Kimber vs Wilson

[bruce272]

I'm sure this has been beaten to death, but I just gotta get a new consensus on the subject.

Currently, I'm carrying a series 70 Gold Cup that was completely reworked by the late Austin Behlert. The pistol is one heck of a tack driver and will handle everything I can feed it including emptys.

Unfortunately, I'm starting to get really tired carrying around something this big and heavy. At first (many years ago, when it was "size matters") I enjoyed the discomfort. Well, I've gotten past that and would like something smaller (4" barrel) and shorter butt. I figure that selling my GC would get me almost or all the dollars to purchase either a Wilson or Kimber.

I'm looking for is recommendations from you guys (and girls) as to which is the better of the two. Considering, I have owned cars costing less than either of the two, I assume that their both good production or semi-custom .45's.

I guess it would be unfair to compare either to my Behlert as that was made solely for me by Austin himself, when this type of work was affordable by mortals.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on what to buy.

Bruce

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JD]

I just received my 15th 1911 the other day, it's Nighthawk Custom which was a started by former Wilson personnel. They should be on your list as well.

Having had four Kimbers, four Paras, two Colts, one Springfield, one Les Baer, one Wilson, one Llama (We're not going to talk about the Llama ever again) one Ithaca USGI, and now one Nighthawk, I can tell you that of your two choices, if the money is not an issue go with Wilson. The level of craftsmanship, parts quality, finish, magazines, you name it is better from Wilson.

I will not go into my own past issues with Kimbers (both with pre-series IIs and Series IIs), I've don that till I'm blue in the face, I'm not going to talk about their issues with rust prone barrels, I'll let Hilton Yam and 10-8 do my talking from now on.

10-8 Performance: The Kimber Warrior

[OldVet]

As long as someone else is writing the check (any volunteers?), I'd go for the Wilson. I can't afford either.

[Black Oak]

I have a Kimber CDPII. How anyone could make a better 1911 is beyond me.

But, I still want a Wilson and I have never even held one.

[azchevy]

There is no comparison between Kimber and Wilson. Kimber isnt even in the same league. Wilson hands down.

[Black Oak]

JD,

Damn.

I just looked at your pictures. Now I want a Nighthawk Custom Talon too.

[JD]

I have a Kimber CDPII. How anyone could make a better 1911 is beyond me.

But, I still want a Wilson and I have never even held one.

I've had three CDPs...

"How anyone could make a better 1911 is beyond me."

JD,
Damn.

I just looked at your pictures. Now I want a Nighthawk Custom Talon too.

And now you know.

[MitchellCT]

If I'm going to be getting shot at, I hope the person shooting at me is using a Kimber.

[peckman28]

If I'm going to be getting shot at, I hope the person shooting at me is using a Kimber.

[bruce272]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the fast comeback.

What I didn't mention is that besides selling the Behlert, I'm also going to have to sell my pre-ban Colt AR, which is configured to CAR-14 status and my Colt 4" Diamondback (.22), which also has a bunch of Austin's talents added to it.

I guess that should probably cover the cost of a Wilson. Because it better, or my wife will literally kill me. My other hobby is woodworking, and that's almost as expensive as guns.

Again, thanks a bunch.

[dairycreek]

I own both a Kimber and a Wilson and have owned them both for about eight years. In comparing the performance of both of these 1911's in my hands I would, most definitely, have to say that the Wilson is the superior pistol. While okay, the Kimber just is not close in terms of quality.

[DUNDEM]

Kimber and Wilson aren't in the same price range, the cheapest Kimber is about 750 and the cheapest Wilson about 2300 . With that said I wouldn't compare them. Best pistol in the middle could be the Valor and the VBOB. Nighthawk to me is one of the best.

[QKShooter]

Kimber or WILSON? - Go for the WILSON. <~~~
It's not even debatable.
Superior internal & external component part quality.
Although Kimber does have much prettier full-page full-color gun magazine ads.

[HotGuns]

There is no comparison between Kimber and Wilson. Kimber isnt even in the same league. Wilson hands down.

There ya have it.

Kimber or WILSON? - Go for the WILSON. It's not even debatable.

There ya have it again.

[C hawk Glock]

I'm sure this has been beaten to death, but I just gotta get a new consensus on the subject.

Currently, I'm carrying a series 70 Gold Cup that was completely reworked by the late Austin Behlert. The pistol is one heck of a tack driver and will handle everything I can feed it including emptys.

Unfortunately, I'm starting to get really tired carrying around something this big and heavy. At first (many years ago, when it was "size matters") I enjoyed the discomfort. Well, I've gotten past that and would like something smaller (4" barrel) and shorter butt. I figure that selling my GC would get me almost or all the dollars to purchase either a Wilson or Kimber.

I'm looking for is recommendations from you guys (and girls) as to which is the better of the two. Considering, I have owned cars costing less than either of the two, I assume that their both good production or semi-custom .45's.

I guess it would be unfair to compare either to my Behlert as that was made solely for me by Austin himself, when this type of work was affordable by mortals.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on what to buy.

Bruce

This is like comparing a Lexus and a Benz. If you got the money, get the Benz. Pretty simple as they are not in the same price range at all.