S&W 1911 vs Kimber
Anybody out there here anything regarding the S&W 1911? I have a Kimber custom 1st generation and was considering another 1911. The S&W seems well appointed, but I would like to get an opinion on accuracy vs. the Kimber.
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You'd take this: http://www.smith-wesson.com/admin/templates/large.cfm?stdImage=SW108282.jpg&model=SW1911
Over this: http://www.paraord.com/pages/ldasingle.html#745 ???
Or this: http://www.kimberamerica.com/custom.php (Stainless II for me[:)])
Never cared for a gun with such big lettering on it. And they are making ONE 1911. Other companies are making DOZENS of versions.0 -
I think I saw a recall notice on the S&W site regarding their 1911.
Jesus: Don't leave earth without him
byf0 -
Recall:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/CatalogManual/sw1911recall.htm
SW1911 Safety Recall Information
Smith & Wesson is committed to producing firearms of the highest quality. To accomplish this goal, we are constantly evaluating and monitoring the safety, reliability and performance of our products. As part of this ongoing evaluation process, we have received reports, in an extremely small number of cases, that the firing pin safety plunger of the SW1911 pistol can become disabled, creating a situation where the slide may jam and render the firearm inoperable. This only pertains to certain Smith & Wesson Model SW1911 pistols bearing serial numbers JRD0000 to JRD4750.
To date, none of these cases have resulted in any injury, and Smith & Wesson has not received any reports of any accidental discharge associated with the functioning of the firing pin safety plunger. While the company has not received any reports of injury, a failure of the firing pin safety plunger may affect the reliability and safety of your firearm. Therefore, given our commitment to quality and safety, we are initiating this recall campaign, and we are offering to repair, free of charge, any affected SW1911 pistol.
For more information please view the "SW1911 Safety Recall Notice" PDF file below. If after viewing the document you believe your SW1911 requires service, click the "Enter SW1911 Return Information" link below and enter all the required information. A special FedEx return label and shipping instructions to facilitate the return of your Model SW1911 Pistol will be mailed to you promptly. If you have any questions you may call 1-800-331-0852 for more information.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/CatalogManual/pdf/SW1911_Recall.pdf
Quality!
Regards,
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quote:Originally posted by Vonflak
I think I saw a recall notice on the S&W site regarding their 1911.
There is a recall - but only for the early s/n. My SW1911 shoots just fine, but it was built after.
If I were to get another 1911, it would likely be another S&W, but tuned/smithed for my weak hand.0 -
Quality wise, I think the Kimber is better. Design wise, I like the external extractor on the S&W 1911, but don't like the loaded chamber indicator (dumb design) or the firing pin lock safety (annoying, but not outright dumb, like previous). 0 -
No-Stick ~ get your hands on a Para double action only LDA (light double action) single stack. I like the Law-Enforcement model with the concealed hammer.
It is Sweeeeeeeet !!![:D][:D][:D]0 -
jsergovic - I'll ask a few 1911-nuts at the club to see if they have one for me to test drive. I've always been a 9mm and 10mm/.40s&w person - the S&W is my first 1911. 0 -
Got one of these, one of those, one of the others too! SW1911 is a fine gun. Took me almost 8 months to get one (had it for 4 months now)after making a chronic pest out of myself with a couple of the larger distributors. Unfortunately greed does have its price, as mine is in the recall serial no. range. But, they did send me prepaid Fed-X shipping label. I just can't bring myself to let it slip from my fingers just yet. Since the label is good until 2005 I think I'll hang onto it for awhile. I've fired it a couple of times with good results, but there-in lies a strange tale. The first time I took it shooting I found that it would only fire once out of three-or-so trigger squeezes. I traced the problem to the squeeze safety which is humped. For some reason, the shape of my hand perhaps, I wasn't depressing it far enough to allow the hammer to fall. At first I thought the cure would be to swap out the squeeze safey with the old, original smooth type. I was also rather unhappy with the rubber grips, personal preference being attractive wood. I had already sent off for a set of smooth walnut from Gun Parts Corp., and when they arrived I installed them, replacing the blue slot screws with Ed Brown stainless hex screws at the same time. In dry firing the pistol I found that it would now fire every time. The walnut grips are of standard width, while the factory rubber grips are of the very thin type that is more popular. I have small-average hands, so I suspect others will find this info useful. Moving on to the LDA, while waiting for the SW1911 that I thought I would never see I acquired a stainless LDA single stack. The people I work for will no longer permit carry of the traditional 1911, being of the Glock mind-set, but will allow any double action of appropriate caliber. Anyway, I found the LDA to be like all Paras I have owned---reliable and accurate. But, darned if I can get used to uncocked and locked vs. cocked and locked. I usually find the thumb safety has worked off to the fire postion in my holster anyway, and am not too sure why they even retained it on this design. Same for the hammer also, since you can't thumb cock it. I know that some of the smaller ones have the hammer spur removed, but this gun just about isn't a 1911 anymore and should probably be redesigned with an internal hammer and no thumb safety. You don't need it anyway, as it retains the squeeze safety. Another thing I came to realize, one must be much more careful in cleaning it. Oh, sure--here we go--always be sure your gun is unloaded before cleaning it! But what I'm talking about is not a rod down the barrel. Once or twice a week I take it out of the holster and wipe it down with a soft cloth to remove debris and dust. As part of the routine I like to stick a cloth-covered finger into the trigger guard and wipe out any present dust. Well, the first time I did it I noticed (due to the very light trigger pull) the hammer cocking back! So.....change in procedure. Definately, completely unload the gun! As for the Kimber, well, I like them a lot. Besides, what could I say without getting lashed by the Kimber Kid? 0 -
I think the S&W is way to gaudy or flashy looking (and I'm a big S&W fan of most of their other stuff). It's subjective, but I think it looks really terrible.
Also, I read that Smith only makes the slide and frame, and goes to the low bidder for ALL the other parts. Not in the S&W tradition.0 -
Der Gebirgsjager ~ I finally found out the single stack comes in standard, exposed hammer, and LE, which is the flush concealed hammer. The second, the 7.45 LDA LE may be the last handgun I buy in a while.
http://www.paraord.com/pages/law.html#7450 -
Yes, jsergovic, I am aware of that model's existence, and the fact that it does exist kind of backs up some of what I posted. But, it's hard for us old 1911 dogs to learn new tricks, and the hammer looking hammer had its appeal when I made my choice. Now just exactly what do you mean by saying, "....the 7.45 LDA LE may be the last handgun I buy in a while."?????? Don't worry....there are Doctors here on the forum that can give you help![;)]
[:D]By the way, I'm adding this P.S. as an edit, I guess you Kimber fans know that S&W makes their forgings (frame and slide) for them? True, Kimber does the finish machine work and fitting (and produces a very fine product indeed) but that's why S&W took the plunge into the 1911 world, as they were already making them for the competition. [^]
Shucks...yeah..I'm a S&W fan.[:I]0 -
Kimber for me! 0 -
I didn't know about S&W making the Kimber slides and frames. I think that fact reinforces my enthusiasm for the Kimber 1911.
I'd get the Kimber.0
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