Preference? Kimber Ultra Carry II or Colt Defender series 90.Good or bad experiences?

[Foxsweep]

I did. Different mags, different ammo, extractor tuning, ect... Never worked right.

Like I said, all companies put out lemons---that wouldn't cause me to be a "Kimber hater" but their CS was dismissive and several (not all but more than 2 [at least]) were unfriendly and borderline rude.

Sorry to hear that... Bummer...

[The Right to Bear Arms]

Op: Thanks for the thread. haha. I wonder what inspired it? Anyways, where are the staunch Defenders of the Colt Defender?... Let's see the Colt people come out and represent the timeless brand! ( Leaning towards Full size Colt XSE, folks. )

RBA

[Foxsweep]

Op: Thanks for the thread. haha. I wonder what inspired it? Anyways, where are the staunch Defenders of the Colt Defender?... Let's see the Colt people come out and represent the timeless brand! ( Leaning towards Full size Colt XSE, folks. )

RBA

LOL... RBS inspired thread! Finding that most are not a fan of the 3" 1911 platform...

[dfletcher]

I can't speak to the Kimber. I have (and have had more) a fair number of short barrel 1911s to include an EMP and a few Detonics and the Colt Defender. The Defender rattles and shakes and may lack some niceties but it's gone "bang" and worked every time I've pulled the trigger. I can't say that of the others, with the exception of one of the very early Detonics.

I replaced a few parts on the Defender - metal trigger, Champion adjustable rear sight, prouder thumb safety and Wilson grip safety, switched out the Series 80 for 70 parts. Minor stuff. I like it and use it for carry in OR.

[Foxsweep]

I can't speak to the Kimber. I have (and have had more) a fair number of short barrel 1911s to include an EMP and a few Detonics and the Colt Defender. The Defender rattles and shakes and may lack some niceties but it's gone "bang" and worked every time I've pulled the trigger. I can't say that of the others, with the exception of one of the very early Detonics.

I replaced a few parts on the Defender - metal trigger, Champion adjustable rear sight, prouder thumb safety and Wilson grip safety, switched out the Series 80 for 70 parts. Minor stuff. I like it and use it for carry in OR.

So no feed issues with all types of defensive rounds on the Defender?

[sholling]

Like I said, all companies put out lemons---that wouldn't cause me to be a "Kimber hater" but their CS was dismissive and several (not all but more than 2 [at least]) were unfriendly and borderline rude.

This and the ridiculously short warranty are two of the three reasons I never recommend Kimber's full size pistols - but living in California they're one of the few 3" players and the only game in town for a 4" alloy framed CCO. I've found that CS can sometimes be very dismissive and New Jersey rude. In my experience the prescription always seems to be 'put 500rds through it and call us back after the warranty is expired - so we can tell you that the warranty is expired' . But once in a while you get lucky and run into a really-really helpful CS rep.

That said 3" 1911s are inherently more finicky than a 4" which is more finicky than a 5". Yes there are individual 3" 1911s from various manufacturers that are pretty reliable but on average they will never as reliable as a 4 or 5" and the ballistics are inferior.

[negolien]

I would have to agree with the shorter barrels being more finicky in general. I think alot of times it's the HP rounds people use. I run the Hornady CD as the 1st two rounds then Speer Gold Dots as the other 5-7 and have no issues in mine. I think alot of times it's that 1st round or two that like to jam em up.

[Foxsweep]

Anyone have any issues with the Kimber failure to eject and mis feed issues?

[stormvet]

I sold my Colt 3.5" 1911, because my Kimber Ultra CDP 3" was more accurate, reliable and had better build quality as well as more features. After more then 2000 rounds fired it just keeps getting better.

[SNCaliber]

I had a defender, got it from a trade from another calgunner, was told only 200 rounds shot out of it. Well first range trip, the slide would fail to return to battery every 5 rounds, turns out the recoil spring was shot. I ordered wolff enhanced power springs for it and it was fine after that but it did every now and then eject shells into my forehead. 3" 1911s run well but need more maintenance, I'm sure if I had tuned the extractor, it wouldn't have ejected shells to my forehead. Great shooting gun though.

[Foxsweep]

I'll check my recoil spring

[Hdawg]

I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II daily. I use nothing but Wilson Combat mags in it and it doesn't jam. This doesn't mean that none of these guns will. Some will, some won't. I do wish it was the four inch version with the same size grip, though. It is a handful with self defense ammo. I have no experience with their customer service; I've never needed it.

[andy75]

kimber is good

I have a kimber ultra stainless series I, works great never had any jams, I only shoot fmj, so do not know about hp ammo. the recoil is soft. also replace the recoil spring every couple of years.

[redcliff]

Although I have 1911's in about every size, including an UCII and a Colt LW Officer's ACP I prefer LW Commanders for ccw.

While the smaller 1911's can work reliably if properly manufactured they require a high state of "tune" to stay reliable and aren't as forgiving as the longer 1911's due to the shorter window of operation.

[HOGDOG1955]

fox, if i not wrong, major at hunters has a defender and might have some insight for you.