Tough choice and need advise: Pro-Carry II vs Ultra Carry II

[CWO USN]

As subject shows, I'm at the cross-roads between going with a Pro-Carry II or an Ultra Carry II.

- PC II in two-tone; UC II in Stainless.
- weight, sights, barrel and dimensions all other specs are all within an inch and two ounces apart.
- Stainless slide might be less to show holster wear over Matte Black polished
- Barrel's ramped in the UC II and stainless steel matched grade bushing in the PC II.
- Recoil 18 lbs. on UC II and 22 lbs. on the PC II
- Both are Rosewood grips. UC II w/Kimber logo. PC II rosewood/checkered.

I feel that both will conceal about the same even in summer clothing with a good IWB holster and maybe even a OWB.

Plan to take out to the range as often as I can. Initial break-in of 100-200 rounds before carrying. Felt recoil is a big concern.

Thank you for reading my post and chiming in with your thoughts.

 

[Zerodefect]

You'll like the PCII better IMO.

But you should also look at the next step up like the DW CCO and DW Valkyrie.

 

[CWO USN]

Thanks. Agree. A DW or Ed Brown would be nice to have. Maybe someday.

 

[calaverasslim]

Well, rest assured, which ever one you choose, you should be happy.

 

[TanklessPro]

I have the PC II.

 

[JTQ]

Pro Carry II http://www.kimberamerica.com/pro-carry-tt

Ultra Carry II http://www.kimberamerica.com/stainless-ultra-carry-ii

I'd get the Pro Carry II. Nobody bets on the reliability of 3" barreled 1911's.

 

[Walkalong]

Well, there might be a couple of us intrepid souls out there. That said, the shorter the 1911, the more critical it is that it is done right. I am reminded about something 1911Tuner posted once (Or something close)...When they are good, they can be very, very good, but when they are bad.........

 

[X-Rap]

I have the older versions of each and I'm much happier with the Pro.

 

[bannockburn]

For me it would be like comparing my Colt Commander with my Colt Officers Model. While both are fine pistols and extremely reliable I prefer the handling dynamics, longer sight radius, and overall feel of the longer Commander model. My choice would be the Pro Carry II.

 

[HexHead]

If you want a 3" 1911, go with a Colt Defender series. They're as boringly reliable as a Glock. Otherwise go with the Pro if you want a Kimber.

 

[Walkalong]

After getting my Ultra, I got rid of my Pro, but I am probably in the minority.

I have a Colt LW Commander, and kept it over a Colt Officers Model.

Go figure huh.

I don't like the shorter grip on the Officers/Ultra/etc, but with the Mainspring housing/Magwell on my Ultra it fits my hand superbly.

 

[shooter1]

I've owned both the Pro and the Ultra. Both were totally reliable. I let a buddy talk me out of the Ultra, which I deeply regret. I shot a lot of IDPA matches with the Ultra, using eight rd mags, competing with the 5" CDP pistols. Only the shooter limited the match performance.
Moving on, I still have the stainless Pro Carry, which shoots equally well. There's just something about the 3 and 4 inch 1911s that just feels right to me. My 5" 1911s have been gradually going away. The Pro is almost as easy to carry as the Ultra. It will be my last 1911 to go, if it does at all. My carry guns are all Glocks these days, and my game guns are CZs, but still miss my Ultra!
str1

 

[rbernie]

I prefer the PCII to the UCII, but I prefer the Sig C3 over both of them.

 

[coondogger]

We can't help you decide. Only you can do that, and only by shooting both. Have you done that yet?

 

[SSN Vet]

My brother has an UC in 9mm and I've yet to see it digest a complete magazine without a failure to feed.

Conventional wisdom is that shorter than commander length (4.25") is dicey in the reliability department. I'll spot Kimber the 1/4" , as theyhave been making the 4" models with good results for quite a while.

I personally would go with the Pro Carry.

 

[Yo Mama]

My advice is stay away from Kimber. They are expensive for what you get, which is a hit or miss pistol in terms of reliability and build quality.

Sorry, I know it's not what you wanted to hear.

 

[Rinspeed]

My advice is stay away from Kimber

My advice would be to stay away from mini 1911s, the best one would be a Sig 239. There's a huge reason why the vast majority of trainers say if you want shoot a 1911 pick one that is a 5". It's only been a trend for people who actually shoot 1911s for something like 30 years, it shouldn't be news to anyone.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Kimbers have great ads . Need to spend the money on quality parts and making them reliable . I dumped my Kimber . Colt Commander or Colt Defender I have both and like way better than the Kimber.

Dan Wesson should be looked at also

 

[Rinspeed]

Kimbers have great ads . Need to spend the money on quality parts and making them reliable .

Not sure what having nice ads has anything to do with it other than they sell a lot of pistols so they can afford them.

 

[jgh4445]

I bought the S&W Series E 1911 SC in a 4.25" Commander size. Balances well, looks great and shoots like a "house a fire". Light weight with the Scandium frame, very nice to carry. Recoil is a non issue.

 

[HKGuns]

Friends don't let friends buy Kimber or compact 1911's.

Get a larger Colt or SA instead.

 

[SWG]

Go Pro or buy a revolver.I own all three.

 

[Old Dog]

OP, you probably should just have gone to the 1911 forum and hit up the Kimber sub-forum with your questions ... around here, the Kimber haters and random fanboys (the expected DW shill showed up in the very first response, with Colt, S&W and SIG to follow ...) just show up to pollute your thread.

Geez guys. He asks about choosing between two models on one brand, and no helpful advice whatsoever in almost every post.

Friends don't let friends buy Kimber or compact 1911's.

Uh, really, bub? Way to let everyone know about your personal experience there ...

My two cents, for whatever it's worth: I've got a splendid CDP Pro and a nice Tactical Pro, so the Pro-length would be my recommendation -- with the disclaimer that I've never had a Kimber Ultra, but did own two Springfield Armory Micro-Compacts, SA's version of the Ultra. Pros are easier to shoot, manage recoil better and the inch difference in barrel length affects concealment nought.

 

[shootniron]

Our UCII has been perfect...never bobbled a round.

It does not get much better than this.

Although, the same can be said for the Colt Defender...

 

[CWO USN]

Old Dog: well said sir! Appreciate your input regarding the Kimbers too. Each manufacturer has something that speaks to its prospective owner. At the end of the transaction, there really is only one person that matters. The person that takes it home.