New Springfield or used Kimber?

[CJATE]

To save a long story that is my choice? In my budget the springer Loaded champ in SS is what I am leaning too. But the local shop just took in a use Kimber Eclipse ultra II, in the dollar ballpark.

So, I hear the gamete "love it or hate it" for kimbers, I don’t want a project to grow to love, I need dependable out of the box. And kimber has a lot of haters. I am not one to assume more money=more quality, but I’ll pay more to get more (w/in budget)

Or is there a third I should consider? $850 ish?

I am new to 1911’s, this will be my first. so, school me, I have read much on 70 or 80 series; busing vs bull barrel and decided I don’t know enough to know the difference so I am getting what I can afford now, and will learn in time and build my next.

I hope this will some day be a carry piece. (love the USP but it’s too fat).

Let the lesson begin.

[bps3040]

I am no expert by any means. Have you shot each pistol? Which one felt the best? Have you broke the Kimber down and had a good looksee? Hope this helps a little.

[Texasdoc]

I personally would go with the Kimber as I have shot both and the kimber is more to my liking. for the feel the kimber fits me . this is just my opinion .

Doc

[HighVelocity]

The Springfield is ALL STEEL and has a 4" barrel. The Kimber has an aluminum frame and a 3" barrel. If this is a carry only gun, go for the Kimber. If you plan on carrying it and target shooting with it, get the Champion.
You may also want to consider that the felt recoil on that Kimber will be substantially greater do to it's lighter weight.

My .02

[ghostrider]

[quote][So, I hear the gamete "love it or hate it" for kimbers, I don’t want a project to grow to love, I need dependable out of the box. And kimber has a lot of haters. I am not one to assume more money=more quality, but I’ll pay more to get more (w/in budget)/quote]

If you look hard enough you can probably find love/hate comments on just about
any major 1911 manufacturer. You should be fine with a Springfield or Kimber (or
Para, or STI)

[quote][Or is there a third I should consider? $850 ish?/quote]

Have you decide what you really want as far as calibre, magazine capacity, barrel length?
there are many options to consider.

[Rugrash]

Personally for me that's a tough call. I have 3 Springers (Mil-Spec SS govt size, an Operator with the full-length rail and a GI Champion Cmdr size) and 1 Kimber Eclipse Custom II. My 2 springers (not the operator) were bought with the intention of getting them fully customized to what I wanted. Both guns were around $500 or $600 apiece. I had prolly $800 worth of work done on each. My kimber really came how I liked it right out of the box (except it was missing the ambidextrous safety). Have you been able to hold both and actually inspect them? How many rounds thru the Kimber?? Have you shot a 1911 before, b/c if not a sub compact might not be the first one to get...IMHO.

I agree with the previous poster concerning the weight and size and how it affects recoil. I haven't shot a sub compact 1911 before and there have been reports of "feeding issues" not sure if its really true or not. I have never had any issues with my Kimber at all. I've been eying a para Warthog for awhile though as I'd like to get a sub compact too. I think you can get a Kimber Pro Carry stainless steel for less than $800.

-Rug

[ghostrider]

>I agree with the previous poster concerning the weight and size and how it affects recoil. I haven't shot a >Isub compact 1911 before and there have been reports of "feeding issues" not sure if its really true or not. I >Ihave never had any issues with my Kimber at all.

I have read that there *can* be reliability issues with 1911's that have a barrel length
shorter than 4". I believe that's mostly been dealt with with different recoil systems
rather than just a shorter version of the Govt model system.

Many feeding issues can be traced to the magazines as well.

[MoJo]

Springfield - - - I have a buddy with the same Kimber it has been back to the factory two or three times and still won't run reliably.

[Thane]

The Springfield is ALL STEEL and has a 4" barrel. The Kimber has an aluminum frame and a 3" barrel. If this is a carry only gun, go for the Kimber. If you plan on carrying it and target shooting with it, get the Champion.
You may also want to consider that the felt recoil on that Kimber will be substantially greater do to it's lighter weight.

My .02

Actually, the Eclipse line is all-steel in all three sizes. I own and sometimes carry an identical Ultra Eclipse. It's solid steel, and as durable as my Springfield Champion. Recoil, while sharper than a larger pistol, is not bad at all (I've also shot the aluminum-framed 3" guns, and they do kick worse).

Between the two of them, I'd likely lean towards the Springfield Loaded, but the Kimber Ultra Eclipse is a quality pistol. You won't go wrong with either choice, IMO.

[flintknapper]

For a "first" 1911 the choice is an easy one for me, go with the Springfield. IMO... you will be getting the most for the money.

Always buy "new" if you can afford to. If you have any problems...you have an excellent warranty dept. to work through with the Springer. If you go with the kimber...you probably have NO warranty at all....since you are not the original owner.

Both are good pistols, but the Kimber's have been overpriced for many years now, more of a status symbol than anything else. Great pistols....but not "better" than the Springfield.

[CJATE]

thank you all, think I'll stick with the Champ,,,, I did not think about the warranty on a used gun, and really worry why it's back (i.e. obviously hardly used, why didn’t the first guy keep it)

but we all know what will happen, I'll get in ready to buy, and ask to look at the TRP SS one last time, and blow my budget...


I will keep you posted.

[flintknapper]

Subliminal message:


look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time
look at the TRP SS one last time