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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,375
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,375 |
Have been kinda wanting to get another Kimber Classic Target model but in stainless. Saw a Springfield Armory "Loaded Target" .45 today, first time I'd ever examined one, and was more or less impressed. Comparing features on the respective websites they are very comparable - beavertail grip safety, ejection port same, "target" trigger, "match grade" barrel and bushing (whatever that means behind the advertising copy), etc. etc. Plus the SA comes with an ambidextrous safety, something we southpaws appreciate. Prices are comparable as well, low to mid $800 for the best deals on gunbroker. The store where I saw this one wants $879.99. The SA was tight, I'd imagine it would take some shooting to get really broken in. I have the Springfield XDm in .45 and 9mm (made in Croatia), but I am mucho impressed with both of them. SA customer service was real good,too. AFAIK the 1911's are made in the USA, same as Kimbers. So - any particular reason to favor one or the other? My old original blued Kimber Target was really accurate, as in sub-1 1/2" groups at 25 yards. Anybody know that the SA wouldn't be as accurate? I like the Kimber but for same-same features plus the ambi safety, any particular reason not to go back and try to talk myself into the SA? Kimber classic Target II - http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/stainless-ii#/1911/custom-ii/stainless-target-iiSpringfield Armory Loaded Target - http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=24
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,904
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,904 |
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284 |
I would too. I've got one. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether it's made in USA. Some Springfields are and some aren't. I dunno.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,160
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,160 |
I'm not a Kimber fan so I would go with SA
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,194
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,194 |
I own both but I would buy the Springfield. It's got to be cheaper than a Kimber, & my SA is just as accurate as my Kimber.
Last edited by chlinstructor; 10/01/12.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,920 |
Of the two I have only owned a Kimber Stainless Target II in .38 Super....most accurate and reliable out of the box Super I have ever owned.
Have lots of friends who have SA guns and many of my friends bought them in the late 1980s when they first came out. At the time the slides and frames were excellent...the internal parts were garbage. They have changed a lot since then however.
One thing I never liked about the SA was the frontstrap radius.... Don't know if it has changed but it used to be less than all the other brands. I could pickup 20 1911s blindfolded and could tell you which ones were the SAs because they just felt different.
Both are excellent...don't think you can make a mistake.
Bob
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,523
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,523 |
At the time the slides and frames were excellent...the internal parts were garbage. They have changed a lot since then however.
One thing I never liked about the SA was the frontstrap radius.... Don't know if it has changed but it used to be less than all the other brands. I could pickup 20 1911s blindfolded and could tell you which ones were the SAs because they just felt different.
Both are excellent...don't think you can make a mistake.
Bob I thought it was just me that noticed the frontstrap thing (Essex frames are the same way) and I had to replace a bunch of the guts on the Springer I had back then, too. I guess I'm just an old fossil, but I still like Colts the best of the 1911 bunch, and yes, I know they aren't perfect.......
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,546
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,546 |
One thing I never liked about the SA was the frontstrap radius.... Don't know if it has changed... 10-years ago or more.
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. Robert Frost
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274 |
Colt or Baer
but of the two choices listed, I'd say SA by a small margin.
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,718
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,718 |
Me too. Have you looked at the Range Officer? My apologies if it's above your budget range, but I think it's worth a hard look.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. --Winston Churchill
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,375
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,375 |
Update: Despite all the votes for the Springfield, I went with a Kimber, and a blued one at that. Picked up my new Custom Target II last night, this will rectify the mistake of selling my original Custom Target model (almost).
I'm sure the SA is a great pistol but in the end I went with subjective feelings. I liked the Kimber better just because I liked it better.
Got it for a great price on gunbroker. NIB with free shipping and a $10 transfer fee on this end. I can buy an Accurate Molds 4 cavity H&G #68 clone and still be at about what I would have paid for the SA Loaded or Kimber stainless target model alone.
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
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