Posted: 9/17/2010 12:39:38 PM EDT
i'm getting a 1911, i saw a springfield loaded in dark stainless steel w/ target night sight, and kimber TLE RL, i like both but i can afford to buy them both, they are the same price at my local shop, anyone can tell me which one is a better gun or better value? and the loaded is made in brazil, kimber is made in u.s., should i consider that too?
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The Springfield will have the better warranty (lifetime vs.1 year) and has a better record for their MIM parts but the Kimber will probably have a higher quality of parts fitting.
Not sure which one I'd rather have, but the Springfield warranty is pretty awesome. |
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Quoted:
If it matters, I believe you also have the Swartz safety issue to consider. I know Kimber doesn't have it on the Warrior, but not sure about any of their other stuff. Of course, all Springers are Swartz and Series 80 free. Only the Warrior and SIS are swartz free. To some it matters, to others it doesn't. I personally would not worry about the series 80 setup in a Colt, and I find the swartz is pretty easy to disable. |
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Having owned both I can tell you that the Kimber shoots really well but their customer service is absolutely the worst I've ever encountered.
The Springfield, plus a little money in new parts shoots every bit as well as the TLE/RL and you get the excellent Springfield customer service to go with it. The TLE is a few hundred more than the Loaded so buy the Loaded and invest the difference in ammo and parts. |
| i would choose the TLE. being made in America is a big deal to me, and ive hard to deal with kimber CS and i had the complete opposite experience as the above poster.they sent me extra parts and talked with me longer then needed to make sure i understood what was going on. i personally wish i bought the TLE over my crimson pro. |
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Another vote for the Kimber TLE.
The MIM is an overrated problem, the MSH is easy to replace, and there are plenty of Kimber Cut sights available now. Just needs some polish, Wilson/Tripp mags, and a Wolff recoil spring. Same changes I'd be making to a Springy anyway. |
ok on a holster or belt and cycle the slide.
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Kimbers seem to have the right height sights out of the box. Most I've shot only needed minor adjustment left or right.
So I knock the existing sights out and measure the height with digital calipers. The rear on my 5"CDP matched the Heinie Slant (Kimber Cut) rear sight. Then I used a Dawson .180 tall front sight (Kimber cut). I used a plain black Heinie rear sight and a very thin .090 Dawson front fibre optic sight. Works insanely well for long range shots. Way longer than any of my other pistols can manage. Was easy to get the sights off. Vise, wood to pad vice, steel punch and three wacks of a 16oz. ball penis hammer. Getting the new sights in was a nightmare. You have to file them down just right, then I cold blued their edges. You can get rid of the Series II firing pin safety while the rear sight is off. Then detail strip the frame and remove the finger thing. |
