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I want a customized pistol but I dont' know what model I should use as a base gun. I have a Kimber Custom Classic Series 1.

Here are my options:
1. Use the Kimber for custom work.
2. Sell the Kimber and get a Colt 1991 80 series pistol to be customized. I figure I would have to pay an extra $50 to get the Colt after I sell the Kimber.
3. Sell the Kimber and get a Springfield GI to be customized. After I sell the Kimber and buy the Springfield, I should have about $200 left over.

The pistol will be used for home defense and competitions. What should I do?

DD03,

Check your PMs

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

I am biased but I say if it is going to be a custom get the Colt. I have no real good reason for this choice other than that I perfer a Colt for a custom.
The Kimber will work fine if you chose to stick with what you have.

Actually, the pre-Series II Kimbers were by and large very nice guns. You could have an excellent custom gun built on one.

I think it depends mostly on your asthetic preferences more than anything else.... people (me included) often choose Colts for subjective reasons. If those don't apply to you, then have the Kimber customized, you'll get excellent results.

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

I agree with Mr. Smith - Series I Kimbers do make nice guns, if you can live with the front slide serrations (and the fact there is no little horsey on it !)
My stainless Series I by Novak's shop is a great gun. That having been said, my last two guns from them are built on NRM Series 70 Colts.

I do have another LNIB Series I stainless Kimber stashed away for a potential project, though...

Nothing wrong with a Kimber 1. I notice you live in Kalifornia, where I imagine 1's are pretty hard to come by. That might help in the decision making process.

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

If you have a specific pistolsmith in mind, you should probably ask their preferences.

A pre-Series-II Kimber (AKA "Series I") is becoming more and more desirable due to the prolifereation of the Series II guns with their external extractors and Schwarz safeties. One negative of the Kimbers is that the non-stainless pistols often contain stainless parts, which may limit your refinish options. They do, however, have features that may reduce your necessary expenditures depending upon your needs/desires: dovetailed sights, front serrations, high-cut grip, modern safeties, close tolerances (may not require frame/slide tightening), good barrels...

Many desire a prancing pony on the slide and are willing to pay a premium for it. This may translate into a higher resale value. I'd prefer a NRM Series-70 reproduction if I were to go the Colt route, but the Series-80 guns can be ver nice (and less expensive).

My advice would be to decide on how mild/wild you want to go. If you're going full-house, then get a NRM Series-70 Colt reproduction. If you only want mild mods (i.e., sights, trigger/reliability work, front-strap treatment, then stick with your Kimber.

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Aubrey<><

I would rather have a series-1 Kimber than any 80 series Colt ever made.

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"The most effective armor is to keep out of range"-Italian proverb

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I would have to agree with my good friend Anthony there. So I guess my preference would be:

1) NRM Series 70 (the original's QC was so spotty, and those BIG letters are kind of tacky)
2) Series I Kimber
3) Springfield WWII Mil-Spec
4) Series 80 Colt (NRM, I guess).

I know that the good smiths can tune the Series 80 lockwork - I just don't want to be bothered and don't see the need. If you're worried, just use a HD firing pin spring, replace it often (they're cheap), and maybe a titanium firing pin.

If you really don't care what the gun says on the slide when it's all said and done, then maybe what you should do is, decide on what the final product should be (to your mind) and then work backwards; adding up how much it would take to build such a custom gun starting from point 'A' (your current situation owning a Kimber) and getting to point 'B' (you owning the custom gun of your dreams.

From all I have read, it sounds like as long as you don't get an absolute lemon, you should be able to get a great pistol with a Kimber, Colt or Springfield as a starting point.

One final thing to consider is that, recently I bought a Colt Series 70 Repro, almost completely gutted it for a custom build, and sold the 'leftover' parts. Though the Gun cost me $800 I was able to make almost $300 by selling the parts, which made a big difference in what I was able to afford in the end. I'm not necesarily saying to go for a Colt, but you should consider what the 'leftovers' will be worth.


-John

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...Knowing is often a Barrier to Learning...

John,
Interesting approach. Would you mind sharing which parts you sold and how much you were able to get for each?
Thanks!
Aubrey

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Aubrey<><