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$600, do you spend it on a Kimber or a Ruger?

12K views 149 replies 94 participants last post by  GlockFan7 
#1 ·
If you had six crisp $100 bills and the choice between a used SR1911 or a used Custom II, which would you choose? Before we start throwing all those DW, and Colt, and Wilson suggestions out there, remember we only have $600 and that won't get you to those from here. ;)
 
#40 ·
I've owned Colts, Springfields, Remingtons,Kimbers,and several off brands. The only one that broke a slide stop was a Kimber. I've shot a Ruger and that will be the next 1911 I will buy. Good luck on your choice, OP. tom. :cowboy:
 
#41 ·
I never understood these types of posts. As firearm enthusiasts, who limits themselves to just one gun? Are there really people out there (enthusiasts) who have just one handgun/rifle/shotgun in their safe and that's it? They'll never buy another?

Back to thread; Ruger SR1911.
 
#43 ·
I never understood these types of posts. As firearm enthusiasts, who limits themselves to just one gun?

Back to thread; Ruger SR1911.
Yes there are, they're people who are firearm enthusiast that still have to feed and clothe their family. They're people who seek the best bang for their hard earned buck and are familiar with the brands they mentioned, as well as others, but also want to keep it made in America. They're people who because of bills from quadruple bypass surgery and other health issues, just can't drop several grand to have a Wilson or Brown or DW, though it would be nice. They're people who take what they can when the opportunity presents itself. Although RIA's are good firearms, that's not what I ask about, now is it? I ask about those in particular because they're available, here, now, and in those price ranges. Thanks for suggesting the Ruger.
 
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#45 ·
I have not owed either pistol, but have friends that do. I think you'd be well served with either choice, but if I had to pick one I'd go with the Ruger. I have owned and still own several Rugers and in my opinion they're tough to beat for the money, and the SR1911 is built just up the road from me in Prescott, Arizona.
 
#51 ·
I would go with the Ruger over the Kimpie although the Kimpie may well have higher resale down the road. Now if it was a pre Series II Kimpie then I would go with the Kimpie.
Not today. Today Kimbers are half the price especially the 1911 10mm and 45 cal. Than 5 years ago. I would also go with a Ruger, great products and awesome customer service.

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#52 ·
I am very happy with both my Kimber 1911s. I'd probably get the Ruger just to prevent duplication (plus I sort of want a Ruger 1911). I think it would be my 9th Ruger.
 
#55 ·
Kimber prices are plummeting dealers are dumping left and right. Traded both my custom 1911's in 45 cal. and 10mm. The $$$ I lost was an expensive lesson well learned.
No Kimber Customer Support.
Most of all no Empathy.
30 plus days wait for a hopeful repair at customer cost. That tells you the volume of backlog repairs.
So I went Glock Crazy.
Recent Purchased G40,
G20 gen 4 and G17 gen 5.
Happy and confidant that when I squeeze the trigger it will fire.
Like my X-wives, Goodbye Forever!


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Why are dealers dumping them?

OP - personally, if that was my two choices, I’d pick Ruger. I’ve just never been impressed by Kimbers, I’ve shot one and it didn’t impress me. Nice, pretty, but left me ‘meh’. In all fairness, the more plain the 1911, the more I like it.
 
#57 ·
If you want a Kimber, hang out at your range and wait for someone to become disgusted with one, then offer him half price.

We're talking about a "1911" that has a cutout in the slide because they couldn't manufacture a slide that wouldn't crack where the cutout is. Everyone else can, but not Kimber.

Good luck!
 
#59 ·
I woudn't have another Kimber and I've owned quite a few. For the money I feel the Ruger SR1911 has better, more "authentic" features and also, although slightly higher, the Springfield RO is not bad at all. I'd definitely take a Ruger or RO Springfield over nearly any Kimber. For the record, I never had an real issues with any of the Kimbers I had, minus the 10mm Eclipse II, but for the money, I feel like you get cheated with Kimber vs. others in the same price range. They put pretty pictures in gun rags but produce a very mediocre 1911. If you can save the money, get a lower end Dan Wesson or if not, I highly urge a Springfield RO or SR1911.
 
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#73 ·
Yeah, I've had 3 Kimbers, still have 2. My Warrior has been flawless through 7000+ rounds. I had a pro carry that was fine, traded it because I like steel commanders. Got a Ruger CMD, loved it but eventually dumped it when I got a Dan Wesson VBob to cover my Commander needs.

Still have a Ultra Carry 2 that works great as long as I load range ammo under 1.22" OAL. I would likely have been upset if I only used factory ammo, but am very happy with it as a summer carry as its dead reliable with HST.

Another good option for low price is the Remingtom R1. They are dang near giving those things away some places and mine shot everything reliably and shot 2" groups at 25 yards, which is pretty solid for a $500 gun.
 
#74 ·
IT appears this is an I HATE KIMBER thread.... my 1 Kimber is awesome! I would like to purchase the Ruger someday also.
I agree, and that was not my intention. In all honesty, I have a Kimber Custom II already, and it's been fantastic. I have upgraded the fire control to Wilson Combat, not because there was a problem, but to insure down the road there wouldn't be. It is a tack driver for sure. The reason I originally ask the question was that I was looking to add another 1911 and those were what I felt I could afford and would perform well without breaking the bank. I don't need pretty or pretty expensive, I need reasonable, reliable, and accurate, and these are the two I narrowed it down to. Add your opinions to my research and experiences, and I make an informed purchase. Ruger has been the clear favorite and I'm leaning that way, but if the right deal for a Kimber presented itself, I'd certainly jump on it.

Some of you have clearly had issues with Kimber performance or Customer Service, I'm sorry, if I could fix it I would, but I've had neither with either manufacture. Thanks for your input, I'll have to take it from here.
 
#85 ·
No, its not a kimber I hate thread. As a FFL dealer since the late 1970's I owned and proudly promoted kimbers. They were great products back then. Still have Custom ll 45cal., 9mm raptor no problem. New Custom ll TLE 10mm different animal all together. Spent hundreds on various magazines and ammo.
Called Kimber CS said they were having problems with 10mm. Send it in on ur dime 30 to 60 days repair time.
REALLY! don't think so. Took a lost on trade for a GL 40. Then took the leftover 10mm ammo and fed it to my G40. It devoured it and begged for more.

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#76 ·
I had a Kimber. It was a beautiful paperweight. I own an SR1911 that while may not be as aesthetically pleasing as the Desert Warrior I owned, it has never failed to function the way God and John Moses Browning intended. The Kimber was the most unreliable pistol I ever owned.
 
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