Posted: 4/24/2009 9:29:26 PM EDT
|
Guys,
I have been proposed a trade for my Kimber Custon II. A guy I know has a Colt 1991a1 that he wants to trade me, but it looks like a defender sized gun with the 1991a1 roll mark on the side. He says it came from Colt that way, but I have never seen anything like this before and I am ignorant of the nuances of Colt manufactured 1911's and also a little suspicious . Is this gun a real factory Colt or a gunsmith hackjob? Also I have shot this particular pistol and it does indeed function fine. |
|
Here's my two cents. First of all, your Kimber is worth $600 - $750 any given day. I have no idea what condition it's in, so that's just a ball park figure for an average one with no tastefully done modifications.
A 1991 Compact, which is what it sounds like to me, is worth $500 - $600 if it's in good shape, even less if it's as finish worn as many out there. Just from the standpoint of dollars, I would avoid the trade. Also, if it's a 1991 Compact, then it was made when Colt was arguably at it's lowest quality level. Most 1991s with the old roll mark are fairly loose, poorly fitted guns, as Colts go. Don't get me wrong, I prefer Colts over all other 1911s simply because they are Colts, and I do my own work (meaning my labor is free). However, the quality of your Kimber with regards to fit is probably much higher, and the Colt will most likely require some attention. Anyway, back to the point. It sounds like your friend has a Colt 1991 Compact. Does it look like this? 
|
|
Quoted: Colt Officers, no intended offense to anyone, tended to suck. Now figure in the fact that the 1991 is the budget line from Colt and do the math. And to show Im not biased. http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q217/machinegun74/IMG_0076.jpg Its not the Officers, but its a "rudimentary ie cheap" pistol. It's not "cheap" but it is inexpensive and would be considered a base model. I have two M1991A1 ORMs (5" and Commander) and both of them have been trouble-free. I also have an OACP Colt which, likewise, is trouble-free. That said, I buy nothing but Colts in the 1911 style and the fact is the Kimber would sell for more but whether it has more value is up to you.  |
|
Well the Kimber didn't run, and I ditched the POS yesterday for $660.
That was the first and last Kimber of ANY sort I will ever buy. I plan to buy either a fullsize 1991a1 or Series 70 on my 21st birthday here in a few months and be done with it. I really don't need a compact 1911 because I can't CCW yet ( But I do have a Smith model 60 for when my license comes in) but I do hunt with them and shoot them alot, and both purposes are much better served by a full size 1911. Theres nothing like hearing a flying ash tray strike flesh at 15 yards. 
Really the only reason I was considering a trade was because I thought his Colt may have been worh more than my Kimber after seeing the new Agents and defenders going for 800-900. So... I have come to the conclusion I came out ahead getting rid of the Kimber for what I did. Besides, life is too short to own a $700 pistol that doesnt run. 
|