Kimber vs. Colt

[wamj2008]

Hey guys, I own a Kimber Pro , love the smooth trigger on it. Very accurate. How do the modern Colt incarnations stack up against a Kimber? Is the trigger the same? I ask because I may consider switching... MAY... just to be consistent (I have 2 Colts now, not 1911s.) Kimber's CS has treated me very very well. Is it worth it to endure the wife's eye rolls??

 

[Mags]

Good luck, everyone is still judging Colt on how they were 40 years ago. Even though they are the same quality as Kimber nowadays. Nobody will admit it but they both use MIM which isn't neccesarily a bad thing but they both used plastic mainspring housings which is. Even my 1973 Colt had a cracked steel frame something none of my Kimbers steel or aluminum has experienced. But a Colt is a Colt I guess, but if I buy a sub 1200 dollar 1911 it will be a Kimber.

 

[ttheel]

I am also looking at Colt's and Kimber's right now for purchase. I have decided to go with either the Pro(4 inch) or the Commander(4 1/4 inch) model. I have just read to much about problems with sub 4 inch 1911's. I would love a 3 inch but I just dont want to deal with many of the problems which folks seem to have with them. I have not made up my mind yet but one or the other is going to be my next purchase. I was considering a Dan Wesson until they foolishly skyrocketed their prices. Its just the principle of the thing...

 

[goose2]

My cdp 2 4" is fabulous to say the least. It is very accurate and eats everything I feed it. I have actually tried to get it to do something wrong with different lengths and bullets on the reloads and it is still gets it done. I have never owned a more perfect gun for me. It's Kimber all the way for me.

 

[Balrog]

I have owned several Kimbers and have been dissatisfied with all of them. To make it worse, Kimber's customer service is the worst I have ever encountered.

I did a poll here a while back, and only 55 percent of Kimber owners said they would buy another, so I guess my experience is relatively common.

 

[loop]

I'm not sure I understand the question. You want to off the reliable, accurate Kimber for a Colt?

If that is what you want to do then do it.

I'd just add a Colt.

I disagree with anyone who slams Colt or Kimber. My guess is they probably rave about their Rock Island...

My Colts are flawless and my Kimbers are flawless. I'll buy more of each. OTOH,my Norincos are flawless and so are my Paras and all my other 1911s. If you take the time to learn about the gun making it work right isn't an act of God.

 

[1911Tuner]

Kimber's fit and finish has been consistently excellent over the years. Kimber pioneered the use of MIM small parts when they entered the market, and in the beginning...things were very good. In the last few years, they've apparently changed vendors for those parts, or the old vendor has dropped off a bit on QA because the parts have been hit and miss recently.

Colt has also made use of a good many MIM parts, and they've been consistently good from the beginning until the present. I've heard of very few failures, and have experienced none with any Colt OEM part made with the MIM process.

As far as Kimber goes, the base gun is good to go...as good as any and better than many. Just be aware that there have been some intermittent problems with the Swartz system on the Series 2 pistols, but Kimber will sort that out under warranty.

 

[GIJOEL]

I see most Kimber compaints from the custom II line with the extra saftey, if your gun is running and you like it i would keep it. I personally haven't shot any newer colts in the last 10 years but the last gold cup i shot wasn't as nice as my custom classic. My father has had 3 and 4 inch models and they always ran well.

 

[wamj2008]

Thanks guys. I'd like to move up to a 5" 1911 at some point, and if I do I think it's going to be a Colt... I've just got the bug and can't afford 2 higher priced (for me anyway) guns.

 

[Fastcast]

A good buddy of mine had been wanting a "real" Colt 1911 for sometime. About a year ago he sold his vintage High Power to help fund the purchase. It's a stainless beauty but all wasn't well from the get go.

Many failures even after breakin so it was sent back to Colt....I forget what he said was wrong but apparently the problem was fixed. He says the gun has been running flawless since getting it back. I have to say, the fit on the machine work is extremely tight and gun is very accurate so they are doing something right and CS stepped up quickly and fixed the problem. With that said, no one likes sending a new gun back to the factory, let alone a $1000 Colt.

 

[Jonah71]

The jury is still out on my Kimber BP 10 Pro .45. I think it was only made in 2003. When a particular model was only made for one year and then pretty much abandoned/changed, it worries me a bit.

 

[Boats]

I'd chance a Colt way before I'd chance a Kimber. Has nothing to do with Rock Island appreciation either. I'd rather work with Series 80 than with the Schwartz.

I'd also more appreciate the hours spent over a lifetime looking at the Colt's roll marks than those of the Kimber, whose script looks like it belongs on the cover of a Barbie DVD for my daughter.

 

[xXxplosive]

It's not a .45 unless it has a Horse on it..............all my Pre 80's Colts run like a watch. Just couldn't bring myself to own a Kimber. Nighthawk....yes.
Wilson......Maybe. Just don't care for all the customized parts in these other pistols.
RIA has forged slide and frame, not machined out of a single billet of steel, you can see the surface imperfections using a glass, not for me at any price....you get what you pay for.
You can always get parts for a Colt........EZ.

 

[SideArmed]

Sorry NOT a Colt fan of any of the later models

I own a Special Combat Gov't Model and its a rip off for the money.

as I have said before, Colt makes a fantastic AR, their 1911's are going down hill. Saw the new "Rail model" at the Shot show and it looks poorly made as well. Colt is just a name now to me

Kimber's .... don't care much for either. Their newer pistols to be released this year look to be of good quality though.

 

[HexHead]

Most of the new Kimbers models are following the watch trend and look more like jewelry than tools.
I've had a couple of Kimbers and both were reliable, but I wouldn't buy another. I have a Colt now, and I much prefer the Series 80 solution to a question nobody asked than the Swartz solution. I don't like on the Kimbers that you have to be careful not to depress the grip safety when removing or installing the slide, less you risk shearing off the safety's piston and rendering the pistol inoperable. I also greatly dislike the 4" bull barrel and it's need for a tool or paperclip to field strip the pistol vs. the 4.25" barrel with a bushing.

I've got a New Agent, and Colt seems to be the only company that's figured out how to make 3" 1911s consistently reliable with their Defender series 90s. You've really got to look hard to find a complaint about them. Not so much for a Kimber Ultra.

 

[Oro]

How do the modern Colt incarnations stack up against a Kimber?

I think at the moment Colt has an edge over Kimber in initial quality - they have been very focused on making constant progress the last 10 years. I think the "crossover" point was breached a few years ago. I do not think buying a new gun from another maker is "dumb" or wrong - but at the moment I am really pleased with the product which Colt is producing for a number of reasons, including features, styling, price points, quality of fit/finish, and quality/construction of components.

Is the trigger the same?

I have two Colt 1911 style guns made in the last few years (one 2007 and one late 2009). Both came from the factory with an excellent trigger. I was very impressed - each was totally acceptable "out of the box." I would say on this point they are quite similar.

Kimber's CS has treated me very very well.

That is good to hear, and I think overall that is what you will hear from Colt owners who've deal with them for warranty/recall/gunsmithing. I do not think any "major" manufacturer in the 1911 platform has a huge edge over any other on the support/customer service issue. Most people will say they are pleased with Colt, Kimber, SA, S&W, etc.

I admit that I am a Colt "fan." But that is based on objectively evaluating them and being very pleased, not because of some irrational attachment because they are the original or a hometown favorite. I have over time owned 15 or so Colts ranging from WWII era to 2009 and not met a bad one personally. The current production is on average the best they have ever done mechanically. I do miss the old hand polish and finish, though.

 

[rklessdriver]

I base my opinion of the new COLT pistols off of the 2 new COLT pistols I've bought in the last year. A regular 80 Series Commander and a Combat Elite.

Both have been fantastic. Well worth the money I spent.

I have a few 1950 - 1980's built COLT commercial pistols to compare them too. The new ones are far better fit and finish wise than the late 70's early 80's pistols that everyone maligns so much... The new ones are IMO not as nice as my recently purchased NIB 50's mfg Govt model.... The new guns give you a nice gun for the money IMO.

I will tell you all of my COLT's shoot like a house on fire. I sold every other 1911 variant I owned except for my Springer (mil spec) and my Les Baer (Premier II). I have no desire to own anything less.

I did own a Kimber Tac Pro II. Waited for 2 months after drooling for 7moths while I was deployed to buy it. Biggest dissapointment of a gun I've ever owned. I gave Kimber 3 chances to make it right and they couldn't. I finally let it become some one elses problem. I'm not a basher thou. I know people who have had good and bad experiences with Kimber... Mostly good. They can build a nice gun.

However for MY $$$$ it's COLT every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Will

 

[HisSoldier]

I disagree with anyone who slams Colt or Kimber. My guess is they probably rave about their Rock Island..

Well, I'm a Dan Wesson fan (No MIM!), and also own two Colts, a Kimber and an RIA. If I'm going to buy a 1911 with MIM parts in it it will be the RIA, because they charge the right amount for their cheap cookie cut parts, unlike some high priced American makers. If I'm paying $1200 for a gun it had danged well better not have any MIM in it!

 

[cyclopsshooter]

I'd also more appreciate the hours spent over a lifetime looking at the Colt's roll marks

me too! but not my 1991a1

the scrolling on the 1930s colts is tops!

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt has less of the MIN and as said if we must have a lawyer safety the 80series better.
I traded a Colt for a Kimber eclipse That was a mistake look great but that about it I took a beating but went back yo Colt.
I have a Dan Wesson and was looking to get more till they decided to jump the price 100's of dollars . They lost me also as a customer.

 

[skoro]

I don't own a Kimber, but I've certainly admired a few. Verrry purty pistols.

I have purchased two commander 1911s in the past two years. Both have been Colts and both have been flawless in operation. No complaints whatsoever.

I went in with an open mind in both cases, not with a preference for one make over the other. But the local gunshop was able to offer me a better deal on the Colts both times. Now that I've owned them for awhile, I have to admit that the Colt name and history have a certain cachet that I've come to appreciate.

YMMV

 

[Jonah71]

The main reason I bought the Kimber (and I may have been really wrong) is that I was sure I could recover my $500 investment after shooting it for awhile. I plan on selling it or trading up in the future. But not being that familiar with pistols in general, and especially ignorant about Kimbers, I'm beginning to doubt my wisdom here. That $500 would go a long way on a better piece. Oh well, live and learn I guess. I'll do a bit more research in the future.

 

[18DAI]

Colt. No contest.

I had three Kimbers. Kimber makes the prettiest, most expensive, single shot rusting 1911's. TJ

 

[SwampWolf]

I have owned several Kimbers and have been dissatisfied with all of them. To make it worse, Kimber's customer service is the worst I have ever encountered.

I see this kind of story a lot and I've never understood why people who have tasted tainted water once keep returning to the well of poisoned water for more sips. Once, sure. Twice, maybe the first one was a fluke. Three times? Hey, it was a deal I just couldn't pass up. Several times? A glutton for punishment comes to mind.

 

[Zerodefect]

My Kimber rusts very easy. Not suitable for most carry days because of this. Deos the Colt rust easy to?