Posted: 6/26/2011 5:00:21 PM EDT
| I'm about to buy my first 1911. I've been looking at the Kimber TLE and the Springfield Loaded. I like both guns, they're pretty similar as far as specifications go. Price isnt too much different, and i dont mind paying a few more bucks for the Kimber if it's worth it. Thinking about using it as my concealed carry weapon when i turn 21 in a couple months. However, don't try to talk me out of a fullsize 1911, because I can get something else if it's too big to carry everyday. Which one would you go with? I would definitely like to hear from someone who owns both. |
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i'm a died in the wool springer fan.
SA has legendery customer service; i've never heard anything good about kimber's. i don't like the plastic backstraps kimber used to use(maybe still does). i like the grip safety sa uses; seems less likely to fail w/memory bump(more definite). my .02. |
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I had the same decision last year. I thought I couldn't go wrong with either until I read this article by respected 1911 'smith, Hilton Yam.
I went Springfield, and I couldn't be happier. |
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I had the same decision last year. I thought I couldn't go wrong with either until I read this article by respected 1911 'smith, Hilton Yam. I went Springfield, and I couldn't be happier. That's an article worth reading. I like Springfield products a lot anyways, so I am definitely going with the Loaded. |
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I had the same decision last year. I thought I couldn't go wrong with either until I read this article by respected 1911 'smith, Hilton Yam. I went Springfield, and I couldn't be happier. That's an article worth reading. I like Springfield products a lot anyways, so I am definitely going with the Loaded. You will be happier with the Springfield. Look for a "NM" prefix serial numbered Springfield. They put just a little bit more TLC on those. It is evident between my N marked Mil-Spec and a NM marked Loaded I have. I will NEVER own another Kimber product. |
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I have both - a TLE-II in black and a SS Springfield Loaded. Man, I love them both... My Springfield came without night sights, but it has a NM prefix, which means it was completly assembled and adjusted here instead of Brazil. I had a parkerized loaded in the past that refused to feed some hollow points or function with 8 round magazines. It did not have the NM before serial number. I got rid of it.
As for the Kimber goes, my TLE-II is perfect and it came with night sights - however I was not that lucky with other kimber guns, which required me to change some parts. Both of the guns above needed break in period and they would jam up to 300 rounds or so. After that they became flawless. CS is way better at Springfield than Kimber, if that matters. |
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I have a TLE RL II, my dad has a stainless TLE II. We both have put a lot of rounds downrange in them and they have never failed us yet. We even have used a few hundred semi-wadcutters (which apparently don't do well in the 1911 platform) with no problems.
I know people don't like the metal injection molded parts and plastic backstrap, but mine has been a serious performer. |
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No experience with the Springfield, have heard good things about their product from friends with them but no first hand experience as I said.
I do have a Kimber Pro Stainless TLE RL II... absolutely fantastic gun I will definately not be getting rid of it for any reason. From my experience with it... very accurate, 100% reliable for me every time, nice quality like with any kimber, and very comfortable to shoot imo. Bit heavy is my only possible negative I could probably find if I had to give as least some kind of con... but it is kind of a given with 1911's compared to some light weight revolvers and whatnot. I personally like the balance and bit of weight to most quality 1911's. |
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I have five handguns. Two 1911's and three 9 mm's. !911's are a Colt Gold Cup Trophy and Kimber Custom TLE II. 9 mm's are Glock Gen 4 17, Glock Gen 4 19 and Springfield XDm9. My favorite? Kimber Custom TLE II. My least favorite and for sale? Springfield XDm9. (Not a SA loaded, but same manufacturer.)
My friend gave me some old .45 ammo that was so corroded, I scrubbed it with a ScotchBrite pad and still ZERO malfunctions with the Kimeber. An AWESOME firearm! No real complaints with the Springfield (pretty much flawless) but I would recommend the Kimber. http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/jrsloanejr/CIMG0071.jpg |
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It depends, do you like 1911's made in the USA, or do you like Brazillian Knockoffs?
Kimber=%100 made in the USA Springfield= %100 made in Brazil, unless you get lucky and find an NM serialed gun. In that case, all you will need to do is get the corners Springfield cut, fixed. Like the glued In extractor. Good Luck! |
| I had this same question about a year ago. Went to the range with a few friends, one with a SA Mil Spec, the other two with Kimbers. For some reason the Kimbers had issues all day long at the range. The Kimber models were a TLE II with a rail and a Raptor. The Mil Spec had zero problems so I went and bought a Mil Spec the next week. It was N marked and had a few finish issues that Springfield made right on their dime. I eventually traded that Mil Spec in toward a NM marked Loaded and Mil Spec that have been flawless for about 1,000 rounds of FMJ and 200 rounds of Gold Dot. As previous posted I would hold out for an NM unless the Brazil markings don't bother you, they did me. Springfield's customer service was top notch and very courteous. If I had to do it all over again I would have bought a TRP. |
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I like the fact the Kimber slides are made in the US. Someone correct me if I am misinformed, but most Springfield frames are made in Brazil. I have had both brands, kept my Kimbers, sold my Springfields. I had no negative reasoning for selling my Springfields, however. |
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It depends, do you like 1911's made in the USA, or do you like Brazillian Knockoffs? Kimber=%100 made in the USA Springfield= %100 made in Brazil, unless you get lucky and find an NM serialed gun. In that case, all you will need to do is get the corners Springfield cut, fixed. Like the glued In extractor. Good Luck! Like I mentioned before, I have both. Springfield made in Brazil is not that bad, however without serial NM it means it may have been fitted/adjusted by a hungry monkey. NM serial number means it was properly assembled here. My Kimber TLE is near perfect. After the break in period, it is reliable, accurate and it is my carry gun when I am wearing a jacket or suit. However, with two of my Kimbers I had to change the slide stops because they were poorly made. They would touch the bullets in the magazine and lock the slide back while the magazine was still loaded. My Kimber pro 9, I gave up trying to fix and trade it for something else - it had all kinds of problems. So yes, Kimber is 100% made here but that no longer means you will get a trouble free gun anymore. I think Kimber quality control has gone down for the past years. |
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I used to have 3 Kimbers (Warrior, Custom TLE II, SIS). After owning the SIS for 15 months, purchased new, I had a broken extractor that also damaged my slide stop. I call Kimber and they were all happy to help me until they find out that I have owned the weapon for 12+ months. They then flat REFUSED to complete any warranty work, not even an inspection, without charging me for work in their custom shop. Long story short, I sold all 3 Kimbers within the next 2 weeks. I still have all of my Springfields and a couple of customs. Never had the first issue with any of them. Here's what it comes down to: Shit happens, i'm not oblivious to that, but it's all about how I get taken care of. I could have been Kimber's biggest cheerleader and was for a long time. I was very disappointed, as I loved all those Kimbers, but I am not going to stand behind a product that won't stand behind me. I know alot of people who love both and you'll meet fanboys of both. Go with your gut and whichever you like the best. |
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I used to have 3 Kimbers (Warrior, Custom TLE II, SIS). After owning the SIS for 15 months, purchased new, I had a broken extractor that also damaged my slide stop. I call Kimber and they were all happy to help me until they find out that I have owned the weapon for 12+ months. They then flat REFUSED to complete any warranty work, not even an inspection, without charging me for work in their custom shop. Long story short, I sold all 3 Kimbers within the next 2 weeks. I still have all of my Springfields and a couple of customs. Never had the first issue with any of them. Here's what it comes down to: Shit happens, i'm not oblivious to that, but it's all about how I get taken care of. I could have been Kimber's biggest cheerleader and was for a long time. I was very disappointed, as I loved all those Kimbers, but I am not going to stand behind a product that won't stand behind me. I know alot of people who love both and you'll meet fanboys of both. Go with your gut and whichever you like the best. This has been my experience with Kimber products. Its echoed many times here on ARF.com too. Kimbers pistols are hit and miss at best. That coupled with their warranty speaks volumes. If you own it for a year and a day they won't touch it without a credit card number. I'll never own another crappy Kimber. I'll take a N prefix serial number anyday over a Kimber. |
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Springfield made in Brazil is not that bad, however without serial NM it means it may have been fitted/adjusted by a hungry monkey. NM serial number means it was properly assembled here.
I have a parkerized 'Loaded' with night sights, purchased in 2006. Love it. It's a N prefix, but I think it was assembled by a happy monkey that just had sex and a good meal. 
Never a jam, even during break in. Tight, reliable, accurate. Great pistol. I wanted a TRP, but couldent afford it. Im not disappointed with what I got however. I dont care that it was made in Brazil. If the parent company is American so be it. I sold a stainless 'Enhanced' Colt Government Model to buy it. The Colt had poor workmanship, jammed all the time until it was seen by a gunsmith, and the bottom of the slide was sharp enough to draw blood all the time. I see the new Colt's finally have decent Novak style sights and beavertails. Hopefully the quality is better. Like cars, they waited until loyal customers were fed up and went elsewhere before they got thier act together. |