I noticed today on Sig's website that they offer a 1911 (the Ultra Two Tone) that is almost identical dimensions as the Kimber Ultra Carry 2. I know both Sig and Kimber have excellent reputations for quality. I own a Sig already (p238). Has anyone shot both of these or at least comparable 1911's by each of these manufacturers that could advise? I've heard Kimbers can be ammo finicky, is this true? Please no advise against 1911's or other irrelevant recommendations. This is a gift for my father-in-law, and 1911 is what he likes. He wants that Kimber, but I saw a VERY similar Sig and thought it may be a better gun and wanted opinions on whether or not I'm right on that assumption.
Sig or Kimber
- Thread starter m.ritz
- Start date
I fondle both on a daily basis at work. The fact is that I have many more customers who have purchased the ultra size Kimbers and love them. I never seem to get any feedback on the Sig 1911's and we don't sell as many of them. It's my observation that Kimber makes many of their ultra sized 1911's a little more carry friendly with rounded and beveled edges. The Sig frames are more squared. All of my personal 1911's, are full size and commander frames of which several are Kimbers. I also have a Kimber .22 rimfire conversion kit that will fit on just about any 4 or 5 inch 1911 except a Sig or a Taurus for whatever that's worth. I can't say a bad thing about the Sig 3 in. 1911 other than it just doesn't feel as good to me and I prefer my 1911's to be from American companies. I've never had any issues with my Kimbers but then I don't own an ultra sized Kimber. But if I wanted a 3 inch 1911, I would lean toward a Dan Wesson or that Springfield EMP is a shooter that has certainly stood the test of time.
B2Tall
Stirrer of the Pot
Sig.
I work many of the gun shows here in FL and I can tell you from firsthand experience that we get a lot of Kimber owners who want to trade their pistol in and get a Sig (or HK, or Glock, etc.). It's very rare that a Sig owner wants to trade his/her pistol in. That should tell you a lot. I've spoken to scores of Kimber owners and a surprisingly high percentage of them are underwhelmed by the pistol. I don't remember any of them flat-out hating their Kimber but words like "overpriced" and "overrated" get bandied about quite a bit by many of the owners I've spoken to. (For the record I'm not a Kimber hater nor am I a Sig fanboy). I remember one customer who said "It's a great pistol when it's not falling apart". Take it for what it's worth.
I work many of the gun shows here in FL and I can tell you from firsthand experience that we get a lot of Kimber owners who want to trade their pistol in and get a Sig (or HK, or Glock, etc.). It's very rare that a Sig owner wants to trade his/her pistol in. That should tell you a lot. I've spoken to scores of Kimber owners and a surprisingly high percentage of them are underwhelmed by the pistol. I don't remember any of them flat-out hating their Kimber but words like "overpriced" and "overrated" get bandied about quite a bit by many of the owners I've spoken to. (For the record I'm not a Kimber hater nor am I a Sig fanboy). I remember one customer who said "It's a great pistol when it's not falling apart". Take it for what it's worth.
Jay
New member
I have two pre series II Kimbers with 4" barrels, and three Sig 1911's one with a 5" barrel, and two with 4" barrels. They are all high quality guns, (my own opinion) accurate, and none of them have ever failed to function, with whatever ammunition I've used. I prefer the use of a bushing in the Sigs, as opposed to the reverse-tapered barrel in the Kimbers, as the Sig require no tools, to take 'em apart. The Sigs have an external extractor, as opposed to Kimbers' internal one. The Sigs have the "Swartz-type" hammer block, where my pre series II Kimbers do not. It's been my experience that often some feed issues are exhibited by 1911's with barrels under 4", and often with hollow point ammunition.
You're in Michigan, I'm two hours south of the Indiana-Michigan line. If you'd care to make a day trip, I'll be happy to let your father-in-law shoot 'em both and decide which he prefers.
Regards....
You're in Michigan, I'm two hours south of the Indiana-Michigan line. If you'd care to make a day trip, I'll be happy to let your father-in-law shoot 'em both and decide which he prefers.
Regards....
Rocketgeezer
New member
You didn't say but I assume your speaking of the full size, 5 inch barrel models? if thats the case then which ever gun trips your trigger the most as for qaulity they are comparable, also the 4 inch barrel models are good, the only ones I have seen issue with are the 3 inch barrel gun, and it does not matter who makes them, if you want a 3 inch barrel gun, its a crap shoot for getting one that runs good, I personaly have found this out for myself, I already had 2 1911s a Colt and full size Springfield, but I want a 3 inch for a carry gun and I wanted a second one for my wife, it took seven try's from different makers to find two that ran good
Have 1911s by Sig, Springfield, and Kimber and all are great. I can only recommend getting the one with the best deal or the coolest features, or that little extra feel (i.e. trigger release, grip safety, what ever). All mine are accurate, reliable, and comfortable to shoot.
All Sig Sauer 1911's are made in Exeter, NH.
Nightmare45
NRA LIFE MEMBER
All copy Colt 1911 and John Browning, very flatering.
Rocketgeezer
New member
Same here, I have the exact same gun and when I first got it I grapped every thing I had old stuff, handloads, brass, alum, steel, even some of that alum stuff with the nylon coating over the bullit, that Kimber chewed through it all, no problem
SmithKoWitz
New member
Sig has become similar to Glock in MO, but the fact remains; every person has different experiences with reliability and there are also the comfort & accuracy factors. It's kind of like Ford, GM or Chyrsler. We all know people who've had great and horrible experiences. I owned (past tense) two Sigs, a 9mm P290 & 380 P232. Both had issues, recurring issues. I have a Kimber SIS Ultra, it only has issues when you limp wrist it. I traded in a Kimber Pro Raptor for a Kimber Super Carry Pro HD, had no issues with the Pro Raptor and the Pro SCHD is Awesome. I've mixed various brands of ammo and types in the same magazine (Kimber Mags) and have no issues. I have not changed any springs or any other parts, all stock. Springfield makes very nice 1911's as well, but I especially like the rounded butt on the Kimber Pro SCHD, much more comfortable in the hand. I looked at a Dan Wesson many times, didn't like the feel as much as the Kimber. My first 1911 was a RIA (Rock Island Armory) Officer 3.5" barrel. Very inexpensive and reliable, but it's not refined. I've learned to spend a lot of time holding the guns I like first, then trying them on more than one occasion and comparing them with one or two others I am interested in each time. Many that I thought I would like, I ended up not liking when I shot them. I didn't like the Springfield EMP 9, but I do like the same gun in 40S&W. Another 1911 I have heard and read many good things about, is the Ruger version, and they just recently announced a 4 1/4" barrel version. I've shot many times an S&W E Series 4 1/4" with Scandium Frame, very nice, accurate, reliable; a little snappy being lighter, but nothing nasty.
Kalamity023
New member
SIG... Goes Bang every time. I love mine... It east anything. Since its a tactical model it has enough play in it to not jam up but it retains its pinpoint accuracy to the point where I can shoot silver dollar groups at 7-10 yards.
SmithKoWitz
New member
My Sigs are past tense because they did not go bang every time, from the day they were brand new no less.
I can shoot chained Free Hand with my Kimber at 7 to 10 yards, can also do it with my Kahr Mk40 and Emp 40.
Does the gun make that happen, or proper technique and practice?
I believe it to be a combination of all 3, as well as ammunition used.
keiter
New member
Kimber's alright
I liked what I read about Kimber and chose the 4" SS Compact II as my only 1911. The first 680 rounds were shot in a week long self-defense course. It now has 1,500 rounds through without any failures. So I got a new Ultra II for the improved carry with the shorter barrel. I liked it so well I also got a SS Ultra II TLE for EDC. They were so accurate I had to see how well I could shoot with a 5" barrel, so I justified the purchase of the Custom II TLE for home protection, and love it. All have at least 500 rounds through them without fail. Unfortunately, I have never had a chance to shoot a Sig.
keiter
I liked what I read about Kimber and chose the 4" SS Compact II as my only 1911. The first 680 rounds were shot in a week long self-defense course. It now has 1,500 rounds through without any failures. So I got a new Ultra II for the improved carry with the shorter barrel. I liked it so well I also got a SS Ultra II TLE for EDC. They were so accurate I had to see how well I could shoot with a 5" barrel, so I justified the purchase of the Custom II TLE for home protection, and love it. All have at least 500 rounds through them without fail. Unfortunately, I have never had a chance to shoot a Sig.
keiter
