Kimber vs STI?

Siggy Stardust

Siggy Stardust

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Hey Gang,

Starting to look at getting a 1911 in .40 and keep coming back to the Kimber and STIs...

Both seem to have great reputations from what I can find online and in the forums here. The Sigs seem great as well, and even having one in my hand right next to a Kimber the fit and finish seemed top-notch - maybe even better than the Kimber... But alas, Sigarms doesn't make a .40 cal *sigh* so unfortunately a Sig is out of the picture.

I was just looking hear what everyone has found through personal experience with the Kimber and the STIs. They both seem to share some of the same price points, from entry-level/lower budget pistols to high-end comp/race guns and again, they both seem to be highly regarded by their owners.

I'm sure this will at some point probably descend into a Ford/Chev/Dodge/Coke/Pepsi/PC/Mac, etc., etc. debate, but I'm just looking for some real-world, first-hand feedback.

What do you like about your Kimber/STI? Would you change anything about it? What was it that made you choose one over the other? Have you had any problems with it? What are you using it for (IPSC, plinking, etc.)?

Any and all feedback is all good and much appreciated folks! Thanks in advance!:)
 
I have a Kimber TLE/RL II in .45

I have an STI Edge in 9mm ( I wanted a double stack for 3 gun)

The two are very different. I do prefer the STI, by a very small margin. You won't regret either, it comes down to minor differences and how long you want to wait for one.

I'm guessing you're going to IPSC it? Otherwise why .40?
 
STI > Kimber /thread.

Trojan is the best value. The fit and finish and overall build quality is better than a Kimber at a similar price point. If you get a chance to detail strip both you will know what I'm talking about. I have been pretty impressed with the Sigs in terms of the build quality and how they shoot as well.
 
STI is a much better built pistol.

No MIM (cast) internal parts, (sear, andisconnecteror for example) as in the Kimber.

Not to mention all the availableable parts (in stock in Canada), and service from Freedom Ventures.

The excellent service alone make it a far better choice experienceriance.
 
Kimber makes a good pistol when they get it right. Custom shop ones are better although I have seen them have issues as well.
I have a few STI's and truely have a hard time buying any other 1911 if I can get it similar in an STI.
I'm assuming you're looking at single stack with your comparison?
The Trojan is the value and a great pistol...I have a Trojan that I shoot and instruct with every week and it will hit 50,000 rounds by mid summer wih no issues.
That being said I have seen a few brands not make medium round count demo days without falling apart.
If you were going to buy just one and want a beauty...go with the STI Sentry.
 
Kimber does NOT belong in the same conversation as STI. As per specific STI, start with Trojan if you want a classic division piece. USPSA is the next step up (forged frame, tritop slide, checkered front strap) but not sure if it comes in 40.

If this IS for IPSC, remember/note you gain nothing with 40 in classic division since you can only load 8 rounds /mag for major PF.

PS: STI guns are built to run, and run they will - their finish however WILL wear with kydex holsters, so if looks matter for you; have your new gun factory chromed that will not have any issues with holster use.
 
This is just my personal experience so I'm not trying to knock STI or anything. Bought an STI Ranger II a couple of months ago. It quickly became my favourite shooter, beautiful trigger, Ramped bull barrel, fit in my hand perfectly. Second time I took it out the ejector sheared off.

But as Ron just said in the thread, it was easy to send off for repair, there was no cost to me and the boys at freedom ventures have it now, shouldn't be long.

sihit happens, it's what happens after that, that lets you know if you made the right choice or not.

Just my two cents
 
I really love my Kimber. It is the best 1911 I have owned. I do have the custom eclipse model. I have owned a colt and STI trojan and I like the eclipse slighly better. I think you cant go wrong with either.
 
I've owned two Kimbers - a Custom II which is kind of their entry level and a Team Match which is close, if not at, their top end. I've handled and shot a few other STI's but only owned one which was the entry level Spartan. My thoughts are that the STI gives you quite a lot of gun for the money and while I don't think you can go wrong with either if I was buying another one today I would choose the STI.
 
Having owned an STI, and having fondled many a Kimber, I'd give the nod to STI. They run like a clock and are built to be used. As noted above some of the earlier production ones had finish wear issues, but I've heard (14th hand on various forums) that they have recently changed their finishing to stand up better to holster use and abuse. The Trojan has the stellar bang for the buck category nailed down.

I've been drooling over a Sentry in 9mm for weeks now.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
STI would be my choice. STI pistols come with lifetime warranty and their customer service is second to none from what I have heard. They even cover the cost of shipping. With Kimber good luck. I've heard from numerous people that their customer service is non-existent. To Canadians anyways. Apparently they don't really care about their Canadian customer base.
 
I have owned a Kimber Eclipse Target ll and an STI Trojan.The Trojan may not be as "fancy looking" but it is imo a far better pistol.It is better made and includes a stainless barrel, is less expensive,and more reliable and accurate..I sold the Kimber and kept the Trojan..
 
Kimber's are much better looking. They are very nicely finished.

But mechanically, the STI will probably stand up to a lot more use and abuse.
 
Why would you say that?
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Well the first part of what I said is pretty obvious. Kimbers are gorgeous pistols.
But the Kimbers I've seen run hard are usually prone to frequent breakdowns.

The STI pistols look about as nice as your average Glock. But they seem to hold up to high volume shooting quite well.

This is all just from what I've seen personally. No science behind it.
 
I didn't get a chance to shoot a Kimber in .40 but I chose an STI Edge over quite a few other contenders. I was lucky enough to get to shoot some different models and calibres, my feeling was that the STI pretty much sold itself.
 
Dexter Morgan said:
Well the first part of what I said is pretty obvious. Kimbers are gorgeous pistols.
But the Kimbers I've seen run hard are usually prone to frequent breakdowns.

The STI pistols look about as nice as your average Glock. But they seem to hold up to high volume shooting quite well.

This is all just from what I've seen personally. No science behind it.
Click to expand...
I dont do alot of high volume shooting so I am curious. What are the frequent breakdowns you noticed?
 
Dexter Morgan said:
The STI pistols look about as nice as your average Glock. But they seem to hold up to high volume shooting quite well.
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Really?

SpartanV_1a.jpg


Dexter Morgan said:
No science behind it.
Click to expand...

No kidding ;)
 
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