Posted: 2/4/2008 10:33:58 AM EDT
| I am looking at getting a railed 1911 and can't seem to make up my mind between a Warrior and an Operator. I have read a lot about both of them, and their seem to be about equal pro/con reviews and SA and Kimber fans. I am not really concerned with Kimber vs. SA, I am really just interested in spcific differences between the models. I have yet to handle either of them, shops don't seem to stock them. I did hear the the SA backstrap checkering is rougher and harder on the hands, but I suppose that is subjective. I don't know enough about 1911's to know what to look for or what the subtle differences mean. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks. |
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There isn't a hell of a lot of difference between them in terms of features. Both have the standard 1911 mods: beavertail, ambi safety, lightweight trigger, lowered & flared ejection port, forward slide serrations, and of course, the rail. The Operator doesn't have a lanyard loop, and I believe it has the two piece full length guide rod. I'd ditch the guide rod, but I don't care about the lanyard loop. The mainspring housing is checkered at 20 lines per inch, and it has their ILS safety lock. I believe it comes with Pachmayr wraparound rubber grips. Standard Novak sight cuts. The Kimber has their funky proprietary rear sight cut, which limits replacement options. It also comes with the funky "Mr. Peanut" grips, which I have yet to see anybody leave on the gun. Its finish, as of late, has left something to be desired, apparently rubbing off the thumb safety and other parts prematurely. QC on the gun overall has supposedly slid downhill in the past couple years. Kimber's chambers tend to be notoriously tight, which means being picky with ammo that is on the generous side of the SAAMI specs. Disclaimer: I don't own either gun. |
The Kimber is assembled with a mix match of carbon and stainless steel parts, when the Kimpro finish starts to wear this is going to limit refinishing options. Kimbers slide stops are problematic as well, numerous reports of early slide lock or not locking back at all. Couple this with the tight chamber as mentioned by Ken and the Warrior is not the 1911 I'd currently choose, unless I got one used at a very good price.  The SA has the ILS mainspring housing that gives it a heavy trigger pull but otherwise is a much better value IMHO. The ILS mainspring housing is also easily user replaceable at a modest cost. ETA: I do own an OLDER Warrior. |
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I can not speak on the Kimber but I do have a Springfield MC Operator and so far it has been great. I have 750 perfect rounds through it. To be fair I did remove the ILS mainspring housing and internals and replaced with Ed Brown Parts. In my opinion the Operators look better than the Kimbers. I like the way the front of the light rail comes up at a clean 45 degree angle and blends in with the front cocking serrations. And also dont forget Springfields customer service is great, not that you will probably ever need it. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/AJTUCKER/IMG_0887.jpg |
Hey Ken, I agree with 99% your analysis. FWIW, I was in the original poster's shoes in November and decided to go with the MC Operator over the Kimber. My MC Operator came with a standard, "GI style" guide rod and plug (I don't like full-length guide rods in 1911's). I preferred the fit/finish on the MC Operator, and always appreciate it when a company like Springfield stands behind their product with a lifetime warranty. If I recall correctly, Kimber only offers a three year warranty. My MC Operator has been malfunction-free thus far with just under 1000 rounds down range. |
| Thank you much for all of your replies. Exactly the replies I was looking for. I was, and still am, leaning more towards the Operator. I have more about the Kimbers having small issues lately than the SA's, and there seems to be about a $200 price difference between them. There are a couple things I would change on the Operator, but until you get into the custom range, most of them do have things that I would change. |
Frankly, I'd pick the SA as well. If nothing else the looks of the McOperator appeal to me more than the Warrior. |
| i have a mc operator, and i love it, the only thing that i am gonna have done to it, is to take out the ILS and instal a mag funnel and that is it, and that really isn't needed but i am gonna do it because i can! i am a loyalist to sa and that is the main reason that i went with the operator, and too everyone that i know has a warrior and i like to be different, also sa has the best customer service that i have ever dealt with and another reason why i went the sa route and will forever buy use and own sa handguns. |