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Thread: Opinions? (Budget 1911 Recommendation)

  1. #31
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    I found out a long time ago...like the XD...there is no love here for anything Kimber.

    I too have a lower end Kimber (TLE II) that runs very well. However...I knew I was rolling the dice and I never tell anyone "go grab a Kimber...they're great." I know buying a Kimber is very 50-50 on whether you will get one that runs.

    That said...yes...if you can get a lightly used "Custom II" series Kimber that runs well...that is a decent base gun. The resale on Kimbers is terrible so you might be able to pick up a Custom II or TLE II in the 600 dollar range. If you can test-fire it ahead and make sure it is reliable...even better.

    However, due to the hit and miss QC of all things Kimber...I rarely tell anyone to run out and get a Kimber as a low end base 1911.

    It is easy to toss the silly full length guide rod and you can deactivate the silly Swartz Safety by swapping the firing pin for a Series 70 one. That gets rid of the worst goofy parts of the Kimber. The plastic MSH is also easy to swap but many Colts came with these and the one on my M1991A1 never broke.

    Do it if it is cheap, you can test it and you know what you are getting into with any Kimber.

    I got lucky and my TLE II is accurate and reliable but my experience is NOT the norm.

    -brickboy240
    Last edited by brickboy240; 12-05-13 at 11:22.

  2. #32
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    If you buy another gun from another board, chances are, that gun was rarely fired. Now if you are buying a gun from a M4C member that's another story. I have seen some smoking deals on some used guns and may just impulse buy some good deals in the future.

    As for a budget 1911, I would try real hard to find a deal on a lightly used Colt or Springfield and call it a day.
    "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

  3. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by brickboy240 View Post
    I found out a long time ago...like the XD...there is no love here for anything Kimber.

    I too have a lower end Kimber (TLE II) that runs very well. However...I knew I was rolling the dice and I never tell anyone "go grab a Kimber...they're great." I know buying a Kimber is very 50-50 on whether you will get one that runs.

    That said...yes...if you can get a lightly used "Custom II" series Kimber that runs well...that is a decent base gun. The resale on Kimbers is terrible so you might be able to pick up a Custom II or TLE II in the 600 dollar range. If you can test-fire it ahead and make sure it is reliable...even better.

    However, due to the hit and miss QC of all things Kimber...I rarely tell anyone to run out and get a Kimber as a low end base 1911.

    It is easy to toss the silly full length guide rod and you can deactivate the silly Swartz Safety by swapping the firing pin for a Series 70 one. That gets rid of the worst goofy parts of the Kimber. The plastic MSH is also easy to swap but many Colts came with these and the one on my M1991A1 never broke.

    Do it if it is cheap, you can test it and you know what you are getting into with any Kimber.

    I got lucky and my TLE II is accurate and reliable but my experience is NOT the norm.

    -brickboy240
    I have a TLE I bought several years ago. The thumb safety broke at about 350 rounds. It broke at a point where I believe there was a void inside of it due to the MIM process. I did not want to pay shipping to and from Kimber, so I ordered a new part from Brownells and installed it myself. At this point the pistol has roughly 6,000 rounds fired through it without any other parts breakage, but I don't know if that is the exception or the rule.

    I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II that is a CCW piece. I keep meticulous records on it and the pistol has run reliably for 4,450 rounds.

    I have read several complaints about Kimbers on the internet, but I have not heard any complaints locally. Most folks haven't fired more than 2,000 rounds through their pistols and that may be why I haven't heard any complaints.

    If the OP has the funds, he might consider a Springfield Armory pistol if he does not take exception to most of the parts being made in Brazil.
    Last edited by T2C; 12-06-13 at 04:01.
    Train 2 Win

  4. #34
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    Yeah, my TLE II has about 3k rounds through it and has never jammed.

    I also have a stainless Springfield GI that has about the same number of rounds and it too has been trouble free.

    I also don't know if these are exceptions or the rule but it still amazes me that you can buy a 1911 for 450-700 bucks and the chances that it will run 100% rght out of the box are very, very good. 10-15 years ago....that was some sort of miracle! LOL

    Like the Kimber, the Springfields are also chock full of MIM parts. This is one reason I suggest getting an older M1991A1 Colt and building from there.

    -brickboy240

  5. #35
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    If you buy another gun from another board, chances are, that gun was rarely fired. Now if you are buying a gun from a M4C member that's another story.
    That's a joke, right? You know that to get a profile here and start posting, one only has to register for a free account?

  6. #36
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    OP: If you are interested in hunting around for the best deal you can possibly find on a used 1911, that's a good idea. If you are interested in going to a store and buying a NIB Rock Island for $100 less, that's a good idea also. Occasionally parts will break in the first few hundred rounds with a new gun. It isn't common but it does happen. But the idea that a RIA is for people who don't shoot that much is moronic. You aren't going to wear it out.

  7. #37
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    The purpose of the gun should determine the type or brand

  8. #38
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    I can't speak for RI, but I've seen PT1911's break straight out of the box. I wouldn't even rely on those POS to work for a good pistol-whipping.

    RUN, don't walk from Taurus.

  9. #39
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    If you are dead set on a 1911, I would save until you can get a quality factory pistol. I am not sure I would even get a base model SA mil-spec or a regular Colt government if you plan to add a grip safety and better sights. The XSE series Colts have a lot of features for the money. The same is true for the SA loaded or Range Officer. That is the starting point I would work from.

  10. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by HKAngusKL View Post
    The XSE series Colts have a lot of features for the money. The same is true for the SA loaded or Range Officer. That is the starting point I would work from.
    The "cost creep" here is not insignificant.

    We've gone from the OP's going in argument RIA, which was on sale last week for $350 new, and now were suggesting pistols that cost literally twice that.

    The thread is about budget 1911s.

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