1911 Springfield?? OR 1911 Kimber?? Serious gun owners ONLY?

This is an easy one. Which ever one you decide on will most likely end up being your new favorite gun company of all time. They are both top notch. You will not be disappointed either way. You said you liked the look of the Springfield better. Sounds like as good of reason as any. Springfield has very good customer service as well, but I really doubt you'll need it. This is one of those multiple choice questions that simply does not have a wrong answer.

I have had bad luck with Kimber's that had external extractors, a bushingless barrel, or both. Other than that they perform well, but for the price you can do better. I cannot complain about any Springfield product I have ever owned. Colt is nice, but usually they require a little work to bring them up to snuff in comparison with some of the higher end Springfield's. If price is not a huge concern though, I would say Nighthawk or Les Baer. They are among the finest "out of the box" 1911's I have ever had. Good Luck, I am sure you will enjoy any of the three you are considering, just remember: No to external extractors, and yes to bushings!

It all depends on personal preference. My favorite 1911 manufacturer is a toss up between Wilson Combat and Colt. I like Wilson because they do a lot of custom work and can make 1911 exactly how you want, so there's no compromising on anything (but you do see a difference in the price tag). However, I still have a nostalgic thing for Colt because they made the original 1911s and I think that they are just plain classy.

That said, between the two I personally prefer Springfield (but this is just my personal preference). But, Kimber certainly does make some very good models. It all depends in what fits your hand and how it balances for you. Unfortunately I have yet to own a Kimber, but I have gotten to shoot some on occasion. Either way you go you'll be investing in a great gun. I'd recommend finding a buddy who has one of the models you are looking for and trying it out for a while or making a trip to a range that rents them and giving them a good test drive.

hello, I prefer the Springfield company over all the rest. I own several 1911 's with most being Springfields, i ever have a couple of the xd's also , and have got a couple of the Smith and Wesson 1911's also which you should look at possible also.. customer service is great with Springfield plus they are very accurate. i have shot kimbers and some other higher price ones , was not impressed

So, oddly enough I have both. I have a first generation Kimber Gold Match in blue, and a Springfield A11911 Loaded in Black Stainless. The Kimber is older, but I have thousands of rounds through both and have used both in competition.

From an actual performance standpoint - the edge goes to the Kimber. Mine is tighter (rattling stuff isn't sexy), more accurate (match grade barrel) and has a better stock trigger (cool looking machined target trigger) than it's Springfield counterpart.

From a sexy standpoint, it is a bit of a wash. The Black/Stainless effect from Springfield is very nice to look at, and plenty shiny. I had a custom trigger, hammer and sear installed to improve the stock one and the new parts are polished stainless to match. Still, it came with black plastic grips, which are easy enough to replace, but that's how it came.

The Kimber is more subdued. Excellent bluing, and beautifully checkered rosewood grips.

So I'd call that a wash.

However, if money is REALLY no object - get yourself an Infinity. Titanium nitride coated barrel, so it is gold colored, titanium hammers, triggers and other bits, so they can be anodized any number of colors, wrap around grips (in a double stack, or standard grips in a single) which can come in all sorts of colors and designs ... Plus you can get them hard chromed, engraved, you name it.

Plus they shoot like crazy.

You did say money was no object ... right?

Thinkingblade

Both are good pistols, however the Kimber seems to be preferred by the Competition crowd. My .45 is neither one but at range I know of several Kimber owners that have several thousand rounds through them. One over ten thousand rounds before he changed the barrel and went right back to shooting like new. A Kimber will be my next .45. Just saving the coin.

I have had a Springfield Loaded 1911 (Stainless Steel) for around 10 years now. I don't know how many rounds I have through it but it is in the thousands. It is accurate and have not had one malfunction since I have owned it. My only complaint is that the 2 piece guide rod comes loose after about 30 rounds unless you use loctite.

If money is no option: Nighthawk

I really like the Dan Wesson 1911s. Infact, I've got two, a razorback (10mm) and a pointman 7 (.45). I've put close to 3500 rounds through my .45 and it has functioned flawlessly. I've owned Springfield armory guns and 1 Kimber( a pro carry II). I wouldn't take that Kimber back if you gave it too me. Perhaps I got a bad one. I really like Kimber rifles though.

First .45 I had ever shot was a Kimber. Did not like it at all, nor did my Grandfather who has been a Police Officer for god knows how many years. The next I tried was Springfield, I loved it, it worked for me. The best thing to do is find a gun range, and rent one of each and try it to see what works for you.

I prefer the springfield. Tried and true and great quality.

Nothing against Kimber, but as a range officer I see more malfs and broken parts with Kimbers than Springfields.