This has probably been asked, but I would like some candid assessments and comparisons of the Smith 1911 E-Series full size SS pistol with the Kimber Custom II SS. Both are priced similarly, are SS, have similar features/enhancements, and are precisely what I am looking for. The Smith is different with the 'fish scale' slide and is overly more attractive in my view, but reliability, performance (accuracy), fit and finish, and longevity are more important to me. Looking forward to your responses.
None of the above.
I have had both Kimber and S&W 1911s.
Kimber has problems. Every one I have seen and the one I owned suffered from consistent lock up issues and "snake-eyes," which is the problematic making of two distinct groups. I am not the only shooter who has noticed this.
S&W has a pretty good 1911, but their E-Series is mostly a rehash of the Colt Enhanced models from the 80s or 90s, all of which have been wisely discontinued over at Colt's (the guy in charge of pistols at the time the 1911s were introduced over at S&W, Joe Bergeron, used to work at Colt, and he is still at S&W, perhaps in a higher up position, or so I read).
The "improvements" in the E-Series are good in some cases (getting rid of their version of the Swartz internal firing pin block which operates off the grip safety) and silly in other cases (fish scales, Joubert trigger fitting pad, round butt treatment, serrated top of slide, those revolting stocks, etc.).
The external extractor in the S&W is ok, I guess as S&W has mastered those, unlike Kimber who had to get rid of theirs as their engineers could not figure them out. Kimber, of course, claims they were listening to clamoring consumers and the marines, who bought a couple hundred Kimbers because they could not build custom guns over at Quantico fast enough. (For anyone keeping track, they also bought a small number of Springfields.)
In an interview on one of the gun programs, an S&W employee as much as said that most of the E-Series improvements were made so that the S&W would have a unique appearance when sitting side-by-side in the case with 1911s from every one else.
The first thing I would do with any E-Series is get rid of the FLGR and replace it with a standard GI system. The FLGR is a solution to a non-existent problem. Manufacturers like it mainly because it prevents the "old-style" press-check, thereby preventing some fool from blowing his finger off, not because it does anything. The fact that consumers think it does something and are willing to cough up extra for it is a bonus. Those really silly looking spider-web stocks and the hex or torx or whatever stock screws have to go also!
As die hard as I am about S&W revolvers and their M&P Series pistols, I vote for the "real deal" as far as the 1911 goes. Get a Colt. Hands down winner in all areas including parts availability, resale value, long-term performance, etc.
This is a no-brainer, in my opinion. Perhaps the most extensively tested is the new Marine pistol, which really does have some subtle design changes that make their 1911 even better.
For your purposes, get the S&W if you cannot bring yourself to wait for a Colt. While Kimber gets credit for making Colt and others step up to incorporate custom gunsmith features into production guns, now that the better companies have done so, Kimber is now properly considered an "also ran" in the 1911 race.
After much experience with Springfield, I would recommend them over Kimber as well. Plus, the people over at Springfield are really nice, easy to reach and responsive to the needs of the customer.
