Can a high end 1911 22lr compete with the model 41?  Ive never shot the kimber, but Im a 1911 guy to the core.  I have shot a 41 and they are sweet.

In my opinion? Not even close no way, no how!

1. Kimber is not a high end 1911.

2. Until 1911 smiths start (semi) custom work on 1911s chambered in .22 there is little chance of ever keeping up with a competition-grade platform  built exclusively  for the caliber.

1.  I know.  But its the nicest dedicated 1911 22lr offered right now.....at least that I can find.

2.  So you havent shot one............FWIW I also doubt its ability to shoot as well and as smooth as the 41.

I have shot the Kimber .22 1911, it's not much better than an old Ace Colt and they sucked for accuracy!

The only .22 1911 that even comes close to a M-41 would be a match (actual match prepared, not Kimbers's "Match") frame combined with  a Marvel or Advantage Arms/Marvel  .22 slide/barrel.
The Marvel conversions mounted on a good frame are considered pretty good match pistols; certainly from a machine rest they can shoot under 1" @25yd (or maybe 50yd, I forget)
These work great for guys who shoot .45 bullseye.
None of the other conversions have the fixed barrel of the Marvels, so accuracy suffers. OK for familiarization with the platform, and for tactical training (although they don't lock open on empty), but for serious target work, no.

On the other hand, a M-41 is a real target gun, the best in current US production. They don't quite compare with actual Olympic types like Walther, Hammerli, FAS, or even the IZH-35, but they're very, very good.

http://www.marvelprecision.com/unit1.php
http://bobmarvelcustomguns.com/22-conversion.html
http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AASOS&Product_Code=191

Smith and Wesson. My dad has an early build with the 7inch comped barrel on it. Its just plain awsome.

The best 1911 22lr I've had the pleasure to shoot is a Colt Ace.  I'm talking about the complete pistol, not the Colt Ace Conversion (which ranks miles above a Kimber, but is still below the complete purpose built Ace).  Kart was making perhaps the best conversion out there, but to my knowledge it is no longer manufactured.   STI makes (made?), a conversion similar to the Kart, as does Marvel, but I've not had the pleasure of trying these out yet.   Still, I've never had the opportunity to shoot a 1911 based 22lr that matched a quality 41.

By 'quality 41', I am referring to Bangor Punta and earlier manufactured 41s.  Based on my experience with the new(er)  S&W41s I've shot and handled, especially those made in the last 15 years, I wouldn't be surprised if a Kimber unit couldn't best it out of the box.

No, not even close.  A Marvel Unit 1 might rival it a S&W 41, but not a conversion with reciprocating sights.  

If you want 1911 style grip frame, you might consider a Ruger 22/45.  The barrel is certainly near the accuracy level of the S&W, though you will need some trigger work.

Your experience must be very limited as while my late Model 41 doesn't out shoot my 1958 Model 41, it is still a VERY accurate pistol and I would be surprised if a Kimber came even remotely close to it. You need to get out more.

 

Yes, my experience with the 'newer' models is limited to approximately 6 units manufactured between 1998-2008, of which I owned one that after repeated trips back to S&W for chronic misfires, FTEs and jamming, I was fortunate enough to receive a full refund for.  The others belonged to friends and associates which exhibited varying degrees of accuracy and reliability during our range time.  

My newest 41 was manufactured in 1980 and purchased NIB in 2008.  Another is a 1974 vintage that I shoot regularly is pictured on the right.  I've had the pleasure of owning about a dozen 41's over the years, with Bangor Punta manufacture being my favorite, owing to their high degree of fit and finish.  But I've always got my eye open for older K and J frames, and of course, 41s.

Other than my 340pd, I do not expect to own or acquire any new manufacture S&W.   I have failed to be impressed with their quality or their customer service.

Odd as how every Model 41 you got was a bad one and I had the the exceptional luck to get the ONLY good one. Yes, odd indeed.

 

You state above your new one doesn't "out shoot" your 52 yr old 41, but is "Very Accurate".  –– That doesn't sound very lucky to me .  Heck, I've got an untuned, bone stock Ruger Mk that's very accurate I'd put up against a new 41 out of the box any day.  The odd thing is the tendency of people to laud their new 41's accuracy while admitting they aren't as good as the older ones.  There are a few guns out there today that are just as good as, if not better than, the old 41s, so why waste the money?  

Nice ploy but trying to change what I said isn't going to work. But isn't it odd how you got all those bad Model 41s in the last few years? Yes, and I got the only good one. I like that kind of being unlucky. I waste my money and I get the ONLY accurate Model 41 made in the last ten years or so and all of yours are no good. When you get a chance, send all those bad Model 41s to me so you don't have to suffer any more.



 

I'll take two!