I am in the market for another 1911 and I cannot decide between another S&W or a Kimber. This gun would become my primary carry. I hate aluminum and love steel. The big problem I have with S&W is that production is slow. Dealers in my area are out and even Buds is out. It is strange considering that the holiday season is almost here. Which brand should I go with. Thanks for the help.
S&W or Kimber
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Dragon88
Member
Between the two, I would go Kimber. Any interest in a Springfield? I've been researching their EMP a lot recently as a possible new carry piece. I handled one in a store and loved it.
JCS&W
US Veteran
I agree, between those two, Kimber.
Broker50
Member
I've owned both, like 'em equally well. I would buy the one I could get the best price on, & I believe that will be Kimber. S&W prices seem to have escalated disproportionately.
zorro49
Member
Don't buy either, get the Ruger and save some bucks on a gun that likes to be shot(a la Kimber). I have not fired the Ruger nor do I own one, but the reviews and owners at Ruger forum are quite pleased with their purchases. zorro49
For a safe queen, buy a Kimber. If you want a really good carry piece-buy a Springfield. I've owned two (still have one) and both were flawless performers from round number one. S&W 1911's are going for crazy money because of limited availability. Good guns, but why would you want to pay extra just because S&W has chosen to build so few?
I have owned a Kimber, EMP, and currently a Les Baer & Springfield. The EMP was OK but not worth the $$ that you have to pay unless you find a used one at a good price. I much prefer shooting and carrying my Sig P239. Handles and shoots nicer than the EMP. Kimber is overpriced for the quality of what you get. Smith is a great platform but still a little overpriced. Springfield deserves a good look. Great gun and features for what you spend. I too have heard good things about the Ruger model but have not had a chance to handle one. Sig Sauer is also making some great 1911 models. They even have a new Ultra 3" sized model.
I've had three Kimbers. I still have one, only because the frame is out of spec, making most mags useless, so I can't dump it with a clear conscience.
If the gun is for serious purpose you should go with the S&W 1911.
Were I you, I'd save up and get the Les Baer. The Les Baer 1911's are far superior to both the Kimber and S&W in build quality and materials. Good luck! Regards 18DAI
If the gun is for serious purpose you should go with the S&W 1911.
Were I you, I'd save up and get the Les Baer. The Les Baer 1911's are far superior to both the Kimber and S&W in build quality and materials. Good luck! Regards 18DAI
senecaap
Member
Don't get either one, they both have the external extractor...or non-extractor. If the 1911 needed an external extractor, John Browning would have had one on it...I know, I know the guys that came up with the external were obviously much more talented than JMB. Try a Colt, Springfield, heck a Rock Island, or if your bank account is sporty enough check out Baer Brown or Wilson.
If you have to have either Kimber or S&W, between the 2 go with Smith, if you have a problem with Kimber they will try to fix the problem the 1st time you send it to them...and the 2nd...and 3rd....
If you have to have either Kimber or S&W, between the 2 go with Smith, if you have a problem with Kimber they will try to fix the problem the 1st time you send it to them...and the 2nd...and 3rd....
I have a Kimber Ultra CDPII and while it did have issues originally, I shipped it back to Kimber, they swapped the gun from an external to an internal extractor, and now no problems. It is my number one carry piece. Also, I had no problems with Kimber customer service. I bought the gun used and they did the previously mentioned repair at no cost to me other than shipping on my end.
fat tom
Absent Comrade
I have more than a lot of 1911's. While my preference will always be a Colt,push come to shove,I have several S&W's and several Kimbers. Of the two you are considering,I will say....either,if in a commander size (also my preference). I have a Smith scandium commander which I REALLY like and a Kimber CDP Pro (Series I,of course),which I also REALLY like. They both function flawlessly and have been 100% reliable. There will be no easy answer to your question. As you have already seen from this thread, you will get many,many opinions as to which is good,or not. You will simply have to buy one and use it to reach your own conclusion. I wasn't much help,huh!
You really ought to try one of these as well (in .38 Super is recommended)
f.t.
You really ought to try one of these as well (in .38 Super is recommended)
f.t.
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Love my S&W pistols (none a 1911). I also have two Kimbers, both .45ACP. One is a CDP and the other an Ultra Carry. We've had both of these for 10-11 years, now and carry them with confidence. They've proven realiable in every respect. My only dislike was the Meprolight sights, which I've replaced with Novak on the Ultra Carry already, and will likely do the same eventually on the CDP.
I guess my Kimber Ultra II is "ultra-rare" or it may have a "stealth" extractor.
After a good break-in (it's tight throat likes a good crimp) it's very accurate and flawless. Remember to keep a spare captive recoil spring assembly. These short ones are rough on them.
Mike
After a good break-in (it's tight throat likes a good crimp) it's very accurate and flawless. Remember to keep a spare captive recoil spring assembly. These short ones are rough on them.
Mike
You know, I didn't want to mention this.... ah nuts- I will anyhow. I picked up a used Fire Storm .45 Gov't model for $300 and it has been flawless. Eats anything. Tight as a bank vault. I hated the sights, so I added a $55 Kensight adjustable Novak dovetail rear to it. No 'pride of brand' cachet with the Fire Storm, but it is a heck of a good 1911, esp. with the flat mainspring housing, beavertail grip safety and long target trigger.
gwu77
Member
I had the misfortune to purchase a 3" Kimber 1911 several years ago. It hung up religiously. I sent it back to Kimber and they screwed me. They sent it back to me, claiming it was fixed. It wasn`t. I tried new slide stops, new springs. I finally sold it and its ONE year warranty and got a Colt Defender with a LIFETIME warranty. It has never hung up on me, ever. What a difference. I would definitely go with a Smith!
lhump1961
US Veteran
I have mostly revolvers but my one 1911 is a Smith. It has been perfect for me and never failed to fire anything I put in it. I am waiting for a 4.25" 1911Sc Smith right now and understand that waiting can be frustrating...but I will wait and am sure I will be very happy in the end.
I have never owned a Kimber but not heard good things about the service, some good but more bad. Smith is mostly good with a few bad...all good for me (they massaged my PPK/S to perfection) and can't beat a lifetime warranty.
I have never owned a Kimber but not heard good things about the service, some good but more bad. Smith is mostly good with a few bad...all good for me (they massaged my PPK/S to perfection) and can't beat a lifetime warranty.
I've owned four Kimbers. No longer have them. They aren't what they used to be. But try and tell a Kimber rep that.
For the money that you would spend on a Kimber, there are much better options IMO.
Sorry Kimber guys, I don't care for the way Kimber does business. They cut out the middle man and then try to bully shop owners. No thanks.
If you got money to burn, buy a Dan Wesson. Don't judge until you hold one in your hand and take a close look at it. Dan Wesson 1911's are the closest thing you will get to a Wilson, Les Baer, or Nighthawk with out spending $2500.
Otherwise the next best bang for your buck is a Springfield Loaded. As far as function and accuracy, it will keep up with my buddies Wilson CQB.
For the money that you would spend on a Kimber, there are much better options IMO.
Sorry Kimber guys, I don't care for the way Kimber does business. They cut out the middle man and then try to bully shop owners. No thanks.
If you got money to burn, buy a Dan Wesson. Don't judge until you hold one in your hand and take a close look at it. Dan Wesson 1911's are the closest thing you will get to a Wilson, Les Baer, or Nighthawk with out spending $2500.
Otherwise the next best bang for your buck is a Springfield Loaded. As far as function and accuracy, it will keep up with my buddies Wilson CQB.
I have 7 Kimbers, 2 Nighthawks, a Colt 70s series and SW 1911. My 1st 1911 was a Kimber Stainless Target back in 1995. Love that gun. I have had no problems whatsoever with it. All my other Kimbers are newer and have never given me any issues. My Kimber 'Super Target' .22 Rimfire needed to be sent back because the front sight was way off center. They sent me a call tag and repaired the slide in about 3-4 days. I was impressed with the customer service. I know that everyone has different experiences, but mine have been great. My Kimbers are not quite as tight as my Nighthawks, but they are 1/2 the price too. My two cents....
cyberdemonbfg
Member
One that,i don't think was mentioned,is the desert eagle 1911C.The thing is scary accurate for a weapon of it's price and mine hasn't had any problems.I had a kimber cdpII which even though i didn't have any problems with it(only ran a little over 50 rounds through it),it showed excessive wear on the frame,who knows.The only thing you may not like on the eagle is the billboard sign on the slide(which doesn't bother me).I also have a pre series 70 national match which will shoot with the best of them.Good Luck.
mattallamerican
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i love my dan wesson.or get a glock and forget the sissy gun as tommy lee jones said in u.s. marshalls
My 2 cents, I have owned a Kimber and it was a jam-o-matic, sold that and bought a Colt New Agent, that was a 100% reliable good shooting gun, recently bought a full size S&W stainless E-Series 1911 and loved it but shortly after buying it I found the SC Commander E-Series with the round butt treatment and had to have it. While the Colt was as perfect a gun as you cold ask for, I sold it to get the Smith and other than a few cosmetic issues with the S&W due to the lack of "quality control" on their assembly line, I love the Smith product. So if I were in the market for a sub $1,200 1911 I would start with Colt, then S&W, and pass on the Kimber. Good Luck!
arkdweller22
Member
I have 2 Kimbers: A stainless target in 10MM and an Ultra Raptor in .45 ACP. They have both been flawless from the time they came out of the box. I have nothing but praise for those two.
I can't speak to the S&W 1911's as I've never owned one. It does seem however that they've solved the external extractor riddle, where few have been able (seems like SIG is the only other one).
Someone did mention a Dan Wesson.
Now that's a quality 1911 for the price. If you can stretch to get one, do so. My CBOB has been outstanding. The fit, finish, etc. is well above what you pay with performance to match.
I hope this helps with your search...
I can't speak to the S&W 1911's as I've never owned one. It does seem however that they've solved the external extractor riddle, where few have been able (seems like SIG is the only other one).
Someone did mention a Dan Wesson.
Now that's a quality 1911 for the price. If you can stretch to get one, do so. My CBOB has been outstanding. The fit, finish, etc. is well above what you pay with performance to match.
I hope this helps with your search...
I've had half a dozen or so 3rd Gen autos that all had the external extractor. My 4506, and I've mentioned this before, has never failed to feed, extract or eject in the 20 years I've owned it. The SW1911 most likely give likewise service. It's yet to fail and like the 4506 I doubt it will. Smith, if no one else, had the external extractor down pat long ago.
Have had several Kimbers, have two now and love them both (Eclipse Pro II and 10mm Custom Target II - have had these for over eight years). The only one of the five total Kimbers I didn't get along with was a 3"; it was unreliable.
I sent my 10mm in to get the sights changed and to have the front strap checkered. They did superb work, and I like it even more.
The Eclipse Pro II (4" barrel) is my carry gun, and it is superb - accurate, reliable. The 10 is really a hoot too...
I sent my 10mm in to get the sights changed and to have the front strap checkered. They did superb work, and I like it even more.
The Eclipse Pro II (4" barrel) is my carry gun, and it is superb - accurate, reliable. The 10 is really a hoot too...
I've owned three Kimbers, and never again...if the one year warranty doesn't tell you what they think of their own product, then try their customer service, and you will really be sorry you bought a Kimber. They are pretty guns, very true...but if you want a gun to actually use, buy a S&W, Springfield, or the new Ruger SR1911. All three make great 1911s, and if there are any issues, they all have great customer service...plus a LIFETIME warranty.
I own or have owned a number of 1911s, in addition to the Kimbers, made by Colt, Magnum Research (Desert Eagle), Springfield, Remington, Ruger, S&W, and Taurus, and by far the best of the production guns IMO are S&W and Ruger. Unless you get into the semi-custom or custom makers, I don't think you can do any better.
I own or have owned a number of 1911s, in addition to the Kimbers, made by Colt, Magnum Research (Desert Eagle), Springfield, Remington, Ruger, S&W, and Taurus, and by far the best of the production guns IMO are S&W and Ruger. Unless you get into the semi-custom or custom makers, I don't think you can do any better.
Tracer_Bullet
Member
Kimber has a nice selection but I have heard and read so many mixed reviews/comments on the guns and their customer service that I decided not to take the chance. As GKC said, the fact that they only warranty them for a year really turned me away from them.
If S&W is your only other option then I say go with the Smiths. My wife and I both love ours, non-traditional external extractors and all. My wife also has a Springfield, but I don't like it as much as the Smiths. It is a good, reliable gun, but the thumb safety has sharp edges that irritate my thumb, and since it is a Champion model it is a pain in the rear to strip and reassemble. I have also had three Colts, but am now down to one (replaced two with S&Ws), all were/are very picky about magazines and the two I got rid of were also very picky about ammo. If I were in the market for another 1911 I would be looking at the Ruger. JMO and worth exactly what you paid for it.
If S&W is your only other option then I say go with the Smiths. My wife and I both love ours, non-traditional external extractors and all. My wife also has a Springfield, but I don't like it as much as the Smiths. It is a good, reliable gun, but the thumb safety has sharp edges that irritate my thumb, and since it is a Champion model it is a pain in the rear to strip and reassemble. I have also had three Colts, but am now down to one (replaced two with S&Ws), all were/are very picky about magazines and the two I got rid of were also very picky about ammo. If I were in the market for another 1911 I would be looking at the Ruger. JMO and worth exactly what you paid for it.
