[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Ive owned three of those, one in each size. I never had a problem with any of them. I'm not a fan of aluminium frame 1911s so I got rid of them, but I have no other complaints.

Originally Posted by solefald

Kimber makes great guns. Yes, there are MIM parts you can replace with something better. Put in short recoil spring guide, replace plastic mainspring housing, replaces cheap stock mag with mec-gar and you will be good. Any gun can malfunction, even the high dollar unobtainium stuff.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I appreciate it. That helps to ease my reliability concern. So bottom line, should I snag this thing after work?

Solefald, how much will those parts run me (ballpark)? I can handle the installation.

Mike, how's the recoil on the aluminum-framed 1911? My old Springfield Loaded absorbed recoil nicely.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Solefald, how much will those parts run me (ballpark)? I can handle the installation.

If I were you, i would start with mainspring housing (whole assembly, so you can just keep the stock one intact) , short recoil spring guide rod with a new cap, recoil spring and firing ping spring to match.

All of the stuff listed below should run you no more than $80 and requires no fitting whatsoever. Full plug and play.

- Ed Brown 25 lpi checkered all steel main spring housing
- Wolff main spring 23 lb
- Wolff recoil spring 18.5 lb
- Wolff extra power firing pin spring
- Cylinder and Slide main spring cap, housing pin retainer, and cap pin
- Wilson Combat recoil spring cap (blued)
- Wilson Combat GI style guide rod (blued)

Plus nice Mec-Gar magazines would be in a $15-20 range.

Next on my list would be thumb safety replacement. It will run you anywhere from $20 to $70 for a "normal" one and from $60 to $150 for a ambi. I'm left handed, so i need an ambi. The best ones are Wilson Combat bulletproof tactical. They are fully machined and more reliable than cast ones, because those are usually the first thing that breaks.

Beside that, I would leave things as-as and just replace them as your go. Some parts will wear more than others, so just replace those when its time.

Good article about 1911 mods from 10-8.
http://www.10-8performance.com/pages...fications.html


Another option would be to drop $1,700 on Les Baer and replace nothing

[SoCali E90]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

I know some of these words.

my thoughts exactly

[MP0WER]

My new favorite pistol. Just picked it up about 3 weeks ago. Had a few issues with it during the first 150 rounds but picked up a couple Wilson Combat mags and all is good in the last 300 rounds. It's accuracy far exceeded my expectations.

Sig Scorpion










Some of my older pistols....

Baby Eagle 9mm Fairly rare, even more so in stainless. I think only about 1000 units were brought state side.






Glock 23




Forgot about the Glock 22

[upstatedoc]

^^^like

[darwin316]

x2

[MP0WER]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

^^^like

Which one? i could be talked into parting with the Baby Eagle......

[SoCali E90]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Which one? i could be talked into parting with the Baby Eagle......

how much?

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by monkey_wrench

I have an ugly-as-sin Kimber Pro Raptor 4" I've heavily modified over the years. It's been absolutely dead nuts reliable. It's been de-MIMed, bobtailed, and I replace the recoil spring every year. I shoot 200gn +P TAP out of it, it is one of my main CCW guns.

And it's very comfortable to shoot, after the thumb safety was replaced.

Very nice. How many rounds total down the pipe?

Originally Posted by solefald

If I were you, i would start with mainspring housing (whole assembly, so you can just keep the stock one intact) , short recoil spring guide rod with a new cap, recoil spring and firing ping spring to match.

All of the stuff listed below should run you no more than $80 and requires no fitting whatsoever. Full plug and play.

- Ed Brown 25 lpi checkered all steel main spring housing
- Wolff main spring 23 lb
- Wolff recoil spring 18.5 lb
- Wolff extra power firing pin spring
- Cylinder and Slide main spring cap, housing pin retainer, and cap pin
- Wilson Combat recoil spring cap (blued)
- Wilson Combat GI style guide rod (blued)

Plus nice Mec-Gar magazines would be in a $15-20 range.

Next on my list would be thumb safety replacement. It will run you anywhere from $20 to $70 for a "normal" one and from $60 to $150 for a ambi. I'm left handed, so i need an ambi. The best ones are Wilson Combat bulletproof tactical. They are fully machined and more reliable than cast ones, because those are usually the first thing that breaks.

Beside that, I would leave things as-as and just replace them as your go. Some parts will wear more than others, so just replace those when its time.

Good article about 1911 mods from 10-8.
http://www.10-8performance.com/pages...fications.html


Another option would be to drop $1,700 on Les Baer and replace nothing

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to share all of that. Very helpful.

Although, the final option you mentioned is certainly interesting as well.

[MP0WER]

Originally Posted by SoCali E90

how much?

I'm not too sure... the last stainless one i saw on Gunbroker went for a little over $900.

But the guys at the local gun shop said i should be able to get $600 or so at the next gunshow. But won't know until the next one comes around. I'd think i'd have to have close to $600 to let it go. It is pretty sweet.

[CollinsE90]

Best I can do is $5.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Although, the final option you mentioned is certainly interesting as well.

Les Baer makes amazing guns. The only problem is that you can't get them anywhere. Every place i looked at is all sold out. Ordering from the factory may end up being 6-8 months wait.

But as far as Kimber, I would just go with Custom II TLE and do the same mods I suggested for the one you were looking at. http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/cu.../custom-tle-ii

you can have it for $900
http://www.rrarms.com/firearms-handg...-ii-45acp.html

And some people will laugh, but i love those cheap rubber grips!


In other news, my Mossberg 930 (28" for trap) is barely on it's way and i already can't wait to get "my girlfriend's" M&P
And my want list keeps getting longer and longer every day.

[MP0WER]

Couldn't let that crappy iphone pic above represent my new favorite..... so i snapped a few and re-posted them.

[ybbiz34]

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Congrats on the inbound scattergun! The anticipation and excitement associated with ordering a new weapon is almost as satisfying as finally getting your hands on it.

When I picked up my 870 this past weekend, I also got to check out an Ed Brown Kobra Carry. I should have bought it. The guy was offering a pretty fair deal but the price tag was still a tad too rich for my blood.

Originally Posted by solefald

Les Baer makes amazing guns. The only problem is that you can't get them anywhere. Every place i looked at is all sold out. Ordering from the factory may end up being 6-8 months wait.

But as far as Kimber, I would just go with Custom II TLE and do the same mods I suggested for the one you were looking at. http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/cu.../custom-tle-ii

you can have it for $900
http://www.rrarms.com/firearms-handg...-ii-45acp.html

And some people will laugh, but i love those cheap rubber grips!

In other news, my Mossberg 930 (28" for trap) is barely on it's way and i already can't wait to get "my girlfriend's" M&P
And my want list keeps getting longer and longer every day.

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Thanks for the responses, guys. I appreciate it. That helps to ease my reliability concern. So bottom line, should I snag this thing after work?

Solefald, how much will those parts run me (ballpark)? I can handle the installation.

Mike, how's the recoil on the aluminum-framed 1911? My old Springfield Loaded absorbed recoil nicely.

Recoil is not an issue for me. The recoil on a .40 glock it worse IMO. If you avw a proper grip and stance, recoil is never an issue provided you don't have any physical issues. I teach my students that recoil is a natural part of semi auto pistols, and I make them shoot my .45s. All of them are able to handle it, including the 60 year old females.

I carried the Kimbers on duty for years, and reliability was never an issue. I shoot about 10000 rounds a year, and nothing ever broke on the Kimbers.

What I didn't like was the holster wear that happens to aluminum Kimbers. There was substantial wear in a short time. I still have an Ultra Raptor that has held up very well. I also think Kimber makes the best 3" gun on the mass produced 1911 market. That said, I'd rather have a 4" Springfield or Ed Brown any day.

If you struggle with recoil, llet me know. I'll help you.

EDIT: That's the gun I'd buy. Even if I had to wait to get it. Ed makes a sweet piece.

[ybbiz34]

Thanks for the input!

I don't think I did a good job explaining my question earlier. My favorite pistol to shoot before I got my 9mm PPQ was my Glock 23. .40 is still my favorite round. My G23 has some muzzle flip but I'm thoroughly used to it now. I was just curious to see if the lighter 1911 translated to perhaps more muzzle flip as opposed to "straight back" recoil. Recoil is not a problem for me I was just curious as the "nature" of the recoil with an aluminum-framed 1911.

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Recoil is not an issue for me. The recoil on a .40 glock it worse IMO. If you avw a proper grip and stance, recoil is never an issue provided you don't have any physical issues. I teach my students that recoil is a natural part of semi auto pistols, and I make them shoot my .45s. All of them are able to handle it, including the 60 year old females.

I carried the Kimbers on duty for years, and reliability was never an issue. I shoot about 10000 rounds a year, and nothing ever broke on the Kimbers.

What I didn't like was the holster wear that happens to aluminum Kimbers. There was substantial wear in a short time. I still have an Ultra Raptor that has held up very well. I also think Kimber makes the best 3" gun on the mass produced 1911 market. That said, I'd rather have a 4" Springfield or Ed Brown any day.

If you struggle with recoil, llet me know. I'll help you.

EDIT: That's the gun I'd buy. Even if I had to wait to get it. Ed makes a sweet piece.

[monkey_wrench]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Very nice. How many rounds total down the pipe?

Don't know.

Years of carrying and shooting.

[monkey_wrench]

Here's my latest project, removed the stupid underfolder stock from my SBR Yugo M92 Krink, welded the holes in the receiver shut, and installed a modified Galil side folder on it.

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Thanks for the input!

I don't think I did a good job explaining my question earlier. My favorite pistol to shoot before I got my 9mm PPQ was my Glock 23. .40 is still my favorite round. My G23 has some muzzle flip but I'm thoroughly used to it now. I was just curious to see if the lighter 1911 translated to perhaps more muzzle flip as opposed to "straight back" recoil. Recoil is not a problem for me I was just curious as the "nature" of the recoil with an aluminum-framed 1911.

Yeah, after I thought about the stuff you have, I realized you probably are just fine Sorry, not trying to be insulting or condescending, just helpful. Anyway, The Glocks exhibit muzzle flip due to the torque generated by their rifling and it's especially noticeable with their .40 guns. If you can handle that, a shorty 1911 will be no problem. The perceived recoil is sharp, yet still smoother and more linear than a Glock, if that makes any sense. I also have a Kahr PM40 that shoots smoother than the Glocks IMO despite it's smaller size. Like I said, if you're good with that, you will like the 1911.

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Which one? i could be talked into parting with the Baby Eagle......

I bought one of those years ago and I didn't like its reliability. It would not feed consistently. I wish it had because I still really like that gun. I bought a gold one just because it was so blingy that I couldn't resist!

[monkey_wrench]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

Anyway, The Glocks exhibit muzzle flip due to the torque generated by their rifling and it's especially noticeable with their .40 guns. .

wait... why aren't all other handguns affected by this flip-due-to-rifling?

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by monkey_wrench

wait... why aren't all other handguns affected by this flip-due-to-rifling?

Yes but Glocks have a unique style of rifling that imparts a very specific type of muzzle flip to a firearm. I can't recall the specifics as to why this is, but its very noticeable, especially compared to other similar platforms like the HK P30 or Springfield XDm.