S&W or Kimber ?

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S&W357

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I bought a Sig 938 Extreme & S&W 38 rev. I'm Trading both of them for a new S&W 1911-45 or Kimber Custom crimson 11-to my gun dealer.
I know most of you are going to say go S&W. Does anyone have both guns? I held both guns n do like the Kimber only because the S&W is a 5in. n feels heavy. The Kimber is 4in.
I'm using the gun for just shooting at the range. Help ????
 
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Both are great; Kimber makes some mighty fine 1911's.....I have a Kimber Tac Entry 2 that is pretty hard to beat.
 
Showing no favoritism to either brand, I prefer the 4" commander length over the government 5" anyday. I have Springfields.
 
If this is to be your first 1911, my vote is for the 5" S&W. You need to see what the fuss is all about with the original version. (Just my opinion.) Always compromises to be made when you deviate from the original specs. Hey, you might end up liking the commander size better. But, since you're looking for a range gun anyway, why not get the longer sight radius and enjoy the accuracy?
 
I've owned both brands 1911 offerings, repeatedly. I have nothing good to say about Kimber when you need service.

The Smith's I've owned and still own are fine examples of the 1911 platform. Kimber and another major player in the 1911 market have gotten their last dollar from me.

The Smith and Dan Wesson are my popular priced 1911's of choice now.
 
I have both.....

a Kimber Tactical Pro II and a newer S&W 1911. The Kimber is only 28 oz. unloaded and great to carry concealed. However you feel recoil more and is harder to strip for cleaning. It is 100% reliable.
The S&W is 40 oz., so felt recoil will be less.
For your wants I'd go for the S&W 1911.
Also I would think hard about trading. All guns are hard to get now.
 
I own both and would go with the smith just in case you have a problem. All three of my smiths have been 100%. My Kimber has been 100% also, but the barrel on my Kimber started rusting right after I got it. Called Kimber and was told that it was normal, I have come to live with it but it will be the last one for me. Best of luck and be sure to post what you get.
 
I just got back from my gun dealer to hold the two guns again. I think I like the S&W in my hand better. The kimber is out. But now he puts a Sig P226 -40cal has a rail n he has a Sig strobe -light -laser on it n he said the laser is over $200 -total price $1200 for the Sig P226 -5in.
I gave the gun dealer two new guns Sig 938-S&W 38 airwight laser. He would give $100 in ammo also. Now its the SigP226 -40 cal. or S&W 1911-45
 
S&W357 said:
I just got back from my gun dealer to hold the two guns again. I think I like the S&W in my hand better. The kimber is out. But now he puts a Sig P226 -40cal has a rail n he has a Sig strobe -light -laser on it n he said the laser is over $200 -total price $1200 for the Sig P226 -5in.
I gave the gun dealer two new guns Sig 938-S&W 38 airwight laser. He would give $100 in ammo also. Now its the SigP226 -40 cal. or S&W 1911-45
Click to expand...

My son has the Sig 226 and man is that thing accurate! He has rounds punching the same holes all day long.
 
I picked the S&W n I saw the Ruger there, I wanted it but the price was always to high. He had it on sale for $735 n The S&W was$1000. I got $1350 for the two guns I traded.
Store credit. I will be coming home with both on Monday.
 
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Looks like you will have two nice .45s for your range use. As far as the original question, the Kimbers I have been around have been good guns. I don't know a thing about their service department. Some people think they are over-priced. I think about all 1911s are hugely over-priced these days. :)

I think you will be happier with the 5-inch guns for target shooting. The 4-inch gun is not a Commander-pattern gun. Commanders are 4.25-inches and have aluminum frames - period. 4-inchers are neither fish nor fowl. I like Commanders to wear on my belt, but for shooting at the range I much prefer the 5-inch, all-steel gun.

Hope you enjoy your new pistols. Let us know what you think when you have had the chance to shoot them a time or two.
 
The external extractor on the S&W's will always be a deal breaker for me. If not a Colt, get the Kimber...several large PD's can't be wrong when they chose the Kimber as their primary duty guns.
 
Out of the twenty 1911's I own, I have two DW's and one S&W. I really like everything about the Smith. I do not own a Kimber and won't...San Diego PD had problems with them when they were looking for a new pistol for their officers to carry ( went with Ruger P89's?!?).I am really a Colt guy, but am very happy with the S&W 1911. Oh, and full size is the way to go... Learn whatall the fuss has been about for over 100 years. JS. Papascull
 
I have owned two Kimbers. A Target Custom II and a Custom Carry II. I traded them both. There is something that does not feel right about Kimbers. I think it has to do with the Schwartz firing pin system. It feels weird. I don't know how to explain. I've owned Rock Island and Sig 1911s and they feel better than the Kimber.

The ONLY Kimber I am willing to give a chance to is the Desert Warrior because it uses a Series 70/80 firing pin system.

The physical features of the Kimber are flawless. Tight slide to frame. No dirty machine marks. Smooth lines. Smooth finish. If I left a gun to sit around and show off, it would have been the Kimber. For snob appeal, everyone always ooh's and ahh's over the Kimber because of their reputation. But I did not like them.
 
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