MtechNick 0 Posted January 21, 2012 Just got my first handgun so I figured I'd share. I was set on a polymer gun untill I actually held and fired one. Im nothing but a beginner but the cheap light plastic feeling isnt for me. For a first handgun besides suggestions all I had to go by is strictly looks and feel . To be honest the sig 220 elite with rosewood grips made me melt when I held it but it was unavailable at the time and to order was 8 weeks out. But in second was some kind of 1911. In the end it was between a Springfield trp operator, or the Kimber tle rl ii . Basically deciding factor was the fact I had fired a Kimber before and was impressed , it was $600 cheaper than the SA ( $1000 vs $1600) , and its to my knowledge 100% american made. Absolutely love it . Shoots way better than I do. 400 rds in two days no issues yet. I've never seen night sights in person and was surprised at how bright. I feel like I made a great decision and Im going to enjoy this gun for many years but holy $&"" 45 ammo sucks to buy. I think a 22lr pistol is next Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted January 21, 2012 Lol try buying 30-06 ammo. Nice gun though. Love 1911s Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiantsFan 22 Posted January 21, 2012 Congrats! I like that all government - all business "look" to it. Re: the ammo, I just ordered a 1911 too but I am getting 9mm specifically because of ammo cost. enjoy it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted January 21, 2012 Look into a .22 conversion. Kimber makes one and they work great. Advantage arms makes one as well that locks back after the last round. Beautiful gun, btw. Good luck with it. C Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rifleman1 32 Posted January 21, 2012 Very nice! Did you put the night sights on or were they stock? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtechNick 0 Posted January 21, 2012 Look into a .22 conversion. Kimber makes one and they work great. Advantage arms makes one as well that locks back after the last round. Beautiful gun, btw. Good luck with it. C Thanks I was looking at that but I'd rather keep this one firing 45 only and purchase a separate 22lr firing gun. I have an extra permit I might as well use it. I was looking at the umarex Colt 1911 it looks almost identical to my gun and weighs almost exactly the same. With alot of good reviews it seems like a cheap gun to fire that will help on training. It will be that or a ruger. Very nice! Did you put the night sights on or were they stock? Thats the meprolight sights that comes standard on most Kimbers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notmetoo 41 Posted January 21, 2012 Beautiful gun - Kimber's on my list for my next 1911. Congratulations! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blksheep 466 Posted January 21, 2012 I have a KImber Custom II and love it. Bascially same gun except for the front serrations and night sights. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted January 21, 2012 Very nice, I do like the sites.. Is their a HD light for it in the future? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ronald Silver 2 Posted January 21, 2012 Nothing wrong with plastic pistols but since there's no CCW here, may as well go with something heavy. 1911s are just a piece of art, aren't they? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimmyAGR 54 Posted January 21, 2012 Sweet looking. Enjoy it. You can find .45 on sale sometimes, I picked up a case from a forum member here for under $300. Cabela's has American Eagle 230gr FMJ on sale for $16 a box. that's only $320 a case. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtechNick 0 Posted January 21, 2012 Thanks for all the suggestions and complements. I'm a new member here and its nice to see a forum with welcoming members for a change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Socom 19 Posted January 21, 2012 what kimber model is it? maybe i missed it i like the plain jane look member kimber barrels are in the white so keep her lubed well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 177 Posted January 21, 2012 Nice pistol, good luck with her Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiker88 22 Posted January 21, 2012 excellent start!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sivl32 27 Posted January 21, 2012 I started with steel guns and love the weight and feel but i def found love for the fantastic plastics this year... personally i would go with the kimber conversion kits and also get a 9.. Its more gun for the permits. The sigs have 22 conversion kits as well so u can get a classic sig 226 in 22 and get kits for 9mm .40 and 357. all with the same frame and 1 permit. Love the 1911 tho def a great first gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bry@n 195 Posted January 21, 2012 Congrats on the gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtechNick 0 Posted January 22, 2012 what kimber model is it? maybe i missed it i like the plain jane look member kimber barrels are in the white so keep her lubed well It's the TLE RL II Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The_Matrix 105 Posted January 22, 2012 Nice first pick. I'm in the market for my first 1911. Hopefully, by the summer. Also, welcome aboard! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
9X19 125 Posted January 22, 2012 Looks like a great shooter! Kimbers are excellent firearms and I love the 1911... Just not a big fan of rails on them. Great first choice. I also agreed with you about polymer framed guns, but the the Glock Gen 4 came out and now I am a fan of those as well. Good luck and welcome to the forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoid 24 Posted January 22, 2012 Awesome man, I have the exact same 1911 and it was my first 1911 (2nd handgun). And that's some great shooting for someone who's new to shooting and just got a 1911! It took me a while to get used to 45ACP but once I did the TLE is very accurate. If you really wanna shoot it eventually you might look into reloading. I started reloading 45ACP just cause I loved shooting this gun so much. Also I own the Kimber 22lr kit and it's excellent. It's a lot of fun to use. I used the TLE RL II as my centerfire steel pistol and the kit for RF division. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hd2000fxdl 422 Posted January 24, 2012 Congratulations on the new gun, first gun and it's a 1911 to boot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 264 Posted January 24, 2012 Congrats! Sweet looking pistol. Time to start reloading! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gringosalsero 0 Posted January 24, 2012 +1 on everything said, except: Don't just buy a 9mm for cost of shooting. I did this and it languishes in the safe, lonely. Best way is to reload 45, which is very doable. I got my 1911 last Feb (Springfield loaded SS) and it just turned 4k rounds. I reload for about $7 per box. Def look into this. You also get to pick whether u want to load light for target shooting, or heavier for blasting fun. Just read beforehand and be careful. Enjoy. 1911's rock!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigHayden 77 Posted January 24, 2012 I love 1911s too. That Kimber is pretty. Just so you know, the SA TRP is 100% American made too; that's the FBI Hostage Rescue Team pistol and SA doesn't make those frames in Imbel. The Kimber does have a significant number of MIM parts and that silly Swartz safety. Not that either of those things are a major issue, but just be aware of it. I'm on a mission to eliminate all the MIM in my Kimber and replace it all with forged parts where possible. Good luck with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tony357 386 Posted January 24, 2012 I love 1911s too. That Kimber is pretty. Just so you know, the SA TRP is 100% American made too; that's the FBI Hostage Rescue Team pistol and SA doesn't make those frames in Imbel. The Kimber does have a significant number of MIM parts and that silly Swartz safety. Not that either of those things are a major issue, but just be aware of it. I'm on a mission to eliminate all the MIM in my Kimber and replace it all with forged parts where possible. Good luck with it. MIM parts are very tough, new procedures get a bad name from old timers that do not understand the process.. If you are going to fit a new part MIM is less desirable because it is so hard you cannot file it.. it has to be ground and then final polishing done on a stone. Just throwing that out their, Have been seeing alot of people replacing MIM parts just because they were MIM.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtechNick 0 Posted January 25, 2012 +1 on everything said, except: Don't just buy a 9mm for cost of shooting. I did this and it languishes in the safe, lonely. Best way is to reload 45, which is very doable. I got my 1911 last Feb (Springfield loaded SS) and it just turned 4k rounds. I reload for about $7 per box. Def look into this. You also get to pick whether u want to load light for target shooting, or heavier for blasting fun. Just read beforehand and be careful. Enjoy. 1911's rock!!! Thanks Ive been taking this into serious consideration and have a friend who reloads so he could help me to get started. The reason for looking into another handgun is I have another permit to use and I just can't see wasting my hard earned 2 dollars ..... I just have to figure out what to buy I want them all haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigHayden 77 Posted January 25, 2012 MIM parts are very tough, new procedures get a bad name from old timers that do not understand the process.. If you are going to fit a new part MIM is less desirable because it is so hard you cannot file it.. it has to be ground and then final polishing done on a stone. Just throwing that out their, Have been seeing alot of people replacing MIM parts just because they were MIM.. Well, my MIM replacement mission started when I wanted to add a memory bump grip safety and a tactical thumb safety (Ed Brown parts) after I bought my CBOB that had those parts installed. Then I decided to make the Kimber match the CBOB as much as I can, which means replacing all the MIM stuff. I'm not completely against MIM stuff, but I just wanted him to be aware that all the parts weren't forged or cast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites