Kimber or SA XD or Glock or for 1st .45?

cmd

cmd

Joined
Feb 7, 2004
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Planning on getting my first .45. It will be mostly for fun at the range but would also an option for HD (my 870 is #1 go to for that).

I've shot .45 a few times but never owned one. Currently the 12 gauge is my only firearm.

The Kimber Custom II is the most expensive. Is it worth the extra money?
The Springfield XD 45 with a 5" barrel looks sweet but it is a brand new design.
The Glock 21 has the least comfortable grip but not actually uncomfortable or anything. Glocks seem like they are supposed to be 9mm.

I have rented the G21 and the XD45 (4" barrel model) but not a Kimber.

Let me have your opinions on these three, or any other that should be considered as long as it is a full size 45.

Chris
 
Kimber!! I LOVE Kimbers!! I had a custom compact several years ago, it was an awesome gun!! I wish I knew then that I could NOT buy a Kimber in MA., I never would have sold it!! I love 1911's!!
 
I have a Kimber Classic that I got in 95 and it’s been a great gun. One of the reasons I got it was that it was supposed to be a good quality gun for a good price. Well now that the price on Kimbers is up and the AWB is dead I would get one of these over a Kimber in a heartbeat
http://www.paraord.com/product/product.html?id=25
The reason I got the Kimber in 95 was so that I didn’t have to risk getting my Para stuff stolen
I shot a bunch of Glocks and to me they just don’t compare, haven’t shot the Springfield.



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Having shot many, many rounds through both Glocks and Kimbers, my personal pick for defense would be a Glock, but I hold a dear place in my heart for Kimbers as well.

The build quality on the Kimbers is quite nice if you get a good one. The one I shot was a bit on the tight side out of the box, and slowly worked it's way in.

The Glocks shoot straight and well right out of the box. They are about as trouble-free as anything out there IMHO. They're durable, there's parts everywhere, and they're cheap. They carry well, they're fairly light, and they work well for people like me with big hands.

To me, the Glock is a workhorse and a Kimber is something to admire. I'll probably take flames for that, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

I've not shot a XD, only handled them and something about it put me off.

Another you might consider is an HK USP or SigSauer. Both fine weapons as well.
 
There are many fine handguns on the market today. If you can shoot each of your choices beforehand, it would help greatly. I've done side by side shoots before and chosen that way.

It will really be a personal choice, I choose this!
45
 
kinzli said:
To me, the Glock is a workhorse and a Kimber is something to admire. I'll probably take flames for that, but I don't think that's a bad thing.
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Let the flames begin,,, JK:D , I bought my girlfriend a Glock because it is a simple gun and will work if she needs it, but I wouldn’t carry it. A Kimber is basically a quality pre series 80 1911, and to claim that that is not a workhorse, is to conveniently over look all those years from 1911 to whenever it is Glocks got on the market, also if you do want to customize at a later date, there is a way bigger aftermarket parts source for 1911 style guns than there is Glocks
 
I'd go with the one that fits your hand best (and is reliable, which I know most Kimbers and Glocks are).

That's why I still own an old Browning Hi-Power. Fits my hand and I enjoy shooting it due to that.
 
Horned Toad said:
Let the flames begin,,, JK:D , I bought my girlfriend a Glock because it is a simple gun and will work if she needs it, but I wouldn’t carry it. A Kimber is basically a quality pre series 80 1911, and to claim that that is not a workhorse, is to conveniently over look all those years from 1911 to whenever it is Glocks got on the market, also if you do want to customize at a later date, there is a way bigger aftermarket parts source for 1911 style guns than there is Glocks
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HT, I agree the Kimber can definately be a workhorse, and you're right, to say it can't is ignoring many years of service by this style weapon in conflict.

What I was trying to say is that for my personal preferences, I like having the Glock as the workhorse, much like I'd much rather drive a Chevy truck on a dirt road rather than a Mercedes. Sure, the Mercedes could do it just fine, and has for years, but I won't feel as bad if the truck gets a little dinged up.

That, and the Glock fits my hand a bit better, but I do also have a Gold Cup that fits my hand like a glove with a very nice finger-groved grip...so it's all relative I guess :)
 
I'm adding the HK USP 45 to the list. You all were supposed to help me narrow things down :D

No problem with the strong opinions, this is nothing compared to the flame wars on all of the gun forums and is the reason for asking here. Everywhere else it is almost impossible to seperate the good information from the blindly loyal coolaid-drinking fanatics.

Para, huh? Had not considered them, need to do some googling.

Keep the good info coming!
 
Chris,
I am a die hard GLOCKER for good reason, simply put-it goes BANG every time.
I have owned many .45's, Kimber, H.K., Colt, Sig, etc. and they have all been good but I came back to and carry Glock exclusively now. You have to see for yourself what works for you and decide from there.
Have you looked into the Sig Sauer pistols ?
Good luck in your search.
 
All of those listed are great guns, (okay, I'm not a fan of the Glock), but if I had to pick one, I would pick the XD. It offers the 13+1 capacity, comes with great accessories, and is priced right!

They have these at my local shop for $500. I was planning on picking up another SW 627 revolver, but the XD 45ACP offers so much, (not the least of which is the price difference). This will be be the next handgun I pick up!
 
I've owned 5 or 6 different Glocks and 5 or 6 different 1911s. The Glock is a simple machine and built like a tank. If anything goes wrong with it, you can replace any part on the gun yourself, with no custom fitting or special tools. The 1911 is a precision instrument that the beginning user should disassemble no farther than a field strip. If anything goes wrong, you either start playing the back-to-the-factory waiting game, or you get to know your local gunsmith very well.

When you buy a Glock, you've got a 90% or better chance that it will be 100% reliable from the start. In my opinion, there is no more reliable out-of-the-box semi-auto. When you buy a Kimber or other production 1911, your chances of having problems with it are significantly higher. I'm not saying it will be a lemon, but it might need a little tweaking before you can trust it 100%. Here again, it's off to the factory or the gunsmith if this happens.

When you shoot the two guns, the needle swings in the other direction. The Glock is a servicable shooter and certainly combat accurate, but a well-tuned 1911 fits like a glove and shoots like a dream.

If you're considering a high-end Kimber, you might want to compare prices with a semi-custom 1911 like a Les Baer or a Wilson. They are far superior. I personally wouldn't touch another production 1911 like a Kimber or a Springfield.
 
orthogonal1 said:
I'd go with the one that fits your hand best (and is reliable, which I know most Kimbers and Glocks are).

That's why I still own an old Browning Hi-Power. Fits my hand and I enjoy shooting it due to that.
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Probably about the best advice going
 
The SA XD fit my hands well but the Glock was acceptable.

The Glock is thick and blocky and I'm not quite as accurate with it, but I love how easy they are to take apart and thier reputation is excellent.

The XD feels good and I was a little better shot with it, but their 45 is brand new on the market. There must be a few bugs to be worked out and common knowledge to be gained from simple gotchas.

Kimbers are just plain beautiful, but I could stretch my budget some to get a Custom II. Are Para Ordinance 1911s (for about $100 less) every bit as well made?
 
The Glock is a double stack. That's why the grip is so thick. Have you tried a Sig 220? It's a single stack 8+1 that feels very nice in the hand, and is accurate and reliable. The only thing you might object to is the DA/SA trigger.
 
I'll echo the sig 220 sentiment. SIG makes an excellent product, and I've found my 226(.40) to be exceedingly easy to be accurate with, as well as extremely reliable. Not to mention takedown is very very simple with SIGs.

That being said, whatever you find the most comfortable in hand is probably the best bet.:cool:
YMMV
 
Chris,

Craigz really framed my opinion on this issue well. I carry a Glock, day in and day out and would never hesitate to recommend it to the casual/occasional shooter as a SD firearm over a 1911 due to simplicity and out of the box reliability issues.

However, when shooting both in the same day, I far favor a quality 1911. When I leave law enforcement, I will sell my Glocks and buy myself a nice 1911 as a going away present.

The XD, which I will admit has a comfortable grip, seems to offer only the limitations of each design without the benefits. It is not as simple as the Glock to operate in most configurations, and is not as accurate or refined a weapon as a 1911, in my opinion.

I think that if you are going to purchase a .45 as a self defense firearm, you might take a close look at how each individual weapon is going to fit into either a concealed or open carry scenario. This portability is the true advantage of the pistol over your 870 and merits consideration. A lot of the full size .45's available are not really meant for concealed every day carry, as evidenced by their weight and thickness.

Take Care,
Jeff
 
cmd said:
Planning on getting my first .45. It will be mostly for fun at the range but would also an option for HD. I've shot .45 a few times but never owned one.
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The 1911 was the standard US military sidearm for 79 years. Some of those ~2.5 million pistols may have been fired in anger...

Now, when the US could have any pistol it chooses, the pistol chosen by men who deliberately go in harm's way (e.g. Marine Expeditionary Units, LAPD SWAT and Delta Force) is the 1911.

For fun at the range you'll want accuracy ("Only accurate guns are interesting."). Good 1911s are accurate.

For defence, select a premium JHP round. Fire 200-300 rounds of your chosen cartridge through your 1911 and establish that it is 100% reliable. Stop worrying!

maximus "Ex-owner of 1944 Colt and Series 70 Gold Cup" otter
 
cmd said:
Planning on getting my first .45. It will be mostly for fun at the range but would also an option for HD (my 870 is #1 go to for that).



Let me have your opinions on these three, or any other that should be considered as long as it is a full size 45.


Our son has a Glock 9 MM & he loves it. You need a fairly large hand for it though. If it is made in.45 it'd be a go for him . I have a Steyr.40 that is slick as eel shix & weighs about half as much as the Glock.Smoother,faster on target too. Bought a Walther P-1 [ex-German military ]in 9mm & it is rather clumsy but yery accurate & well made.
I'm a .45 believer from the git-go though. Problem is they are extremely pricey in the semi. Only one I have is a WWI army S&W revolver & if I had to dump my collection , I'd find a way to keep it.

Your caliber choice is correct IMHO so find a configuration & go for it !

Safe shooting !

Uncle [arms depot ] Alan :thumbup:
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