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S&W 1911 Vs Kimber Custom II TLE

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conchmariner

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I've got a Kimber which I really like, but saw a nice S&W this weekend with SS slide and frame. Came pretty close to buying it, and am still thinking about it. Any thoughts on the S&W 1911s?
 
I've got a Kimber which I really like, but saw a nice S&W this weekend with SS slide and frame. Came pretty close to buying it, and am still thinking about it. Any thoughts on the S&W 1911s?
 
I have some experience with both brands of 1911. Have to say I like them both. You won't go wrong with either one.
 
Originally posted by conchmariner:
I've got a Kimber which I really like, but saw a nice S&W this weekend with SS slide and frame. Came pretty close to buying it, and am still thinking about it. Any thoughts on the S&W 1911s?
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Every Kimber 1911 I have shot has suffered from ill fitting resulting in "snake eyes," which is when the gun shoots two distinct groups in a single session using same point of aim. It occurs because of bad fitting resulting in the pistol not locking up the same after each shot. I have not had this problem with S&W 1911s, or any other 1911, for that matter.
 
I own five S&W 1911s and all have been 100% from day one. Can't say the same for the Kimber I had besides S&W has customer service that puts Kimber to shame. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.
 
I don't own any S&W 1911's so I can't comment on them, but I have had 2 Kimber 1911's and know many people that own them and I don't recall anyone with problems. Kimber is probably the leading 1911 manufacturer right now and I believe that is for a reason. I must salute them for being one of the forerunners trying to give the customer the "bells & whistles" right out of the box. NOW, it's commonplace because Kimber has raised the bar.

I own a warrior and Tactical Custom and both are more accurate out of the box than I would have expected. I have fired other 1911's from Colt that would be lucky to keep a group within 4" at 25yds. Both of my Kimbers do it quite easily. barrel-bushing lockup is TIGHT on both.

Price point is more of an issue. You get what you pay for and you can't buy a Springfield Mil-Spec and a Springfield TRP and expect the same level of fit, finish and accuracy. Same goes for S&W vs Kimber. At equivalent price points, I doubt you will have much of a noticable difference.

IC
 
I have a Kimber TLE II and a Royal. Three S&W 1911's have a home with me, a 1911, 1911pd and a Gunsite. All have been exceptional weapons.
The Kimbers are excellent 1911's and have never suffered from any issues. Accuracy is better than I'm able to improve on.
If it's customer service that will decide your next purchase, go with S&W. I've never had an issue where a Kimber went back but I know where others have had issues.
When it comes to resale value, the Kimber, in this area, will hold it's value better than S&W as far as autos go.
 
I have a 90's era Compact Aluminum 4" Kimber and a 2008 S&W 1911PD Commander w/ Crimson Trace. No problems out of either. The Kimber has a bushingless Bull bbl, while the Smith has a bushing AND a guide rod (not too fond of the guide rod). As Bunnyslayer states, you won't go wrong with either. The difference for me is the extra quarter inch of barrel length. Colt had the size right for the beginning. It balances and points better for me.
 
I have 3 S&W 1911's, 2 Colts and a real expensive custom built 1911.

The S&W's are a very very close second to the custom 1911.

The Colts, don't come close to the S&W's in accuracy and overall the Colts are a real disappointment.
 
yea, I sold a Colt Officers off to get the Kimber back around the turn of the century. The Colt was inaccurate, unreliable, and the staked front sight just fell off one day at the range. Love my Smith Scandium Commander - Kimber sits on the shelf.
 
Originally posted by Grayfox:
I beleieve that Kimber makes a good 1911, but its also highly over rated.
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Absolutely.

The early Kimbers were nicely made. The newer ones after the move, and the series II (idiotic move with the rinky dink firing pin safety they use) are nowhere near the same quality of gun.

If you want the best production 1911 value it's probably a Les Baer Premier II (no, I don't own one). S&W 1911s aren't bad, like Kimber, but they aren't all that special and are somewhat overpriced. They're higher end assembly line guns, but assembly line guns, just the same.

For under $1000 I can buy a hand fit (meaning important stuff like the frame/slide) STI and have customer service, should it be necessary, that puts S&W to shame (and pretty much everybody else too). Their bargain basement ($600 or so) Spartan is also hand fit, but uses a hand fit frame and slide from the Phillipines (like many, many other companies even though you don't know it).

If STI didn't make 1911s at the price point they do, a Springfield Armory would be my next choice....they have 1911s figured out.

Kimber, S&W, Taurus, and a few others would never be on my purchase list because other companies offer more for less. R,
 
I have a Kimber Custom Eclipse II and have had no issues at all with it. It is also very accurate and shoots one group, not two as someone above has described. The Meprolite illuminated sights could stand improvement (switch to Trijicon), but otherwise no complaints.
 
I think if I ownwed a Kimber and liked it I would not trade one for the other. On the other hand If I owned the Kimber and wanted to add another 1911 to my collection why not make it a S&W. I do not own either but have fired both and both are very nice. If the Kimber does not give you that warm fuzzy feeling and the S&W does well you know what ya gotta do
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andy05 my bud has the same Kimber(one of the first from the custome shop) and it is awsome no doubt, no problems like mentioned above.
 
Originally posted by 84CJ:
andy05 my bud has the same Kimber(one of the first from the custome shop) and it is awsome no doubt, no problems like mentioned above.
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The old custom shop guns are quite nice. The new ones aren't even close....sadly as they were a nice gun at a good price.
 
I have a 1911 9MM Pro and would put that gun against any Kimber. Best gun in my collection and worth every penny. Looking to buy the 5" 1911 45 Pro next.
 
Conch - I have a TLE II as well, and like it a lot. The only real problem I have with the gun is that the barrel will rust if not carefully attended to, which makes no sense if the barrel is stainless, so obviously it must be something else. The gun is very accurate and reliable.

I happen to hate the Kimber grip safety.
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The S&W 1911s are very good guns. I think the poster who said both are good, and you will be happy with either, is probably correct, but the grip safety is a deal-breaker for me. I had to replace mine, which involved refinishing the frame.
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I do wish S&W would do decent checkering on the front strap of their pistols, which the TLE II has. I think you have to buy a Performance Center model to get that.
 
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