What's up 1911 fans. I've narrowed my choices between what I'm looking for in my next 1911 purchase. It's either between the Dan Wesson Specialist or the Kimber gold combat two. I'm leaning towards the kimber bc it's comes with front serrations which isn't a deal breaker for but I find the kimber is more aesthetically pleasing. I get the functionality vs look argument but if they perform the same i prefer the kimber. This kimber model is supposedly made in the kimber custom shop but I'm not an expert of the quality of parts leaving the kimber custom shop which is what brings me here. I'm going to list what I want in a 1911 and if there are any other models I may have missed I'd be greatly appreciative of any feedback or recommendations

1911 5" steel railed frame
Front and rear serrations
Rear and front strap checkering
Bushing preferred over bull barrel
No MIM parts if possible under my budget
No more than $2,500

Mainly looking for feedback in regards to kimber's custom shop with their gold combat pistol

Les Baer Recon

That is all you need to know my friend.

Between your two listed I would go Dan wesson all the way but I will second the les Baer suggestion

Specialist.

I have heard the quality control on the kimbers have gone down hill.  So I would go with the Dan Wesson or the Les Baer.

Thanks fellas. I'll have to look at the Les Baer. I haven't given that brand a thorough look.

There is just something about those guns that absolutely does it for me.

I recently picked up a Dan Wesson (Silverback) and it is just gorgeous and shoots like a dream. I love it and could not be happier.

I have no experience with Kimber, so I cannot comment directly, but it seems like I keep hearing the "stay away from Kimber" comments everywhere I look. That is really a shame since when they first started becoming popular several years ago, they were pretty highly regarded.

Also Colt combat unit rail gun is well under budget for you. It has the strap checkering you want ( I personally do not like it at all!) shoot a 800-1200 round multiple day class and bring lots of bandaids!

I think paying anywhere close to your stated budget for a kimber is the equivelant of gun budget suicide.

I've never owned a dan wesson but their wierd CS statements that have been posted and the problems that escape the factory on a gun that cost what they do don't give me the warm fuzzy.
I'd come closer to buying a used one from a trusted source

I saw a brand new from a dealer Nighthawk grp recon go for 2200 on gunbroker the other day.............. if it wasn't for the 4th exwife i'd have bought that one

What i'm saying is come up with what you want in a gun and shop smart.

I've never drawn blood from checking or stippling even after 1k RDS. I have a hard time imagining how soft someone's hands would have to be.

That being said. Arms unlimited had the Colt for $900.

Of those two, Dan Wesson all the way.  $2500 buys an awful lot of pistol though, so maybe do some checking with Nighthawk or Baer.

I'd rather have  a DW and a can for it than a nighthawk, but thats just me.

Kimbers are pretty, that's about all I can say about them. There are many better choices out there.

Don't ignore used, hell, the last LB I bought that didn't look as if it had more then a couple boxes of ammo through it was $1100 OTD.

Same for the  Briley Versatility I bought. Not well known but extremely well made and fitted. $1000.

All kimbers are drop in parts mim cast etc etc. assembly line crap.
  Dan wesson also assembly line but with quality parts!
  Colt assembly line built also.
Most companies say "match barrel" for example. Well a true match barrel is hand fit to the gun. Most companies buy drop in barrels and hope for the best. And most "match" barrel upgrades are just another drop in barrel with "match grade" etc marked on the hood.
  If your budget is that high then I would look into semi custom or even full custom.
  Lots of great options in that price range. My Les baer was $2,000 give or take out the door. It has roughly 6,000 rds through it with not one issue!
  My full custom Roberts defense currently has 5k rds through it. That gun doesn't like Winchester white box. Other than that not one issue.
   I know a Railed Roberts defense gun is under your max. They are built 1 gun 1 gunsmith at a time start to finish. Mine is awesome. My dad is currently having one built now too.

I just finished a gunsite 250 course with all attendees combat vets and every single shooter had at least two band aids on the shooting hand by the end of day 2.

I'm not tracking. What's someone's veteran status have to do with their hands?

Kimber does make a good looking gun, but I've heard too many people (in forums and in person) express concern about their quality recently.