I want a 1911

[AustinBoy]

So I got permsission to purchase a new gun!!

I want a 1911 and I really like the Kimber Compact CDP II. Short grip, 4" barrel.
I can get a full grip on the short grip and I really like the 4" barrel.
This will be my EDC so it needs to conceal well.

Is there anything else I should consider before making this purchase?

Thanks!

[AEA]

Sounds like a great choice Grasshopper!
Enjoy and welcome to the right side!

[The Annoyed Man]

So I got permsission to purchase a new gun!!

I want a 1911 and I really like the Kimber Compact CDP II. Short grip, 4" barrel.
I can get a full grip on the short grip and I really like the 4" barrel.
This will be my EDC so it needs to conceal well.

Is there anything else I should consider before making this purchase?

Thanks!

Then you should get one!

Yes, consider how annoying your purchase is to the Glock die-hards.........and grin.

[74novaman]

Looks like you've figured out what you want, so go for it!

A 4" 1911 is a nice compromise between size and concealability (though I personally feel that a full sized grip and 5 inch barrel aren't THAT hard to conceal.

[mr surveyor]

before you purchase, I'd recommend you try both the alloy framed version and the steel version. I own the 4" Stainless Compact and have compared it to other's alloy framed models.... glad I still have the old 1997-98 solid steel model.

[A-R]

before you purchase, I'd recommend you try both the alloy framed version and the steel version. I own the 4" Stainless Compact and have compared it to other's alloy framed models.... glad I still have the old 1997-98 solid steel model.

Also take a serious look at the STI Guardian (I believe this is the same basic configuration - 4-inch barrel, "officer-size" grip - and it's made right up the road in Georgetown. Buddy of mine and forum member here has one and I've shot and it is N-I-C-E-!

[Scott in Houston]

before you purchase, I'd recommend you try both the alloy framed version and the steel version. I own the 4" Stainless Compact and have compared it to other's alloy framed models.... glad I still have the old 1997-98 solid steel model.

Also take a serious look at the STI Guardian (I believe this is the same basic configuration - 4-inch barrel, "officer-size" grip - and it's made right up the road in Georgetown. Buddy of mine and forum member here has one and I've shot and it is N-I-C-E-!

This.

This is my next gun as well.

[pbwalker]

So I got permsission to purchase a new gun!!

I want a 1911 and I really like the Kimber Compact CDP II. Short grip, 4" barrel.
I can get a full grip on the short grip and I really like the 4" barrel.
This will be my EDC so it needs to conceal well.

Is there anything else I should consider before making this purchase?

Thanks!

Then you should get one!

Yes, consider how annoying your purchase is to the Glock die-hards.........and grin.

Not annoying at all...us Glock guys can appreciate antiques.

[glbedd53]

Look at Springfields. I don't have one but I want one.

[The Annoyed Man]

So I got permsission to purchase a new gun!!

I want a 1911 and I really like the Kimber Compact CDP II. Short grip, 4" barrel.
I can get a full grip on the short grip and I really like the 4" barrel.
This will be my EDC so it needs to conceal well.

Is there anything else I should consider before making this purchase?

Thanks!

Then you should get one!

Yes, consider how annoying your purchase is to the Glock die-hards.........and grin.

Not annoying at all...us Glock guys can appreciate antiques.

And we like plastic.

[AEA]

Look at Springfields. I don't have one but I want one.

Look very close at them. Quality has gone downhill in the past few years while prices have gone up. Do not buy online without an inspection period.

Many guns coming out with horrible slide/frame fit and overhang. Practically every gun available below their "Pro" models have clocking extractors.

I own two that I bought online and ended up fixing the flaws myself. They are getting picky on their faults and I am hearing that they are not honoring the warranty on what they consider "cosmetic" flaws (which include slide/frame fitting and overhang).

They apparently have come to the conclusion that people will buy regardless of the "cosmetic appearance" as long as the pistol functions correctly. And, with that said, there is a larger number of pistols going back for function than ever before.

[MoJo]

There's a cocked, locked and loaded STI 1911 on the shelf under my keyboard.

[AustinBoy]

So no worries with Kimber Quality?

[MoJo]

Oh my gosh! You have asked the forbidden question.

Yes there are problems with Kimbers. There I said it and I said what I said and will stick with it to the end. Most of the pros who carry 1911's into harm's way will not use a series II Kimber because of reliability issues. AR gave you some good advise look at the STIs. I see way more Kimbers needing to go back than any other brand. Sure they'll fix it but, a gun that's going to set you back a grand or more should work out of the box.

[AEA]

I have owned several Kimbers over the last 8 years and enjoyed all of them. I did have to fix the external extractor on a Eclipse (rather than sending it back to them). But all the new guns have the internal extractor now and no more worries about that problem.

I ended up selling all of my Kimbers though and it was mainly because i wanted something else and their firing pin safety helped me justify selling for something else without those extra parts.

If I were you, looking for a Kimber, I would try to find a Model that I like slightly used. Hopefully from a Forum member here, so that you could work out a firing test before purchase. Or at least an inspection period so that you could take it to the range. That way you would know for sure that it has no problems and you would probably get a pretty good deal on the price verses buying new. Another advantage is it would already be broken in for you.

Anyway, that is what I would do.