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I am trying to decide between a new pistol purchase for carry. Now I know they are not much alike, but if you were given the option between:

Door #1 --> Kimber Ultra Carry II Stainless .45

Door #2 --> Springfield XD Sub-Compact .40


I know that these are drastically different, and I have my own opinions, but I'm still quite impressionable on the topic and would like to hear from y'all.

Money is not a deciding factor in this purchase.

Which would you choose and why?

If you don't already have a 1911 model or a .45 then that is what I would get.

I do like the XD though, so if I needed a gun I could CCW and not worry about scratching and all that the SA would be a top choice.

Although I would probably get a ParaOrd instead of a Kimber, but that is totally personal preference.

Final decision? If money is no object and I didn't have anything in either area I would get the Kimber first.

If cost was no factor I'd probably get the Kimber. Only negative is lower capacity but only by 2 rounds so not much difference. The stainless finish is very nice.

I would go with the Kimber. I would stay away from .40 as it is more expensive than 9mm, and has more recoil, higher pressure cart., and has no advantage over a 9mm. (Not trying to start a debate, just my unsolicited opinion.)

Glenn

Kimber. You will not regret the decision. Although love is an emotion that should probably be reserved for one's wife, children, other human relationships, or loyal canine companion (not cats), fondling my Kimber stirs deep emotion in my soul.

Are you sure it is your soul that you get the emotional feeling in?

Glenn

I picked the XD for 2 reasons.

1) I love my XD subcompact. 100% reliable out of the box with everything I've fed it. Dead on accurate too. Requires nothing but a brain and a finger to operate.

2) The Kimber compact 1911's have a love/hate following. Some run some don't run without help. Go to http://www.1911forum.com and browse the Kimber forum. You'll see what I'm talking about.

Door number one...

Since I had the choice...I therefore chose...

Baytown - you have my thinking now. If I go the XD route I will have to conquer a .40 vs 9mm debate now.

However, thus far, I appreciate the input. What else?



BTW - reason for this is my dad is giving me his Gold Cup .45, which will satisfy that 1911 craving in me (though my USPC is great). I had my eyes locked on a Kimber for a while, but now that I have a 1911 I don't have that urge anymore so I have "options" I guess I could say. Money is no object because I have a sum of money coming soon that will cover both costs.

Thanks for the help! Keep it up!

-nick

One 1911 will not satisfy an urge. Not even a Gold Cup, although it is a nice start.

I went with the Kimber but only because that's the only 1911 choice you gave. :)

I have a SA micro and carry it more the 90% of the time. I also have a XD-9 SC that I carry. If you would have listed the choices as the XD-40 SC or the XD-9 SC, I would have voted for the XD-9 only because of less felt recoil of the 9 over the 40 in that small of a package. Now saying that, I will disagree with Baytown as the .40S&W is superior to the 9mm, IMHO... :)

anygunanywhere wrote:One 1911 will not satisfy an urge. Not even a Gold Cup, although it is a nice start.

I wish that that was not true. Unfortunately according to my wallet, it is.

Another issue with owning more than one 1911 is....as they lay before me in my gunsafe, I gaze upon them. I pick one up in one hand, feeling the cold machined weight of the pistol. My, how nice! :D I pick another one up, noting a very similar sensation, although not exact, because they all have their own feel. Nice again! :D :D But wait! I have more 1911's than I have hands. I can only fondle two at a time. I need a transplant.

Anygun

Use your feet! :P

One 1911 will not satisfy an urge. Not even a Gold Cup, although it is a nice start.

This is something that I am quickly learning. I just need more $$$. :(

XDs are nice guns. I think of them as (and don't shoot me for saying this) the mating of a Glock and a 1911. They seem to incorporate the best of each. You can't go wrong with the XD.

That being said, I have and carry the Kimber UC II. Mine isn't stainless. So far this little gun has been real good. Only two failures in the first 500 rounds. and those can be attributed to me limp wristing. For me, the 1911 platform is perfect. I may even name my next kid John Moses, even if its a girl.

I had had a Colt Defender that was an absolute POS. After the Colt I was reluctant to try another 3" 1911. I haven't been sorry.

Ultimately it is going to depend on what feels best in your hand. IF you practice and become proficient with your gun you will not be undergunned with either choice in 9mm, .40, or .45ACP.