Kimber or Springfield 1911?

[twitchyfinger]

Thanks Graves I couldn't find much info on the sights. I have them on my loaded champion and love them. Wonder why they didn't put them on that model?

[Graves]

You can get better aftermarket sights anyways. If you get a chance, take a look at an Ed Brown or Wilson with novak style trijicons, the sights might appear to be the same from a quick glance at the side but when you look into the sights you'll notice the trijicons on the EB/WC's are different from the trijicons on the SA. The SA's (IMO) are pretty lousy in daylight because the vials have a chrome (very thin) ring around them whereas some other Novak style triji's have a much more pronounced (thicker) white ring around the vials.

The rears really don't matter to me as Im usually focused on the front sight so a fiber optic, brass bead, or a big dot up front works pretty well for target duty, my bed side or carry guns however all have them for a better piece of mind but the target guns all have nekid rears lol...you can verify it yourself if you ever dig em up from that damn lake!

[thecatsfan]

Twitchy, thanks for the idea, but I have checked out that model, and yes I can find that one pretty cheap on Gun Broker, but it does not include night sights. It has low-profile combat 3 dot sights.

Interesting that my definition of a combat weapon is one that might be used in unfriendly circumstances, and I would think nights sights would be a combat option. But I guess that's just my thinking.

Also, if you look at the PX9152LP, the black stainless model that does have night sights, they are target sights and are very pronounced. Too pronounced for a carry gun in my opinion.

[thecatsfan]

You can get better aftermarket sights anyways. If you get a chance, take a look at an Ed Brown or Wilson with novak style trijicons, the sights might appear to be the same from a quick glance at the side but when you look into the sights you'll notice the trijicons on the EB/WC's are different from the trijicons on the SA. The SA's (IMO) are pretty lousy in daylight because the vials have a chrome (very thin) ring around them whereas some other Novak style triji's have a much more pronounced (thicker) white ring around the vials.

I have no doubt you are right. But to me this is not a selling point for buying a SA. Other brands of 1911s have better night sights from the factory.

I still don't understand why I should go out and spend over $1K for a brand new 1911 openly knowing the sights on it need to be immediately changed. Maybe my expectations are too high, but in my opinion, as consumers, we should demand what we want, not what we can settle for and replace at out own cost.

For $1K plus, I know I am not getting a competition ready match grade 1911. But I think the expectation that the gun should be able to perform out of the box as a carry weapon - with some break-in period - without spending money on it. Will I get that? Looking doubtful. Should gun buyers be satisfied with that? I don't think so.

A little frustrated with this purchase research for sure.

[twitchyfinger]

How about a Rock River 1911 Elite Commando 45ACP Custom? It does have the novak night sights. Nice high end 1911!

Review:
http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun...s/rock_092805/

[thecatsfan]

I might have to consider that. Have heard pretty good things about RRA 1911s.

What city is J&J in? So I can look up a phone number.

[twitchyfinger]

http://www.jj-enterprises.net/2010/0...-45acp-custom/

He is in Highlands Ranch and he is also a member here but I am not sure what his user name is as he doesn't post that often.

BTW: his ad for the pistol say's it's a 4" and as you can probably tell it is not. Just wanted to point that out.


J&J Enterprises – The Shootin’ Shack
417 E. Ridgeglen Way
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Phone: 303-470-6404
Fax: 303-471-8034
Email: jay@jj-enterprises.net

[thecatsfan]

That's a 4.25" barrel.

[nogaroheli]

Anyway, both Kimber and SA told me before I even asked, if you plan to carry that gun at all, you do NOT want the Blackened Stainless Steel finish. Before I even got to my questions. I just told them what model I was looking at and both companies told me straight up that this is their worst finish for wear. The black comes off easily and they do not recommend it to any customer who will be holstering the gun on a regular basis. Both companies told me this without being prompted, which makes me think they have had complaints. Either way, both companies convinced me not to buy that gun. When I mentioned that I was planning to carry the gun, they both suggested I would be happier with either full stainless or full black, such as an anodized or ArmoryKote finish. They even recommended a full black slide on a stainless body over the blackened model. And one of the sales reps actually referred to the Blackened SA as a "range" gun. And they both warned me that the blackened model was susceptible to surface rust.

Hey Cat, did Springfield elaborate on why the finish wore poorly? It's weird they said it was susceptible to surface rust- I know stainless can rust too but it is more resistant than other steels manufacturers offer. It also seems odd that they would recommend a stainless pistol or a pistol with the ArmoryKote finish because this IS a stainless pistol with the ArmoryKote finish.
Either way, good luck in your hunt, it sounds like you're doing your research.