I disgree. When I bought mine in '02, Kimber was the only manufacturer that published the tolerances they machined to. Think about that, it takes guts, cause there are hundreds of places who could check/disprove your quality if they know what specs you're machining to.
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they used to have good QC but not anymore
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Not sure about now, but I've had a Kimber for about 10 years that is superb.

Cheers,
G
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Taking my fiancée to the range at 0730 tomorrow to start training her up. The course here doesn't do much as far as getting you truly ready. But hey I can fix that for her. She is excited. We just finished loading our mags for tomorrow. Congrats, its a heavy responsibility however one that I feel is needed.
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Really? I always thought of them as a top notch gun. I know it is no Ed Brown or Nighthawk Custom, but I always thought different. Have you had a particularly bad experience?
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That is one model I looked at. I love the 1911 style, but they seem like they could be bulky to carry. I am not a big guy at about 5'8" and 170lb. I handled one of THESE and Loved it. I really like the bobtail.
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This is the key...

Width (inches): 1.28

1911s are slim and easy to carry with an IWB (Inside the Waist Band) holster. You don't have to be huge to carry them, especially the shorter barrel models (3.5-4.25 inch barrels).

If I was going to buy another one it would be the CDP Pro (4.25 inch barrel).
http://www.kimberamerica.com/product...dp/pro_cdp_II/

Image

I love the "melted" look they have. No sharp edges, all corners smoothed/rounded. Makes for no snags when drawing. Plus it has an aluminum alloy frame with a satin (low-gloss) stainless steel slide, Tritium 3-dot night sight, an ambi-safety, and weighs only 28oz. They can be had for much less than the MSRP of $1318.
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That Kimber is very nice looking. My solution only weighs 15.9 oz. (6 or 7 rd cap)compared to the 28 oz. (7 rd cap) of the Kimber. It is only 9mm though. The .45 version is only 19.3 oz (5 rd)... Much easier to carry every day.
That being said, I would absolutely like a 1911 option, for varietys sake.
http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=61 that one has tempted me a couple of times. I would like to shoot one. 24 ounces, 6 cap, Commander sized.. me likey.
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I am as big a fan of 1911's as anyone, my favorite autoloader design by far... but it bears mentioning that cocked and locked carry may not be for everyone. If you practice on a regular basis, are intimately familiar with the handgun, and your gun handling skills are impeccable, go for it. More casual users may be better served with a D/A auto or a wheelgun. :-)

Cheers,
G
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correction on weight.
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I understand the weight advantage. BTW, the full size grips (on the Pro carry 4.25 inch barrel & 5 inch barrel) accomodate an 8 rd mag without protruding. Plus 1911s are designed to be carried cocked & locked meaning you have a round in the chamber. So, my Kimber is carried with 8+1. I know this adds to the weight, but it is also decent capacity for a single stack pistol.

I too love variety. My next handgun purchase will probably be a wheelgun, then maybe a little pocket semi-auto.

The 1911s fit my hand so perfectly. The only other pistol I've held that rivals that feel is the Walther PPK. But, my favorite feature of the 1911 is that super smooth single-action trigger.
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In the 1911 family my favorite to carry is the lightweight (Gov't size) 5 incher. (I have a pair of the "Loaded" series from Springfield Armory.) However I do most of my practice with an all steel version, more often than not one of my Norinco 1911s.

Also have a small batch of Browning Hi Powers, a pair of each in both 9mm and .40 S&W calibers. I recommend the Mark III version in either matte finish or the Practical Model, if you can find them. While the blued ones are very pretty, that finish just doesn't hold up to carry in warm/wet weather. The BHP's are single action, but the triggers aren't quite as crisp as the 1911.

When traveling to places that the predators come bigger/deadlier than people, I opt for the Glock model 20 in 10mm. Pretty good combination of weight and power.
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I'm a sucker for Hi-Powers, although I've owned 2 .40's and they were both dogs... luck of the draw, I guess. I have a Mk III and an older Belgian Hi-Power that is a thing of beauty.

Couldn't agree more about the Glock 20! My very favorite Glock, I got one shortly after they were introduced. I put in a Bar-Sto barrel and a set of adjustable Meprolights, and it is pretty great. Accuracy, reliability, light weight, and nearly magnum- level performance. An impressive list of attributes.

Cheers,
G
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I know many people fear the idea of cocked & locked, but IMO it is safer than a DAO (Double-Action Only) style pistol like a Glock. I know technically speaking Glocks' aren't a true DAO, but that is not the point of my statement. What I mean is they lack a true safety. My Kimber has a thumb safety, and a grip safety that deactivates a firing pin block. Modern 1911s are extremely safe to carry when cocked & locked. Also, I don't feel it is difficult to get used to flicking off the thumb safety while drawing a 1911. The grip safety is natually disengaged and disables the firing pin block. All that, and you get a very nice consistent trigger pull. The thing I don't like about D/S (Double-Single) action pistols like Sig's is that the first round (most important one) is a long hard double action pull, and each one after that is a light singled action pull. DAO pistols are consistent, but still a long and heavy trigger. That said I don't dislike D/S or DAO pistols, it's just something to think about before choosing a carry gun.
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A fellow inmate brought his Glock 20 to the range at a pre-herf shoot around and I really enjoyed shooting it. That 10mm round is potent but manageable in that pistol.
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&please dont, I dont want to have to come get u. Ps: get at me for your renewal & ill do it for free....
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I know someone selling one if u like I can get u the details.
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I pretty much agree with all of this. My point is only that repetitious practice is required to make flicking off the safety a reflex action in a high stress situation, and applying the safety when required. For my own use, I prefer the 1911 format to all others... I don't consider it to be unsafe practice to carry cocked and locked for a dedicated and well practiced shooter; but I fear that someone who carries but does not shoot or dry fire a lot, or the police officer with no interest in guns beyond twice yearly qualifying, may not incorporate the necessary "muscle memory" to operate a SA auto effectively and safely. :-)

Cheers,
G
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I am glad you enjoyed shooting it :-)
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My wife took the class some time ago and has thought about applying for her CPL, but we have moved since then and I'm not sure where the certificate is. She may have to retake it if she can't find it. If that's the case, I'll be in touch.
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