That's like trying to compare a Chevie to a Caddy.
A more appropriate comparison would be the Desert Eagle 1911G to a Ruger SR1911. They are the same price point and very close to the same time-frame of release (1911G was actually out somewhere near a year earlier). There are several threads on the DE1911G.
The SR1911 seems to be having the early production blues. Some of them are excellent, some less so. Mine has been back with Ruger (creep in the trigger and FTRB with no ammunition in it). When I talked to them, they said three to four days in their shop and it has been ten, so far (they received it 5/27, per UPS). I'll call them back if it reaches twenty. They have one guy assigned to handle nothing but the SR1911, and said that there had been three total, prior to mine, that had been returned. While that sounds quite good, that is from a very limited number having actually been available.
Kimber has been producing the 1911 for decades and it shows. Their entire line is very good, with some versions that are downright excellent. But then again, they are a minimum of $200 more, with a few models running 2.5 to 3 times as much as the Ruger.
Mine's with Ruger as well. Galling on one of the slides and possibly out of spec frame. I think Kimbers are all-around nicer in fit and finish. The Ruger's internals leave a lot to be desired.
That is an opinion of Kimber not universally shared. Not Kimber bashing, just stating a fact. I will say that the Ruger is probably aimed at a slightly different niche than Kimber at this point.
I only have one Kimber, a custom tle pro. I am altogether off Kimber mags, even Kimpros, but the gun itself is very well made, as good as any production 1911 i have owned, and I have owned quite a few.
Well here is another opinion, and some facts, I know for a fact the several PD's have done away with Kimber because of alot of problems, not saying that the Ruger is a better gun, but the kimber that I had went back to the factory three times, new barrel and bushing new stops, new sights, enough, I got rid of it. I am thinking about a Ruger, mainly to have as a truck gun, the range reports have been good, I know of one that had a very heavy spring, we changed it and it has been perfect since. the choice is yours of course, just trying to help, I know for a fact that it is not a easy choice. Good luck
Kimbers usually have a very good fit and finish or at least the one's I've fondled and/or shot. I've never handled the Ruger but I agree with the comparison with the DE 1911 series that just came out in terms of price/features/build.
As for price? Some folks have walked away with their Ruger for rock bottom prices. I myself don't live in Candyland. I fully expect them to hit the market and stabilize in the mid to upper six hundreds or maybe even the lower sevens. Not exactly the made in America Armscor/American Classic killer that some folks on here were rabidly expecting.
I shouldn't laugh but I do recall telling folks there'd be teething pains with the Ruger just as there are with any new firearm. It's why it makes it worth my while to wait and buy other 1911s and decide if it really is worth pursuing one.
Kimber equates to Cadillac? Really? :biglaugh: Maybe more of a Yugo vs. Ford comparison....Caddy...not so much. When Cadillac starts putting plastic doors on their cars, engines that spend more time at the mechanic than at home and paint that wears off when you park it in the garage...then maybe. LMAO
Mine's with Ruger as well. Galling on one of the slides and possibly out of spec frame. I think Kimbers are all-around nicer in fit and finish. The Ruger's internals leave a lot to be desired.
Some of the Ruger internals are very nice, firing pin and disconnecter come to mind, but still not as good as DE1911G, overall.
I'm beginning to wonder how long it will take for Ruger to handle things. As I posted in my first reply, they said three to four days (in their shop) and UPS says they got it 5/27 in the morning. It is beginning to sound like there are quite a few more going back.
To each his own. What I did was to compare the apparent differences in two models. If you believe that Kimber is not a higher end 1911, then so be it. I have more than one Kimber and have had no problems, with any of them. I guess you got one of the one in how-ever many (hundred, thousand?) that were not right, something that every manufacturer experiences.
I bought a Ruger SR1911 because of the price point. I own a Wilson Tactical Siupergrade and wanted a gun to play with and upgrade. I have not had any problems with the Ruger and very I'm very happy with it and have had no problems with it. Also found the Ruger to be a good shooter. Just understand and remember the adage..."you get what pay". All in all the Ruger is a good shooter.
Completly different price points.
But,I"d still go with Ruger over Kimber ANYDAY based on my own personal experience with Kimbers.
Plus,the Ruger doesn't have the stupid Swartz safety system.
If I want a top shelf 1911,I"ll add a few bucks to what a Kimber cost and buy a Les Baer or a used Ed Brown.
just received my sr1911 last night!!! $610.00 plus tax. i looked at kimbers and they look very nice also but, about $400 more. i will find out sunday how well it shoots.the fit & finish on the gun i received is on parr with my mid 70's production colt. so which one is better kimber or ruger? don't know,but for me my choice was the ruger.
I have both. The Ruger is a very nice gun. The fit and finish is very close to guns in the $1,000-1,200 range. It shoots like a more expensive gun. Now... with that being said it doesn't shoot nearly as well as any of the Kimbers I own, nor is the frame fit the same. If you are looking for a great 1911 in the $700 range then the Ruger is the best for the price IMO. If your price range is higher, you can't go wrong with a Kimber purchase.
I own several Rugers (not 1911) and a Kimber, all fine guns without problems.
The Kimber bashing on this forum is relentless, try to weed through it & you'll be fine.
I've read that Ruger has had a few 1911's returned but Ruger is a great company with great guns, buy with confidence. If you have a problem they will make it right.
FWIW, I have 4 Taurus' too...............and they ALL work? Point is, ALL companies have one slip through now & then. MOST of them will make em right.
If a post starts " Brand "X" SUCKS because........." I've already quit reading.
But that's just me.
Ruger has had an unofficial policy of letting consumers do the "beta testing" of new products for awhile now (P345, SR9, LCP, etc). I myself bought one of the first P97s to hit dealer's shelves in '99 and it exhibited the "flying slide stop" problem common to early P97s. If I go for the SR1911 it will be after they have been around for awhile and prices settle down to something reasonable.
Handled one of the new Ruger 1911s. Not bad for the price but I'm not trading a Kimber for one. Actually hoping that they will get the local buyers off the Springfield RO so that I can buy one of those. I will have a Ruger for my 1911 set one day but it will be used and much cheaper than they currently are.
Kimber, well I am sure you can read up on their customer service. If Kimber spent as much money on their QC as they do on advertising, (every other page of a gun mag) then they story might be different.
For a $600-$700 price tag, you can't beat the Ruger. It even makes the STI Spartan look like garbage.[/QUOTE]
Good point, Kimber could back off the ad campaign, step up QC, and word of mouth would take care of sales. Haven't purchased a SR1911 yet, but I will.
I have owned Kimbers and presently own a SR1911 along with a SA loaded, LB TRS, WC CQB, NH GRP, RR Standard Match and a Colt CS Combat Commander.
This is the way I see it. Both Ruger and Kimber are loaded with mim parts. Kimber has a forged frame and slide. Not so with Ruger, but they make excellent castings.
IMHO, there is no difference from a $750 base Kimber relative to a $1500 Kimber outside of fluff. You have no differences in fitting, sights, or small parts. You might get some cool looking checkering or slide serations but it's all cosmetic. Also, Kimber has no "Custom Shop." It's a marketing gimmick.
If its anything less than a Baer or higher end 1911, I want good customer support. Ruger will take care of you. YMMV with Kimber.
I have a Kimber CDP II that I have not had any problems with and that I really like. I also have a Colt series 70 1911. Having said that, I went to buy a Ruger SR1911 last Thursday. The gun shop I go to a lot had one. After I handled it, sighted a target and just carried it in the store, I didn't buy it. I like the fact it is a Ruger and that it is American made, but I did not like the feel of it nor how the sights (sight picture) looked when I aimed it. The grip safety seemed smaller than it should be and it did not have the solid feel of a Colt or Kimber. That's just my opinion and how the Ruger stacked up with me.
I came home with mine last week and had problems with FTF. I changed to a 16# recoil spring and today shot over 100 rds without a failure. Gun was pretty accurate for an old man with poor eyes. Loved the gun. I can't compare it to a Kimber, I have not shot one, but this gun felt like some of the old .45s I shot in the Navy. I like that it is a series 70 and not 80.
The great thing is we have so many choices of good 1911's. We'll all have different opinions. I too am not a big Kimber fan but that's not totally fair to Kimber as I never owned one. I just feel I can't trust it with all I've read. I'm sure many if not most Kimbers are great guns, just not for me. Personally if I was going to spend $1K and that was all, I'd look at an STI, but as I said, that's just my opinion. Whatever gun you get, shoot it and tune it if necessary so you know it'll work if and when you need it.
Kimber has had QC problems for the last few years & their customer service is not what it use to be,? from what I am reading & hearing from other Forums & Kimber owners,? Some of them even say they regret buying one,? Now this is what iv'e been hearing now.?
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