Let's talk 1911s and Kimber haters

[HardDrive]

I have always wanted a 1911, I have plenty of other pistols, so never pulled the trigger on one. I've shot the Kimber TLE II multiple times, the Raptor once. Really like the TLE. Seems like some folks have quite a bit of venom for Kimber. Don't understand why.

Other ideas? I would like to keep it $1500ish or less. Only perquisites are that it is black and has a high viz 3 dot sight.

[varmint]

About a dozen people in my last concealed carry course. About 800-1000 rounds over the weekend. My Springfield chugged along without fail firing the kind of ammo that comes in a plastic bucket. The three people with kimbers had constant problems.

[unclebilly]

I have 3 1911s… I really like the format’s simplicity and ergonomics.

I have a Canadian made Para double stack commander 1911 in stainless. It’s pretty good.

I have an all original (except the grips) Norinco 1911. It is supposedly as close as you can get to the original 1911s. It is a laser but not my favorite. I planned to hot rod it and bought some stuff but just put on walnut grips and kept it stock.

My first handgun was a GSG 1911 in 22LR.

[id10t]

The Kimber branded 1911 mag I got on a trade was a jam
causer, even worse than a promag I was given

[Jeff Higgins]

I would never let the sights any pistol comes with be a deciding factor in my purchase. Sights are cheap and easily replaced.

I have one Kimber, an older Ultra Carry. Thousands of rounds through it with nary a hiccup. I've had two very basic full sized Springfields, both parkerized standard 1911A1 pistols, that likewise functioned without issue for thousands of rounds. Gave one to my younger son on his 21st birthday, used the other in part trade to my brother for his Python. They have both been shooting them for over ten years without issue.

I bought one of the first Rugers, an often overlooked brand in the 1911 world. Again, thousands of rounds without any trouble at all. Sold it to my oldest son about ten years ago, who continues to shoot it with no complaints. It might be worth checking them out.

My other current 1911 is a Colt Competition Series, a full sized pistol with many of the bells and whistles. Again, never a problem of any kind.

What I'm getting at is that you can buy a 1911 from any one of a number of reputable manufacturers with complete confidence. Even Kimber. Buy one you like, thoroughly break it in, and never look back. There are plenty of them out there that fit your budget. Don't let the "keyboard marksmen" of the internet dissuade you. To paraphrase Elmer Keith in one of his many jabs at Jack O'Connor, most "shoot better with their typewriters than with their pistols".

[911boost]

Like Jeff, I have an older Kimber Ultra CDP that I have carried for + or - 20 years. Very solid, I use Wilson Combat mags.

My double stack Para is garbage compared to it.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Like Jeff, I have an older Kimber Ultra CDP that I have carried for + or - 20 years. Very solid, I use Wilson Combat mags.

My double stack Para is garbage compared to it.

Where was your Para made?

The newer US made ones have the reputation that supports what you said.

[Eric 951]

Also have an Ultra Carry II--never an issue.

[Skytrooper]

I have 2 1911’s that I compete with. One is an STI single stack, the other is a MAC 9 double stack. Both of them are great guns out of the box. After a few upgrades, they are in the outstanding range. These aren’t plinkers or concealed carry pistols. They are competition guns. I have done a lot of competitions and weekly shoots, and I have yet to see anyone with a Kimber. That is not a knock against Kimber, but it is one of those things that make you wonder “why not”. My neighbor actually got a very nice Kimber for concealed carry a couple years ago and I thought it was a nice gun.

[id10t]

My one and 3/4 1911s I owned were dead reliable. Cheap Rock Island GI model and a Llama 380 scale model, right down to tiny barrel bushing

[masraum]

I've "heard" that they are more demanding about ammo and mags. I've heard that if you don't run the right ammo you can have issues. I've never owned/shot one myself.

[aschen]

I like a 1911 and but many thousands through both of mine, but no expert. Sorta out of the loop on this but a decade or 2 ago Kimber were considered quality firearms, seems like thier reputation has fallen off.

Both my 1911s are modern Colt. I bought them for the history of the name. Just nostalgia and brand snobbery nothing more. They have worked very well however and are beautiful firearms. One was around $1000 and the other is a fancy finished one that was around 1400 (both bought 2007ish)

Always heard dan wesson are great for the next step up but no direct experience. They are a bit over budget.

[Seahawk]

I don't shoot .45 pistols anymore, just not comfortable to me...I am all 9m all the time.

But I have had a few .45 pistols, including an early 2020's Kimber Desert Warrior, now my sons.

If there were any issues we'd both remember. We don't.

BTW, accuracy for me with a .45 means not shooting the neighbors cat. I keed but paper targets never lie: The cat is fine and so are the paper targets

[Danimal16]

I have two Kimbers. Both function flawlessly with standard 855 FPS 230 Grain Ball ammo AND JHP's. They tend to prefer the GI round, IMHO. I also have Model 70 Colts, a Springfield Armory Competion Gun (which loves 185 grain SWCs all day long) and I also own a number of USGI models. They all function without issue, but my favorite is my SIG 220.

[wildthing]

I have a Springfield just because it was cheap. I don't compete... just recreational shooting from time to time.

[flipper35]

I have a Raptor II. Been flawless so far with the first 1k rounds other than a Chip Mc mag that was a gift. Use good mags and you are golden.

Accurate and smooth as the day is long.

BiL had a Springer and no issues with that either.

No, the .22 conversion for it on the other hand requires Agilla 1700fps rounds.

[Rick Lee]

IIRC, Kimber had a big batch with QC issues long ago, maybe 15-20 yrs ago. The issues were remedied, but their reputation has taken longer to recover.

If I didn't already have my three favorite 1911s, one of which is a Dan Wesson Valor, two days ago I saw a used, but very clean Dan Wesson Valor at Scottsdale Gun Club for $1199, stainless. No better bang for the buck out there. Well, I paid $399 for my two tone S&W Performance Center Commander-size 1911. But that was a fluke.

[RANDY P]

SW1911PD my occasional carry. Love it.

rjp

[911boost]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Where was your Para made?

The newer US made ones have the reputation that supports what you said.

I have had since 2000 or so, it’s a commemorative one for a buddy was was a PJ. Has some engraving on it and is FDE colored.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Shot a few Kimbers but never owned one, also never personally heard anyone complain about theirs. I have a Springfield Milspec that I’ve done a few things to and carry an Sig P938, love the 1911 ergonomics. I also have a hard time getting into polymer frames, most of what I own is still metal.