View Full Version : which 1911 to get?
I'm either getting the Kimber custom II or the Springfield A1 black stainless. the kimber is $700.00 and the springfield is $749.00 im picking up one or the other today. both NIB. i just want to hear everyones opinions. from what ive read so far im leaning towards the A1 (which i think has a better finish too). but i've never had a 1911 before, so help me out here! thanks.
Daniel_187
04-15-2010, 08:57
Am on the waiting list to get a STI Trojan, but it takes 11 weeks to get, Bummer. Wilson's are very nice too.
well its gonna be between these two for now. and $750.00 is the max i can spend right now. i have the black stainless on hold right now for when i get off work, but i wanna be positive before i actually pick it up.
Springfield has a better reputation and better resale value than Kimber.
Backinblackrifles
04-15-2010, 10:08
Springfield has a better reputation and better resale value than Kimber.
I think the Springfield is allot easier to work on than the kimbers espescialy if you are going to upgrade or customize, Kimbers are great but the last time I had to work with the company of kimber they told me "don't even try we machine press all of our parts to fit and you will NOT be able to get it back together" [Rant1] So I would go with a springfield A1 you will be able to send it to your smith and when you pick it up he will not have pulled out all of his hair. [Coffee]
$749.00 seems like a really low price for that gun.. i hope its the right one. he said the item number is PX9154LP, so i guess it must be.
Another vote for the SA. Lifetime wty, great customer service and don't have so much of a hit or miss rep like Kimber does. SA also didn't see the need to retrofit their 1911 with a BS schwartz safety, another Kimber series II feature that I don't care for.
Troublco
04-15-2010, 18:31
+1 more for Springfield!
BPTactical
04-15-2010, 19:01
Springfield hands down.
Well I went with the springfield, and just got home... It won't chamber a gold dot worth crap, and will barely chamber a hsm JHP. I havnt tried with FMJ yet but so far I'm dissapointed.
I'm really new to 1911's but it sure as hell seems for how much you pay it shouldatleast chamber a round without it getting stuck half walf way. if I rack the slide real hard it will usually chamber it but if I put the mag in with the slide locked back and let it go it gets stuck every time. Like I said I know nothing about 1911s so is it normal for them to do that?
Clean it up, lube it, and run a couple boxes of hardball through it before you clean it again it will likely run JHP's no problem from there on. Nothing wrong with running hardball for SD IMO, try some XTP's, or Golden Sabers.
Edit: Not sure if you've even fired it yet but don't judge function by what it does by hand cycling it.
SA Friday
04-15-2010, 19:37
Dude, it's not even broke in yet...
Almost all semi-auto firearms need to be broken in. The machined parts are not mated yet. The tighter the the parts are fitted, the harder it will be to rack the slide and it will take a couple hundred more rounds to get it running smoothly. Tight is a good thing. The tighter the parts are mated initially, the more accurate the gun will shoot, and it will last longer before wearing out a barrel. Go buy about 500-1000 rounds of FMJ cheepie ammo and shoot the piss out of it after lubricating the gun with some motor oil. Any evaluation of the guns feeding before break-in is self- inflicted stress.
2nd point. You can over-insert a 1911 mag if you slap it home with the slide locked back. Seen it dozen of times, and BTDT. Insert the mag with the slide forward, and then rack the slide to chamber a round. I know lots of people that grind the empty mag indent off of the slide stop so the slide won't lock back on an empty chamber. Not everyone likes to do, it's personal preference.
Thanks for the info guys. I just have never shot anything other than glocks and XD's before, so I really don't know what the hell I'm doing.
jerrymrc
04-15-2010, 20:46
Dude, it's not even broke in yet...
Almost all semi-auto firearms need to be broken in. The machined parts are not mated yet. The tighter the the parts are fitted, the harder it will be to rack the slide and it will take a couple hundred more rounds to get it running smoothly. Tight is a good thing. The tighter the parts are mated initially, the more accurate the gun will shoot, and it will last longer before wearing out a barrel. Go buy about 500-1000 rounds of FMJ cheepie ammo and shoot the piss out of it after lubricating the gun with some motor oil. Any evaluation of the guns feeding before break-in is self- inflicted stress.
2nd point. You can over-insert a 1911 mag if you slap it home with the slide locked back. Seen it dozen of times, and BTDT. Insert the mag with the slide forward, and then rack the slide to chamber a round. I know lots of people that grind the empty mag indent off of the slide stop so the slide won't lock back on an empty chamber. Not everyone likes to do, it's personal preference.
+1. Shoot the hell out of it.
Asha'man
04-15-2010, 21:08
Mostly on topic - how's $500 sound for a used Springfield 1911-A1?
Depends on how used and which one.
Asha'man
04-15-2010, 21:52
Fairly, looks broken in for sure. Not sure how to tell which model though, it just says 1911-A1 on the slide.
Asha'man
04-15-2010, 21:59
Doing some research, it might be a Loaded.
kidicarus13
04-15-2010, 23:15
Thanks for the info guys. I just have never shot anything other than glocks and XD's before, so I really don't know what the hell I'm doing.
You'll be back to Glock/XD world after you've pulled chunks of your hair out in 1911 frustration. That was my experence with 3 seperate <$1K 1911s anyways. Hey just think... the worst case scenario would be you shoot 500-1000 rounds of ammo through it, it still isn't 100% reliable, and then someone on the site will buy it from you for $450 and then you can buy a used Glock or XD.
You'll be back to Glock/XD world after you've pulled chunks of your hair out in 1911 frustration. That was my experence with 3 seperate <$1K 1911s anyways. Hey just think... the worst case scenario would be you shoot 500-1000 rounds of ammo through it, it still isn't 100% reliable, and then someone on the site will buy it from you for $450 and then you can buy a used Glock or XD.
Thats what happens when you go Para [ROFL2]
I'd pay more than $450 for a nice used Stainless Loaded.
kidicarus13
04-15-2010, 23:27
Thats what happens when you go Para [ROFL2]
You got 1 of the 3 brands.
Well I read the whole damn manual and then proceded to take it apart... the f-ing thing won't go back together. I can't get the slide all the way back on and I've been watching videos all night and I'm doing everything right... I guess its going to the smith tomorrow to get it put back on... the. Part that's supposed to go into the spring retainer won't stay in place, and I can't get the slide lock back in all the way. I don't want to mess it up so I'm just gonna look like an idiot tomorrow when I go there and its something really simple. I've taken shotguns and rifles completely apart without even knowing what I was doing and had no problems putting them back together so idk what the problem is.
Thats what happens when you go Para [ROFL2]
I'd pay more than $450 for a nice used Stainless Loaded.
I can't find the one I got for less than $857.00 which is why I got it... JAX in ft.collins had iit for $749.00 so I got it. I sure as hell wouldn't sell it for $450.00 haha. Once I learn my stuff I'm sure it'll be worth the money. On gun broker they're going for $900.00. its the PX1954LP.
I don't understand why it was so cheap. I called jensen arms in loveland and they have there's at 779.00, and they have the cheapest prices around, so I was more than happy to pick one up at this price, but I just need to do more research before I decide to get pissed about it... which I kind of am. Haha.
hello saw your post!
the best way to do this is take your upper half put it upside down where the sights are on your table! put the barrel in through the front than the barrel washer or what ever the hell it is called! on with it on the right or left side which ever turns the most or makes the guide rod position clear. than push the barrel out a little and push it to one side to gain clearance than put the guide rod into its spot! than push the barrel back with the guide rod U resting on the barrel and the piece on the barrel that moves that has a hole point up resting on the guide rod! if you took the spring off you can put it back on now! with your left hand grab the upper half with your hand holding the it together like your thumb and pointer finger rapping around it! take your lower receiver and slide it on make sure the half moon lines up with the opening where the slide catch pin goes! grab the pin and snap it back in should go in easy than you have to push down and up to get it locked in starting just under the half moon on the frame and push up and down to snap in it! once in push the slide all the way forward take the spring washer and push it all the way down and flick the u shaped barrel washer back to where it holds it in using a tool in this step helps just somthing flat to push the spring down to rotate the barrel washer till it is in line with everything! and give it a couple or racks to make sure its is cycling and hammer on a snap cap or dry fire making sure it is empty! note:make sure the hammer is cocked back when you are putting everything back on!
hope this helps! if not fine some one to walk you through the steps its not that hard. did the best i could describing how to do it! i would have taken pics, but i am in college and my gun is in Colorado, being i am 20 and live on campus! no hand guns here till I'm 21 Neb law sucks! also i bought a kimber i love it. no problems so fare with me, but i like all 1911s Spring field was my second choice and the kimber i just couldn't pass up the deal i found 888.00 for the SS target model so it is adjusted for my hand loads! hope you enjoy it! [Beer]
Try to avoid the infamous idiot scratch!! Be careful when you put the slide catch back in. If you're close I can help you out.
I am also in the market for 1911 right now.
I am leaning towards Springfield TRP or TRP Operator.
thanks for the help. and i think i already scratched it. its a really light scratch but it was enough to make me give up.
Try to avoid the infamous idiot scratch!! Be careful when you put the slide catch back in. If you're close I can help you out.
yes agreed!!!! you want it just barely on it if you you bought a SS frame not as big of a deal the blue guns though is fairly easy to scratch! see if you can find someone to help walk you though the steps! once you see it done helps, that is how i learned![Beer]
SA Friday
04-16-2010, 10:21
Bimmer, where do you live? There are plenty of people here that can help you, but without knowing the general vacinity of your home will be hesitant to speak up.
i live in ft.collins, near 1-25. i think im just going to take it to RMSS after work and have one of the guys walk me through it. most of them are really helpful. thank you guys for wanting to help me out! ill let you guys know if i need more help after i take it in.
Alright I think I got it figured out now. We took it apart and put it back together while I watched and then he had me do it in front of him a couple times, so hopefully I can clean it up and go shoot it this weekend.
DocMedic
04-16-2010, 15:58
Haha, sorry for laughing, but this whole experience reminded me when I first took apart my STI Edge.
Alright I think I got it figured out now. We took it apart and put it back together while I watched and then he had me do it in front of him a couple times, so hopefully I can clean it up and go shoot it this weekend.
Backinblackrifles
04-16-2010, 16:04
Very cool I hope You like it. It took around 200 rounds of hard ball to get most of mine "slicked up" and running good and now they feed JHP with no issues at all.
Marine24
04-29-2010, 21:32
Don't lose the faith. Feeding issues with a 1911 can be more about the magazine than the pistol. If the first round of the magazine nose dives in to the feed ramp, first suspect the magazine.
As others have said on this post even the best 1911 builders (Volkmann, Wilson, Nighthawk...etc) recommend at least 500 rounds before you clean it. This helps the fit.
Your 1911 may like different types of ammo more than others. Find the one that will feed reliably especially if this is a self-defense pistol.
As far as the idiot scratch, welcome to the club. It is a badge of honor and gives your 1911 character.
Stand by. You are about to start a "love hate" affair that can be addicting.
Years ago I had seven of the things in various configurations from wild comp guns to a Commander.. I loved them so much I had to let them go.. Be free!!! Actually I couldn't reload (cartidges) fast enough!!! Now 15+ years later I'm back, got the first of the 'New' herd and the love affair is on again!!!
Revor you got that champion everyone was gunning for! I've got the Springfield Operator full rail and have ran at least 5K through it and wont trade it for anything. Next (and still on the list since you scooped it up) is the champion operator.[Beer]
Have to agree on the Springer.
Recent years have seen a slight decrease in SA quality, IMHO. Not many mind you. But, Customer service is great, and even without the excellent warranty there is nothing that can't be corrected or improved on these using readily available and reasonably priced parts. So, no worries at all with SA.
Kimbers are great guns but with a slightly higher chance of getting a lemon, and certainly more hassle factor and time required to put it right. I will say that in my experience, a properly functioning Kimber will shoot better for most folks than an A1s. Always exceptions, of course, and a few aftermarket tweaks will have the A1 very competitive in short order.
I'd be happy with either, and have been.
I've got a Springer Loaded Operator that is one of the most accurate pistols out of the box. I had a high master pistol shooter try mine out. He asked if it was all stock. It is, and still is. Except for grip. I have roughly 2000 rounds down the pipe now and still shoots great. I agree with the break in procedure, shoot the hell out of it. I used 300 rounds of wolf ammo at first because it was cheap (FREE). It will cycle everything except for flat point 185's. Wouldn't give it up for anything.
So Bimmer, what's the latest?
I just saw this thread. Looks like it's been going for a while. I'm curious as to the longevity of the black stainless.
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