1911 Question - Kimber or Springfield???

Purchasing my first 1911. Have it narrowed down to two - Kimber Stainless TLE II - OR - Springfiled Stainless TRP. Thoughts, ideas, suggestions from those who know the 1911. FYI, my budget is $1000 (TLE) TO $1300 (TRP).

Kimber has had issues in the past. Most probably are correct d at this point. I carry a micro 9 most days and it has ate anything I have put in it so far. I’ve had Springfield’s also and no complaints there either. Some other options you could consider as well in that general price but I won’t complicate it. Both are good weapons and would probably be happy with either.

Kimber has a long list of QC problems, and I know people that have experienced them.

I've got a Springfield Operator (one notch below your TRP) and it has ran like a champ.

I vote Springfield.

Kimber was great quality back in the day, then had a long-ish run of QC problems, and now I've heard they're back on the straight and narrow. My buddy has an older Eclipse Target II that's freaking sweet - never had a single jam and stupidly accurate, smooth, etc.

That being said, Springfield makes a really nice gun as well, and you'd be hard-pressed to beat the quality for the price.

I think they're both good options. I run a Colt that I absolutely love, so I don't have a strong opinion. If you forced me to trust my life to one of them, it'd be the Springfield 8 days a week.

I know you're narrowing to 2 options, but the Ruger SR1911 is a fantastic option at a really nice price (around $750). Personally, if I was going past the $800/$900-ish mark, I'd start looking at a used Dan Wesson or similar for not much more than you're talking about with the Springfield. My Colt was only $775.

I have an older Kimber, not an issue. The newer ones are less reliable

Of your choices Springfield by far

But I hear Ruger for the money is great

pick one, both good

I have both

probably 20,000+ rounds on Kimber
and several thousands on Springfield

whatever you do, change the magazines to Wilson Combat and keep the spring fresh for reliability

Of the two Springfield.

You couldn't give me a Kimber, period

I have the old bargain basement plain Jane Springfield 1911-A1 GI, at least I think that's what it's called.

It eats ball, hollow points, cast etc like a kid with a bowl of chocolate frosted sugar bombs watching Saturday cartons.

I have not owned a Kimber.
A guy at work bought a Kimber many years ago.
He was having issues with it.
They told him to put at least 500 rounds through it and then call them back.

I asked when the 500 rounds they were sending him were supposed to show up.
He just gave me the "look". LOL

I heard the 500 round story being floated around, but he was the first hands on person I heard it from.

I did see a NIB Kimber that had horrendous metal finishing issues.
That was years ago as well.

Seems like some lapping compound, while watching TV would be cheaper.

I know a couple of very good shooters that shoot Kimbers and they work great. I also really like Springfields and have personally shot thousands of rounds through them. So i tend to lean springfield because of personal experience, but feel both will serve you fine.

With all these Kimber complaints, How do they stay in business??????????????????????????

Take what you read here with a grain of salt, most have never held a Kimber much less owned one. Everyone's an expert. I've owned a Micro .380 and Desert Warrior .45ACP. Never had a problem when broken in according to Kimbers Owners Manual. Buy Kimber with Confidence.

Go to Coltforum.com They have a manufacturers section for ALL 1911's. You can read ALL the good and bad on EVERY make and Model.

I also Love the Springfield's

I like a railed gun for mounting a laser or light.

the TRP is getting close to Dan Wesson money, take a close look at one, close as you can get to custom without paying $4,000. Yes I'm Bias, I own this Specialist and LOVE it....yes, it SHOOTS

Either 1911 is very nice. I have owned Kimbers and Sigs. I no longer have the Sig.
Most issues are created by fan boys trying to explain away why they are better than you, or why they can’t shoot.

Some examples are:

Plastic mainspring housing, cast internals,

Not made in the U.S. etc.

Buzz you keep your guns cleaner than anybody I know is probably why

probably too clean, FP-10 oozes out of all of them

Gotta shoot em to get em dirty.

I own many brands and sizes of 1911s. This is one of my favorites. Should be able to find one in BiTone like I own in your price range which is stainless on top.

Springfield has the dumb [censored] safety lock in the mainspring housing. Don't know about Kimbers.

Get a Colt.

Dan Wesson

Although I like the TRP, if I had to spend my money it would be a Dan Wesson as well.

I agree!!

Dan Wesson Valor.

Thank you to everyone who took time to give me their advice and opinions!

Unfortunately these two new Springfiled TRP 1911s will now have to be returned - I had purchased them for David Mass and Bigfoot, but they said will not even take a free $1400 Kimber. That is dedication!

After your many suggestions, and before even reading the post from AP2714, I researched Dan Wesson and decided to go with a DW Valor. It is ordered and on the way! Thanks to everyone for opening up my thinking!

I value my life a little more than that. You made a wise decision with the Dan Wesson, every one I have held or shot was a superb specimen.

Dan Wesson builds the best production 1911 on the market

I'm reading your book Bill and am enjoying it.

I looked at the Kimber Stainless TLE II in 10mm. As much as I want one, I just can't get past the bad reviews.

I try and tell myself that it is possible the reviews are from folks that have no idea what they are doing, but in the end, I just don't have the money to burn on a bad gun purchase.

With that said, I'd tell you to get the Springfield.

For myself, I'm going to go with a Rock Island Armory in 10mm.

Good luck

The Springfield Range Officer is a very good choice in my opinion. Mine has never had a hiccup of any kind and other than a true full custom $5000 gun, I think the accuracy can't be beat.

I have the Custom TLE II 45 in Black, absolute pile of crap, mim parts in critical places, I spent as much trying to get it to be reliable as I did on the pistol. It started with failure to feeds, followed by chunking brass in your face, followed by failure to extracts, followed by the slide stop safety spring breaking. It sits in the safe collecting dust, for the amount of money I spent on Kimber pistols, I could have a full on custom Wilson or Ed Brown.

I think the SRO is a great pistol but I bought the LW. It was still a great pistol but I couldn’t get used to the feel. For me it was a non starter. Being one that doesn’t learn well I also recently bought the SR1911 in 9mm LW. Exact same issue for me and I now have a Colt 9mm all stainless sitting beside it. It feels wonderful in the hands by comparison.

It took me two to figure out I do not like lite weight 1911s. I know you already ordered a Dan Wesson which is an excellent choice but to anyone considering a LW from any manufacturer I suggest handling one quiet a bit and shooting it if you can. If you’re new to 1911s you’ll likely never notice but if you’ve shot them for years it may be a no go for you as it was me.

I have a TRP, 100% flawless.

Springfield actually has a gunsmith in their factory.


Kimber “custom” is a joke, they do not do custom work it’s just a laughable logo.

Kimbers do make great Kayak anchors though. I would not trust my life with one.