Gdub Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 After trying Glocks, M&P's, and 1911's, I guess I'm a 1911 guy. So now I'm gathering all my IDPA stuff to get started. I'm new to IDPA but not to shooting competitively. The most fun gun I shot was a 1911 9mm so I guess I'm limiting myself to ESP. After reading through some of the 1911 threads I have more questions than I had before I started reading them. I guess I'll list them below and let the experienced guys answer. 1. I'm looking at a Kimber Stainless II 9mm. I've owned Kimber 45's before and were great guns, but they don't get mentioned much on the 1911 threads. Why is that? I figure I can pick one up for around $850.00 That is slightly more than a Springfield RO or some of the lower priced STI's (Trojan, Spartan). Is Kimber not making quality anymore? 2. I like the black sights that are on the gun. What magwell can I put on it and still fit in the IDPA box? Keep in mind I'm leaning towards Tripp mags. 3. Can an IDPA 1911 have a trigger stop and be legal? The gun will be sent to a reputable gunsmith for tuning. Thanks in advance for all the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Watson Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 1. Kimber bashing is a common indoor sport. If you like Kimber, buy Kimber. 2. I have had my 9mms for a while and they wear S&A mag wells. I have one Ed Brown that looks nice but was the very devil to keep tight. Green Loctite fixed it, though. The Dawson ICE is as big as will fit The Box. 3. Yes. Nearly all aftermarket triggers and some stock have stop screws. If you worry about the screw shifting, there are triggers with solid stops filed to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob DuBois Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 While I like and own several Kimber pistols in 45 acp I enjoy my STI Trojan for ESP. Series 70 firing controls easier to work with. Trigger job but kept all the STI parts. Once tuned and all the externals I wanted, Ed Brown saftey, magwell and Dawson sight had it hard chromed. I like the feel of the grip on the Trojan, high cut under the trigger guard. I am not knocking Kimber but just want to give you another option. STI's trigger has a rear stop screw along with a tab to take up pretavel. I'm old school and like a mag well that I can easily check to see if the magazine is seated by pulling down on the front of the magazine on the load and makeready command. I've tried Metalform, same as Dawson except for the base pad, but run Wilson 10 round prefer the feel but had to remove two coils from the magazine spring. To much magazine spring tension was slowing the slide. Tripp Research has done work for me in the past and I have purchased pistols from them, good folks. I have not tried his magazines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gdub Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share Posted April 27, 2014 While I like and own several Kimber pistols in 45 acp I enjoy my STI Trojan for ESP. Series 70 firing controls easier to work with. Trigger job but kept all the STI parts. Once tuned and all the externals I wanted, Ed Brown saftey, magwell and Dawson sight had it hard chromed. I like the feel of the grip on the Trojan, high cut under the trigger guard. I am not knocking Kimber but just want to give you another option. STI's trigger has a rear stop screw along with a tab to take up pretavel. I'm old school and like a mag well that I can easily check to see if the magazine is seated by pulling down on the front of the magazine on the load and makeready command. I've tried Metalform, same as Dawson except for the base pad, but run Wilson 10 round prefer the feel but had to remove two coils from the magazine spring. To much magazine spring tension was slowing the slide. Tripp Research has done work for me in the past and I have purchased pistols from them, good folks. I have not tried his magazines. I like the idea of the high cut under the trigger guard which the Kimber and the Springfield does not. However I hate the sights on the Trojan. I know a legal gun must weigh 43 ounces. I love the STI Lawman 5.0 9mm; however, the specs show it weighs 41.2 ounces. By the time I put a magwell on it will it be over weight? Thanks again, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 As Jim said "If you like Kimber, buy Kimber." I'm an STI Trojan (2) and a Ranger II man myself. All have adjustable triggers and the Trojan's sport STI magwells and fit the box. Look at the rulebook in section 8 - Equipment Rules to see what you can and can't do, under ESP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 I had to put GI guide rods and an Aluminum Dawson Ice magwell on both my SA 9mm and a Colt Framed Custom to get them to make weight. the thicker BBL in the 9's is what I think causes the extra weight in them vs. the 45's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gdub Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 I had to put GI guide rods and an Aluminum Dawson Ice magwell on both my SA 9mm and a Colt Framed Custom to get them to make weight. the thicker BBL in the 9's is what I think causes the extra weight in them vs. the 45's Thanks for the reply. My weight concern was the fact that the STI Lawman was 41.2 ounces and the Kimber was 38 ounces. Both are 9 mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterpuc Posted May 1, 2014 Share Posted May 1, 2014 I had to put GI guide rods and an Aluminum Dawson Ice magwell on both my SA 9mm and a Colt Framed Custom to get them to make weight. the thicker BBL in the 9's is what I think causes the extra weight in them vs. the 45's Thanks for the reply. My weight concern was the fact that the STI Lawman was 41.2 ounces and the Kimber was 38 ounces. Both are 9 mm. I looked at the STI 5.0 Lawman specs, it says 38.9oz, with a full length guide rod, I think you should be fine. If for some reason it is heavier than that, do like what was mentioned earlier... Change the guid rod, and make sure your magwell is aluminum. MSRP $1,514.00 (2014 pricing) Calibers 9×19, .45ACP Frame “Government” Length, Standard Width,Forged Steel, Checkered Front Strap, Checkered Steel Mainspring Housing Grips STI G10 Grip Panels Slide 5.0″ (12.7cm) Classic Carbon Steel Slide Slide Features Front & Rear Cocking Serrations (Classic), Round Top Trigger STI Aluminum Long Curve Barrel 5.11” (12.97cm) STI Bushing Barrel, Ramped, Fully Supported Hammer STI Commander style Safeties STI Blue High Rise Beavertail Grip Safety and Single Sided Thumb Safety Guide Rod STI One Piece Full Length Sights STI Ramped Front TAS (Tactical Adjustable Sight) Rear Overall Length 8.5” (21.59cm) Weight 38.9oz (1102.92g) Finish Blued with Sides of Slide Polished Competition Approvals USPSA IPSC SSSA IDPA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberiad Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 I have had a Kimber Stainless II in 9mm for several years. It just makes weight with a Tripp magazine, S&A steel magwell (I used to have an aluminum one on it) and the full length guide rod. A couple of other shooters I know had them and one used his with no modifications (other than adding a magwell) for years and thousands of rounds until the extractor broke. The trigger on mine was fine but I put in a C&S trigger kit and replaced the thumb safety at the same time. I also don't like the factory slide catch lever and put a 10-8 one in along with a 10-8 magazine release. I added an EGW 9mm extractor. Finally, I decided to have an EGW angle bore bushing made and fitted that too. How much did I spend on this thing? The gun didn't need any of these parts but I was in the mood to experiment and added them over time. I did keep the factory all black sights though. I put a new trigger in as well but I think I took out the screw, it doesn't need it. I don't use the factory rubber grip panels which are pretty heavy. With them, I wouldn't make weight. Unfortunately, after turning an $800 gun in to a +$1300 dollar gun I don't shoot it that much but fitting all the parts was probably worth the experience anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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