Sw1911

[Brickboy240]

I don't know which to go with. Smith or Kimber.

I have borrowed two Kimbers, a Custom II and a non-rail TLE stainless and they both shot GREAT. I loved them. However, if you peruse the 1911 forums, you see lots of complaints about Kimber in general and hear of many guns being returned or poor customer service. Sad, because my only two Kimber experiences were fantastic. When you can pick up two different 1911s from the same maker on seperate times and drill the 10-ring out...yeah...that sticks in the mind when looking at other 1911s!

I don't know anyone that has a S&W 1911, but I have handled a few and they seem very well made. I also don't hear of the tons of problems on the 1911 boards and I have firsthand experience with S&W's customer service and they're great to deal with.

SIG? Well their 1911s seem like such a disappointment compared to their P-series guns. I have tow P-series SIGs that I love but all the bad press I hear fom GSR owners and their higher prices might keep me away from ever owning a SIG 1911.

I might end up with a Springer Loaded model, since my GI has been 100% from day one, but I want to give everything a good look before money changes hands. Everyone seems pretty pleased with their Loaded Springers. Only problem is that most delaers around here carry only the GIs and a few higher end Springers and don't have Loaded models for me to handle.

- Brickboy240

[Tungsten]

Really I think the complaints about Kimbers represent an incredibly small number of actual owners. Bad news just travels fast on the Internet and you get impatient, disgruntled people who are all too ready to rip the manufacturer a new orifice rather than allow them time to remedy the situation.

Of my Kimbers, I have had ZERO problems out of them. The one time that I did contact Kimber customer service, it was regarding my new Tactical Pro II. I asked if a warranty registration card should have been enclosed and received a prompt, courteous reply telling me that the handgun itself was warrantied for life, no questions asked, and that I need not register anything with them. I was impressed.

It does seem that Kimber's service department manager may have had a bad attitude toward a couple of folks who were being ridiculously impossible to please (as evidenced by a few threads over on M1911.org) but otherwise I've heard nothing but good things about Kimber.

*shrug*

I am still lusting after that Springfield TRP though.

[redfish]

I to have the same issue. While I do not own a 1911 and have not had much time at the range with one. I do plan on buying one in the next month.

I love kimbers as for it was my understanding they were supposed to be some of the best. I know several people who swear by them and carry them every day.

I know I want to buy my first 1911 but unsure what to buy. I have also heard that the old kimber models were very good guns and the problem seems to be with the new models.....I too need help

[Brickboy240]

Hard for me to say Kimbers are bad, when both the Series II Kimbers I shot ran perfect and their owners had good words for them.

I own two Colt 1911s and I love them but I'll admit that I had to do some work on them to get them to shoot 100% all the time. The Springfield GI ran perfect right out of the box. Shocked the hell out of me!

- Brickboy240

[So Flo]

Let me know how you like the trigger on yours...I am pretty unimpressed with the trigger on my S&W 1911.

[Tungsten]

Originally Posted by So Flo

Let me know how you like the trigger on yours...I am pretty unimpressed with the trigger on my S&W 1911.

The trigger on mine blows as well. There is a lot of vertical slop in it, which is unacceptable. But I've been spoiled by having really good triggers out of the box with my Kimbers.

Trigger replacement is on the short list. Depending on whether I keep it or sell it and buy a TRP. Have I mentioned that I am really wanting a TRP?

[Need For Speed]

I have that same piece. Nice gun!

[bigun]

Originally Posted by kat1950

S&W as Sig, has used the external extractor for years, they have it down to a science. S&W 1911 is probably the best production 1911 made,very accurate,very reliable, you would have to go to a semi custom from one of the big 4 to find what this 1911 has. And I am a Colt person.

LOL. Believe what you want true 1911's have internal extractors . Worked great for almost a hundred years why mess with it. The S&W's look real purty except for their markings, reviews have been mixed. Here's to hoping you got one of the good ones. S&W customer service is top notch though so if you have any problems they'll take care of it for you.

[I_Route]

Well, I picked it up today and here is my review. I have not fired it yet mind you so this is a first impression:

Likes:

1. Exterior satin finish - Very even. No imperfections
2. Slide to Frame fit. Not as good as my LB but better than my older MKIV/Series 80 Colt.
3. Slide machining is excellent. The inside is very well done with no burs, etc.
4. With the exception of one spot on the frame it is excellent
5. Price. Not a bag gun for $750.00
6. Very nice barrel bushing fit. Tight.
7. Novak low profile sights. Dovetail front and rear, not staked.
8. BBL throated, ramped and polished.


Dislikes:

1. Flat area where the disconnector protrudes is a little rough with some deeper than usual swirl marks.
2. MIM trigger? There is a big what looks like a cigarette burn on the part of the hammer you can see down on to when it is cocked.
3. The MASSHole in the chamber. I hate MASSHoles
4. Trigger itself is a little loose but it is adjustable and I will do this later.


What could be better?

1. Trigger pull. A little heavy but not out of this world. I will see if a few hundred rounds will help. If not then a few parts from Brownell's will be on order.
2. Night sights would be cool.
3. MASSHole-less option.
4. No "Capable of firing with magazine removed" laser etching.

Here is my photobucket album:
http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/jforhan/SW1911/

Here is one pic:

[Tungsten]

Hah... this thread ended up being the undoing of my S&W 1911 I guess.

It got me to thinking about whether I wanted to push ahead and trick out the gun with an ambidextrous thumb safety, mag well and Heinie night sights or just sell it off and start with a different platform for a gov't length 1911.

I ended up making an even trade for a new SIG P220 Carry SAO two-tone yesterday. I kept the VZ Operator grips in case I want to use them on a 1911 in the future.

This SIG 220 is nice. It literally has the exact same dimensions as my Kimber Pro CDP II which is a Commander sized firearm. The only point where it's a little bigger than the Commander is in the overall width. The SIG is about 1/5 of an inch wider. Hell... they even weigh the same and the SIG single stack mags fit my Comp-Tac kydex 1911 mag carriers!

Several of us shot it yesterday and a few were die-hard 1911 guys. We all agree that it is one of the most awesome modern takes on the single-action .45ACP that we have ever fired. It points just like a 1911 and groups as tight as a $3800 Wilson Combat that one of the guys carries.

I'm tickled with it.