45 debate: 1911 or Sig
- Thread starter ajvigs
- Start date
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,741
- 5,772
ajvigs":2v4ha2v3 said:
17 years and tens of thousands of rounds later.... I've never sent mine back to Kimber for any reason... No need!
Wondermutt
Beginner
- Jan 6, 2012
- 185
- 0
Agreed. Never had a reason to call the customer service line other than for a estimate to re-finish one of my older units....
I have sold a number of Kimber 1911 handguns in 45 ACP while working in gun stores for 4 years (2008-2012), and must say that not one of them ever came back for any reason. And most of the guys bought another after they got to shoot their first one. Some of the guys even sold off the rest of their 1911 variants, in order to just have a couple of different versions of the Kimber.
To be honest, I really liked my CZ in 40 S&W and had no real interest in owning a 1911. But after getting the feedback from these new Kimber owners, and getting to play with a few different 1911's, I have changed my mind and have the Master Carry Custom on order (just waiting for it to be added to the Canadian Import list for Kimber). I would have preferred to have a 4" barreled version, but cannot due to our laws, so will have to have the 5" version. I was originally going to get the Tactical, but like the two tone finish of the other. And the Crimson Trace laser grips are just really cool.
If weight is a concern for a carry gun for you, the Kimber HD models are steel uppers, whereas the rest are mostly alloy. There are a few, like the Master Carry Custom, that are all steel even without the HD designation.
To be honest, I really liked my CZ in 40 S&W and had no real interest in owning a 1911. But after getting the feedback from these new Kimber owners, and getting to play with a few different 1911's, I have changed my mind and have the Master Carry Custom on order (just waiting for it to be added to the Canadian Import list for Kimber). I would have preferred to have a 4" barreled version, but cannot due to our laws, so will have to have the 5" version. I was originally going to get the Tactical, but like the two tone finish of the other. And the Crimson Trace laser grips are just really cool.
If weight is a concern for a carry gun for you, the Kimber HD models are steel uppers, whereas the rest are mostly alloy. There are a few, like the Master Carry Custom, that are all steel even without the HD designation.
I am not in law enforcement so my needs are different than those of you who are. I have one of each, the Sig does exactly what the Kimber does for less cost. It does not have all of the bells and whistles, nor is as attractive, but when you pull the trigger it goes bang. I put a few hundred rounds down the barrel of both each year, not thousands. Never had a failure from either.
skidmark
Beginner
- Oct 27, 2013
- 240
- 2
I would get (2) HK USP .45's
Like I saw in another thread 2 is better
than 1
Like I saw in another thread 2 is better
than 1
salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,962
- 4,849
When I started training cops some 20 years ago I realized that one size does not fit all. That is, because of various design features of specific pistols a person will shoot better with one particular pistol than another. This is much more obvious when the shooting is fast. Really the same thing as fitting a shotgun. Granted with sufficient trading and practice you can overcome the vagaries of any weapon system. Much like selecting a shot gun I encourage people to pick up the pistol and with eyes closed bring the pistol to bear on a target. I don't really care which of high quality pistols is selected as long as you choose the brand who's sights align naturally. It may not be your best choice for shooting bullseye but it will make a difference in a defensive pistol.
For me it has been and remains the 1911, the worst was probably the Glocks 21 I was assigned for 12 years of my career. Certainly I trained religiously with the Glock and could qualify with Master. With the 1911, my registered off duty gun I had to qualify twice a year. Often I hadn't shot it since the prior qualification. Routine cleaned the course, because it pointed where I thought it was.
My lovely bride can't hit herself in the ass with the 1911. You guessed it she is smooth and very deadly with her Glocks.
Don't get hung up on brands and models for a defensive pistol, don't worry about magazine capacity, buy the pistol that points as naturally as a good quail gun and build your training from there.
For me it has been and remains the 1911, the worst was probably the Glocks 21 I was assigned for 12 years of my career. Certainly I trained religiously with the Glock and could qualify with Master. With the 1911, my registered off duty gun I had to qualify twice a year. Often I hadn't shot it since the prior qualification. Routine cleaned the course, because it pointed where I thought it was.
My lovely bride can't hit herself in the ass with the 1911. You guessed it she is smooth and very deadly with her Glocks.
Don't get hung up on brands and models for a defensive pistol, don't worry about magazine capacity, buy the pistol that points as naturally as a good quail gun and build your training from there.
salmonchaser
Handloader
- Dec 13, 2013
- 4,962
- 4,849
Sorry folks I didn't proofread my post. I'm assigned to the firewood pile this afternoon.
DLeeHarley
Beginner
- Aug 16, 2013
- 1
- 0
You should check out the Ruger SR1911 as it comes in the 5" Gov't size and the 4.25" Commander size which is what I chose. Fit and finish is second to none, at least on my pistol. All Stainless and it comes with just about all the bells and whistles that you would upgrade too anyway. And she shoots as good as she looks. I got mine for $650, so you can get both sizes for the cost of some of those others.
Good luck with what ever you choose. Later,
Dennis in Idaho
"Those who talk, don't do. Those who do, don't Talk!"
Good luck with what ever you choose. Later,
Dennis in Idaho
"Those who talk, don't do. Those who do, don't Talk!"
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
I have had two Kimber's, a Pro Carry and an Eclipse Ultra II Custom Shop. Both were brand new and neither made it through Break In with Kimber or McCormack magazines. Eclipse Ultra II went back to Kimber for 3 weeks, twice. Customer service totally depended on who you got on the phone. Service went from good to dreadful, again depending on technician.
I have no axe to grind with Kimber and I shot a lot of .45's in the Army. I just would not buy another Kimber. Too bad, they make a nice looking product. Everyone else that I talk to has no issues. I can not understand it and I am no neophyte certainly. Burned twice, three times shy!
I have no axe to grind with Kimber and I shot a lot of .45's in the Army. I just would not buy another Kimber. Too bad, they make a nice looking product. Everyone else that I talk to has no issues. I can not understand it and I am no neophyte certainly. Burned twice, three times shy!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,279
- 5,871
DLeeHarley,
Welcome aboard. Those are a couple of nice looking handguns. I've heard good things about the Ruger SR1911.
Welcome aboard. Those are a couple of nice looking handguns. I've heard good things about the Ruger SR1911.
ColColt
Handloader
- Apr 27, 2014
- 417
- 0
I love the 1911 as much as the next fellow but they are finicky, in my experience, when it comes to magazines. I had the best luck with Tripp and CheckMate mags along with Wilson...in that order. However, the P220 I bought back in 1991 was German made and absolute 100% reliable with all manner of ammo to include the 200 gr H&G SWC and the notorious Speer "Flying Ashtray". It mattered not what it was fed. I just didn't like the trigger and traded it. If someone can live with the trigger it's one of the top best, along with HK which would be my pick of the litter.
big rifle man
Handloader
- Dec 21, 2005
- 850
- 0
I don't think your going to go wrong with either choice. The 1911 model hasn't been around for over a hundred years for no reason. My pro carry has over 3000 rounds through it at last count and it hasn't hiccupped yet. Same with my Colt Gold cup National match. feeds everything and shoots great. My Sig's function the same way. I use both Wilson and stock magazines with no problem.
