I’m thinking about selling my kimber ultra carryII ti get a S&W 1911e w/rail. Don’t get me wring, I love my “kimmy” but, i really want the s&w. I have a carry gun which be a hk p2000 or my m&p 45midsize. There is just something about that 1911e that is just calling my name. What do you guys suggest??? Stay with “kimmy” or divorce her for something new???
Negative, ghostrider. (I’ve always wanted to say that).
Ditch the Kimber. Run a search on this site for “Kimber” and you will see 8 million threads detailing problems with them. S&W is a decent 1911 if you absolutely need a 1911. But consider this:
When I got the 1911 bug I got a Colt Series 70 repro, stuck it in the safe, and shoot it about once a year. It looks really cool and retro, shoots well, is reasonably inexpensive, is made to a high standard compared to the Kimber, and is a good base gun for a custom build. I continue to carry a modern, reliable, durable, easily serviced, higher-capacity polymer frame handgun for everyday use, so I don’t need all the bells and whistles of a tarted up 1911. If I understand your post correctly you have modern polymer guns you carry. Keep doing that.
1911’s are super neat but for serious use, for the majority of shooters, they are the wave of the past.
Uh, seriously?
You’re right, I do have polymer pistols as well and I shoot them alot. I feel like I shoot a hell of alot better with a 1911 than a polymer framed gun. But, I do get what you are saying. I think that I am comfortable carrying either one them. I f I did in fact get the s&w 1911, It would pull 3x duty (carry, home defense, and target).
Yes!! LOL!! She’s baby next to my car and wife.
I saw one at a local store last week and it seemed like a good gun. The only 1911 I have is a Springfield GI so I can’t really compare the two. The S&W felt pretty solid; frame, slide and thumb safety felt good.
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/05/s-e-series-2000-round-update.html
Kimber! I have had several of them & still have a 3" Ultra SIS which is great. Also, I’ve shot a friend’s Ultra Carry enough to know that I like it quite a bit. What I don’t like about the S&W 1911 is the external extractor. When I have problems with extraction on a traditional 1911, I either tune or replace the extractor. But with an external one, I’d have no idea how to cure extractor issues. The problems with Kimbers mentioned by another poster often stemmed from the period whe they tried external extractors with dismal results. WB
There are a lot more issues with Kimbers than just their former use of external extractors, as the above mentioned search will rapidly reveal.
Honestly, between Kimber and S&W 1911s, I’d pass on both. There are far, far better options available. If you’re after a basic model look no further than Colt or Springfield Armory, from there the sky is the limit.
neither.
I am in no way a Kimber Basher as I have a TLE II. I say if you got one that works, keep it.
I enjoy all the Kimber hate, it keeps the prices down a bit on the series I guns. 
New toys are always fun…
I kick myself in the ass for letting go of my Clackamas Kimber.
I say you should try to find the S&W 1911e and see how it shoots before making a decision.
Steven, that is a good idea but, my local ranges don’t even sell s&w 1911’s. Don’t get me wrong, my Kimber has been a good little hand cannon but, I think I should have waited and bought the s&w.
S&W e-series is a step in the right direction. Beyond the performance center guns this is the only off the shelf 1911 w/ an external ejector design that works.
Ok, so I’ve read a bunch of reviews on kimber pistols again. it seems like everybody has had the same issues. I think I jumped the gun a little too soon on this one here. I’ll be looking to sell my kimber ASAP and use the funds to buy my S&W. Plus, I called Kimber USA customer service line and they SUCK!!! The guy who I spoke to was rude and seemed like I was disturbing him from a long nap. Thank guys!! This may be the best choice for me. :suicide2:
When people who know FAR more then I do - with established creds in the community - speak on a topic, I tend to listen. Hilton Yam would be one of those people when it comes to 1911s. Of the E series he’s said:
“…this is a 1911 that deserves a very hard look by anyone who is in the market for a duty/carry or recreational gun. The cosmetic and mechanical design improvements incorporated into the E Series make it extremely functional, and far more than mere window dressing. As production matures on the guns, I plan on taking a hard look at the railed version and the very popular Commander Round Butt model.”
He, like the majority of 1911 BTDT types (Vickers et al) would never make such a recommendation for a Kimber 1911 for a variety of reasons not hard to find on searching around.
Good luck
Gorgeous pistol. Photo and review:
Review:
http://vuurwapenblog.com/2011/05/24/smith-wesson-e-series-1911-21st-century-1911/
LAWD!!! That thing looks good. If inly I can find a kimber head to sell mine to.I will not I repeat, will not trade it in. My local shop won’t give me nowhere near $600-700 for it. Especially not with the goodies I’m adding. Might have to hils on to it and save my pennies.