Both are good pistols, but I would also go Kimber if they where the only two to choose from.

MM

Thanks for the input.  I know that these "modern" pistols are not your daddy's 1911 in that they have been "improved" in looks, accuracy, tolerances, etc., but they now have the option of shooting jhp ammo and that is where they get the hang ups. Glocks, HKs etc. (not as pretty and less expensive) dont' have that problem. In other words what does it take (Gun make/model, ammo type, parts, mags, break-in, tuning)to get one of these new 1911s to go bang every time with jhp ammo??? 

MM, do you have a preference that you deem more reliable than the two I have suggested???

I've owned many a 1911 including a CDPII, and I would go with the Springer, provided the Champion is not alloy.  The CDPII is alloy, and cannot tolerate harsh treatment or use.  My CDPII developed feed ramp scaring and rail wear on the frame.  The corners of the magwell mouth also broke down during months of carry.  It is a medium duty carry pistol, period.  Very accurate, flashy-looking, would work well as a backup pistol.  I am also not a fan of the Swartz safety, which Kimber uses on the II models.

That's my 2 cents.

No not really I happen to shoot a Series 70 Stainless Colt. I really like it and it is accurate as hell.

My buddy Digger (that sold me the Colt to buy his Springfield) baught a Sprinfield Marine Corp Operator. WOW what a fine shooting 45acp! I don't know why I like the Kimbers better, I just do. I don't know that one would be better than the other. Just love the Kimbers in my hand.

MM

Thanks again for all the help....

Mule, you are correct the champion is steel frame while the pro cdp is aluminum...never thought about it, but I will keep it in mind. I normally carry either Glock or HK so I probably won't carry the 1911 that much but again it is useful to keep it in mind.

BigAl;

Why not get a .45ACP on a H&K platform?  You get "the" American pistol cartridge and a platform you're used to.  Best of both worlds seems to me.

900F

Ok, if you want a kraut bastard of a pistol.  I shot an HK at the range.  Owned a Sig P220 for a while too.  I reckin' I'm spoilt by 1911s.  If you buy a HK, don't ever buy a 1911.  You'll feel like you've wasted part of your life.

Mule;

Oooh, our skirts are showing! 

As a matter of fact, I have both, & each has its place.

900F

I have a Smith and wesson 1911. It has digested full metal jacket, and hollow points with no problems. in fact the only time it has had any problems at all was one time when I shot over 200 rounds without cleaning it. Then I wiped down the feed ramp with a solvent soaked rag and shot about 100 more rounds without a hang up.

I think that says alot about this gun. It is the one in the holster attached to my bed frame. That should say how much faith I have in this gun. and its loaded with Hornady XTP (jacketed hollowpoint)

Wing master

Wow, still getting opinions...good ones I might add and (un)fortunately I have taken them all and have done some horse trading ended up with a pretty good collection.

SPRINGFIELD- TRP and EMP .40

KIMBER - PRO CDP II AND ULTRA TACTICAL

HK - COMPACT .40 AND .45

Still kept a HK USP .40 and a Glock 19 

At this point in time, most 1911's are pretty good. Taurus makes a nice one. Almost any non-military 1911 will shoot OK and be reliable.

I have a 1927 Argentina, an Essex frame race gun and Springfield 1911-A1 (stainless). All shoot well (better than me). What do I prefer? Whatever I have in my hand at the time. Spirngfield for carry, race for fun and the Argentina for nostalgia.

Even the lower priced ones work pretty well.

What is my daily carry piece? Kel-Tec 32 with a laser. I like the light weight (I work in shorts most days). Better a 32 in hand than a 45 in truck (that's where my 45 stays).

Fella's;

AND, I see that Para has moved out of Can-dania to South Carolina in the U.S..  Which, I suppose, could give a fella that'd not been any too enthusiastic about them a reason to obtain one.  I did handle a Para light double action a few months ago that felt pretty good.  Anybody got any real-world experience with one?

900F

to jump into this thread.......I like 1911's! & have several.....One that I have is an older Springfield Armory 1911 (.45ACP) I bought used several yrs ago......it had been "worked on" some by a previous owner but not a pro 'smith.  It came with a Colt bbl, long guide rod, shortened hammer spur, Pachymar rubber wrap-round grips. I added Bo-Mar rear adj sight & front sight to match for target shooting plus an ambi safety for my lefthandeness.  Also replaced every spring in the gun and had a real 'smith do a minor trigger job ie: reshape the sear in a jig for proper fit etc to correct the bad job done by someone in the past.  It has been very reliable and a fun gun to shoot.  Mostly shoot 230gr rd nose cast bullets w/my bullseye load.  1911's.......yuh just gotta love 'em! 

I guess I'm one of them unamerican guys. I much prefer my West German Sig P220 to the 1911's. Not that the 1911's are bad I just prefer the Sig.

huntin1

Actually have 2 Sig's, the 220,and a P229 in 40S&W. Prefer the 220 though. Carry it most often, even though the barrel is longer, it's more comfortable to carry. Maybe because of the single stack mag.

A buddy has a Gold Cup and a Kimber Custom II, they are both sweet shooters. I've shot them quite a few times, still prefer my 220.

But, if I could swing it I wouldn't mind having one of those Kimber Customs as well.

huntin1

i have the .45acp in a basic ria1911, a bersa thunder45 and a glock21.  i like each but am not overly picky.  if a handgun functions well and offers the accuracy needed for it's purpose, i can deal with pretty much anything.

some of these are more conducive to cc then the other but i wouldn't want to be a nasty feller looking to do harm an caught in front of either.

k

BEAR wrote: I've always liked the S&W 1955 as my 45 ACP.

Yeah, but you're an anachronism.  OK, I do like my 25-2, too.

If I were to buy a new to me 1911, I think I'd like to get the Kimber in 4", kind of like the old Commander.  My Commander is the LW version in alloy frame, but without the Series 70 or 80 trigger abominations.

I will also admit that I really like the P14 Para Stainless I bought in '98 and had worked over.  I especially like the tritium front sight.  Not really a carry gun, unless conditions are REALLY right, but with a couple of extra magazines you're ready for a long night!

One thing to consider about the good old 45 Auto.

     Good old hardball is still a prety decent stopper. I belive .68 stops with one torso hit. 

    I would prefer to carry hollow points but sometimes they can be hard to find...tj3006

I'm not a 45 auto guy.  To big for CCW.

But younger brother won a "gun option" at a local sportmens club (actually his wife had the winning ticket).

He asked me what to get, as he didn't think he needed anything special.  I told him to take the Kimber Gold match II; figuring as a NIB it would be an investment.  Gun looks great and feels OK to me.

Guns are a sucker's investment.  They're overpriced new, and it takes way too long for mass produced pieces to get back to their original market value, let alone surpass that value.  No matter, you've got a good shooter there that will do surprisingly well as a CCW piece with the right holser.  I like the Milt Sparks VM2.  You can get one from this place http://www.topgunsupply.com/ - http://www.topgunsupply.com/ , and they will notify you when they're in stock.  Much faster than having one built.  After a month, you won't know you're carrying a big gun and no one else will either.

Bear;

If he ever has the hankering to get rid of that Kimber, I'd be interested.  If he weren't going to insist on full retail you understand.

 900F

He got the gun, and it will stay NIB.  I told him to get something fast; because if the dealer (large one) goes bankrupt...he would be out the $1400 credit he had.

He wasn't looking for an investment, just a stabilization of his asset base.  I felt the Kimber pistol will hold its value and easier to store than the Weatherby Mark V in 340.

It is a beautiful piece, outstanding grips and finish.  My shooting group is mostly federal law enforcement types, and they are already to get one after seeing this.  Must be a change after seeing so many Glocks???

But I will pass it along CB.  And periodically remind him.  Until he sees some thing he really likes/needs it is just relaxing in his safe ( not a high quality safe, just a Browning  ).

340 Weatherby....Nice too.

Handguns always sell better than rifles, as high power long guns are of limited utility in many places.