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Author
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Topic: advice on a new 45
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tom h
Novice
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posted 05-05-2002 11:31
   
Well I paid off my truck the other day, and have been wanting a 1911 based pistol. Yesterday I rented a couple Kimber Customs, and a SA Milspec Operator. I was amazed at how well I shot with all of them, with the kmbers the best. Much better than my USP 40, whick I like. But I am now hooked on 1911's.I am looking for a full size model, for basic combat type use, maybe CC and possibly IDPA. I looked at and really like the Kimber Custom CDP. I'm lefty so I need the Ambi safety. My main question is: is the CDP a good bang for the buck, just over a grand at this dealer. How important is the slide melt?
Would it be better to get a basic model and just add the ambi safety? I am open to other brands, just seems I shot the Kimbers a little better than the SA. Also what about the aluminum frame on the CDP? Is it worth the weight savings? Price is somewhat of an issue. I'd like to hear from some BTDT's.
Thanks.
Tom
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seanmac45
Novice
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posted 05-05-2002 11:40
I'm answering based on my experiences. After owning one of the first Kimber Custom Classics for five years without it bobbling once I sent it to Joe Bonar at Novak's for an FBI package upgrade. It's now my daily carry gun. I liked it so much I purchased a Kimber Compact Stainless and sent it to Joe for the same treatment. I believe in buying the plain-jane versions and having them upgraded to my personal preferences. Kimbers CDP's look nice, but they have work that I wouldn't want performed on a carry gun for me.------------------
DVC,
Sean IP: Logged |
tom h
Novice
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posted 05-05-2002 19:07
I went out looking again today and found a used Series 70 Government Model, with an ambi safety and match trigger. It was a good price, $550, so I bought it. I'm in business. Now just have to wait 3 days before I can see if it is a good buy. But even if it needs work so what?Thanks for your input about the CDP. IP: Logged |
Hilton Yam
Moderator
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posted 05-05-2002 22:25
check out the thread on 1911 base guns over on Custom Guns for my 2 cents on combat 1911's. FWIW, I only consider steel 5" guns in .45 to be worthy combat weapons, so you'll do ok with your newly acquired Colt.IP: Logged |
David DiFabio
Member
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posted 05-06-2002 13:24
I agree with Hilton,
Stay with a 5" gun.
The series 70 colt is a great base gun.------------------
Think, Plan, Train Be Safe.
Thanks,
David
www.ammolab.com
www.ammolabforum.com IP: Logged |
Keith Neal
Moderator
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posted 05-06-2002 16:41
Over the years, my 1911's have evolved to simpler and simpler arrangements. All the pistol needs is high visibilty fixed sights and a crisp trigger. Modifications beyond that should be made only to solve a specific and real problem -- primarily related to reliability.The more modifications you make to the pistol, the more likely you are to have problems with it. Any extra money should be devoted to training and ammunition, where it will do some good. This advice is usually ignored by new 1911 owners, but most eventually recognize its validity. Keith IP: Logged |
tom h
Novice
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posted 05-06-2002 17:55
I can't stand these three day waiting periods for handguns. It gives me 3 days to have buyers remorse about didi I make the right choice, or should I have held out. But I think I'm happy about not buying a Kimber. I would rather get a good base gun and spend money only on what I need. And the Colt just happened to have the only mod I need, the ambi.Keith whose fixed sights do you like? There is a 3 dot set on it now of unknown origin. I am sold on the 5" length, and minimum mods. Just hoping the gun is not a POS problem child. But the shop where I got it stands behind their guns so it shouldnt be too bad. Thanks for the responses. I'll let you know how it turns out. Just in case though, does anyone know a good smith in the Chicago area? IP: Logged |
Keith Neal
Moderator
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posted 05-06-2002 18:46
It doesn't matter to me which sights. The old MMC configuration came on on my regular carry piece (a Springfield), and they work fine. I prefer plain black sights. If you like the dots, that's fine, too. But often the sight picture using the dots shoots to a different point of impact than a sight picture using the top of the steel sights.I have tritium dots on my bedside pistol, and the dots shoot 6 inches high and left at 25 yards -- not a concern at indoor ranges. In my opinion, sight configuration doesn't matter; front sight, press and follow through matter. Keith
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DeputyDan
Novice
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posted 05-07-2002 20:55
Everyone I know who own Kimbers (Classics, Target Models, CDP), all have been real happy with their guns. Have yet to see any malfunctions with the guns, and thats using all kinds of factory and reloaded ammo. The guns are very accurate and reliable. In fact, if my department authorized it, I would be carrying a Kimber over our issue 9mm. You cannot go wrong with them.IP: Logged |
JGage
Member
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posted 05-07-2002 22:06
Another plug for the Kimber (Classic Custom) I am very pleased with mine and it runs flawlessly.
All I had done was to have Novak's lighten the trigger a bit, carry bevel, and add a Novak rear sight (purely a choice thing, the sights it comes with are fine.) The Springfield "Loaded" pistols are nice too. Chuck the full length guide rod and order a standard guide and plug from Brownell's. I would avoid alum frames and anything under 5". LW frames are great until you start shooting the pistol a whole bunch or you shoot some +P rounds... IP: Logged |
Gordo
Novice
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posted 05-09-2002 11:50
You may want to check what Mad Dod has to say about Kimbers before you buy.
http://64.177.53.248/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000234.html IP: Logged |
tom h
Novice
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posted 05-09-2002 12:48
I picked up the series 70 last nite. Stripped it down and everything seems pretty tight and in good shape. It is 1975 vintage.
I'm going to the range tonite to see how she shoots.
I think I am in trouble now that I have discovered 1911's. The ones I shot in the USMC were all POS, so I never gave them any thought, but now that have shot some decent ones andI know how sweet they can be, well....IP: Logged |
swatbwana
Member
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posted 05-09-2002 16:51
You have probably the best platform to build into what you want.
The series 70 colt is regarded highly by all pistolsmiths and they hold up over time.
Give the Kimber 30+ years and see how they shoot!
I wanted a Kimber bad when they came out but I asked around with the real gunsmiths I know and the asked if I wanted to spend 3 to 4 hundered dollars replacing the crap parts with good steel parts when I said No! Why? I was told the small parts were made with powdered metal(MIM) I believe a process that is cheaper than tooling forged pieces and produces uniform good looking parts with a fraction of the strength of traditional style parts.
I am not a metalurgist but I can understand that these parts would be soft and not have the tensile strength of tool grade steel no matter how you heat treat them.
You made an excellent buy with your series 70 Colt enjoy!IP: Logged |
Arnistador
Moderator
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posted 05-10-2002 07:26
While I am no fan of the new Kimbers and certainly would not buy one after Hilton's and Mad Dog's experience with them, I have two that have served me well. One is a Pro Carry 4" gun that is very lightly customized (new slide stop, firing pin, firing pin block, and thumb safety) that has over 15,000 rounds through it with no problems. I used to shoot it in classes and matches.I also have a 5" Stainless Custom with a ton of work done to it by MD Labs prior to their ban of Kimbers. It is my daily carry and work gun and has survived an estimated 10,000 rounds and is holding up very well. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a Colt 1991A1 or Springfield 1911A1. I think the best deal going right now for an out of the box production 1911 is the Springfield TRP. Tim IP: Logged |
Hilton Yam
Moderator
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posted 05-10-2002 10:20
Keep in mind that just like casting, forging, and machining from bar stock, there is well executed MIM and hideously executed MIM. A certain company started out with perfectly functional MIM components when a certain well known and knowledgeable smith and two time Steel Challenge champion helped redesign their market-stealing 1911. Since then, said company has had bad QC issues by bringing MIM in house, giving the process a black eye. I have a MIM disconnector (it appears to be a CMC) in my daily carry 1911, which has in excess of 15,000 rounds through it, and it's fine. The gun has a very large quantity of identical siblings that I am responsible for monitoring, and those are all fine too. HK firearms utilize some MIM components, and no one notices them. They're done right, that's why. Forged small parts are not really prevalent in today's market. It was the most common method of producing "near net" shaped parts back in the day. Remember that good heat treat and part density are key, no matter how they're manufactured. General opinion is that cast frames are bad, and that forged frames are good. Caspian cast frames have a long track record of excellent function. Good. Belgian BHP forged frames and slides were soft as Silly Putty. Bad. Case in point that manufacturing methodology is key. Bottom line, your money, your choice. Quality MIM components are no biggie for some stuff. I really like Chip McCormick's MIM disconnector -- those that know will recognize the excellent design subtleties in that part. I am not keen on MIM parts for their hardness, making it difficult to cut on MIM hammers, sears, and even grip safeties. And yes, some makers have used MIM strictly to slash costs, not because it's a cost effective way to make GOOD complicated parts. IP: Logged |
tom h
Novice
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posted 05-10-2002 23:13
It seems I didn't do too bad on this Series 70. Everything works as it should, nice groups from 10 yards. Just need a new set of sights and maybe a little trigger work, and then a whole lot of ammo.
The only weird thing was the new Wilson 7 rounder I bought. A bunch of times it wouldn't drop free. Once it dropped free but sent the slide home when it did. and failed to lock back on last round a few times.
I returned it and all they had were 8's. I guess I got a dud. No prob's witha Pachmayer 7 or a McCormick Power 8.Now to learn about reloading, so I can afford this new habit. Thanks for all the input. Great forum. IP: Logged |
Keith Neal
Moderator
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posted 05-11-2002 05:53
Tom:The folks here probably don't want to hear about reloading, so let's take it off line. Email me and I will provide whatever help you need. I have been feeding my .45's with reloads since 19(mumble,mumble) and have learned a few things. Keith
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