Kimber or Springfield

[DMcClellan]

I'm in the market for a new handgun. I was settled on the Kimber Ultra compact, till a dealer showed me a Springfield PX9801L Micro compact. It seemed pretty nice, so now I back to deciding which one. Anybody out there with experience or knowledge on either one? I also like the Kimber Eclipse.

 

[johnrv4]

I recently bought a Kimber Custom Target II. I got a decent price through a dealer that advertises on the internet. If you are interested, send me a PM and I will give you his web address.

 

[Cummins4Life]

I have a midrange Springfield 1911, great gun no complaints.

 

[LSMITH]

Both are nice, pick the one with the most features you want. Really can't go wrong with either.



I looked over the Kimber that JohnRV bought and the fitting is SUPERB to say the least. I have handled more than a couple $2000+ guns that are not any better than the Kimber. The Kimber in the store was great too. If you know 1911 types the Kimber will knock your socks off when you take a look at one. For the money they cost you cannot duplicate it with a standard gun and custom work. Buy the one with all the bells and whistles that you will want now, it will be cheaper. The type 2 trigger on them is awesome as well, around 5 pounds and very very crisp. I paid a lot of money to get a trigger equal to the Kimber on my Para.



I have not looked at the new Springfields in quite some time, last one I bought was over 6 years ago. RKIs have told me that they are very close to Kimber in quality, close enough that it could go either way depending on the individual gun. I have had a couple Springfields and they were darn good.

 

[rbagley]

I would never buy either again. Both junk. I had a SA Champion about a year ago. Would not feed hardball. Sent it back and SA fix the feeding problem. Then the slide cracked at 1500 rounds. Sent it back, got a new gun... that wouldn't feed hardball.



Bought a Kimber Ultra Ten compact in July. Piece of crap. Wouldn't close on an empty chamber some of the time. Took it back to the store and got a new one. It wouldn't feed hardball. Ended up selling it at a major lose and bought a Glock. Should have done that to start with.

 

[The patriot]

I personally dont like the cast parts in the Kimbers. Also the "new" safetys aint as desireable as the older pistols. I dont think theyre the same as the Colt series 80's are, but none the less... . nobody wants em just the same. Guess time will tell...

If I got one at a good enough price that I can replace those annoying cast parts, well then were taking, so long as it's the older model.

I dont know about the compact Springfields. I have a full size 1911 I bought about 15 years ago that's highly customized by George Smith (of Evolution gun works) and I love it. It was reliable before I had him do it.

I've heard excellent things about the new Dan Wesson 1911's, but I dont think theyre doing them in the compact format. At least not yet. I'm giving one of these some serious consideration.

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/patriot.htm

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/patspec.htm

Unfortunatly I just got a Dan Wesson 44 magnum, so it'll have to wait a bit.

Eric

 

[JSmith]

Which 1911?

I own a Springfield 1911. Of the two guns mentioned I would go with the Springfield over the Kimber only because of the internal lock/safety feature. It is known to break and cause the gun to not function. This does not happen very often,but if your a$$ is on the line a broken part and a gun that will not fire is trouble.



For your own peace of mind,go to thefiringline.com look around and find out what others who have the guns say about them.



Good luck.

 

[DMcClellan]

Thanks for the replies. I did check thefiringline.com, did a search, ended up a bit discouraged, especially on the safeties and cast parts issues. I sure like the trigger on both of them for a factory gun. I think some of the points about the older ones being better is very true, but what will be available 5-10 years from now. Scary thought. Thanks again!

 

[scbrown]

I own nearly all guns talked about in this post.

Sig P220,P232,Glock26,36,Berreta Cougar,92F. LLama(junk). ect,ect. Not to mention the rifles.

And Kimber Custom Pro CDP II.

I love the Kimber, carry it every day.

Nothing bad to say about it.

 

[WadePatton]

I carry a Kimber SS Match. It's full-sized so doesn't directly compare to the itty-bitty ones you're looking at. I will say that it feeds ball and ashtrays mixed, no problem. It hits where I point it. And it's sweet out-of-the-box no tuning up like on a Gold Cup.



I wouldn't hesitate to pay full retail for another Kimber. But I have nothing against SA either.



Colt and S&W can kiss my butt.