s&w 1911 or kimber eclipes

[benjaminw7528]

I own a s&w 1911 and got a offer to trade it to a kimber custom 2 eclipes i was wondering what everyone thought

[Mikey]

I think they are both excellent pistols.  I was and still am interested in upgrading an old Colt Commander with a new scandium S&W1911 in the same size.  I understand the S&W pistols can use mil-spec type aftermarket parts but the Kimbers don't.  I believe one may have a barrel/bushing set-up but the other (Kimber) has a bushing-less barrel (I think).  Anyway, my choice of S&W over Kimber, at the time, was based on the S&W ability to use more mil-spec type aftermarket parts.  Mikey. 

[SharonAnne]

almost any aftermarket parts need to be fitted. and aftermarket parts are not mil-spec. none of those parts existed the last time the US
gov bought a 1911-A1

[Mikey]

SharonAnne:  The aftermarket parts I was referring to for the S&W are the Colt Commander or aftermarket commander length barrels, as well as full length mil-spec barrels.

The Kimber, I believe, uses a bushing-less slide and barrel configuration and cannot use other barrels unless fitted.

Mil-spec parts may not be the smoothest operators when first installed, as a immediate field repair. but I have found it very handy to have a few extra slide safeties or slide stops.  Sometimes I even bring along a barrel and bushing, just in case one of my range buddies starts cussin' 'bout his gun not shootin' right.  And at least one pack of recoil springs................. Mikey.

[mley1]

I currently own a Kimber Eclipse Custom .45acp. I also have owned Colt 1911's, and other Kimbers. The Kimber Eclipse Custom with the five inch barrel does use a bushing the same as any other five inch 1911. The main difference between it and a colt is the Shwartz style safety mechanism in it. Also, Kimbers come with a full length guide rod instead of a short guide rod and closed plug as in most Colts. Between the Colt and my Kimber I preferred the Kimber as far as the trigger pull. But, I LOVED the colts looks. I sure wish I still had it. But, in a moment of weakness I sold it.

[Lloyd Smale]

the 5 inch guns use a bushing but the commader sized ones dont.  The smiths have a bushing but require a 4.5 inch barrel to use it rather then the 4 inch that kimber uses. As to the guide rod i routinely replace any full lenght guide rod with a short one. Ive never seen where they do a thing for a gun and have had some guns that have been more reliable with the plug and short rod.  Mikey my best friend has one of those scandium commanders and its a tack driving commander that is a 100 percent reliable. Ive got a kimber pro 1 that is just as reliable although it doesnt shoot quite as well as his smith. Mine took a little tuning to get it to run a 100 percent but his did it right out of the box.  by the way the colt 80 series guns have a saftey system too.  Never seen where either saftey system caused a problem for me.

I currently own a Kimber Eclipse Custom .45acp. I also have owned Colt 1911's, and other Kimbers. The Kimber Eclipse Custom with the five inch barrel does use a bushing the same as any other five inch 1911. The main difference between it and a colt is the Shwartz style safety mechanism in it. Also, Kimbers come with a full length guide rod instead of a short guide rod and closed plug as in most Colts. Between the Colt and my Kimber I preferred the Kimber as far as the trigger pull. But, I LOVED the colts looks. I sure wish I still had it. But, in a moment of weakness I sold it.

[mley1]

Yea, the Pro sized Kimbers with the four inch barrels don't use bushings. I had a CDP Pro for a while. It was nice, reliable and reasonably accurate. But, like numerous other guns I've traded or sold, I wish I had it back. The last Colt I had was a Series 80. The internal safety on them affects their trigger pull somewhat. It can be worked on to a point to smooth it out. But, even then I still preferred my Eclipse's trigger pull. There is a shim you can put in place of one of the parts in the frame and then you can remove the part in the slide and eliminate the problems inherent with the safety. I've heard of several folks who have done that. But, I don't recommend it. I don't like messing with any safety's on a firearm.

I agree the full length guide rod is a solution to a nonexistant problem. I've been thinking of replacing mine, if for nothing other than the ease of take down and cleaning. I like to take mine hunting with me sometimes and if I had to clean it at camp or in the field for some reason the guide rod makes it a pain in the hiney.