3" 1911 in .45acp which one to buy? Colt vs. Kimber

[kokopelli]

...with a twist-

I'm looking for a 3" 1911 in .45 acp. I had a Colt New Agent that I had to sell last year. I've done some dealing and selling and am close to having enough to buy another.
But...due to my new position, I can buy a new Kimber Ultra Carry II at a discount that would put it at about 1/2 the retail of a Colt New Agent.

I've never been a Kimber fan, but at the difference in price, I'm having a hard time justifying paying almost double to get another New Agent...


pros/cons?

[Toddstang]

Honestly I would pass on both because a 1911 wasnt designed to be that small. There is a great video on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P0edDYdqXU

[Nolan]

Honestly I would pass on both because a 1911 wasnt designed to be that small. There is a great video on this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P0edDYdqXU

That hurts brother

[kokopelli]

ugh...

I've had a Colt Defender and a New Agent that both fed, fired, extracted and ejected everything I put in them including my low power reloads with Trail Boss, flat nosed hollow points- Hydra-Shoks and anything else.

I've also had a Detonics Combat Master that was just as reliable, but too heavy- steel frame.
I've also had two Colt Officers ACP Lightweights -although they are 3 1/2" that were 100% reliable.

[Nolan]

Rob pincus be 1911 hating

[Nolan]

I just got my kimber CDP II couple months ago and it is the shizzle--my .02

[kokopelli]

you're gonna have malfunctions in any semi-auto when you ride the slide forward with your hand like the fat guy did!

[Nolan]

Looks like first time fat guy fired a gun

[ChopperDoc]

Own a Kimber in 3". Not a daily carry, not a regular shooter. It has fed every round I have tried so far (HP and Ball ammo). Probably a few hundred rounds in it.

Kimber WAS having growing pains a few years ago, from what I heard, and they were taking some short cuts. I think that has been remedied. I would not hesitate to get the Kimber at the price point you are talking if I were inclined to get one. Colt's are awesome, but Kimber's ain't bad. I think that, for what you get, MSRP on a Kimber is way over priced, but you are not talking about paying that.

[scorpionmain]

Don't know about the sub-compacts but I've had a Full Sized Kimber and Commander Sized Colt.
The finish on the Kimber would rub off with the slightest touch, plastic MSH, and the barrel would rust quick if the gun was taken outside into the humidity.
None of these issues with the Colt.

I had to let the Kimber go & kept the Colt.

[Nolan]

ULTRA CDP II

Ultra CDP II

One of Kimber’s® finest concealed carry pistols

[Nolan]

Pic didnt copy

[ChopperDoc]

I don't think Kimber is using the plastic MSH anymore. At least not on all models. I did not have one on any of the 3 I owned, but they were all 'semi-custom' models.

IIRC, there was awhile, and maybe still, where Colt used 'polymer' MSH's on their big production models too.

[kokopelli]

yep- Colt still uses plastic MSH, and on a carry gun I prefer the weight reduction.

[dbh]

Don't know if you get one, but I went and compared the Sig & Colt side by side and went with the Sig (for $200 less). The Sig looked better and felt better in my hand.



200 flawless rounds !!

[Ar-Rob]

uh-oh shit gonna get real in here soon

[Nolan]

uh-oh shit gonna get real in here soon

[Mike]

For the price you would be silly NOT to get the Kimber.

As much as I WANT to suggest the Colt, the Kimber(in your situation) is a better buy.

[dbh]

uh-oh shit gonna get real in here soon

Not knocking any of them. I went to shooters....could have bought any of them.....walked out with the Sig. One mans experience / preference.

[Nolan]

Drink the kimber kool aid--you will love it

[Ar-Rob]

Springfield makes a pretty nice one too

[kokopelli]

Drink the kimber kool aid--you will love it

is it grape?

[kokopelli]

Springfield makes a pretty nice one too

yep- Loooove Springers- but,

A. Not making any compact 1911's right now-
B. more expensive than Colt new
C. looked for months for a used Ultra or Micro compact Lightweight that wasn't the 'Loaded' model with no luck

[Dave1965]

I also have a CDP, but mine is a Pro CDP and never had a issue with it. I have had a number of Kimbers and the Ultra Carry is the low end of the cost but not shot them alot but then never had a problem with them when I do. I don't think the new agent is worth the money but would go with a mid-range kimber instead of the lower end.

[RecoilSensitive]

I have a ultra CDP series 1 when they had better quality control and have never has a problem. It is a cannon but it is a great gun and never and issue from it.