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

I bought a Kimber Stainless II .45 just last week. I went to the range to put my first 100 rounds thru it and got about 3 failures-to-feed. I talked with the guy at the range that sold it to me and he said that as soon as I said "new, Kimber, and .45" that he knew what I was going to say next. Evidently, there's a 500 round break-in period for most 1911's, especially Kimbers. The manual mentioned a "break-in period" but didn't say anything about failure to feed. After the break-in though, they're supposed to be really reliable.

I also have a Glock .40, at that was good to go right out of the box.
The thing about Glocks is they are practically indestructable. Interesting thread on things you can do with your Glock:

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=462537&perpage=25&highlight=&pagenumber=1
 
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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John Browning was the greatest arms designer in the world.PERIOD.
I've been gunsmithing for 37 years, on and off.
If you want a .45 Colt.
Call Steve Fischer gunsmithing. Miami Fl.
I replaced him in 1982 ???
He builds the best .45 in the nation and is reasonable.
He has become a skeet fanatic over the last 10 or so years but he is THE BEST at the 1911...
He did IPSC for years. He can build AND shoot.
 
I have a Glock 30,you might try handling this model if the 21 was uncomfy.I love the way my G30 feels,and carries great in my G-code iwb holster.You may want to see about checking out the latest version of Sig Sauers 1911 not the early ones.These are the best bang for the buck imo.
 
Let me have your opinions on these three, or any other that should be considered as long as it is a full size 45.
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That leaves the USP out, as it's a bit better than full size.

I've owned and shot SIG220s, USP (full size and compact), G21/30, and all I have now are 1911s (Colt, SA, WC, Kimber, custom). I've had good luck wtih Series 1 Kimbers, and compact Series 2s. For the money though, you might be able to find a great used 1911 that has had some custom work done (I bought a Gunsite built GSP a couple years ago for the less than a top end Kimber).
 
craigz said:
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.
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Or the baby glock 45 7+1 single stack.
 
I own a 1911 Springfield, a Glock, and the new Springfield XD 45 ACP. If your new to shooting I say go with the XD 45 ACP. Its simple to use, shoots well, and fits my hand very well. Also, with all the safety features it has built into it - Its a great weapon for the money. Besides now they ship them with a holster, belt mag holder, and loader. The Glock is a solid weapon system but they have been "out Glocked" by Springfield. My Springfield 1911 is just a super weapon. Course, it was about 1 1/2 times more expensive than the XD 45 ACP.
It all comes down to what feels "right" in your hand, your level of shooting experience, they amount of money you're willing to spend, and the amount of time you're will to spend on a range with the weapon.
 
Glock 30!

I rented lots of .45 pistols this afternoon and by far my favorite was the G30. There may be others but this one is LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
 
Never had a Kimber, but I love a 1911. My first pistol was a G21 and I couldn't hit a darn thing with it, too big for my hand. I just bought and SA XD in 45 acp and I will be picking it up this weekend. I will have to get back to you on my feelings for it after I shoot it, but its trigger was very smooth and broke crisply, not mushy like the one on my old G21. I would say it depends on several thing for you though. How much you are going to shoot it, how much maintenance you want to put into it and I think the looks of the gun would probably be the least important thing. How did you find the XD anyway, I shot the .40 and wasn't impressed, but I hate the .40 round. I have had S&Ws and Sigs chambered in it and got rid of both of them.
 
Progunner said:
How did you find the XD anyway, I shot the .40 and wasn't impressed, but I hate the .40 round. I have had S&Ws and Sigs chambered in it and got rid of both of them.
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I'm kind of like you on the .40, just do not see a need for it.

As far as the XD goes, it shot nicely. It was the 5" tactical model this time and it was smooth and accurate. I am not the best judge on accuracy and need more practice with handguns out past 15 yards. The grip safety was not even noticeable when shooting - it is really just a narrow tab sticking up through the top of the back of the grip and takes no pressure at all to move. It felt kind of like a cross between a single stack and a double stack, with the top being narrower than the rest of the grip. Between a Glock 21 and an XD 45 I would give the edge to the XD for functionality and feel but the Glock is just so much more proven in terms of reliability.

There was just something very special about how the G30 fit. All of the other Glock subcompacts feel very unstable in hand but the 30 is just so right (for me).
 
Another vote for a Colt here. I've never fired a Kimber although I hear they are nice and I dislike Glocks intensely. I just hate the way they feel in the hand.
 
My factory rebuilt Glock 30 arrived today and I could not be happier with a pistol.

Thanks very much for everyones advice. I will echo the most valuable - research a lot and go shoot as many as you can. There is at least one that will feel just right, but the only way to find it is with real use.

G30 is mine. :D

Chris
 
cmd said:
My factory rebuilt Glock 30 arrived today and I could not be happier with a pistol.

Thanks very much for everyones advice. I will echo the most valuable - research a lot and go shoot as many as you can. There is at least one that will feel just right, but the only way to find it is with real use.

G30 is mine. :D

Chris
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:thumbup:
I`ll be getting my first 45 in a week. I chose the S&W 1911 and I can`t wait.
 
I put a Packmayer (spelling?) on my G21 and it resembled a marital aid but really helped. The G21 carried on eating through thousands of rounds of manufactured rounds and reloads, semi wadcutters to hollow points. A few hot loads and it carried on and on and on. The Tupperware handle allowed for good shock absorbtion.

Bad point very wide and for a narrow waisted guy concealed carry is very difficult.
 
Hey dig-it, please let us know how that SW1911 turns out it looks like a great gun but I haven't had to chance to fire one yet.

Congrats on the Glock, but you'll definately want to pick up a Colt and a SIG P220 eventually, also seriously check out the Smith 4566. You made the right choice on caliber and I'll spare you my opinion on brands bc it no matter what else I look at I always end up with S&W revolvers and Colt semi-autos:D
 
i have never been nutz about glock .45s due to the width of the grip, & i have big hands, they are reliable accurate pistols though.

i have a SIG P220 which is another good .45 imho and is a great albeit big EDC pistol, mine has always been 100% with good ammo (any good ammo) and is suprisingly accurate, DA/SA trigger is hard to get used to though, i edc'd mine for 5-6 yrs or so.

if ya want a 1911 the kimber is the way to go imho, i have a std size 1911 custom shop kimber and its as good a 1911 as i have seen, and i've seen a few. i very much prefer kimber to para, springfield armory,etc. if ya want a 1911 the kimber is the way to go.

the new kahr .45 sounds good but have only seen pics, it must have a healthy recoil at that size/weight. would sure carry well though for edc use.

all said i carry a kahr P9 or PM9 now generally.
 
The HK USP is a weapon and a half. But the full size XD must be also, since it jams even one more round into the butt.

Some think the USP is overpriced, but let me tell you what you get for b/w $700 and $800:

A superbly reliable and tough pistol that holds 12 rds (+1) of .45 acp. The USPs are becoming legendary for their unreal reliability.

Their out of the box accuracy is considered by many to be very good to excellent by most experienced handgun shooters.

Operating platform similar to the 1911 design. Can be carried cocked and locked.

Decocker lever (awesome feature).

Superbly designed mag release that has won praise for its ease and originality.

Can fire extremely hot laods with no problem. The gun, although lighter than most steel-framed 1911s, incorporates a double spring mechanism that absorbs recoil quite nicely, and protects the slide assembly during operation. It has been stated by some reputable sources, although not necessarily confimred by HK, that the USP can handle the super-hot .45 Super without changing the stock springs. I believe it is possible.

The gun can be easily fired with a gloved hand, thanks to the large trigger guard. Very few handguns can boast this feature.

The USP comes in a large variety of various operating combinations-- called Variants-- although Variant I is the most popular.

The fit and finish on the USP is amazing. Although it is definitely an uber-tactical pistol, it's fit and finishing are a work of art-- like a Chris Reeve one- piece fixed blade knife. No tooling marks like on lesser tact pistols.



One downside:

The double action trigger pull is notoriously bad. Big deal, who needs to fire it in double action?
 
13+1 capacity
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10+1 capacity
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Spydiefan04 said:
Hey dig-it, please let us know how that SW1911 turns out it looks like a great gun but I haven't had to chance to fire one yet.
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Spydiefan04, took it out to the range for the first time today. Shot 150 rounds and it did great. Not one hiccup, I tried ball ammo(Fioochi) as well as hollowpoints(Speer Golddots). I just ordered 500 more rounds from Natchez so another test will be made upon arrival.
 
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