Door number 1 or 2
Moderator: carlson1
Door number 1 or 2
I am trying to decide between a new pistol purchase for carry. Now I know they are not much alike, but if you were given the option between:
Door #1 --> Kimber Ultra Carry II Stainless .45
Door #2 --> Springfield XD Sub-Compact .40
I know that these are drastically different, and I have my own opinions, but I'm still quite impressionable on the topic and would like to hear from y'all.
Money is not a deciding factor in this purchase.
Which would you choose and why?
Door #1 --> Kimber Ultra Carry II Stainless .45
Door #2 --> Springfield XD Sub-Compact .40
I know that these are drastically different, and I have my own opinions, but I'm still quite impressionable on the topic and would like to hear from y'all.
Money is not a deciding factor in this purchase.
Which would you choose and why?
If you don't already have a 1911 model or a .45 then that is what I would get.
I do like the XD though, so if I needed a gun I could CCW and not worry about scratching and all that the SA would be a top choice.
Although I would probably get a ParaOrd instead of a Kimber, but that is totally personal preference.
Final decision? If money is no object and I didn't have anything in either area I would get the Kimber first.
I do like the XD though, so if I needed a gun I could CCW and not worry about scratching and all that the SA would be a top choice.
Although I would probably get a ParaOrd instead of a Kimber, but that is totally personal preference.
Final decision? If money is no object and I didn't have anything in either area I would get the Kimber first.
I would go with the Kimber. I would stay away from .40 as it is more expensive than 9mm, and has more recoil, higher pressure cart., and has no advantage over a 9mm. (Not trying to start a debate, just my unsolicited opinion.)
Glenn
Glenn
Winners never quit, and quitters never win; but, if you never win, and never quit, you're a moron.
- anygunanywhere
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Hands Down
Kimber. You will not regret the decision. Although love is an emotion that should probably be reserved for one's wife, children, other human relationships, or loyal canine companion (not cats), fondling my Kimber stirs deep emotion in my soul.
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." Mike Vanderboegh
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
- HighVelocity
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I picked the XD for 2 reasons.
1) I love my XD subcompact. 100% reliable out of the box with everything I've fed it. Dead on accurate too. Requires nothing but a brain and a finger to operate.
2) The Kimber compact 1911's have a love/hate following. Some run some don't run without help. Go to http://www.1911forum.com and browse the Kimber forum. You'll see what I'm talking about.
1) I love my XD subcompact. 100% reliable out of the box with everything I've fed it. Dead on accurate too. Requires nothing but a brain and a finger to operate.
2) The Kimber compact 1911's have a love/hate following. Some run some don't run without help. Go to http://www.1911forum.com and browse the Kimber forum. You'll see what I'm talking about.
- stevie_d_64
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Baytown - you have my thinking now. If I go the XD route I will have to conquer a .40 vs 9mm debate now.
However, thus far, I appreciate the input. What else?
BTW - reason for this is my dad is giving me his Gold Cup .45, which will satisfy that 1911 craving in me (though my USPC is great). I had my eyes locked on a Kimber for a while, but now that I have a 1911 I don't have that urge anymore so I have "options" I guess I could say. Money is no object because I have a sum of money coming soon that will cover both costs.
Thanks for the help! Keep it up!
-nick
However, thus far, I appreciate the input. What else?
BTW - reason for this is my dad is giving me his Gold Cup .45, which will satisfy that 1911 craving in me (though my USPC is great). I had my eyes locked on a Kimber for a while, but now that I have a 1911 I don't have that urge anymore so I have "options" I guess I could say. Money is no object because I have a sum of money coming soon that will cover both costs.
Thanks for the help! Keep it up!
-nick
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison
- anygunanywhere
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1911 Urge
One 1911 will not satisfy an urge. Not even a Gold Cup, although it is a nice start.
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." Mike Vanderboegh
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
I went with the Kimber but only because that's the only 1911 choice you gave. :)
I have a SA micro and carry it more the 90% of the time. I also have a XD-9 SC that I carry. If you would have listed the choices as the XD-40 SC or the XD-9 SC, I would have voted for the XD-9 only because of less felt recoil of the 9 over the 40 in that small of a package. Now saying that, I will disagree with Baytown as the .40S&W is superior to the 9mm, IMHO... :)
I have a SA micro and carry it more the 90% of the time. I also have a XD-9 SC that I carry. If you would have listed the choices as the XD-40 SC or the XD-9 SC, I would have voted for the XD-9 only because of less felt recoil of the 9 over the 40 in that small of a package. Now saying that, I will disagree with Baytown as the .40S&W is superior to the 9mm, IMHO... :)
XD9 SC
Para C7.45
CZ RAMI
SA Champion 1911
SA Micro Compact 1911
S&W 1911
S&W Model 60 .357Mag
Taurus Model 415 .41mag
Taurus Model 617TBC .357mag
Taurus .45 Millennium Pro
Taurus .380 Millennium
American Derringer .45ACP
Para C7.45
CZ RAMI
SA Champion 1911
SA Micro Compact 1911
S&W 1911
S&W Model 60 .357Mag
Taurus Model 415 .41mag
Taurus Model 617TBC .357mag
Taurus .45 Millennium Pro
Taurus .380 Millennium
American Derringer .45ACP
- HighVelocity
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Re: 1911 Urge
I wish that that was not true. Unfortunately according to my wallet, it is.anygunanywhere wrote:One 1911 will not satisfy an urge. Not even a Gold Cup, although it is a nice start.

- anygunanywhere
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- Location: Richmond, Texas
Outside the Box
Another issue with owning more than one 1911 is....as they lay before me in my gunsafe, I gaze upon them. I pick one up in one hand, feeling the cold machined weight of the pistol. My, how nice! :D I pick another one up, noting a very similar sensation, although not exact, because they all have their own feel. Nice again! :D :D But wait! I have more 1911's than I have hands. I can only fondle two at a time. I need a transplant.
Anygun



Anygun
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." Mike Vanderboegh
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand
- HighVelocity
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This is something that I am quickly learning. I just need more $$$. :(One 1911 will not satisfy an urge. Not even a Gold Cup, although it is a nice start.
XDs are nice guns. I think of them as (and don't shoot me for saying this) the mating of a Glock and a 1911. They seem to incorporate the best of each. You can't go wrong with the XD.
That being said, I have and carry the Kimber UC II. Mine isn't stainless. So far this little gun has been real good. Only two failures in the first 500 rounds. and those can be attributed to me limp wristing. For me, the 1911 platform is perfect. I may even name my next kid John Moses, even if its a girl.

I had had a Colt Defender that was an absolute POS. After the Colt I was reluctant to try another 3" 1911. I haven't been sorry.
Ultimately it is going to depend on what feels best in your hand. IF you practice and become proficient with your gun you will not be undergunned with either choice in 9mm, .40, or .45ACP.