those ironic nicknames...Like calling a fat guy "Tiny"...or a bald guy "Curly".

[NorCal Einstein]

So basically what I am wondering if maybe your Calguns handle is one of those ironic nicknames...Like calling a fat guy "Tiny"...or a bald guy "Curly".

Your 1st point, yes I already knew that. I didn't want to go in that detail, OK fine.

2nd: He SAID he looked at Ruger. Ruger doesn't make a commander sized 1911, but I only bring up the SR1911 because he mentioned the brand in his considerations. I also didn't recommend the SR1911, just used it as an example to address his point of "quality for the price and performance".

[keenkeen]

Your 1st point, yes I already knew that. I didn't want to go in that detail, OK fine.

2nd: He SAID he looked at Ruger. Ruger doesn't make a commander sized 1911, but I only bring up the SR1911 because he mentioned the brand in his considerations. I also didn't recommend the SR1911, just used it as an example to address his point of "quality for the price and performance".

I'm just yankin you chain...I get your point(s).

[giantsfan]

Having been an armor in the military for a time, I'm very familiar with the 1911 frame and action.

Springfield has a lifetime warranty only for the initial purchaser. While that is ok with me it would lock me into buying new and potentially missing a good deal from a Calgunner.

Colt has the worst customer service out there. That isn't a mystery to many.

Ruger...that is a tough one as I love Ruger. It's only a full size and weighs over 2lbs making it impractical for the type of carrying I need.

Sig...I was under the impression, although the company is headquartered in New Hampshire, that the gun or components are not made in the US...I could be wrong about that.

Of the guns I inspected, Kimber felt like the best action to me as well as having the options I want for a carry 1911. That said I haven't fired one nor have I owned one.

If Kimber's are so bad, why do the gun shops all say that they can't keep them in stock? Every guy I spoke with, aside from the haters online, think they are a well made American firearm with good customer service. Is this dead wrong?

[giantsfan]

If you've made your decision, that's that. But Kimbers are pretty damn expensive for a gun that has a limited warranty. I would go Sig or RIA, but that's me.

RIA is made outside the US. Being made in the US is important to me. I'm not sure, although I assumed, that Sig wasn't made in the US. I could be wrong as I've said.

[tacticalcity]

The Kimber I owned was great.

[giantsfan]

I believe a lot of people like their Kimbers, have had no problems with mine. I also own a RIA and SA. If I were to buy another 1911, I would look at the Sigs as they seem to be well built and priced.

My question is, what is the purpose of this gun? Range, CCW, competition? This is the commander length, isn't it? Personally, unless I was carrying I would get a full size as my first 1911.

Have you checked all of the gun shops in Sac? Is so, check on-line.

My needs are CCW.

I haven't checked in Sac..just the stores close to me.