Which Kimber 1911 should I get?

sygyzy

sygyzy

Joined
Apr 29, 2003
Messages
339
I am having a hard time decide on which Kimber 1911 to get. Here are my thoughts. I hope you guys can help me out. Not all points are questions.

1. This would be only for target shooting at a range, and possibly IDPA. No carry (concealed or otherwise), no self-defense, no protecting my homestead.

2. I am a small guy, not particularly tall or strong. So weight is somewhat an issue. I can hold a standard 1911 just fine but I don't know how long I'd want to hold it for. How long do IDPA sessions last? I know that heavier guns tend to make for less recoil felt. That's a pro for sure.

3. I don't want any conceal or compact or carry models. That eliminates any of the 3 inch barrel models.

4. I like "normal" sized guns. I know this is very subjective, but I would consider any 3 inch barrels too "small". I think the Glock 17 is a nice "normal" sized and I have put a good number of rounds through it.

5. I have taken down my choices to the following lines: Custom & Custom Target, Tactical, Eclipse, and CDP.

6. Thoughts on the aluminum framed Tacticals?

Thanks for your help.
 
For the needs you stated I would go with the custom classic target model. The target sights are adjustable. This is good on a target pistol for several reasons. First, they are big and blocky which makes them easier to see and align. Second, you can change the the sights to shoot how you prefer. For example, I like six o'clock shooting. The sights are aligned to shoot high (based on yardage too). If you aim for the bottom edge of the 10 ring the shots go to the center. I can shoot more accurately this way because I find it hard to perfectly split the circle in half. Third, if you reload or change the brand of ammo quite often you will need to adjust your sights because not all ammo out of your gun will go to the exact same point of aim.

I would go with all steel over and aluminum frame. Why? The steel will have a longer life. It is more durable period. I have aluminum framed guns and they are fine pistols but steel is steel. You mentioned that there is less felt recoil with a heavier gun but there is also less muzzle flip which means faster sight acquision on follow up shots. I would even go so far as to recommend the stainless model. Why? Any time you want alter the pistol, (i.e. checkering the front strap, new bevertail grip safety, beveling the magazine well etc.) you will have to have it refinished(re-blued, re-tefloned, re-whatevered). Not stainless. Refinishing it involves sanding or blasting or polishing; no fuss no muss.

I don't know how long IDPA sessions last but I don't think you will be holding the gun out in the firing position for any great lenghts of time. If you are finding holding the pistol dificult then you can set a goal to work on arm strength and endurance. I doubt you'll have any problems with that. For instance, my 5'1" wife has no problem firing clip after clip through my full size 1911's

The 1911 design is great because there are many features on the gun that you can change. (See www.brownells.com) You may decide to go with a shorter trigger because of your smaller hands or an oversized and extended mag release, etc. I hope this was helpful.

Jon
 
The custom series weighs 38 ounces. That's a bit over 2 lbs. Compared to the Tactical, that's (up to) ~1 lb of difference.

Now the question is, is the Tactical, too light, or is the Custom too heavy? Or maybe the normal 1911 weight is somewhere inbetween?

Instead of adjustable sights, what do you think about the Meprolight ones? Alot of the models come with that. Are these adjustable either?

What do you think about barrel lengths? What size do you shoot?

Thanks.
 
well, ya might as well check out what the 1911 specialists say.. they come here for kniffe info! :D

Go to 1911forums.com .... great info from the same kind's of people ya meet here! They also have a forum on Kimber, S&W, Norinco, Para-Ord, too, I think... something for just about any kind of 1911-style piece...
 
I prefer the full size standard 5". You will get the best accuracy/ammo performance and reliability out of the standard size 1911. If you are going to use it only at the range I can't see why you would want a lightweight tactical version or meprolight sights. 38 ounces is normal 1911 weight. Bottom line is get what you really want. But if it were me I'd go with the full sise Classic Custom target stainless.

Jon
 
Hmm thanks for your help guys. To answer some questions:

1. I don't plan on carrying but at the same time I don't want to be sore when I shoot for a few hours. If 38 ounces is a normal weight then I guess I don't have a problem. Hope not at least.

2. tonyccw - How come your Tactical is more accurate? Since it's lighter, shouldn't it be less accurate (more recoil)?

3. What is wrong with Mepropro sites on the range? Is there a con?

4. How come you refer to the 5" as the standard? Is that how 1911's were originally made? So anything less than 5" is considered "not normal"?
 
Originally posted by sygyzy
2. tonyccw - How come your Tactical is more accurate? Since it's lighter, shouldn't it be less accurate (more recoil)?
Click to expand...
I have CDP Pro I, which is lighter than my Tac, that and the longer slide.
 
I never said a steel frame was more accurate only less felt recoil and less muzzle flip leading to faster follow up shots. Accuracy has more to do with barrel to frame fit, bushing to barrel and frame fit, frame to slide fit and other factors. If you want the Mepro's get them but unless you are going to be shooting in low light they will be overkill. Save your money for those upgrades that will count.

Jon
 
For match shooting, use a steel framed 5" pistol and 185gr bullets. The recoil from this combo seems like 9mm, although I'm sure it's a bit more.

You should have no problem holding this weapon. IDPA match shooting consists of stages that, IIRC, the rules limits to no more than 18 rounds each (to make the match revolver/single stack/10round mag neutral). Stages last from a few seconds to maybe a couple minutes.

As far as sights go, I shoot a lot of matches, exclusively with fixed sights, and have not found them to be any disadvantage.

FWIW, my advice is to buy the cheapest Kimber, and invest the difference in practice ammo and training. You should also find a club and go see what they do. Talk to club officials and see what you can learn before you start shooting.
 
Meprolight uses Tritium so they glow right? I see how this can be used/ful at night but my tritium glowring "glows" during the day as well. Are there any performance differences between adjustable Meprolight sights and adjustable Kimber sights, during the day? A sight is just something for you to line up shots with so I cannot see it as being a con.

I guess cost difference might be an issue. But otherwise?
 
Originally posted by sygyzy
Hmm thanks for your help guys. To answer some questions:

1. I don't plan on carrying but at the same time I don't want to be sore when I shoot for a few hours. If 38 ounces is a normal weight then I guess I don't have a problem. Hope not at least.

2. tonyccw - How come your Tactical is more accurate? Since it's lighter, shouldn't it be less accurate (more recoil)?

3. What is wrong with Mepropro sites on the range? Is there a con?

4. How come you refer to the 5" as the standard? Is that how 1911's were originally made? So anything less than 5" is considered "not normal"?
Click to expand...

1) If you are sore from the weight of a "standard" steel framed 1911 with a 5" barrel, you need to see your doctor and then possibly phyical therapist.

2) Accuracy is based on the quality of the gun and the skill of the shoot. I have out shot people at the range with a "mouse" gun against their "wonder" gun. One guy was shooting the benchtop one round, the rafters the next with a S&W Sigma .380. I shout a full magazine into a 2 inch group at 50 feet. This shoot was an "expert" shot and blamed the pistol. Then I shot it and .... well .... his friend spoke of his skill versus mine :) A great shooter can shoot any gun, a poor shooter has trouble with them all but might be marginal with a really great gun.

3) Tritium sights in general are not as good in daylight. Period. The dull green glow in daylight is lost because it washes out. A clean set of iron sights is much better. Why do you think top professional shooters use Bo-mar's?

4) The original 1911 was a 5 inch barrel pistol. The 4 1/4 inch "commander" was the compact model. Then it became mid-size when the 3 inch guns hit the market.
 
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