Kimber or Springfield

Kid1911 · December 18th, 2005, 03:33 AM

I am looking to purchase another 1911 as a ccw within the next month or so. I am looking to purchase a 4" 1911 and have narrowed it down to 2 different models. The first is a parked Kimber Pro Carry II, the other is a Springfield Champion also parked.
I am looking for any info on these susch as perfomance, reliablity etc from members who currently carry or have carried these as a ccw.
The only draw back I have noticed is with the Spinger, it has an ambi safety and I have a concern about it cathing on cover clothing.
I really like both of these pistols and would buy them both if I could.

Bud White · December 18th, 2005, 09:05 AM

Ambi safety is a must for me course im left handed .

I prefer Springfields over kimbers ive never had a problem with one but have a few friends that have had them with kimbers

As to the 4" Model either one should really be good pick the one you like best
Both are bull barreled i think (cant rember for sure just got up ) That is only thing i really dislike i prefer a bushing barrel but have been told before it really doesnt matter

rfurtkamp · December 18th, 2005, 09:09 AM

Based on reliability issues on the ones that have been sold at the shop, I personally own a Springfield over the Kimber, even though I could have gotten a few 'refurbs' at substantially less than book value or wholesale cost over the years.

rocky · December 18th, 2005, 09:44 AM

I have only put 100 rnds thru my SA champion as of yet. But their warranty and reputation for service sold me on a SA over a Kimber. Also I like the 1 pc. feed ramp over the 2 pc. Just my personal feeling, but I think it might cycle HP's better.

Bud White · December 18th, 2005, 09:48 AM

also for got to add lifetime warrenty for springer 1 year mimber

buzzg · December 18th, 2005, 10:34 AM

I have one of each. I have NEVER had a stoppage, failure to feed or any other malfunction with the Kimber with any type of ammo. The Springer however, is "fussy" about ammo. Federal FMJ does not feed well in this gun. Averages maybe 2-3 fail to feed out of 40 rnds. Speer Gold Dot will occasionally fail to chamber properly as will Remington JHP ammo. Most other good quality factory ammo seems OK. I've put maybe 1,000+ rounds through both guns and the Kimber shoots everything without fail. I like them both, wouldn't trade or sell either one, but in the dark, in a hurry, I'd reach for the Kimber.

ExSoldier · December 18th, 2005, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfurtkamp

Based on reliability issues on the ones that have been sold at the shop, I personally own a Springfield over the Kimber, even though I could have gotten a few 'refurbs' at substantially less than book value or wholesale cost over the years.

In my personal experiences with Springfield, I have found the reverse to be true. Also I find that there seems to be an inherent flaw with Sprindfield extractors. It seems to me that more often than not, when a Springfield has a problem it's because there is not enough "mass" to the extractor. I have seen them shaved down at an angle so that they barely grasp the rim of the cartridge case at all. Maybe enough to pass a QC evaluation at the factory, but not enough to withstand protracted use. That's been my experience and my observations. Maybe that's also an anomaly.....THAT'S possible and since it happened to ME, it's left a bad taste in my mouth for Springfields.

Bud White · December 18th, 2005, 12:02 PM

Springfield did have a bad run of extractors that were under cut and there was a bunch of them So yeah that would be a problem but seems they have got that fixed

P95Carry · December 18th, 2005, 01:30 PM

Speaking not as an afficionado of 1911's - I have become a bit leary of Kimbers, as I seem to hear too many bad things these days. On balance I would go to a Springer.

Aquaintance of mine has a Wilson Combat which seems one heck of a fine gun.

ExSoldier · December 18th, 2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P95Carry

Aquaintance of mine has a Wilson Combat which seems one heck of a fine gun.

I first heard about NightHawk Custom on this board. Since then they have impressed the world....I just read a glowing tribute in GUNS magazine. I would go with one of theirs I think.

December 18th, 2005, 03:33 AM	#1
Kid1911 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central, PA Posts: 139	Kimber or Springfield I am looking to purchase another 1911 as a ccw within the next month or so. I am looking to purchase a 4" 1911 and have narrowed it down to 2 different models. The first is a parked Kimber Pro Carry II, the other is a Springfield Champion also parked. I am looking for any info on these susch as perfomance, reliablity etc from members who currently carry or have carried these as a ccw. The only draw back I have noticed is with the Spinger, it has an ambi safety and I have a concern about it cathing on cover clothing. I really like both of these pistols and would buy them both if I could.

December 18th, 2005, 09:09 AM	#3
rfurtkamp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 940	Based on reliability issues on the ones that have been sold at the shop, I personally own a Springfield over the Kimber, even though I could have gotten a few 'refurbs' at substantially less than book value or wholesale cost over the years. __________________ Driver carries less than $45 worth of remorse.

December 18th, 2005, 01:30 PM	#9
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Speaking not as an afficionado of 1911's - I have become a bit leary of Kimbers, as I seem to hear too many bad things these days. On balance I would go to a Springer. Aquaintance of mine has a Wilson Combat which seems one heck of a fine gun. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

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December 18th, 2005, 09:05 AM	#2
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Ambi safety is a must for me course im left handed . I prefer Springfields over kimbers ive never had a problem with one but have a few friends that have had them with kimbers As to the 4" Model either one should really be good pick the one you like best Both are bull barreled i think (cant rember for sure just got up ) That is only thing i really dislike i prefer a bushing barrel but have been told before it really doesnt matter

December 18th, 2005, 09:44 AM	#4
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,624	I have only put 100 rnds thru my SA champion as of yet. But their warranty and reputation for service sold me on a SA over a Kimber. Also I like the 1 pc. feed ramp over the 2 pc. Just my personal feeling, but I think it might cycle HP's better.

December 18th, 2005, 09:48 AM	#5
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	also for got to add lifetime warrenty for springer 1 year mimber

December 18th, 2005, 10:34 AM	#6
buzzg Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 132	I have one of each. I have NEVER had a stoppage, failure to feed or any other malfunction with the Kimber with any type of ammo. The Springer however, is "fussy" about ammo. Federal FMJ does not feed well in this gun. Averages maybe 2-3 fail to feed out of 40 rnds. Speer Gold Dot will occasionally fail to chamber properly as will Remington JHP ammo. Most other good quality factory ammo seems OK. I've put maybe 1,000+ rounds through both guns and the Kimber shoots everything without fail. I like them both, wouldn't trade or sell either one, but in the dark, in a hurry, I'd reach for the Kimber.

December 18th, 2005, 12:02 PM	#8
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Springfield did have a bad run of extractors that were under cut and there was a bunch of them So yeah that would be a problem but seems they have got that fixed