I'll pose this question at the risk of someone telling me how great their Glock or LC9 is but I'd really like some input from 1911 enthusiasts who have had some experience with either model or some high end 1911's. Don't consider cost in the equation because I'll get a one time deep discount incentive price on whichever I choose. The 2 1911's I'm considering are a Springfield Armory TRP Operator with the Armory Kote and a rail and the Kimber Gold Combat RL. I'm not going to carry either but I will shoot the hell out of whichever I decide on for the next couple of years. Eventually, I'll get a Baer, Wilson, Brown or some other total custom variety but right now I need to get really precise with one of these semi-customs in order to both appreciate and justify buying one of the big three. I've had good experience with both brands but just can't decide between these two models. Which one of these beauties would you pick and why?
Question For Serious 1911 Enthusiasts Only.
- Thread starter TheDoaner
- Start date
That's a tough one! I had a Springfield and still have 2 of the few Kimbers I had at one time. They are both good choices, but it might come down to a couple of things: I believe that Kimber model has a bull barrel and the Springer a traditional barrel/bushing. I have one of the bull barrel Kimbers and it shoots great but it is noticably "looser" than my other 1911s. That may limit you in the future to certain types of replacement pieces or barrels if you were to try and upgrade at some point. For that reason, I would say Springfield, on the other hand, many of the Springers aren't completely American made. I'm pretty sure the Kimbers all are. Heck, just get both and put off the higher-end ones for another year!
I hear more bad things about kimber than springfield. I dont have either so I don't really know what I'm talking about. :laugh: I heared kimber is a gun "assembler", not a gun manufacuer. Kimber doesn't make any of there parts so its a hodge podge of different parts trying to work together. I heared s&w made their slides. Like I said, take this with a grain of salt, I don't have either. I live in Mass, and neither are allowed for purchase here.
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My s&w is great by the way.
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My s&w is great by the way.
I'd lean more toward the Springfield of the two choices you put out there. Kimbers are pretty, but I have witnessed cracked slides and frames over the years that I haven't seen with any other 1911.
I also wouldn't overlook the Dan Wesson Valor for a little more money, beats them both hands down IMHO.
I also wouldn't overlook the Dan Wesson Valor for a little more money, beats them both hands down IMHO.
Sandy Scott
New member
You have certainly picked two winners there and I don't think you can go wrong either way. My one Kimber, a stainless Ultra Raptor II, has been flawless in operation with hundreds of rounds, is gorgeous to look at, has a sweet trigger, is accurate as hell - especially considering it is a short barrel gun, and exudes the highest of quality. I was considering both manufacturers and my ultimate choice was made based on availability. Actually, I was leaning towards the equivalent SA model. Now after looking at both guns on paper, the SA TRP totally has me drooling and if I needed to make that choice right now, I would be firing that TRP at the range in the near future! Be sure to let us know what you ultimately choose and your opinion of the gun after some range time.
Kalamity023
New member
Id go with the Springfield. I have heard some bad feedback on the Kimber, stuff like their manufacturing quality has gone down in the last few years. I know my LGS stopped supplying them due to customer service and issues with their sales department. He now sells mainly SIG's and Springfield's. I've only heard good feedback on the Springfield.
Bill Cavalieri
New member
I have a Kimber and I have had zero failures. It shoots where I point it and every time I pull the trigger. I stupidly dinged the slide trying to change the sights, sent it to Kimber with instructions to fix it and install meprolights. They milled the slide, bead-blasted and refinished it and installed the sights for not much more than the retail price of the sights and you can't tell I ever dinged it. My gun's performance and their customer service has earned a customer for life. I own a Pro Crimson Carry II with the 4" barrel and full-size grip. My LGS just got another 30 Kimbers in stock so there's no shortage in my part of the country.
roberthenn1
New member
That's a tough one to answer. First, what caliber are you looking for? Do you have big hands or small? The best way to go about it is to go to a range that rents pistols and try several different 1911's out and see which one fits you best. I have a Springfield 1911 A-1 in 45acp. This pistol shoots well but is on the heavy side. It was my favorite until I bought an STI Spartan III in 9mm. This 1911 shot 3 inch groups right out of the box. It has a little weight to it, but not nearly as heavy as the Springfield. The kick is relatively mild as well. You should check it out here is their website: http://www.stiguns.com/products/gun...are completely sure it is the pistol for you.
Thanks for the quick feedback! It's a tough decision and I'll probably be happy with either. I've had good luck with both a Springer 1911 and a Kimber. At this point I'm leaning a little toward the Springfield because I like the adjustable night sight. However, the Gold Combat RL is about as custom of a gun as Kimber makes, it's a little rarer and I'm in a unique position to get one rather quickly and deeply discounted. I'm aware of MIM parts used in the Kimbers and SA outsourcing of frames but I don't think either is a big issue for me. And as for the Valor, Bozz, it has one of the sweetest triggers of any out of the box 1911 that I've seen where I work. Dan Wesson's are hand fitted and practically custom guns using some Ed Brown parts as well. However, this thread is limited to 2 pistols simply because I used my DW discount for the year on a bobtailed Guardian in 9mm!
rebelcowboy32
New member
I have a Springfield gi milspec 1911 I haven't had a problem with it and imho I would go with Springfield if ur gonna shoot with mine is also my carry Pistol and I have never had a problem with accuracy with it but like the others had said both are great guns
rbgiantfan
New member
Thoughts on Kimbers
I bought the entry level Kimber Custom about 5 years ago. It is still my favorite pistol after several other purchases. That must be because it's my only 1911! This gun has a sweet trigger and I always hit what I aim at. I have had zero failures of any kind over several thousand rounds. If I'd had the money I would've bought the Kimber Eclipse because I think that's the most gorgeous finish available. For me, it took forever for my gun to arrive. My LGS is/was a Kimber Master Dealer. Maybe things have improved since then. Springfield or Kimber, either way you win
I bought the entry level Kimber Custom about 5 years ago. It is still my favorite pistol after several other purchases. That must be because it's my only 1911! This gun has a sweet trigger and I always hit what I aim at. I have had zero failures of any kind over several thousand rounds. If I'd had the money I would've bought the Kimber Eclipse because I think that's the most gorgeous finish available. For me, it took forever for my gun to arrive. My LGS is/was a Kimber Master Dealer. Maybe things have improved since then. Springfield or Kimber, either way you win
Quick update. After careful consideration, I was about to order the TRP Operator but I stumbled across a sweet deal on a 5in Kimber SIS with a light rail and I couldn't pass that up. So today I stop in another gun shop and the owner buys a like new Ed Brown Special Forces with a light rail from the guy in front of me. I inquire about it although I much prefer 25 lpi on the front and backstrap over those golf ball dimples. He hands me a loaded Wilson Mag, the gun, some ear protection, and a target and offers to let me step into the range. What would you do? Me too! I stepped into the range and managed to make 4 holes touch and the other 4 real close. Now I've experienced some 1911 nirvana and I'm not sure my wallet can keep the buzz going! It's like crack. My lawnmower only turns to the left, my weedeater won't run more than 60 seconds but all I keep thinking about now is getting a Baer, Brown or Wilson!
You mean you walked out without the gun? That took some will power. Hurry back in tomorrow, they may still have it.
Nightmare45
NRA LIFE MEMBER
I own, Kimber, Springfield, Colt, preference is Colt Combat Commander in 45 for Carry, second preference is Springfield, almost every major manufacture is now copying John Browning and his Colt 1911, tells you bunches about why I carry Colt. After years of colt bashing they all produce one. Peace, Love, Colt 45.
coldwater
New member
I have 3 Kimber .45's. I actually shot the barrel out of one of them and had to replace it. I have in excess of 4,000 rounds through my Raptor daily carry weapon without incident. All of them perform as expected with good to excellent accuracy. I "hear" the same complaints about Kimber, but have found them to be a load of crap. At least in my experience. The fit and finish is flawless, as is the operation. I figure the bad press on them stems from people that for one reason or another form an odd relationship with a maker, and will defend them to the death, which includes trashing any other comers.
Kind of like my brother with his Ford pickup trucks. Always had them, always will, always having them repaired, but nothing is better.
I hate a Glock with a passion. There's no way on gods green earth I will ever own one under any circumstances. But I'll readily admit that their one hell of a fine weapon. I don't like them one bit, but that don't make them a bad pistol.
Personally, I'm a Kimber man.
Kind of like my brother with his Ford pickup trucks. Always had them, always will, always having them repaired, but nothing is better.
I hate a Glock with a passion. There's no way on gods green earth I will ever own one under any circumstances. But I'll readily admit that their one hell of a fine weapon. I don't like them one bit, but that don't make them a bad pistol. Personally, I'm a Kimber man.
Neither of the two guns you are considering are semi-custom. They are both production line guns. If I had to choose between the two, it would be the TRP. It has a decent reputation with an OK fit and finish. The Kimber, acutally all Kimber's, are overpriced, overadvertised, novice level 1911s. They are filled with inferior parts of MIM, prone to corrosion and have a dubious reputation for reliability.
If you want a railed 1911, get a Dan Wesson Specialist. Seeing that you already own a Guardian, the choice is clear. Regardless of what discount you have for the Springfield or Kimber, for a few hundred more dollars you will get a vastly superior gun in the Specialist. Once you shoot a DW 1911, the inferiority of all other production 1911's become obvious.
trailboss
Gunsmith
I too love and have had several 1911
but they all have not been "perfect" for me.
I too am still looking for a perfect 1911
Nighthawk Custom has potential but I must first get my hands on one.
but they all have not been "perfect" for me.
I too am still looking for a perfect 1911
Nighthawk Custom has potential but I must first get my hands on one.
lilmule
New member
Most of these names are 1911 clones,kimber ,s and w and many made in other calibers.
Guess I own a 1911,a LLama 32 acp. Only need to shoot once as well as hit what I aim at,but if need be can empty the clip in 2 seconds and take care of multiple problems.It is a half pint copy of a 1911.
Its also custom,bobbed hammer,3 dot sights.
Guess I own a 1911,a LLama 32 acp. Only need to shoot once as well as hit what I aim at,but if need be can empty the clip in 2 seconds and take care of multiple problems.It is a half pint copy of a 1911.
Its also custom,bobbed hammer,3 dot sights.
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