[Dillinger]

I like the Kimbers as well - I have owned three over the years and still have two of those.

There have been some sketchy reports of some folks getting a problem gun from Kimber lately, but I haven't been able to discern if that was personal bias or a true problem.

Kimber, I believe, has a one year warranty on their basic firearms, lifetime on something breaking outright.

For the money, I think they are making one of the best 1911's on the market - but it does cost a bit more than some other 1911's that are out there as mentioned above.

However, I now also own three Nighthawks and I wouldn't trade them for ANYTHING in the 1911 world...

[matt g]

My $700 Kimber Compact II consistently shot dead on. This is a steel that I was shooting at 50 yards:



As you can see, it was a run of the mill Compact also, nothing overly fancy about it. I added the Hogue Combats to control muzzle flip due to the lack of front strap checkering:



I really wanted one of their custom guns when I bought my Compact, but couldn't afford it. After a few thousand rounds through the Compact though, I was glad that I save the extra cash. After 5 or 6 thousand more rounds, I was able to put decent groups on a paper plate sized steel at that distance and I was convinced that I didn't even need the custom gun.

Right now MSRP on a Custom II is $828. MSRP on a Gold Match II is $1345. $500 will buy a lot of practice ammo. The $500 worth of ammo will get you acquainted with your new favorite pistol and help break her in. Unlike many guns, the trigger on Kimbers only get better with age.

[Bighead]

I think you've got it narrowed down to two excellent pistols. IMO probably the best production manufactured 1911's going, and I wouldn't want to live on the difference between the two manufacturers.

The FBI uses the Springfield Armory. The Marines & the LAPD use the Kimber.

I think you could probably search all day on the forums and the opinion pendulum would swing back and forth. If the cost is comparable, I would probably just go compare them side-by-side again and pick the one that struck me as my favorite.

Then there is always the traditonalist choice of a Colt. I don't think you would regret a Colt purchase either.

Good luck, wish I had your dilemma. Since I don't need adjustment sights, I would probably choose this:

Kimber Tactical Custom II