I just realized how beaten to death this is, and found a post that asks basically the same question I did. How do I delete a thread?

 

Springfield without question. IMO if your willing to spend 1000-1700 then Dan Wesson.

 

In .45 or 9mm... Which is better? Lol. JK.
I vote for Series 70 action of Springfield.

 

I liked my Kimber (3" Eclipse) but in all honesty I prefer Springfield and have a few . If you're going to step up there check out what STI offers I love my Trojan

 

Nothing has changed with me since it was beaten to death last time. Given those options I would take SA and I own both brands.

 

I am partial to the TLE. I have a 10mm TLE that I used as a base for a custom build. The biggest thing to remember is that people will recommend their favorite brand. If you get an opportunity to hold and/or shoot the brands you are looking at, it will help you make your decision.

 

Might depend mostly on whether you want the grip-controlled firing-pin safety (Kimber is the only maker that has it). I DID want it (in fact, it was a requirement for me), so I got a Kimber (10mm Eclipse Custom II). But a lot of other people don't want a "series II" (grip-controlled) or any other type of firing-pin safety.

I like EVERYTHING about my Eclipse, except for how long it's taken me to get it running reliably (but I seem to finally be there). Kimber's customer support left a lot to be desired for me.

 

Between Kimber and Springfield, I'd go with Kimber BUT staying within that general price range I'd take a the Colt Rail Gun over either.
Joe

 

Kimber and Springfield Armory both make great 1911's. But if I had to choose only one, I would have to choose the Springfield Armory over the Kimber only due to the fact that Springfield Armory not use a series-80 firing pin block system. All Springfield Armory 1911's are series -70 style pistols. The Kimber has what is known as a Swartz firing pin block system. This is the only thing that I dislike about Kimbers.

 

For me it's easy. The Kimber. Fit and finish is better. I have owned about 20. Yes sometimes chambers are tight and leades short. Extractors need adjustment often. I can take care of that easily. Never a broken part of need to send one back.

SA on the other hand maybe a great project gun but the five I have had and other I have gone through at work have been rough to say the least. This includes Trophy Match and TRPs. Not a cut VIS on most I have seen. Edges like razor blades. Tool marks everywhere. Experienced locked up stainless guns due to falling. Broken links and broken frames.

The SA customer service is great. It should be based on the ones I have seen. Most have needed it.

 

SA all the way. SA is a 70 series, Kimber has that Swartz crap. Now, if you remove the Kimber Swartz crap, I'd still pick SA.

 

They both have pros and cons. I like kimber better but have both. Not crazy about the swartz, even though I have had no trouble with it on any of my kimbers. Springfield, dislike the ils and firing pin. I change them out immediately to avoid light hits.

 

Question: I agree with you on the ILS and I have changed it out. But what about the firing Pin? Does it the have a stronger firing pin spring, and a lighter firing pin to get around the stupid drop test? I know my Springfield guns don't pass the pencil test very well, but have never misfired. Still I have worried about it, somewhat.

I like all of the cool models made by Kimber, but dislike the swartz firing pin safety and I removed the offending parts from the slide, and replaced the firing pin with a Colt pin.

 

Either one is good.

 

If you can afford to spend a little more money, get a Dan Wesson. Dan Wesson makes a superb 1911. And like all Springfield Armory 1911's, Dan Wesson 1911's don't have the series-80 firing pin block system or the goofy Swartz firing pin block system like the Kimbers have. Another option is to find an old series-70 Colt.

 

I have changed over the years.

15 years ago the Kimber was a better gun. You got more gun for your money. Back then the Kimbers were nicer in every way over the Springfield. Now not so much. Kimber is pumping out guns still, but their worth versus their price has plummeted.

Now it's SA all day.

 

Do Like I did and get one of each, I still can't figure out which one I like better either. Both fire every shot, both are more accurate then me, both feel the same in a 5" gun. Don't be lead by all the different ones mentioned, get what YOU want.

 

I've owned both brands as well as several others. I sold my kimbers after a MIM part breakage. Still have a SA. YMMV. tom.

 

Both shoot about the same in my hands. Fit and finish on my CII is as nice as the highest end SA I have seen, so the same there as well. Both are loaded with MIM parts, so no difference there. Take each out on to the range and see which one speaks to you is about the only way I can tell ya to choose. The Kimber came home with me when I decided to purchase a 1911...six of one, half dozen of another.

 

Which one of these is best? It doesn't matter. The 1911 is a known quantity. Pretty much any possible problem you might have has a fix. Get the one you like best. If it has a problem, get it fixed. It's worth it. Which would I choose? For target shooting, the SA full size Range Officer, mostly for the adjustable sights and decent fit. For home defense and general range use, a Dan Wesson Heritage. If you're going to carry, the Range Officer Compact.

 

When in doubt, buy American...North that is.

 

Take your pick, ask this question 100 times you'll get as many different answers. For me I run Spring Fields. You'll get this or that from everyone that answers, some just have an axe to grind some have valid reasons why. Everyone can offer up examples of failures of the other. I prefer the series 70 in the SA.

good luck

 

I say kimber, I've had nothing but bad experiences with springer guns

 

I have owned and still do own a kimber, Springfields, Series 80 and 70 Colts, and Wilson Combat. They are all just a little different. If you don't already own a 1911 or two, then my first vote would be for a Colt, series 70 reproduction or even series 80 before I considered a Kimber or a Springfield, although it really depends on the given gun and my second choice would the Springfield, with a third choice being maybe a Dan Wesson or Smith and Wesson, then probably Kimber, although the Kimber will probably be as accurate or more so then the others, but I really don't like the swartz safety, or the high number of MIM parts in the Kimber.

 

At this point, I'll probably end up getting a Colt "Rail Gun". The only thing I have yet to research is whether or not they have the swartz firing pin block problem

 

Kimber makes a fine $700 1911. Unfortunately, you have to pay $800 + so they can continue to have 100's of t&e guns, full page ads and dealers stocked on credit...hype ain't free!!

For $700 - $850, you can get a pretty nice SA loaded.

May I ask why parkerized would be bad?? They have a great park'd loaded.

Colt is also a fine gun in this price range. Actually, I've seen them under $700 mail order. That would be my choice.

If you really think you are spending $1500ish you owe it to your self to look at Dan Wesson. They are some of the finest production 1911's made.

 

I might end up going with parkerized, but at the time of posting I was trying to find a 1911 that I could send it to a custom shop and have it coated in black nitride, or something of the sort.

 

Sa.