View Full Version : Springfield TRP or Kimber TLE RL II
I am thinking about purchasing a full size 1911 with a rail. My two choices are the Springfield TRP or the Kimber TLE RL II. I have already have a Kimber Pro Carry Stainless II. I purchased this used from a private party. The previous owner stated she only fired about 200 rounds through it. My Kimber works flawless since I have got it. I have heard that Kimbers have a horrific and painful break-in period and I am hesitant to purchase a brand new one. I think I was just lucky with my Kimber Pro Carry Stainless II.
Thoughts?
Do a search using the orange search button above....
They are both production grade guns using MIM parts througout. The Springfield MIM is done to a high standard and some in the "1911" industry consider it to be good enough to be considered "servicable" and I agree although my internet opinion means nothing. The TRP is the nicest production grade gun springfield makes and they make them pretty damn well. The negative to me though is the bull barrel, I prefer the traditional design. The other negative is the rear sight but there are other options for those as well. If you want a railed 1911 with traditional JMB aspects try and find the MC Operator.
I have a Kimber tle 2, it is not the rail one, but it has been flawless. I also got mine used. If your gun only had 200 rds through it, that is not a bad break in period. They usually suggest putting 500 rds through it as a break in, but I think that is more to let the shooter learn how to shoot the gun properly and not so much breaking in the gun.
The negative to me though is the bull barrel, I prefer the traditional design.
What are the cons for having a bull barrel? I thought a bull barrel was better in aspects of durable, accuracy, etc.
I have a Kimber tle 2, it is not the rail one, but it has been flawless. I also got mine used. If your gun only had 200 rds through it, that is not a bad break in period. They usually suggest putting 500 rds through it as a break in, but I think that is more to let the shooter learn how to shoot the gun properly and not so much breaking in the gun.
Yeah I had a friend who purchased the TLE RL II a few years back. He is a total Kimber Junkie. He stated the Kimber always had malfunctions during the early stages. He told me he had to sent it back to Kimber and they "fixed" his gun. They also added a tigger job for free (I believe... he told me this a while ago).
When I purchased my Kimber used, I also thought the 200 round count was a bit too low for the break-in period. I was expecting to have to break it in. After shooting it and never having a malfunction, I thought I got lucky and purchased a great Kimber.
Anyone who brought a new Kimber and had a painful beginning/break in period?
The negative to me though is the bull barrel, I prefer the traditional design. The other negative is the rear sight but there are other options for those as well. If you want a railed 1911 with traditional JMB aspects try and find the MC Operator.
Not that I shoot a lot of 1911s, but I usually prefer the GI guide rod etc as well, except I'm not sure I've ever shot a pistol that's more accurate than the TRP Rail, so that bull barrel, FLGR set up does something right.
I have a buddy who has a TRP and he said the Surefire X300 light he mounted on the pictanny rail is loose and shakes.
When I inspected it, all the screws and such in the X300 were tight and secure. My buddy said this happens to all TRP rails. I think this isn't right. The light shouldn't be shaking like that... Anyone experience this or heard about this?
Thoughts?
There's only one real choice in there and you'd know which one quickly on a search. ;)
Singlestack Wonder
03-30-12, 18:56
Having had several of each throughout the years, my nod goes to the Kimber TLE II. The TRP was riddled with less than attention to details issues. No beveled magazine well so if one prefers to use a TRP without it's add-on magwell, it's a task. The inside machined edges were sharp and not rounded. I also prefer the 30LPI checkering on the TLE2. If you have your sights set on the TRP, handle one first to see how the sharp 25LPI checking feels. Both the Kimber TLE II and TRP ran without issues, but for quality, the Kimber was the better of the two.
Dan Wesson!!!
Well you gotta convince me! Why do you like Dan Wesson 1911s?
trp. the bull barrel, weight, and stiff recoil spring makes it a pleasure to shoot. very low felt recoil (think 9mm) and very accurate. disassembly is a pain but the benefit is worth it. the only weakness is the adjustable night sight, it is not armory kote treated and can rust during summer/humid carry or storage.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7541/trp7ydbig.jpg
trp. the bull barrel, weight, and stiff recoil spring makes it a pleasure to shoot. very low felt recoil (think 9mm) and very accurate. disassembly is a pain but the benefit is worth it. the only weakness is the adjustable night sight, it is not armory kote treated and can rust during summer/humid carry or storage.
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7541/trp7ydbig.jpg
Is there a way to get the gun treated into the "armory kote" so it's a bit more rust resistant?
Beautiful gun, btw... **drools**
Is there a way to get the gun treated into the "armory kote" so it's a bit more rust resistant?
Beautiful gun, btw... **drools**
My SA has been flawless...literally through several K. Not a Swartz / Kimber fan. The TRP with the ability to make changes as you desire through SACS would be my choice.
Friends don't let friends buy Kimber.
I'd look at IB or if you want to coat, Wilson's new AT or WB's black T over AK.
Is there a way to get the gun treated into the "armory kote" so it's a bit more rust resistant?
Beautiful gun, btw... **drools**
the gun has the armory kote, the adjustable rear night sight does not.
David Thomas
03-31-12, 09:01
I am thinking about purchasing a full size 1911 with a rail. My two choices are the Springfield TRP or the Kimber TLE RL II. I have already have a Kimber Pro Carry Stainless II. I purchased this used from a private party. The previous owner stated she only fired about 200 rounds through it. My Kimber works flawless since I have got it. I have heard that Kimbers have a horrific and painful break-in period and I am hesitant to purchase a brand new one. I think I was just lucky with my Kimber Pro Carry Stainless II.
Thoughts?
Any time you buy a new pistol especially a production 1911 you run the risk of getting one that may have issues. The used 1911 market is loaded with good guns. A Harrison, novak and a Chuck Rogers modified gun are all available for under $2000.
The Rogers modified 1911 is a Kimber Warrior with a ton of kit and is for sale on this forum.
Sorry I think that Warrior may be spoken for now :big_boss:
David Thomas
03-31-12, 14:51
Sorry I think that Warrior may be spoken for now :big_boss:
Smart man. If i didnt already have more 1911s than i can count, i would have been all over that one.
I'm just waiting to hear back and verify Im first to commit! Ill probably do the few upgrades/changes 10-8 mentions just for simple piece of mind....and I'm a tinkerer !!
I would go with the TRP over the Kimber. I would also take a serious look at the Colt rail gun. If I could find a TRP w/a rail I would snatch it up in a heart beat. Springfield TRPs are nice guns.
I have a Kimber that I've never had issues with, but I also owned another Kimber that wasn't as reliable. Kimber is one of those guns that it may work great, or it may give you constant problems. I wouldn't bother with that gamble.
brickboy240
04-03-12, 11:43
On a whim (...and because I got a crazy low price) I bought a TLE II about 5 years ago. Honestly, I was not expecting it to be that great and I thought I'd probably trade it off later for what would be my 3rd Colt 1911.
Well....the thing just flat out runs! It ran 100% right out of the box and right now it sits at about the 3500 round mark and I cannot remember having one malfunction! It has also been a very accurate pistol and a joy to shoot.
Surprised the hell out of me....I thought by now, it would be gone from my safe but I don't make it a habit of ditching a 1911 that runs right out of the box. The only mods I have done was adding Wilson mags and that is it.
It eats all hardball, plus Gold Dots, Hydra-Shoks and XTP hollowpoints. In fact, about the fourth mag in to my "200rd break in" I slipped in a mag of 230gr Hydra-Shoks and they went right through the gun with no problems.
I was NOT expecting to like this 1911 this much..but it is a really decent shooter. I know...its full of MIM parts and a low range production gun but the thing runs and runs. Not too long ago...this was some sort of miracle - a 1911 that ran 100% right out of the box. LOL
From reading around...it is obvious that I got the only good Kimber, so you should probably buy the Springer or Colt Rail Gun and call it good. Kimber hate here seems to be the usual thought pattern. LOL
- brickboy240
Well you gotta convince me! Why do you like Dan Wesson 1911s?
Forged internals, hand fit and custom gun quality for half the price. These are very nice guns for the money. Considering the price of a TRP these days, a Dan Wesson Specialist is not far off.
I have a buddy who has a TRP and he said the Surefire X300 light he mounted on the pictanny rail is loose and shakes.
When I inspected it, all the screws and such in the X300 were tight and secure. My buddy said this happens to all TRP rails. I think this isn't right. The light shouldn't be shaking like that... Anyone experience this or heard about this?
I thought the TRP rail was a universal not a picatinny style rail.
I thought the TRP rail was a universal not a picatinny style rail.
I also questioned him if it was a Universal or Picatinny since Surefire provides both rail adapters. He stated he tried both and the light still shakes. Sorry, I didn't mention that earlier.
Have him call SA maybe- I've owned multiple operators and can't say one was loose.
Every X300 I've mounted, three of them so far, have been obscenely tight to the rail. Kind of surprising one would be loose.
Your buddy didn't get crazy with a file when attempting to slide the light on or anything did he?
Every X300 I've mounted, three of them so far, have been obscenely tight to the rail. Kind of surprising one would be loose.
Your buddy didn't get crazy with a file when attempting to slide the light on or anything did he?
I didn't ask him specifically, but I did examine the TRP at the time. I didn't notice any file marks. And I am sure he wouldn't have done that to such a expensive firearm.
I meant take a file to the X300.
I've heard of people doing that to make them slide on the rail better, but after a few on/off cycles they loosen up nicely.
I had both and i hated the bull barrel setup. My preference is to you a bushing and a plug for field stripping.
i've owned 3 different kimbers and never had an issue with em. You mileage my vary.
I have the TRP half rail and it is a solid gun. It shoots very well and mine has been pretty dependable so far. Hasn't had a malfunction in the 1200 rounds I have put through it. It is well put together and has a decent finish. I would definitely buy another for what it is and for what they cost.
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i381/tylerd2/2012-03-15_21-26-56_339.jpg
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i381/tylerd2/IMG_20111113_152222.jpg
forgot to add that my SA TRP light rail was built like a tank!
Both are decent guns, but I'd have to give the edge to the Springfield.
So I purchased a Springfield Long Beach Operator 1911. I installed a Surefire X400 on the rail. I had to really tighten down the clamp and the X400 is sturdy like a rock. Here are some pics:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l155/davidnguyen1151/Guns/f2b79956.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l155/davidnguyen1151/Guns/cc7cb0f9.jpg
snichols28
05-18-12, 14:45
Friends don't let friends buy Kimber.
Doesn't get any more true than this!
I had and sold my:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/snichols28/Kimber%201911%20TLE%20RL%20Stainless/9a921447.jpg
For this:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f297/snichols28/Springfield%20TRP%201911/61d0e501.jpg
...and I am so impressed with the fit and finish of the TRP compared to that Kimber. Springfield TRP is amazing for the money! Do yourself a huge favor and jump on a TRP.
mark olindale
05-21-12, 23:29
Well, I have very little experience with Kimber. However, my mother has a kimber pro carry 1911 and the horrific break in period that you speak of is not all that horrific but still worse than others. If I were you I would go with the TRP, no real sound reasoning behind it. I just find the TRP to be a far more superior gun than anything Kimber puts out. I've had the opportunity to shoot a TRP a few times and each time left me more and more impressed with the functionality of the gun. Just my two cents.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.