Kimber versus EMP

[abush]

Looking for a good CC gun. I have full size 1911 and a number of 9mm (92fs and p226) all of which are just to big for CC.
I don’t like polymer guns so
1. I went looking at the kimber line of 3 inch barrel pistols. The dealer actually said. "I would like to sell you a kmber .45 in 3 inch but they are totally unreliable and would recommend a Sig in .40 or even the p238 in .380" the .40 cal sig is still pretty big and the sig p238 feels way too small in my hands. I love the feel of the kimber.
any thoughts?
2. How about the Springfield EMP in 9mm any thoughts on that?

My goal is to have (in order of importance)
1. Reliable
2. Concealable
3. Something that is small feels right in my hand
4. Either 9mm or .45

[JoshLoves1911Guns]

I love Kimber 1911's they are my fav! From what my understanding is 1911 are not meant to be in 3" barrel size...so it does not matter the brand, that being said one of the guys at the shooting range/gun store I go to owns a Kimber 1911 3"...and he loves and has never had any problems with it.

As my conceal carry...I use a Springfield XD-9 sub compact. I love the gun! It is accurate and very reliable...never had any issues with it.

If you are not sure about going with a 3" 1911...and I would definitely recommend the XD-9 SC!!

[abush]

Good possible alternatives. Not really into polymers, have a glock its fine, however maybe because when I was a kid everything I had that was plastic seems to break.
But anyway I love the feel of my 1911 in 5 inch and love the feel of the kimber. Its just that I saw a number of contradictory posts regarding reliability.
The Kimber has some heft to it yet its thin, small and a .45 and not to seem childish but it just looks tough and cool.
I guess I could roll the dice buy one (contrary to salesman’s advice) and see how it works. If it’s a POS then I sell it and try again.
Like a buddy of mine said who’s a LEO “you can find reviews both pros and cons all day, good reviews bad reviews for almost any gun”
I saw one post where a guy has 5 3inch kimbers and he loves them. However everyone seems to say kimber’s customer support is crap.

[Pilerman]

I love Kimber 1911's they are my fav! From what my understanding is 1911 are not meant to be in 3" barrel size...so it does not matter the brand, that being said one of the guys at the shooting range/gun store I go to owns a Kimber 1911 3"...and he loves and has never had any problems with it.

As my conceal carry...I use a Springfield XD-9 sub compact. I love the gun! It is accurate and very reliable...never had any issues with it.

If you are not sure about going with a 3" 1911...and I would definitely recommend the XD-9 SC!!

I second that!! I will also add, the safety features of the gun are 'No Brainers' to deactivate in order to shoot and yet provide GREAT protection to yourself in preventing an accidental mis-firing while carrying concealed!
I highly recommend you get an XD!!

[eaccents]

I'm not going to be much help since I know nothing about Kimbers....

From what I understand, though, the EMP was designed from the ground up ... Springfield did not simply SHRINK their 1911 design. The reach is supposed to be vastly different than other 3" 1911s (grip closer to trigger, smaller circumference in the grip) so maybe hold them both to help you decide?

I believe Springfield is supposed to have good warranty coverage (still a lifetime warranty?) should the gun come down with hiccups. Like someone else said, each gun is different--you can get one that is flawless while the next person gets a lemon--luck of the draw it seems.

Good luck--they are both beautiful guns.

[THE DUKE OF ESSEX]

I wear a full size 1911 with extended slide in a shoulder holster and can easily conceal it just wearing a vest. If you need a small 45 some of the guys I shoot with have this pistol:Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC and love the way it shoots.

[SpaceFrank]

I'm not a fan of Kimber, and would probably never buy one myself. However, calling them "totally unreliable" is not fair at all. Like any other gun manufacturer they have their share of lemons, but from what I hear, their service is excellent and they will fix your gun if you have a problem.

As always, take everything a dealer says with a grain of salt. They have opinions just like everybody else, and you know what they say about opinions. And this is coming from a guy who works the gun counter at Academy.

That being said, if I bought a 1911, Springfield would be near the top of the list.

[wolfhunter]

Kimbers are very tightly constructed. This means that some of their guns require quite a few rounds fired to "break them in".

I love 1911s, wanted a shorter barrel, saw a point in the High-cap Crowd's arguments, so I chose a Para Warthog .45 with a 3" barrel and 10 round mag.

[stove]

After an initial break in period both of my Ultra CDP pistols have been boringly reliable. One has an internal and the other an external extractor.
I do not carry a CDP these days after having one stolen from my car while I was in a no-carry zone. But, I would never call them unreliable.

[KimberRB]

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry and love it been a good shooter right out of the box. But its not for everyone. I would say get what ever you feel fits you the best and your needs.