Kimber or Colt??

Marshal Holland

Marshal Holland

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Joined
Dec 6, 2018
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This is 99% an opinion question. I have a Kimber Shadow Ghost and it's not a bad gun, I have a chance to swap it for a Colt Defender LW stainless. I would probaly carry the Colt more often than the Kimber. And no I cant afford to buy the Colt outright. Just pondering on it. Opinions??
 
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Marshal Holland said:
This is 99% an opinion question. I have a Kimber Shadow Ghost and it's not a bad gun, I have a chance to swap it for a Colt Defender LW stainless. I would probaly carry the Colt more often than the Kimber. And no I cant afford to buy the Colt outright. Just pondering on it. Opinions??
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I have had 2 origional Pro Carries when they first came out. Was not overjoyed with either one. I've personally had so many L/W Commanders I can't remember how many I've had. Currently have 3. 2 series 70's, one series 80. L/W Commander was my 1st Commmander. I absolutely love them. They've been reliable, and great shooters, so I'd say take the Colt. Just my personal thoughts. I'm hearing horror stories re: the new Colts, but I can't say for sure. My newest Colt is a new series 70 Govt which I bought in early 2000's. Great gun. One of my very best shooting Colts is a series 80 govt in 45acp. I mainly buy used guns. Again It's your call.
 
I bought one of the first Colt 1911 Officers model back in the day.
Big mistake it never ran true. Just make sure stumpy is a runner first.

1734819099390.png
 
Mike A said:
I bought one of the first Colt 1911 Officers model back in the day.
Big mistake it never ran true. Just make sure stumpy is a runner first.

View attachment 37096
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Listen to Mikes advice! Try before you. It if possible. I didn't realize it was the small one, for some reason I thought it was Commander size. The officers size guns were not always reliable. Not sure if this is that size or not. Kinda Looks like it.
 
Bob Lee said:
Listen to Mikes advice! Try before you. It if possible. I didn't realize it was the small one, for some reason I thought it was Commander size. The officers size guns were not always reliable. Not sure if this is that size or not. Kinda Looks like it.
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Sorry, hit enter too soon. You can always carry the Kimber. It may surprise you. With the proper holster even a full size is doable. I'm 5'7" on a good day, and I can carry one. One of my favorites is. Hi Power. IWB between 2 and 3 o'clock. Hide it with a longish sweatshirt or tail out regular shirt. In my case it's a sweatshirt or a flannel shirt untucked. Most folks are too preoccupied to notice any way. That or the just don't give a crap.
 
Colt came out with the 1911 Officers model in LW & steel frame.
I got the all steel model. It was a real mess, it FTF with Ball ammo. :eek:

Took it to a Fantastic Retired US Army Match/Sniper Armorer & after a month he said this pistol is cursed I tried everything.
Traded it to another gunsmith for a NIB LW Commander. He said he could use my pistol for spare parts & got what I paid
4 it so I was happy. I bought it with a larger LE weapons buy at a great price.

I put a Long trigger & Flat mainspring housing on the Colt LW Commander, named her Sally & never looked back.
 
Mike A said:
Colt came out with the 1911 Officers model in LW & steel frame.
I got the all steel model. It was a real mess, it FTF with Ball ammo. :eek:

Took it to a Fantastic Retired US Army Match/Sniper Armorer & after a month he said this pistol is cursed I tried everything.
Traded it to another gunsmith for a NIB LW Commander. He said he could use my pistol for spare parts & got what I paid
4 it so I was happy. I bought it with a larger LE weapons buy at a great price.

I put a Long trigger & Flat mainspring housing on the Colt LW Commander, named her Sally & never looked back.
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well i must have got the good Officers Model. must have been 1980 or before, as soon as they came out. its satin nickel and was 3rd to 2 70 series Government models. i shot great with it, more than 3000 rds for sure. when i bought one of the first alloy Para Frame kits i put the Officers slide on it. i shot the complete Officers and with the Para frame in the club competitions i did here.
after some years i retired it for other options. when i decided the nickel wearing and some rust got in under the grips i stripped it all the way down. it had become the poster gun for wobble syndrome. the plan is to tighten it up and do something to the finish.
in the mean time the last of a few 1911s that i bought was the Kimber LW Shadow Ghost and i was blown away happy with it. i havent fired it a lot but i will.
if i were you i would end up with both. it'll be ok.
 
Tigerstripe said:
well i must have got the good Officers Model. must have been 1980 or before, as soon as they came out. its satin nickel and was 3rd to 2 70 series Government models. i shot great with it, more than 3000 rds for sure. when i bought one of the first alloy Para Frame kits i put the Officers slide on it. i shot the complete Officers and with the Para frame in the club competitions i did here.
after some years i retired it for other options. when i decided the nickel wearing and some rust got in under the grips i stripped it all the way down. it had become the poster gun for wobble syndrome. the plan is to tighten it up and do something to the finish.
in the mean time the last of a few 1911s that i bought was the Kimber LW Shadow Ghost and i was blown away happy with it. i havent fired it a lot but i will.
if i were you i would end up with both. it'll be ok.
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Remarkably wonderful advice!
 
If you don't have the money to buy the Colt, save up until you do.
If the Kimber runs well, carry it.

I have 3 Colts, a Kimber Super Carry Pro, an STI 10mm Nitro 10, and a Springfield Armory Range Officer Elite Operator 10 mm.
My favorite is my newest made 45 ACP LW Commander.

My first gun was my Colt Gov't series 80 I bought it used and it had not been treated well, but it was what I could afford, knew use/care. My family was regularly threatened by a madman with a gun I helped catch and convict. I got a standing ovation from a Manhattan Grand Jury.
As other priorities were addressed, house , land, vehicles, education... I bought other guns and fixed up my Colt.

Stick with your appropriate priorities.

Best of Luck
 
FormerFD said:
If you don't have the money to buy the Colt, save up until you do.
If the Kimber runs well, carry it.

I have 3 Colts, a Kimber Super Carry Pro, an STI 10mm Nitro 10, and a Springfield Armory Range Officer Elite Operator 10 mm.
My favorite is my newest made 45 ACP LW Commander.

My first gun was my Colt Gov't series 80 I bought it used and it had not been treated well, but it was what I could afford, knew use/care. My family was regularly threatened by a madman with a gun I helped catch and convict. I got a standing ovation from a Manhattan Grand Jury.
As other priorities were addressed, house , land, vehicles, education... I bought other guns and fixed up my Colt.

Stick with your appropriate priorities.

Best of Luck
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Excellent advice. I've owned a LOT of Colt 1911's, they've always been good to me. I also have Springfiels, and I like them a lot! I just won a new Tisas Tank commander in 45 it will be my dark colored Tank Commander's brother. The Tank Commanders are great!
 
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A number of posts have expressed their comments on Kimber more especially their 1911 series. As a Kimber owner there was a time just few years ago when a individual who worked at Kimber decided to utilize MIM parts as a means to save costs in productions. This created a fair level of issues, comments, finger pointing and loss of confidence in Kimber . While that person in no longer at Kimber and Kimber has subsequently moved out of NY I have found Kmber to be good solid firearm I am sure their are those that still dislike Kimber, Colt , S& W, Ruger, SA, Glock. etc. That's ok if they do. They have other expereinces of equal value or dislike.
 
I still own a Kimber. Although I did swap a Kimber for the Colt Defender. But a Kimber remains in my stable.
 

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