If you had to pick one over the other, what would it be? I know some of it boils down to feel in the hand, but I'd like to hear some owners opinions, good and bad. Thanks.
Kimber Gold Match 2 or Colt Gold Cup NM
bjk1972
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Are you a shooter or collector? The Kimber will outshoot the Colt. The Colt brings better price on resale. My Gold Cup needed gunsmithing (and a barrel) to shoot dependably and accurately. I think that Colt is still riding on yester-year reputation. In all fairness, I had heard that the Kimbers are not of the quality they once were. I have not shot any Kimbers that have been produced in the last couple years, so may really be just internet rumor.
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10,793 Posts
If you are going to shoot NRA Bullseye, either gun will need work. The Colt Gold Cup is made to the same specs as their Govt' model.
If you want to shoot an accurate out-of-the-box Match pistol, the Springfield Armory Range Officer will shoot 100's with good ammo. It will need a little trigger work.
The older Colt's Gold Cup Trophy shown has had a lot of love (and parts) to shoot 100's.
If you want to shoot an accurate out-of-the-box Match pistol, the Springfield Armory Range Officer will shoot 100's with good ammo. It will need a little trigger work.
The older Colt's Gold Cup Trophy shown has had a lot of love (and parts) to shoot 100's.
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Given the choice of the two, I would lean towards the Kimber.
There are 1911's from other makers that will exceed the quality and performance of either of two models mentioned at similar price levels. Take a look at the Les Baer line as well as what Sig and S&W have to offer.
There are 1911's from other makers that will exceed the quality and performance of either of two models mentioned at similar price levels. Take a look at the Les Baer line as well as what Sig and S&W have to offer.
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given the choice of the two, I'd look at the springfield armory offerings...
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I have two 1911s, both Kimbers, in .38 Super and .45ACP. The .38 is a Stainless Target II and the .45 is a Stainless Gold Match II. I used to own a Series 70 Gold Cup NM and the Kimbers will shoot right with it. A lot of people knock Kimber because, like most gun manufacturers, they have yielded to modern materials and assembly techniques in the interest of cost savings. But I think they offer a good amount of bang for the buck with nice cosmetics, if that is important to you. If our trap guns are any example, it seems to be very important to most buyers of any higher-end firearm.
I also used to own a Springfield. It cost less than either Kimber but needed trigger work and barrel-bushing-slide-frame fitting to shoot accurately and never had any real "eyeball" going for it. It also did not come with a lowered and lengthened ejection port, polished feed ramp, ambidextrous safety and beveled magazine well. Its adjustable rear sight was a little rough and did not move the same amount with each click. The Kimbers' triggers both break crisply at 4.1 and 4.2 pounds with absolutely boring consistency and both guns will put five handloads into one quarter-sized hole at 25 yards from a rest, so any accuracy problems I might have are my own.
Just my opinion; maybe I just got lucky...
Ed
I also used to own a Springfield. It cost less than either Kimber but needed trigger work and barrel-bushing-slide-frame fitting to shoot accurately and never had any real "eyeball" going for it. It also did not come with a lowered and lengthened ejection port, polished feed ramp, ambidextrous safety and beveled magazine well. Its adjustable rear sight was a little rough and did not move the same amount with each click. The Kimbers' triggers both break crisply at 4.1 and 4.2 pounds with absolutely boring consistency and both guns will put five handloads into one quarter-sized hole at 25 yards from a rest, so any accuracy problems I might have are my own.
Just my opinion; maybe I just got lucky...
Ed
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Appreciate all the input. I have my dad's Hi Standard supermatic trophy(107, hampen)and want to pair up a 1911 .45 for bullseye. He sold off both his gold cups(a 70 & a 80 series) and Python shortly before he passed away. Kinda think the gold cup will be the way I go. Sentimental I guess. Lol
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>>The Kimber is investment cast and the Colt will be milled out of a solid piece of steel. The Colt will hold value better in the long run. If you could find an older model forged Kimber you would be fine. Mac <<<<
The quote above is not accurate. Kimbers are forged frames, always have been. I have both older original Kimbers and the newer "Series II". Very similar other than the added "Schwartz" safety device and some MIM parts.
I also have a Colt Series 70 Gold Cup NM.
I think for shooting, Kimber. For resale (if you are a collector and worry about that) the Colt.
The Kimber always shot everything, the Colt, not so much. A spring change and some work made the Colt more reliable but it was made for a specific purpose, not just popping hollow points at paper.
The lesser quality 1911's often have cast frames, some good like Caspian frames, some not so good like the Phillipine made lines, RIA and such. Even STI has cast frames in some of their lesser models like Trojan and Spartan, but, like I said Kimber, Colt, Wilson, some STI all forged. The Desert Eagle, pictured above is a cast frame also. (Like Ruger shotguns, Ha ha, couldn't resist that one.)
The quote above is not accurate. Kimbers are forged frames, always have been. I have both older original Kimbers and the newer "Series II". Very similar other than the added "Schwartz" safety device and some MIM parts.
I also have a Colt Series 70 Gold Cup NM.
I think for shooting, Kimber. For resale (if you are a collector and worry about that) the Colt.
The Kimber always shot everything, the Colt, not so much. A spring change and some work made the Colt more reliable but it was made for a specific purpose, not just popping hollow points at paper.
The lesser quality 1911's often have cast frames, some good like Caspian frames, some not so good like the Phillipine made lines, RIA and such. Even STI has cast frames in some of their lesser models like Trojan and Spartan, but, like I said Kimber, Colt, Wilson, some STI all forged. The Desert Eagle, pictured above is a cast frame also. (Like Ruger shotguns, Ha ha, couldn't resist that one.)
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1,989 Posts
I have a series 70 Gold Cup and I will tell you, having shot many 80 series, that there is no comparisan. Very few newer Gold Cups are worth the price.
The same goes with Kimber. Series 1=good, series 2 not so much.
If you're starting out in Buyllseye shooting get a Springfield Range Officer. You'll spend less money and have a better 1911.
The same goes with Kimber. Series 1=good, series 2 not so much.
If you're starting out in Buyllseye shooting get a Springfield Range Officer. You'll spend less money and have a better 1911.
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187 Posts
Springfield builds some fine 1911's, the TRP as an example but the
Range Officer
Is in their words in their "Value Line," some of the features of their higher end guns built for a price point. It's not in the league of Gold Match or
National Match pistols. I think you originally asked for a comparison of two very
good pistols. Either one is a well built example of the 1911.
Range Officer
Is in their words in their "Value Line," some of the features of their higher end guns built for a price point. It's not in the league of Gold Match or
National Match pistols. I think you originally asked for a comparison of two very
good pistols. Either one is a well built example of the 1911.
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31 Posts
I have both, the K GMII & CGC NM, both are safe queens now that I have bought two Remington R1 & R1 enhanced for general plinking. Also have a K UC CDP II for carry.
I rarely shoot the KGM2 or the CGC NM any more. rating them hmmm well I like the GGMII the most then the CGC NM.
Engineer Bill
I rarely shoot the KGM2 or the CGC NM any more. rating them hmmm well I like the GGMII the most then the CGC NM.
Engineer Bill
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1,989 Posts
Totally disagree with the evaluation of the Range Officer. I've taken a bunch apart and they are well made. Slide to frame fit is better than Colt. Fully adjustable sights for Bullseye shooting and they are accurate.
The most important part of any 1911 made for target shooting is barrel to slide fit which is just fine.
May be part of the value line but it's an excellent value and you can spend the difference on ammo.
Plus their customer service is excellent if needed, something than can't be said about Colt and especially Kimber.
The most important part of any 1911 made for target shooting is barrel to slide fit which is just fine.
May be part of the value line but it's an excellent value and you can spend the difference on ammo.
Plus their customer service is excellent if needed, something than can't be said about Colt and especially Kimber.
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Jerry, I have had to deal with Kimber's customer service department twice and although they could not duplicate, and therefore correct, my concern with my Rimfire Target conversion kit they were great with my .38 Super. I wasn't impressed with its accuracy and it came back in 10 days as a much more accurate gun. I suspect they improved the fitting as that Stainless Target II, their lowest cost target 1911, is now every bit as accurate as my Stainless Gold Match II that is supposed to have its slide, barrel and bushing fit to the frame in the Custom Shop before the gun is assembled on the production line.
I know you are quite knowledgeable about 1911s but from your comments, I suspect you may have had dealings with their products and service far enough in the past that some improvements in both may have transpired since then.
I'm leaning toward a Smith & Wesson E-series 1911 for my next purchase. What have you heard about those guns?
Ed
I know you are quite knowledgeable about 1911s but from your comments, I suspect you may have had dealings with their products and service far enough in the past that some improvements in both may have transpired since then.
I'm leaning toward a Smith & Wesson E-series 1911 for my next purchase. What have you heard about those guns?
Ed
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