Yes, just look at the basic Kimber custom model. Have a look at the used, Series I, models also. The series I Kimbers can be likened somewhat to the Series 70 Colts (in design only) in that they do not incorporate a Schwartz "type" of safety system - which is a good thing in terms of overall reliability and simplicity of the action.
If you can afford a Springfield Armory gun, you can probably afford a Kimber for just a few bucks more, and you'll come out ahead in terms of the value for dollar spent. You're probably already seeing that Kimbers hold their value well over the years. If not, just peruse the gun auction sites and see for yourself.
Springfield Armory, while they are "usually" quite shootable, and I don't want to start a flame on this, but in my view, their Board of Directors are trying to turn the company into the Wal-Mart of the 1911 world. The ratio of "Lemons" from Springfield seems to be going up rather quickly from my vantage point. A trend that should never even exist to begin with. They should charge more, give more pay raises, and slow that ship down lest their reputation dive into the depths of mediocrity like American car manufacturers did for almost half a century.
The frames are outsourced overseas, and 90% of the guts are metal injection molded, etc. It's not truly an "American Made" product which rubs ME the wrong way. Next time you fondle one, flip it upside down and look for the word "Brazil" stamped on the frame. All in all though, if you buy a Springfield, and it happens to be not a lemon (there's still a really good chance it won't be one if you hurry) you've got a shootable 1911 for a good price, and you can be quite pleased with it. Here's a tip if you go with Springfield. Buy it from "Davidsons." If it turns out to be a lemon, they will send you a another one in less than 5 working days, and before you even send the lemon back! Davidson's rocks!
BTW - Kimber also uses metal injection molding nowadays, but the fact that their manufacturing quality control and tolerances are generally tighter, keeps them ahead of Springfield and preserves their reputation for accurate shooting pistols.
Colt's quality has sadly gone wayyyyyy down, while the cost of one has risen. They've been a company that has had a LOT of trouble over the past two decades or so, and sadly, it OFTEN shows up in the quality of the workmanship. Great raw materials, but some pissed off union guy is now working on them - or refusing to work on them. They seem to be surviving nowadays purely on name recognition.
I've seen enough Colts on my bench, during the past 20 years or so, that should have never even left the factory. I should have taken photos - for some of what I've seen is truly shameful and reflects poorly on an American manufacturer. I will grant them this: Their 1911 frames, slides, etc, are still a decent foundation to build a great custom gun upon - but you'll pay for that with a second mortgage of the farm too! Might as well just go andf buy a Les Baer or Wilson cuz it's a faster path to the same end result and may cost less.
A new friend of mine is a good example of the pitfalls to avoid. He only had a couple hundred dollars and wanted a 1911 so bad that he went out a bought a "Rock River" 1911 for less than $300.00 without talking to anyone first. He loved it so much (his first 1911), that he started shooting alot. The next thing ya know. This pistol is on my bench because the sights suck. I changed them out with night sights and didn't charge him any labor. The parts cost about $120.00. A few weeks and more rounds later, it's back on my bench because he wants it to feed semi-wadcutters. I charged him a mere $30.00 for throating and polishing. A month after that, and he's not happy with the way the disconnector rides under the slide. I fix that and do a trigger & action job for him for free. It would have cost him about $150.00 anywhere else. So now he's really loving his pistol. How much has he spent on it now? How much would he have spent if he didn't have a friend like me? What is his Rock River now worth? See where I'm going?
Before anyone comes after me, let me say that I realize my criticisms come across harsh. It's not my intention to offend anyone, rather to be honest about where we are at these days. When it comes to firearms, or anything else to defend a life with, I have very high expectations when it comes to quality and value. Always remember me as that guy who tosses out 90% of a brand new Kimber Gold Match. *laughing at my own anal retention*
