Range officer: stainless steel barrel / forged steel frame & slide + standard guide rod

 

Custom TLE II: steel barrel, steel frame, and steel slide + full length guide rod (this is a matter of preference)

 

Kimber also only has a 1-year warranty, although I hear they'll honor the warranty to some degree past the 1 year mark. Range officer has a lifetime warranty

I have a range office and love it. My buddy has a kimber Tle. If you are patient and could meet us a ft Dix in a few weekends you could try both we'd each recommend our own.

My kimber barrel has not rusted, but the gun is well taken care of.. shot regularly at uspsa events..

 

The TLE 2 is a sweet gun.. you may have some finish wear if you use a holster.

 

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii

 

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/custom-tle-ii

 

Thanks

 

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Range officer: stainless steel barrel / forged steel frame & slide + standard guide rod

 

Custom TLE II: steel barrel, steel frame, and steel slide + full length guide rod (this is a matter of preference)

 

Kimber also only has a 1-year warranty, although I hear they'll honor the warranty to some degree past the 1 year mark. Range officer has a lifetime warranty

 

 

Seems the warranty is much better with the Range Officer. Thanks

 

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I have a range office and love it. My buddy has a kimber Tle. If you are patient and could meet us a ft Dix in a few weekends you could try both we'd each recommend our own.

 

Thanks for the offer, if I don't get one before than I'll reach out to you.

 

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Warranty can be very important. When my S&W broke down i was blown away by the service. I filled out a form on their website, they emailed me a fed-ex overnight label to print. I called fed ex, they came to my house to pick it up. S&W fixed it in about two weeks and overnight shipped it back. And they will do this for me as the original owner for my entire life. I'm never going to buy a gun just for the warranty, but hell, that's worth some serious weight in my decision if i am comparing two guns i like and only one of them offers that.

What you say makes a lot of sense. Lifetime or 1 year makes the decision much easier. Thanks

I would say you've done a good job narrowing things down for yourself.

 

Kimber has some additional "features" and my thoughts -

 

- Front cocking serrations

 

Designed for press checks, some would argue they don't want their hand that close to the muzzle of a loaded weapon. I would guess the majority of folks that have them on their 1911's have them for looks vs function.

 

- Night sights

 

If you plan to use the gun in a role that would support defense, then this feature is worthwhile. Can be added to the RO.

 

- Front strap checkering

 

At 30 LPI you are going to get limited functional benefit. 20 LPI is what most go with for "grip", 25 LP seems to be a good compromise for many (and my personal preference).

 

- Full Length Guide Rod

 

Adds some extra weight to the front of the gun to aid in reducing muzzle flip. Can be easily purchased aftermarket and added to the RO.

 

- Option of Stainless Finish

 

- Option of the RL (rail) model

 

Range Officer Features -

 

- Lifetime Warranty

 

I have a RO (if you haven't already guessed) and I had a TRP (most would call it Springfields top of the line production gun, approx. 2x the cost of the RO). I had an issue with the RO that I sent to Springfield under warranty. They wound up fitting a new slide to the gun, and when it came back, it was fit every bit as good as the TRP was. And shot just as well. I sold the TRP. Unbeatable service IMO.

 

- Adjustable Rear Sight

 

Helps you dial it in for your desired sight picture. Corners are a little sharp IMO and benefitted from a slight dehorning.

 

- Lower cost

What was wrong with your RO that they had to fit a new slide?

I would say you've done a good job narrowing things down for yourself.

 

Kimber has some additional "features" and my thoughts -

 

- Front cocking serrations

 

Designed for press checks, some would argue they don't want their hand that close to the muzzle of a loaded weapon. I would guess the majority of folks that have them on their 1911's have them for looks vs function.

 

- Night sights

 

If you plan to use the gun in a role that would support defense, then this feature is worthwhile. Can be added to the RO.

 

- Front strap checkering

 

At 30 LPI you are going to get limited functional benefit. 20 LPI is what most go with for "grip", 25 LP seems to be a good compromise for many (and my personal preference).

 

- Full Length Guide Rod

 

Adds some extra weight to the front of the gun to aid in reducing muzzle flip. Can be easily purchased aftermarket and added to the RO.

 

- Option of Stainless Finish

 

- Option of the RL (rail) model

 

Range Officer Features -

 

- Lifetime Warranty

 

I have a RO (if you haven't already guessed) and I had a TRP (most would call it Springfields top of the line production gun, approx. 2x the cost of the RO). I had an issue with the RO that I sent to Springfield under warranty. They wound up fitting a new slide to the gun, and when it came back, it was fit every bit as good as the TRP was. And shot just as well. I sold the TRP. Unbeatable service IMO.

 

- Adjustable Rear Sight

 

Helps you dial it in for your desired sight picture. Corners are a little sharp IMO and benefitted from a slight dehorning.

 

- Lower cost

 

Very informative thanks for taking the time.

What was wrong with your RO that they had to fit a new slide?

 

I sent it in with the following 3 reasons -

Slight binding of the slide on the frame

Brass was getting crushed by the ejection port

One of the rear cocking serrations was cut about 5% shorter than the others, like the slide moved some during milling. Happened on both sides of the slide. Very symmetric.

 

I'm sure the first could have been addressed by a good smith, the 2nd I probably could've done myself by tuning the extractor. I think the 3rd was the reason they replaced the slide.

Take a look at the new S&W models. Gorgeous guns, very reliable and features found on more expensive guns. S&W has made an effort to place themselves between the production and custom guns by adding some of their performance shop features to their 1911's Price is about $1200-$1300. I owned one and it was 100% reliable and a great shooter. One thing I learned that has always been good advice to follow is that you can tell the good guns by looking at the used guns at gun stores. The ones you do not or seldom see being sold used are the good ones because people keep them. I find that to be true.

Actually, i just thought of one thing worth mentioning about the range officer. The rear sight is certainly not for everyone. Its big and it's sharp. This is phenominal for real target shooting, you can really fine tune it and get incredible results with accuracy. It's not for carry or conceal. The rear site will get caught on things and hurts like a real son of **** and can cut you when you are racking the slide and your hand slips off. There is an equivalently good springfiled model with combat sights.

 

 

I sent it in with the following 3 reasons -

Slight binding of the slide on the frame

Brass was getting crushed by the ejection port

One of the rear cocking serrations was cut about 5% shorter than the others, like the slide moved some during milling. Happened on both sides of the slide. Very symmetric.

 

I'm sure the first could have been addressed by a good smith, the 2nd I probably could've done myself by tuning the extractor. I think the 3rd was the reason they replaced the slide.

 

Whoa... haha well at least you got back a better than stock 1911 back from SA

Harrison Custom has come out with a nice fixed replacement rear sight for the RO

 

Actually, i just thought of one thing worth mentioning about the range officer. The rear sight is certainly not for everyone. Its big and it's sharp. This is phenominal for real target shooting, you can really fine tune it and get incredible results with accuracy. It's not for carry or conceal. The rear site will get caught on things and hurts like a real son of **** and can cut you when you are racking the slide and your hand slips off. There is an equivalently good springfiled model with combat sights.

Take a look at the new S&W models. Gorgeous guns, very reliable and features found on more expensive guns. S&W has made an effort to place themselves between the production and custom guns by adding some of their performance shop features to their 1911's Price is about $1200-$1300. I owned one and it was 100% reliable and a great shooter. One thing I learned that has always been good advice to follow is that you can tell the good guns by looking at the used guns at gun stores. The ones you do not or seldom see being sold used are the good ones because people keep them. I find that to be true.

 

Thanks for your reply.

Actually, i just thought of one thing worth mentioning about the range officer. The rear sight is certainly not for everyone. Its big and it's sharp. This is phenominal for real target shooting, you can really fine tune it and get incredible results with accuracy. It's not for carry or conceal. The rear site will get caught on things and hurts like a real son of **** and can cut you when you are racking the slide and your hand slips off. There is an equivalently good springfiled model with combat sights.

 

Useful information, thanks.

Harrison Custom has come out with a nice fixed replacement rear sight for the RO

 

Thanks

Hello. Ive had a Kimber stainless compact for the last 13 years. I use it mainly as my off duty weapon this gun is super reliable as long as you use good mags. I use the Chip McCormick pro mags and they run great no problems. Must have close to 7000 rounds thru her and the only thing I change is the captive recoil spring. About every 3000 rounds. Its a bit of a pain but it keeps her running. The trigger from the factory was nice and crisp with no take up. The gun prints well under clothing and isn't really heavy. I added a set of Trijcon sites and a crimson trace laser grip. Awesome self defense weapons. Just remember that your carrying this weapon in condition one, cocked and locked. You will get alot of people asking ' hey do you know that the hammer is back' uhhhh. Yeah. Anyway I know the prices have gone up since I bought mine but like always say what's you or your family's life worth......just an fyi..... the Kimber slides and recivers are forged. By Smith and Wesson........hope this helps.

Hello. Ive had a Kimber stainless compact for the last 13 years. I use it mainly as my off duty weapon this gun is super reliable as long as you use good mags. I use the Chip McCormick pro mags and they run great no problems. Must have close to 7000 rounds thru her and the only thing I change is the captive recoil spring. About every 3000 rounds. Its a bit of a pain but it keeps her running. The trigger from the factory was nice and crisp with no take up. The gun prints well under clothing and isn't really heavy. I added a set of Trijcon sites and a crimson trace laser grip. Awesome self defense weapons. Just remember that your carrying this weapon in condition one, cocked and locked. You will get alot of people asking ' hey do you know that the hammer is back' uhhhh. Yeah. Anyway I know the prices have gone up since I bought mine but like always say what's you or your family's life worth......just an fyi..... the Kimber slides and recivers are forged. By Smith and Wesson........hope this helps.

 

Yes it helps a great deal, thanks for your reply.