Kimber Vs Colt; 1911

[systems]

food link

I have a Kimber Eclipse Target II and owned a Custom II. I have a handful of Series 70 Colts, Para Ordnance pistols, Springfield Armory, and Rock Island Armory 1911's.

With a Kimber, you get a lot of gun for the money, just not a gun with bullseye target shooting accuracy. For that, you need to spend about 50% more money.
The same is true if you decide to buy a Colt, even a Gold Cup.

I don't think either a Kimber II, a Colt Series 80, or the retro Colt Series 70 is a good buy these days. For my money, it's a Springfield Armory whether it's for self-defense, action pistol, or bullseye. You will probably still have to send it out for work, but it's a good base pistol to start from.

I've never owned a Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Nighthawk Custom, or Ed Brown, but if I had the bucks, I'd consider them as well.

Here's a link from the Bullseye Pistol forum about a problem Kimber.

http://www.bullseyeforum.net/t498-the-kimber-ending

GOOD LINK. No trollish distractions from ppl wanting attention, good info to read, like it -

Never had an Issue with a Kimber or Colt never thought one to be ''better'' than the other-

[Sonic_mike]

How about we get into something never done before, what's better 9mm or 45acp?

[nickvig]

Both are 1911's and both can be .45's. Not apples to Oranges. Apples to Oranges is AK-AR, Bolt-Lever etc.

Fanbois can never agree on which is better even when the difference is very visible. I personally know a Colt is better than a LLama, and I am not afraid to admit Nighthawk is better than Colt or Kimber. Most people are afraid to admit the truth. Quality is based on how much attention to detail is placed at the manufacturing plant. In reality any Colt, SA or Kimber can be as good as a Nighthawk but you will be dumping lots of money into it to make it just as good.

OP asked for responses about Kimber vs. Colt and didn't say which model. He didn't ask about additional gunsmithing work to make one gun better than another.

I've owned (own) both Kimber and Colt. In a previous thread someone asked to compare some specific 1911 handguns. I tried to help there with this post:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=6744480&postcount=37

Based on your previous post (#2) we probably share the same opinion here, but I don't appreciate the fanboi comment in reference to me directly after I asked a simple question (which models to discuss) to the OP.

[russ69]

I have bought a Colt and a Kimber in recent times. My opinion is that the Colt reflects what people have been saying, it's not the gun it use to be (still decent though). The Kimber seems to be of consistent quality and their popularity has not lessened quality. Both companies can produce good guns but Colt quality still seems to be less consistent. Again, I own and shoot both.

[Striker]

Colt dropped the ball, and let the 1911 industry pass them buy they are playing catch up. But they are really not into it. Their government sales are dominating now and they really dont need to sell 1911s to civilians.
I sold my last Colt 1911 last year and dont see myself buying another unless they start putting some time and money into developing an improved line of 1911s.
Kimber, S.A. even Sig and others have left Colt in the dust. Long time Colt fans have a problem with this but it is the truth.

Improved in what way? New Kimber or new Sig 1911 over Colt, why?

[chickenfried]

Basic NRM Colt government S80 vs. Kimber custom target II

Both stock the Colt better resale value. Both with professional work done on them, The colt would hold it's value even better.

Colt better reliability (of course limited sample size) Not that my Kimber is unreliable. But it needed a 200 round break in. The colt was 100% from the start.

Didn't like the three dot sights on the colt, personal preference...

Accuracy edge to kimber. But could just be target sights vs. the three dot sights.

[Damn True]

How about we get into something never done before, what's better 9mm or 45acp?

Shoot one into your femur and find out.

[TAS]

Shoot one into your femur and find out.

[polo.45]

I shoot a colt .45 and 38 super before.. But my thing is kimber

[DArBad]

I've had 4 Colts, and now I have Kimbers. Fit, finish, function, general feeling of quality and satisfaction all goes to Kimbers.

[DArBad]

Improved in what way? New Kimber or new Sig 1911 over Colt, why?

Improve the QC and craftsmanship in a big way, to reflect the high prices that Colts command.

They bought new CNC machines but the frame holes are not drilled parallel, causing the ugly hammer leanings. Floppy loose triggers and thumb safety are rampant. Thinly machined frames in the magazine channel. VERY thin metal at disconnector channel predisposing that area to premature fracture, etc. etc. etc. I could go on but I would rather stop.

I mean, the recently manufactured RIAS are better made! Hell, I was checking out a Norinco on consignment at an LGS in Sacramento over the weekend, it was a better made product compared to the high priced new Colts at the other end of the cabinet!

[systems]

sloppy seconds?

Improve the QC and craftsmanship in a big way, to reflect the high prices that Colts command.

They bought new CNC machines but the frame holes are not drilled parallel, causing the ugly hammer leanings. Floppy loose triggers and thumb safety are rampant. Thinly machined frames in the magazine channel. VERY thin metal at disconnector channel predisposing that area to premature fracture, etc. etc. etc. I could go on but I would rather stop.

I mean, the recently manufactured RIAS are better made! Hell, I was checking out a Norinco on consignment at an LGS in Sacramento over the weekend, it was a better made product compared to the high priced new Colts at the other end of the cabinet!

You dont get what you pay for anymore... thx

[resident-shooter]

This argument is basically arguing: are u the fanboy of that or this?