.45 1911 choice made, good or bad.

[popcan]

Well I dunno - my head is still spinning from all the research, but it came down to a Kimber or a Springfield. Both had models with the setup I wanted, but Springer has the better warranty and comes with 2 mags.

Both have a lot of great reviews with a few sour grapes for one thing or another. Both have steadfast acolytes who swear by their baby. I suspect they are very comparable pieces. I hope I made the right choice!


Edited to add:

The thing is, now that I'm on the slippery 1911 slope, I'll probably get a Kimber eventually as well.....

 

[96Brigadier]

Well I dunno - my head is still spinning from all the research, but it came down to a Kimber or a Springfield. Both had models with the setup I wanted, but Springer has the better warranty and comes with 2 mags.

Both have a lot of great reviews with a few sour grapes for one thing or another. Both have steadfast acolytes who swear by their baby. I suspect they are very comparable pieces. I hope I made the right choice!

What models were you comparing and what did you buy?

 

[popcan]

Chose the SA / A-1 loaded with night sights.

Very close to the Kimber Custom II with night sights.

 

[richardoldfield]

I give a slight edge to Kimber pistols but I also own two Springfields. If I were unhappy with the Springers I wouldn't own any. Enjoy your new toy and give us a range report. Regards, Richard

 

[Claybuster]

On a road trip last year in the U.S. a friend and I looked at as many 1911 pistols as the store owners would allow us to hold (and that was a LOT). We also test fired samples of both at a rental range in Michigan. Between the many Kimbers and Springfields we saw there was no difference between models in the same price range. FWIW, I didn't see or shoot anything that convinced me to trade in my S&W1911 and my friend who was in the market eventually bought a Les Baer.

I don't think between the two you could have made a wrong choice. Enjoy your new pistol.

 

[Steve David]

In my opinion, and I was in the same position when I bought a 1911, I boiled it down to the same 2 guns but I went with the Kimber TLE II over the Loaded.

My choice of the Kimber was based on two reasons,

#1. Checkered front strap on the Kimber

#2. Although the Springfield warranty was better on paper, try dealing with Nicholls on warranty issues and they are the distributors for Springfield.

If you ended up with the Kimber and had a problem, TSE, the Kimber Distributor, is first rate to deal with.

 

[sambr]

You did okay. Both pistols are okay. Spingfield frames are made in Brazil and are quite strong,I have a buddy who has shot thousands of rounds through a SA Trophy match with no problems.

 

[Trigun]

Don't count on the warranty as you won't get the service easily in Canada. Some XD owner still waiting for parts. Get one that can easily replace with drop in after market parts.

Trigun

 

[X-man]

Springfield customer service for Canadians sucks big time! The next 1911 I'm buying will definitely be a Kimber from TSE. I've got several Paras, original Colt and love 'em, had a couple of SA and eventually traded/sold 'em off.

 

[Hitzy]

I've fired some nice springfields, the most accurate and pleasant shooting was a 6" V12 ported model. Very nice shooting gun.
I'm going to buy a decent 1911 one of these days, somewhere between $1000 and $1200, probably the Trojan, mabey a Kimber.

 

[CZ Man]

You made the right decision. The Springfields are great guns. All of mine work great. Welcome to the club.

 

[skeetgunner]

I've fired some nice springfields, the most accurate and pleasant shooting was a 6" V12 ported model. Very nice shooting gun.

Wasn't the ported V12 a Rock River Arms design?

Regardless, if the Springer fits you, then have at it Popcan. I'm looking at one for myself.

 

[Hitzy]

Wasn't the ported V12 a Rock River Arms design?

Regardless, if the Springer fits you, then have at it Popcan. I'm looking at one for myself.

RRA may have made one too. Springfield seems to have dropped it from their line. can still be found at other shops.
http://www.aubreyturner.org/armory/index.php?/armory/gun_entry/springfield_target_v12/

 

[capp325]

Compared to most other 1911's, Springfields have one key disadvantage – a two-piece barrel, with the chamber area being silver soldered to the rifled tube. This can affect both accuracy and long-term durability of the barrel. Another cost-cutting "feature" is the unpinned ejector that is fixed in place only by loctite. I'm not sure if all SA guns come this way, but some do. Also, SA's fit and finish is somewhat unimpressive, especially when it comes to lower-end models like the GI and Milspec. Overall, it's not a bad gun, but for around $1000 you can do better.