SA or Kimber - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

bfog99 · 07-13-2006, 09:39 PM

I am looking at a 1911 purchase in the next little while. I am looking at the SA Ultra Compact 3.5" barrel and the Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II with a 3" barrel. What do you guys think about these? Which would you pick? I am a big guy and have a hard time concealing, which is why I went with the smaller of the 1911 types. I can get the Kimber for $750 new. The only SA I saw was the Micro Compact for $950 (just to give a price idea for the Ultra). I am assuming I can get them for about the same price. So, what should I get? Any other ideas for the same size 1911 without spending more?

The Knight Of Light · 07-13-2006, 10:15 PM

If you are not going to do any mods to the gun then Kimber is the gun for you. They are out of the box accurate, and require only a small break in the get them running full steam. I have 2 Kimbers and while I like them both the smaller on I have has the external extractor. If the gun you are looking at has one, DO NOT GET IT!!! This is not a good version of this particular 1911 mod. I like some versions(S&W, Caspian/Wilson) but I do not like Kimbers. I have read way to many bad things about it and had a bunch of double feeds because the extractor does not do what is supposed to. All else fails the one of the Springfield guns would have been my next choice. I like them I just wish they would make a stainless gun completely out of stainless steel! There are way to many chrome or alloy parts in SA guns.

Just my thoughts though.

Apdl · 07-13-2006, 10:34 PM

loaded SA if it were me. kimbers are nice but the external extractor is not atractive at all blah and from what The Knight Of Light says is ****ty

The Knight Of Light · 07-13-2006, 10:56 PM

Very ****ty!

demon · 07-14-2006, 04:55 AM

One thing to consider is that with the Kimber, you can get the Ultra Compact in different versions (CDP, Eclipse, Raptor, Tactical, etc.) whereas the Springfield has limited choices. I like my Kimber and it has functioned flawlessly since I've owned it. Mine has the internal extractor though. I would agree that the external extractor in the smaller guns has given alot of people trouble but Kimber has gone back to the internal on their new guns except for a couple models of full size.

Brickboy240 · 07-14-2006, 08:56 AM

My expereince has taught me that anything shorter than a "Commander" length 1911 might be unreliable. I'll never own another Colt Officers Model...I'll leave it at that.

I have shot two Kimbers, both Custom IIs. One was stainless and the other was parkerized. I could eat the 10-ring out at 10yds with both of them. I was amazed at how accurate they were. No jams, either. Now, I like my Springfield 1911, but you HAVE to take notice, when you can pick up a 1911 you have no expereince with and drill the center out of the target (with two different models).

I, too am looking to upgrade my Springer GI this fall and although I have considered just about everything between 600-900 dollars. Smiths, Springer Loadeds, Sig Revolutions...I've fondled them all. Still, my mind keeps wandering back to the only one in the bunch that I have actually fired...twice...and had very positive vibes from and those were Kimber Custom IIs.

If you like the Kimber, I'd say go for it. They're making them now without the external extractor, although the stainless Custom II I shot had an external extractor and the owner said he had not had any troubles with it.

The Springfield Loaded is also one to look at, because its alot of gun for the money, but I have never shot one.

If you want a smaller 1911, both Springfield and Kimber make 'Commander" sized models...I really would not go any shorter than that. Then you get away from Brother Browning's design too much and things start to not work as they were designed.

- Brickboy240

demon · 07-14-2006, 09:37 AM

I was actually looking for a Compact CDP, but couldn't find one. I got a full size Eclipse Target. The Compact size Kimbers have the commander length barrel and slide with the officer size frame. A normal commander has the full size frame of the larger gun and is harder to conceal.

This is what I was looking for and still might get one when the funds are right.

I ended up getting this beauty instead.

hytekblue · 07-14-2006, 10:10 AM

personally I agree with the swedish brick fellow... anything shorter than commander length is asking for problems. That said I traded for a Kimber Pro Carry II and love it. I still carry my full sized Springers from time to time to make me appreciate the kimber. My next project is going to be to find a good used SA champion and bobtail it I think...

xd45acp4life · 07-14-2006, 11:29 AM

I would go with the Kimber micro cdp. I have read alot of good things about it on the 1911 forum. Like everyone said make sure it has a IE!

klown45 · 07-14-2006, 12:39 PM

Colt Commander!

07-13-2006, 09:39 PM	#1
bfog99 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 27	SA or Kimber I am looking at a 1911 purchase in the next little while. I am looking at the SA Ultra Compact 3.5" barrel and the Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II with a 3" barrel. What do you guys think about these? Which would you pick? I am a big guy and have a hard time concealing, which is why I went with the smaller of the 1911 types. I can get the Kimber for $750 new. The only SA I saw was the Micro Compact for $950 (just to give a price idea for the Ultra). I am assuming I can get them for about the same price. So, what should I get? Any other ideas for the same size 1911 without spending more? __________________ ~Brandon XD-40 Service

07-13-2006, 10:15 PM	#2
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,832 Blog Entries: 12	If you are not going to do any mods to the gun then Kimber is the gun for you. They are out of the box accurate, and require only a small break in the get them running full steam. I have 2 Kimbers and while I like them both the smaller on I have has the external extractor. If the gun you are looking at has one, DO NOT GET IT!!! This is not a good version of this particular 1911 mod. I like some versions(S&W, Caspian/Wilson) but I do not like Kimbers. I have read way to many bad things about it and had a bunch of double feeds because the extractor does not do what is supposed to. All else fails the one of the Springfield guns would have been my next choice. I like them I just wish they would make a stainless gun completely out of stainless steel! There are way to many chrome or alloy parts in SA guns. Just my thoughts though. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

07-13-2006, 10:34 PM	#3
Apdl XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Burnsville, MN Posts: 2,354	loaded SA if it were me. kimbers are nice but the external extractor is not atractive at all blah and from what The Knight Of Light says is **ty __________________ "He took off running, and we caught him, and he just kept resisting. So we just kept whipping his ass." -HulkXD "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein If you are not part of the solution you are part of the precipitate Springfield XD-9 TOTAL COUNT 8206 Daily Carry Springfield 1911 Loaded Target 9mm Walther P22... needs bigger mag Ruger 10/22 Carbine Remington 700 SPS Tactical .308 Win EBR Build in progress**

07-13-2006, 10:56 PM	#4
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,832 Blog Entries: 12	Very ****ty! __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

07-14-2006, 08:56 AM	#6
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,264	My expereince has taught me that anything shorter than a "Commander" length 1911 might be unreliable. I'll never own another Colt Officers Model...I'll leave it at that. I have shot two Kimbers, both Custom IIs. One was stainless and the other was parkerized. I could eat the 10-ring out at 10yds with both of them. I was amazed at how accurate they were. No jams, either. Now, I like my Springfield 1911, but you HAVE to take notice, when you can pick up a 1911 you have no expereince with and drill the center out of the target (with two different models). I, too am looking to upgrade my Springer GI this fall and although I have considered just about everything between 600-900 dollars. Smiths, Springer Loadeds, Sig Revolutions...I've fondled them all. Still, my mind keeps wandering back to the only one in the bunch that I have actually fired...twice...and had very positive vibes from and those were Kimber Custom IIs. If you like the Kimber, I'd say go for it. They're making them now without the external extractor, although the stainless Custom II I shot had an external extractor and the owner said he had not had any troubles with it. The Springfield Loaded is also one to look at, because its alot of gun for the money, but I have never shot one. If you want a smaller 1911, both Springfield and Kimber make 'Commander" sized models...I really would not go any shorter than that. Then you get away from Brother Browning's design too much and things start to not work as they were designed. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

07-14-2006, 04:55 AM	#5
demon XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 514	One thing to consider is that with the Kimber, you can get the Ultra Compact in different versions (CDP, Eclipse, Raptor, Tactical, etc.) whereas the Springfield has limited choices. I like my Kimber and it has functioned flawlessly since I've owned it. Mine has the internal extractor though. I would agree that the external extractor in the smaller guns has given alot of people trouble but Kimber has gone back to the internal on their new guns except for a couple models of full size.

07-14-2006, 09:37 AM	#7
demon XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SE Tennessee Posts: 514	I was actually looking for a Compact CDP, but couldn't find one. I got a full size Eclipse Target. The Compact size Kimbers have the commander length barrel and slide with the officer size frame. A normal commander has the full size frame of the larger gun and is harder to conceal. This is what I was looking for and still might get one when the funds are right. I ended up getting this beauty instead.

07-14-2006, 10:10 AM	#8
hytekblue XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Great State of Missouri Posts: 288	personally I agree with the swedish brick fellow... anything shorter than commander length is asking for problems. That said I traded for a Kimber Pro Carry II and love it. I still carry my full sized Springers from time to time to make me appreciate the kimber. My next project is going to be to find a good used SA champion and bobtail it I think...

07-14-2006, 11:29 AM	#9
xd45acp4life XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: vegas Posts: 357	I would go with the Kimber micro cdp. I have read alot of good things about it on the 1911 forum. Like everyone said make sure it has a IE! __________________ winchester defender 12g., taurus 38, SA XD45ACP service w/ dawson adj. & Springer Precision 3# trigger, xd 9mm sc bi-tone, S/A 1911 loaded, xd9 tactical (wifes) Kel-tec SU-16, Kimber G/R, 06 TRP RRA AR-15!

07-14-2006, 12:39 PM	#10
klown45 XDTalk Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 73	Colt Commander!

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