STI vs. Kimber vs. Springfield - Page 3 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

NDB_MN · 06-25-2008, 08:21 AM

I'm not really that picky, I just like to tease.

There's not an STI dealer nearby so I'd likely have to fork over extra to have it transferred, that's the main reason I've let that brand slip a little. Kimbers and Springfields are plentiful. However, if it's that much superior to the Kimbers, I may have to swallow the cost.

Chapie+ · 06-27-2008, 04:12 PM

I keep hearing problems about Kimbers and external extractors, Kimbers and feeding, Kimbers and customer service, and Kimbers and the L.A.P.D. I will say one thing for Kimber: they have a very good advertising. If I were getting another 1911, I would go with an STI through Springer Precision.

Chapie+

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDB_MN

If I could get a Trojan without the "5th Grader with an Etcher" design on the side I probably would

hehe j/k

Will probably be buying something in July with some of my bonus money. Leaning towards Kimber at the moment, but it sounds like they might be finicky with certain ammo.... which I'm not keen on...

BBQLS1 · 06-28-2008, 07:34 AM

I've held the STI and they have a very nice trigger. I was almost set on one until I did some research. They don't use standard 1911 parts and the frame is a tad wider. I think it is a very well made gun, but for me I want something I can always get parts for. I'm also not interested in a target only gun short of a Ruger Mark III.

For Kimbers, They make a whole bunch of guns these days and you're bound to have a couple of bad apples. I'm not convinced they are as bad as you might read, but I work with two people (one has a compact and the other has an SIS) and they both reported FTF after about 100 rounds without cleaning. They always got caught on the feed ramp. It is probably an easy fix and may be because they need more break in. The ones I've shot don't seem much different than the springers. I was surprised at how manageable the compact was.

For Springfields, the ones I have seem to love eating any round I can throw at them. Out of my XD and a couple of loaded 1911s, they seem to love shooting. The triggers are a little rough compared to the other two, but I think break in plus just getting used to the trigger, is the easy solution. You could also have the trigger worked.

Just my two cents.

Alaskapopo · 06-28-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQLS1

I've held the STI and they have a very nice trigger. I was almost set on one until I did some research. They don't use standard 1911 parts and the frame is a tad wider. I think it is a very well made gun, but for me I want something I can always get parts for. I'm also not interested in a target only gun short of a Ruger Mark III.

For Kimbers, They make a whole bunch of guns these days and you're bound to have a couple of bad apples. I'm not convinced they are as bad as you might read, but I work with two people (one has a compact and the other has an SIS) and they both reported FTF after about 100 rounds without cleaning. They always got caught on the feed ramp. It is probably an easy fix and may be because they need more break in. The ones I've shot don't seem much different than the springers. I was surprised at how manageable the compact was.

For Springfields, the ones I have seem to love eating any round I can throw at them. Out of my XD and a couple of loaded 1911s, they seem to love shooting. The triggers are a little rough compared to the other two, but I think break in plus just getting used to the trigger, is the easy solution. You could also have the trigger worked.

Just my two cents.

Kimbers of late have serious issues.
Read.
10-8 Forums: Kimber Series II question

scooterj · 06-28-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQLS1

I've held the STI and they have a very nice trigger. I was almost set on one until I did some research. They don't use standard 1911 parts and the frame is a tad wider. I think it is a very well made gun, but for me I want something I can always get parts for. I'm also not interested in a target only gun short of a Ruger Mark III.

Just my two cents.

STI 2011 guns use a couple parts that won't work in a 1911, but their 1911 guns are all 1911.

LtDan · 06-28-2008, 04:11 PM

I have two Kimbers the CDP II and the Eclipse Custom II. I had some problems with the CDP with FTF. I replaced the recoil spring and have had no problems since. The Eclipse is a mean looking machine and has been flawless since day one. I carry the CDP without reservation. I mention this to speak for the confidence I have in the weapon. For your needs you don't want a CDP but I would consider their target models seriously. I have fired Springfield but not STI so I can't speak for comparison, but I like Kimber better than Springfield based on the trigger alone.

.40-.45 · 06-28-2008, 06:37 PM

I love my Kimber Custom II

Steel1212 · 07-11-2008, 04:42 PM

Your springer loaded models are going to be a couple hundred cheaper than a Trojan. The fit of STI guns are pretty damn good and they are pretty accuate out of the box. Springfields can be hit and miss at times.

I would go with STI trojan first, then a loaded model springfield. If you want to drop a few more bills you could get a trophy match springfield or TRP which will have a better fit over all.

I wouldn't use a kimber for a boat anchor. They seem to think sending catalogues for prize tables is helping USPSA/IDPA when springfield, STI, and others are sending guns and all kinds of other goodies.

MagicPie · 07-11-2008, 10:13 PM

I have 2 Kimbers and owned 5 at point in time, and never experienced a problem.

You have to keep in mind, you will always have more post that are negative then positive . This goes for anything, there no a whole lot of reasons to make a post, just to say something is great. However when your having a problem, you post and tend to make it worse then it really is. Therefore you get a large accumulation of negative and very little positive remarks to balance anything out.

Not to mention there is a large amount of Kimber hatred for no reason other then to hate. These people hear the smallest complaint and ensure its made big.

The most common problem is people dont give the 450-500 break in, Kimber suggest.
I polish my feed ramp from day one, and have been able to feed hollow points in less then 100rds of break-in.

The one fault that is Kimber's--is the supplied factory magazine-they suck.

Simply replacing them with a Kimber KimPro or Wilson Combats eliminates most problems.

The Eclispe has over 1500rds with no problems, the Covert has less then 250, 100 of those where old Speer GoldDots- eat those with no problems.
Where some would never buy a Kimber, for me Kimber and Wilson Combat are the only 1911's I would buy.

crat0837 · 07-12-2008, 01:12 AM

I shoot a Springfield Loaded 1911. I am still breaking it in, but I really like it. I am still a little new to shooting so I am sure any accuracy problems are my fault and not the gun's! I was looking at the SA or the Kimber Custom II between January and April when I finally decided on the Springfield and I have not one regretted it.
I also like that SA has a lifetime warranty on the gun as long as you own it!

06-25-2008, 08:21 AM	#21
NDB_MN XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Champlin, Minnesota Posts: 421	I'm not really that picky, I just like to tease. There's not an STI dealer nearby so I'd likely have to fork over extra to have it transferred, that's the main reason I've let that brand slip a little. Kimbers and Springfields are plentiful. However, if it's that much superior to the Kimbers, I may have to swallow the cost. __________________ SA-XD40 Bi-Tone: Trijicon Night Sights, Don's Guide Rod 22#, PRP Match Trigger, Magloc Mag Well, Hogue Handall grip Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact 9mm Kimber 1911 Stainless TLE II Beretta AL391 Teknys 12ga Ruger MkII: Volquartsen Target Grips, Adjustable Sights

07-11-2008, 04:42 PM	#28
Steel1212 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 566	Your springer loaded models are going to be a couple hundred cheaper than a Trojan. The fit of STI guns are pretty damn good and they are pretty accuate out of the box. Springfields can be hit and miss at times. I would go with STI trojan first, then a loaded model springfield. If you want to drop a few more bills you could get a trophy match springfield or TRP which will have a better fit over all. I wouldn't use a kimber for a boat anchor. They seem to think sending catalogues for prize tables is helping USPSA/IDPA when springfield, STI, and others are sending guns and all kinds of other goodies. __________________ Corey Estill USPSA: A57351 IDPA: A26629 "Master or bust!!"

07-11-2008, 10:13 PM	#29
MagicPie XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The only good state-TX Posts: 204	I have 2 Kimbers and owned 5 at point in time, and never experienced a problem. You have to keep in mind, you will always have more post that are negative then positive . This goes for anything, there no a whole lot of reasons to make a post, just to say something is great. However when your having a problem, you post and tend to make it worse then it really is. Therefore you get a large accumulation of negative and very little positive remarks to balance anything out. Not to mention there is a large amount of Kimber hatred for no reason other then to hate. These people hear the smallest complaint and ensure its made big. The most common problem is people dont give the 450-500 break in, Kimber suggest. I polish my feed ramp from day one, and have been able to feed hollow points in less then 100rds of break-in. The one fault that is Kimber's--is the supplied factory magazine-they suck. Simply replacing them with a Kimber KimPro or Wilson Combats eliminates most problems. The Eclispe has over 1500rds with no problems, the Covert has less then 250, 100 of those where old Speer GoldDots- eat those with no problems. Where some would never buy a Kimber, for me Kimber and Wilson Combat are the only 1911's I would buy. __________________ N/A Last edited by MagicPie; 07-11-2008 at 10:20 PM.

07-12-2008, 01:12 AM	#30
crat0837 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 140	I shoot a Springfield Loaded 1911. I am still breaking it in, but I really like it. I am still a little new to shooting so I am sure any accuracy problems are my fault and not the gun's! I was looking at the SA or the Kimber Custom II between January and April when I finally decided on the Springfield and I have not one regretted it. I also like that SA has a lifetime warranty on the gun as long as you own it! __________________ --CRAT0837

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-28-2008, 07:34 AM	#23
BBQLS1 XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 81	I've held the STI and they have a very nice trigger. I was almost set on one until I did some research. They don't use standard 1911 parts and the frame is a tad wider. I think it is a very well made gun, but for me I want something I can always get parts for. I'm also not interested in a target only gun short of a Ruger Mark III. For Kimbers, They make a whole bunch of guns these days and you're bound to have a couple of bad apples. I'm not convinced they are as bad as you might read, but I work with two people (one has a compact and the other has an SIS) and they both reported FTF after about 100 rounds without cleaning. They always got caught on the feed ramp. It is probably an easy fix and may be because they need more break in. The ones I've shot don't seem much different than the springers. I was surprised at how manageable the compact was. For Springfields, the ones I have seem to love eating any round I can throw at them. Out of my XD and a couple of loaded 1911s, they seem to love shooting. The triggers are a little rough compared to the other two, but I think break in plus just getting used to the trigger, is the easy solution. You could also have the trigger worked. Just my two cents.

06-28-2008, 04:11 PM	#26
LtDan XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 57	I have two Kimbers the CDP II and the Eclipse Custom II. I had some problems with the CDP with FTF. I replaced the recoil spring and have had no problems since. The Eclipse is a mean looking machine and has been flawless since day one. I carry the CDP without reservation. I mention this to speak for the confidence I have in the weapon. For your needs you don't want a CDP but I would consider their target models seriously. I have fired Springfield but not STI so I can't speak for comparison, but I like Kimber better than Springfield based on the trigger alone.

06-28-2008, 06:37 PM	#27
.40-.45 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 750	I love my Kimber Custom II