SA, Kimber, Wilson Combat 1911 - which (brand) to get?

[tazmanian devil dog]

Kimber is the way to go. Wilson is great too, but a little to much $$ for my budget. I have five Kimbers and they all work flawlessly with great accuracy. Buy a Kimber with confidence.

[COILSPRING]

I do not agree...

You should also consider Les Baer and Ed Brown. Les Baer is one step above Kimbers and then its a coin toss with rest.

Les Baer's one step above Kimber??? Not to argue but I believe Les Baer is no less 1911 than a Nighthawk, Wilson, or Ed Brown. The Baer's are fitted tight but once broken in, they are extremely satisfying. No reason to get the inch and a half group guarantee versions, most three inch Baer's shoot two inch groups. I'm guessing that there may be a few others here who would agree.

[sorensen440]

get this wilson if you can afford it
I like the springfields if not

[trinydex]

have you checked out the ones in the private classifieds?

[CleverName]

+1 on the Les Baer. I've shot Baer, Wilson, and Kimber, and the Baer is the best by far. I am actually very disappointed in the Wilson, there was significant play with the safety when it was disengaged. The Baer was rock-soild.

[aplinker]

I agree that Baers are on par with Browns, Wilson, etc.

My Kimber custom II is a fine entry level CA handgun, and the Warrior is a good "loaded" with ambis, rail, etc. My TRP Operator is a full house custom shop Springfield and shoots no better than the two Kimbers.

They actually have two different feels. The new SIS gun is Entirely stainless that's been "Kimpro finished"

I would agree with you on the warrior if they checkered the front strap. That's a service that costs hundreds and comes with the TLE. The TLE is also available with the rail.

[sammy]

I have a Kimber Stainles Target II, Wilson CQB and a Baer TRS in that order. As far as what I like best it seems to be a back and forth between the Baer and Wilson. The Kimber does have the Schwartz saftey and MIM parts which is a turn-off to 1911 purists.

The Baer is by far the best value in the 1911 platform availible today. You can get a Permire II for about $1560.00 and it is twice the gun Kimber is. No MIM, a solid brick of carbon steel that will punch holes at 50 yards 2" wide in most cases.

The Wilson Combat CQB is the reliable Ferrari of the three. It is built not as tight as the Baer, yet locks-up tighter than the baer when in battery. The saftey action is super smooth, and the trigger like the Baer has NO creep but breaks at a clean 3-1/2lbs. The Baer is closer to 4 1/2.

If this is your first 1911 you can't go wrong with the Kimber. I would not reccomend a Baer for a first 1911 just because they are so tight and a bi**h to get apart and back together. They do take some delicate force to service and a Newbie that has not worked with the 1911 before is going to have a very hard time. Good luck and post a range report when you get your 1911. Sammy

[oghl888]

It sounds like this is your first 1911. For a first 1911, I would recommend a basic entry level 1911. Something in the $6-800 range. Learning what you like and what you want with an entry level gun is the most economical way to go, especially with 1911 which can be very addictive and costly.

Once you are familiar with the 1911 platform and its intricate details, you should start trying out different brands and difference sizes. A brand name does not guarantee a certain level of quality and satisfaction. For example, there are complaints about Nighthawks where you would expect perfection for the price. Go to 1911forum.com and reason each of the manufacturer's forum page and you'll see what I mean.

In my experience, it's best to know what makes a good 1911 and examine each sample that you are considering to buy. I have a base model S&W 1911 with a trigger job, and it shoots as well as the Les Baer TRS that I've shot. I actually shoot this 1911 the most often even though I have a couple of high price semi custom, and one custom 1911 samples in my collection as well. Another reason why I say this: I examined a few $1400 Springfields at a local shop a while back (with cseabass behind the counter , they were all the same model and have the same features. However, the feel in each one is as different as if they were hundreds of dollars apart in pricing. The same can be true with other brands. I've handled a Cobra Carry with a trigger worse than any of the 1911's I purchased. I've seen a $2000 1911 with worse slide to frame fit than a standard Springfield GI. Learn to find a good 1911, and your money will go a long way towards a satisfying purchase.

[trinydex]

that will punch holes at 50 yards 2" wide in most cases.

you can see that well??

[Shenaniguns]

Go with a well built S70 Semi-Custom from Baer or Wilson and skip the kimber II's with inferior parts, less experienced smiths and unnecessary Schwartz safety

[Shenaniguns]

My Kimber custom II is a fine entry level CA handgun, and the Warrior is a good "loaded" with ambis, rail, etc. My TRP Operator is a full house custom shop Springfield and shoots no better than the two Kimbers.



They actually have two different feels. The new SIS gun is Entirely stainless that's been "Kimpro finished"

The TRP is not made by Springfields Custom shop... The Professional is though

[Shenaniguns]

Les Baer's one step above Kimber??? Not to argue but I believe Les Baer is no less 1911 than a Nighthawk, Wilson, or Ed Brown. The Baer's are fitted tight but once broken in, they are extremely satisfying. No reason to get the inch and a half group guarantee versions, most three inch Baer's shoot two inch groups. I'm guessing that there may be a few others here who would agree.

I agree!!! Baer's are in another league than Kimber

[Shenaniguns]

I have a Kimber Stainles Target II, Wilson CQB and a Baer TRS in that order. As far as what I like best it seems to be a back and forth between the Baer and Wilson. The Kimber does have the Schwartz saftey and MIM parts which is a turn-off to 1911 purists.

The Baer is by far the best value in the 1911 platform availible today. You can get a Permire II for about $1560.00 and it is twice the gun Kimber is. No MIM, a solid brick of carbon steel that will punch holes at 50 yards 2" wide in most cases.

The Wilson Combat CQB is the reliable Ferrari of the three. It is built not as tight as the Baer, yet locks-up tighter than the baer when in battery. The saftey action is super smooth, and the trigger like the Baer has NO creep but breaks at a clean 3-1/2lbs. The Baer is closer to 4 1/2.

If this is your first 1911 you can't go wrong with the Kimber. I would not reccomend a Baer for a first 1911 just because they are so tight and a bi**h to get apart and back together. They do take some delicate force to service and a Newbie that has not worked with the 1911 before is going to have a very hard time. Good luck and post a range report when you get your 1911. Sammy

It's only difficult to take apart for the first 500 rounds

[sammy]

you can see that well??

I wish. That is done from a ransom rest, not by me.

[trinydex]

ah explains it all. good to know a pistol is capable of that. i wonder how that compares with a ump with an sbr barrel and eotech with magnifier. i'm hard pressed to think it could get better.