Posted: 10/25/2002 12:10:30 PM EDT
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I'm thinking of getting rid of my aluminum framed Kimber Compact and getting either a full size stainless Kimber or Springfield. What do you think? Thanks, Chimborazo Edited to add that if I'm going to get another 1911, I have to sell one. I know, you should never sell a gun, but there's no other option for me right now. |
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Quoted: Springfield: Lifetime warranty, 2/3 the cost, no PLASTIC... I just bought one of these: [url]www.ar15.com/members/albums/Grock%2FPX9151L%2Ejpg[/url] Very accurate and Gorgeous if I do say so myself! [:D] Yeah, instead of a plastic mainspring housing, you get a metal one with that nifty little "Integrated Locking System" that Springfield [b]voluntarily[/b] includes to appease the antis. [rolleyes] Just get the Kimber. You know you want it. [;)] |
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Quoted: Springfield: Lifetime warranty, 2/3 the cost, no PLASTIC... I just bought one of these: [url]www.ar15.com/members/albums/Grock%2FPX9151L%2Ejpg[/url] Very accurate and Gorgeous if I do say so myself! [:D] I just got me this same pistol except in the parkerized version. It rocks. |
| I've owned two of each. I would definetly go with a Kimber. I talked to a very respected custom 1911 builder about this a couple of years ago. I had just sold a Springfield that was very inaccurate. He told me that about one in three Springfields suffered from very poor accuraccy, and it wasn't worth the money to get them to shoot. He recomended Kimber. I currently shoot a Springfield, but it's an old custom shop gun that was built when Les Baer was working there. |
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They both have downsides. SA has a two-piece barrel & accuracy will be less than Kimber. Kimber doesn't seem to make a "basic" 1911 so you'll pay for all the bells & whistles on theirs. I bought a SA but I had a Wilson NM barrel installed. Groups dropped to half or better after that. IIRC, Kimber uses SA frames for their guns. |
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I think my response would depend on what you are using it for. If a carry gun, I'd say stick with your lightweight Kimber. For an IPSC or compitition gun I'd go Springfield. IIRC they use fewer metal-injection molded parts. True, the Springfield mainspring lock is goofy, but it is easier to replace then Kimber's safety activated firing pin lock. I've heard horror stories of Kimbers failing to fire because of their new safety. It might be crap, but it made me happy to have an older 70 series style Kimber. From the pistolsmiths I've talked with, all agree that keeping a 1911 running requires good extractor tension, quality mags and fresh recoil springs (mainly in compact guns). Cheers. -Luther |
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I have two steel framed Kimbers. A Pro Carry SLE and a Custom Eclipse. Both guns are awesome to shoot, easily my favorite handguns. I can't get used to the feel of the Springfields. Have you held one in your hand? The cut of the front strap makes it feel all blocky. Look at the front strap on Grock's picture. I held a TRP with the front strap checkering. Still felt blocky and uncomfortable. Plus Kimbers are American made. Springfields are made in Brazil. |
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Quoted: IIRC, The only parts of a Springfield that are MADE in Brasil are the initial Forgings. All else is made and assembled in USA. If Kimber is using a Springfield Frame, wouldn't that also make Kimbers "made in brasil"? Kimber's are not made from SA forgings. They took over a forging company and produce forgings for CM, Wilson, and themselves. For the Springfield, the high end ones come over as rough forgings, others have their frames machined in brazil and are assembled here, and the milspecs are assembled there. You can tell which because they have "made in Brasil" stamped on them. That said, I have plenty of foreign made guns, just put it out there as a dig. [;)] Springfields also are supposed to have excellent customer service. My main problem with them is that they feel like a brick in the hand. |
| Thanks for all the info. I think I'm going to go with the S.A. Full Size Loaded. I simply can't afford a full size Kimber, and I really want a full size 1911. I don't need it as a concealed carry gun, as my carry gun is a Glock. I just want a 1911 I can take to the range and have fun with...maybe get into some competition down the road. Thanks for the info. |
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i have owned both. I still own my kimber gold match. Kimber is really hard to beat for the money. I was a little miffed with the plastic mainspring housing on an 1000.00 pistol but it if fully surrounded by steel. After well over 5000+ rnds has had zero problems. Both make an excellent pistol. kimber costs a little more but they do have a better fit and finish. May or may not be an issue to you. mike |
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First off..Kimber was the company that raised the bar on quality control and making certain features found only on custom 1911's standard items on their basic models. Combined with a good marketing campaign and initially good Quality, Kimber built up a very good reputation. However, in the past 4 years, quality of Kimber 1911's have slipped somewhat, while other 1911 manufacturers such as Springfield Armory have improved the quality and reliability of their 1911's to the point where Springfield Armory now makes a better 1911 than the Kimber. My vote goes for Springfield Armory, though I really had to give Kimber credit for ushering in the golden era for 1911's. |
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I have owned both. I had a fullsize stainlell Springfield and loved everything except the sharp edges. If you get a Springfield get the stainless so you can do somehting about those without having to refinish the pistol. I got a stainless Gold Combat Kimber and it is great, but I do not like McCormick magazines. I like Wilson or Metalform although for economy, if you can score some good GI,(real GI), mags they will do just fine. I hardy ever shoot my Kimber. I have a Glock 30 that is a great gun, and a custom built Commander size pistol that I usually shoot/carry. If I want to shoot a full size 1911 I absolutely love my Wilson. Yes they are worth the money if you ever have some extra coins. |
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Notice that everyone who has owned both has kept the Kimber? Springfield owners are simply Kimber owners who haven't shot a Kimber yet. (this is meant as a joke. it is adapted from the joke "a liberal is simply a conservative who hasn't been mugged yet". please do not think that I'm slamming your choice of weapon. but even if I was, you'd have to ask yourself why you care) |
