Which would you choose in a 45?

Thanks, Sounds like my brother's marriage/ex...

I actually eventually came clean, which resulted in a whatever, you're an idiot/dumbass etc, and a when are you going to teach me to shoot... She's semi aware of the cost of my hobby and knows what she's getting into with me.

 

Is anyone familiar with the Smith and Wesson line of 1911's? I just stumbled upon them, and they have one that is almost identical to the Kimber I'm most interested in. Pricing is almost Identical.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...750051_765639_-1____ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/custom/custom_tle_rl_II/

 

I don't have experience with the SW 1911s, but I suspect they do a good job on it considering the brand quality. However, if the price is identical, I believe I'd stay with Kimber.

 

Whoops- never mind. Frontstrap checkering is a big plus for me. Kimber takes the win.

 

Thanks for the response. It turns out that my broker doesn't think he can get good pricing on Kimber's because they're picky on who the sell to. The smith I could probably get a decent price, maybe $100 off msrp.

 

I have the FN-P .45. Its amazing. Accurate out of the box, shoots like a 9mm, and its a 16+1 cap. It retails for about 650.

 

Got it figured out,

1st, Kimber just redid their site today. It's pretty nice now.

My gun broker/dealer can't get Kimbers, You have to physically have a store/store front in order to order from them; and on top of that there is a minimum $17,000 order qty/inventory you must carry. I asked about the smith and wesson, but he can't do much on it, about a savings of $100.00 or so.

So here's where I'm at, Scheels here in town has 2 kimbers I'm interested in, I just called cabelas and they don't have squat in stock, and the one kimber they have that I want is over $100 over msrp.

The two finalists are:
Kimber Custom TLE/RL II
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/custom-tle-rl-ii
and
Kimber Tactical Custom II
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/tactical-ii/tactical-custom-ii

The two are nearly identical in price, less than $100 difference
I like the Custom TLE/RL II but finding holsters for it can be a pain I guess because of the picatinny rail.

I like the lighter Weight of the Tactical Custom, it's the more expensive of the two though. It doesn't have the picatinny rail, but has more checkering on the trigger guard.

I'm leaning heavily towards the TLE/RL, but just saw this thread
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/guns-hunting/133218-new-me-kimber-pro-tactical-range-report.html and I'm now conflicted.

What do you think?

 

My partner loves his Kimber 1911 .45 as an off duty weapon because its so thin. Glocks are also nice, but the safety is "to not pull the trigger"...

 

I thought the checkering would be identical on both guns..?
My WAG is that the rail on the TLE is going to be more useful to you than the magwell on the Tactical. Magwells are fine for competition where speed reloading is essential, but kinda superfluous on a carry/plinking gun. Plus they force you to install base pads on all your mags. Meanwhile you can hang all the gee-whiz electric stuff you might want on the rail.

Edit: Ya, I see why you might be conflicted. Packer's Tactical Pro size, like my CDP Pro, is what you end up with eventually. Sorry bout that.

 

The TLE/RL II doesn't have checkering on the underside of the trigger guard, other than that the checkering is identical. I just re-looked at my notes, and the prices are $1099 +tax for the TLE/RL II, and $1149 +tax for the Tactical Custom. So basically you're paying for the aluminum lower, checkering on the trigger guard and subtracting the picatinny rail.

 

Skip the rail for the reasons mentioned. You'll never use it and look like a ****.
the TLE is the one to get. Much better sights than the Custom, plus frontstrap checkering and the frame is steel....stick to steel frames.

 

The first thing i would ask myself is: Am I looking for self defense, target shoting or just plain plinking. Carry concealed or on the hip!! Let's face it your first shot better be on target, if for self-defense. Why not a simple two shot Bond defender --two shots, ten hits... Unless you think your Bruce Willis and need more!!

 

After reviewing your intended use, hunting, target shooting I don't know why you don't get double action revolver. Something with a 6 in barrel in the .357-.41-.44 mag variety. You would have a lot more knock down power and penetration with any of the three I mentioned over the .45 auto plus quite a bit more accuracy. I've shot the .357 and .44 mags with good accuracy out to 100 yards while with even my Kimber 50 yards is about it.

 

This is a good statement!

If you want an accurate .45 out of the box look at a SIG P220.


Yuma Taco,

 

Check your state regs too. If you are planning to use it hunting. Here in IL we can only use revolvers for hunting. Then again...you can't even own a gun (legally) in Chitcago, and our gov is about to ban the death penalty. We're a criminals dream!

For flat out stopping power the .357 is your round of choice. That puts you in a revolver too. You may rethink what you really want...

 

In Washington, we are permitted to carry SD sidearms while hunting, in compliance.
No restriction on barrel length, unless it is your primary firearm.
For backwoods and target, I'm split between my SW 686 revolver and my Kimber TLE 45acp.
For cheaper fun, 38sp out of a full sized all-steel revolver is the next best thing to 22lr.
Maybe consider a quality 357mag revo?

 

Going to scheel's with my brother after work, hopefully I'll walk away with something. Going to look at the TLE/RL. They don't have the straight TLE anywhere local. Hopefully I'll have a new gun to show off later. Thanks to everyone for the help; getting a broad spectrum of opinions helps.

 

Don't feel like you have to leave the shop with something. You can mail order exactly what you want and feel better about it afterward.
I've used Gunbroker bazillion times and only had one transaction that I need to make work.
Get exactly what you want, not what the shop wants to sell you.

 

I bought the Kimber custom tle/rl II. what sold me on it was they had a blackhawk holster that fit it perfect with the rail.

Took it to the indoor range today with my brother and friend. We put about 270 trouble free rounds through it. We were shooting Winchester 230 grain fmj from Walmart.

We all were incredibly impressed with how it shot and how smooth it was. My friend had never shot a handgun before and took to the Kimber no problem.

Thanks again for all the help and input.

 

Congrats... you'll like it more every time you fire it.