Posted: 3/4/2003 9:42:48 AM EDT
|
Thanks to you guys, I've got the fever. Bought my first pistol (a SIG P226 9mm) a couple of months ago and already put a couple of thousand rounds through it. Clearly, one handgun is not enough. Have pretty much decided on a 1911 for my next purchase. Am willing to spend up to about $900 and am considering a Kimber. This would be primarily a range gun and secondarily a home protection weapon. It will never be a CCW, so I'm not all that concerned about size or weight and would prefer a full size gun. Looking for your thoughts/advice on the following: 1. Would you go with a Kimber? Any other models you recommend I consider? 2. If Kimber, which model? 3. Would definitely be willing to consider a used gun, particularly if I could save some $. Any internet sites you suggest I look at to find used models. (Note, it is possible that I may have to purchase used (pre-98') gun as I live in People's Republic of Massachusetts and at least one person has told me Kimbers are not on State's approved list of new handguns). |
|
Pippin, Congrats on the decision to go with the tried-and-true 1911. I am sure that whatever you get, you'll love it. You'll grow a fondness for an almost 100 year old design. I'm not too familiar with the Kimbers, but I don't think you could go wrong with any of their models. I had heard about problems with the firing pin safety system in the Series II, but I'm not very familiar with it, so don't take my word. Myself, I'm a Springfield Armory fan. I have had three Stainless Loadeds go through my hands (traded up a few times) and have the one with target sights now. All ran great after the break in period, and fed anything I gave them. I am going to be aquiring a 1911A1 Milspec this week to add to my stable. The SAs can run $100-200 less than the Kimber for a similar model. Both are great guns. Just so you know, the SA Milspec goes for around $500 where I am (sometimes down to $400 in some areas of the country), the Stainless Loaded model goes for around $650. For a little less than the SA, you could try an Auto Ordnance or Charles Daly. They've both had bad reps, but word on the CDs are that the newer ones are really nice, and that Auto Ordnance has been straightened out since Kahr bought them out. I think you'll love whatever you get. Mind that sometimes the 1911 can be a little finicky when breaking in. (one good thing I like about the SAs, is they are ramped and throated nicely from the factory) |
|
Pippin, check out this site to learn a lot about the 1911 www.1911forum.com/ |
|
pippin, I have a Sig p226/9mm and a Kimber 1911 .45acp. I actually use the Kimber as my CCW however. It carries extremely well in a Alessi GWH holster (The BEST IWB holster I've ever seen - many say the best ever made). It will make your 1911 feel like you are carrying a Glock. You can find it here: www.carryguns.com As far as 1911s are concerned, you simply can't go wrong with a Kimber. They sell more 1911s per year than all other manufacturers - combined. Everyone knows how to work on Kimbers - they are the staple of modern 1911s now. Springfields are also excellent firearms. There are, however, minor differences in the feel. The most distinct is the Springfield's frontstrap. It is more squarish in feel than a Kimber or Colt - less oval shaped. Some people like it, and some don't. You really should just go handle one side by side with a Kimber. I would stay away from the pre-customized Kimber models. Instead of paying extra for custom features from a shop, take your gun to a good smith and have them do a reliability/polish job, etc on it. The work will be 5x better, and you can get exactly what you want for it. Most people start with the standard Kimber Custom or Custom II model and go from there. The good thing about the base Kimber models is that it is as good of a base gun as any of the $4000 guns. In fact, many custom smiths prefer to start their work from a clean, base Kimber model. In any case, you can't go wrong with a Kimber. Stay away from new Colts, their quality has really gone down. |
|
The first pistol I ever bought was a Kimber Compact Aluminum Stainless and I'm happy to report that after a few thousand rounds I've never had any major malfunctions. Of course you get the occasional stovepipe and whatnot, but nothing serious. I was having issues with the slide not locking back after last round out when the gun was new. Called Kimber about the issue. They wanted me to send the pistol back and be without it for something along the lines of four weeks. Well, having just bought it I couldn't quite part with it that soon. :) Kimber then decided to send me another mag and that cleared up the issue. Knowing what I know now I could've easily fixed the problem myself, as it was a magazine issue and not a problem with the gun itself. I've heard a few horror stories about dealing with Kimbers customer service, but my first hand experience with them has been just fine. Having not had any first hand experience with the series II pistols, I can't give you any opinion on them. I've heard people have had issues with them, but you usually hear more from the disatisfied few than from the elated majority. Take that for whatever it's worth. As the others have stated, in the unlikely event you do have a major issue with your pistol it should be easily remedied by either Kimber or a competent gunsmith. The guts of a kimber, or any other 1911, sure aren't unfamiliar to a seasoned gunsmith. Again, as the other guys said, you really can't go wrong with any Kimber, or any other QUALITY 1911 out there. Welcome to the club bud. I'm sure you'll love your new friend, no matter which one you go with. |