Request first hand info on XD45, Kimber Custom Covert II, or Sig P220 combat

[M-ONE-X]

Hello all,
I am trading in my Sig P229 DAK .40 to purchase a new .45acp. Two reasons for this. One I have had roughly 5 malfunctions with my sig ranging from failure to feed to stove pipe, to what I believe was the round actually discharging before the slide was back in the full forward position. It was really weird, I got blasted in the face by hot gasses and some sort of particulates during a 3 round volley, it sounded as though I had a squib round but it was not. I realize these are most likely ammo related problems but I have had problems with Winchester, Hornady, And Remington UMC brands. Being my carry gun this has made me uneasy and nervous about it performing as need when poop hits the fan. I have even had dreams about needing it and it jamming or not being able to get the shot off in time because it has a mile and a half long trigger pull (if you have ever shot a DAO you know what I mean). Second reason is I am trying to reduce the number of calibers of ammo I need to keep stocked. I already have a Springfield 1911, Springfield XD9 and a S&W 9mm. I have narrowed my choices down to 3 candidates; Kimber Custom Covert II, Springfield XD45 Tactical or Sig P220 Combat. I am asking for anyone who owns, has owned or, has shot first hand any of these three guns. Good, Bad, quirks you may have had or just any info really, on the use of any of these. I am looking for a workhorse fighting gun, not a safe queen to sit there and look pretty. It will be ridden hard, and have lots of rounds pushed through it. It will be my carry gun and needs to be able to run dirty and detonate when needed. Thanks in advance for your feedback. Oh.. I already know the obvious perk of the XD having 13 treats onboard as opposed to the 8 rounds with the other two choices.. Thanks again

[rsxr22]

Out of the options you listed, hands down the Sig. I am not a huge fan of the XD over Glock or Smith. And I would never consider anything made by Kimber a "workhorse fighting gun". As you can tell i am not a Kimberaholic. I have owned 3 and all were problematic. The 1st 2 had failure issues and the last i got rid of because of poor parts fitting as well as slide to frame fit. There are many great 1911's out their, but if i was looking for a production "fighting" 1911, i would have to go with something from STI, DW, or the SA TRP

[M-ONE-X]

Thanks for the input, I have heard before that kimbers were more or less closet queens. Ones you would only show your friends not your enemies.

[shanzlik]

I have an XD45 Tactical model that I use as my HD gun. It has been 100% reliable and very, very accurate for me. I prefer 1911s for CC, so I've never carried the XD, but I can highly recommend it in all other areas.

The only Kimber I have, a Super Carry Pro, has been far from reliable, unfortunately. I only buy Colts and STIs now. I carry an STI Shadow.

[M-ONE-X]

Shanzlik... Nice XD, I was looking at the OD and black. I have a service model XD9 and it too has been 100% reliable for me, with roughly 4000 rounds through it, it has never missed a beat. But thanks for the info on the kimber.

[M-ONE-X]

Shanzlik, May I ask why you are partial to a 1911 for CC? Why not carry your XD if it is completely reliable and extremely accurate and can hold 5 more rounds?

[rsxr22]

Thanks for the input, I have heard before that kimbers were more or less closet queens. Ones you would only show your friends not your enemies.

I wish i could disagree with the comments you have heard, but from personal experience i cannot. I am all for grabbing a 1911. They are truly the only style of gun i would say i am "addicted" too, but if you want to go that route, i would look to another company. Like i mentioned STI, Dan Wesson, or Springfield TRP are all great options.

[Big Bill]

I wouldn't wish a Kimber on my worst enemy; and, why would you buy a SIG if the one you have already is junk? IMHO, your best option is the Springfield. I just bought an XDm 45 and couldn't be happier. It's worked flawlessly since I first shot it. Get the SPRINGFIELD.

[shanzlik]

I'm partial to 1911s because they are easier for me to conceal, the ones I have are as reliable as the XD so far, I actually like the extra heft for that solid feel, and because, as silly as it may sound, I feel a connection with my STI Shadow. The Shadow is the one in matte black below. All three of these compacts have been reliable, and the Shadow has >1,000 rounds through it.

I used to be concerned with round count, but I decided an extra mag or BUG will suffice for me. A spare 1911 mag or two are simple to hide since they are so slim.

[rsxr22]

very nice STI's!

[shanzlik]

Thanks. I also have a pair of Ranger IIs, which make very nice carry weapons if you want a mid-sized 1911. The grips are horned lizards from Larry Davidson and are very grippy without causing chafing in an IWB holster. I use Tucker Gunleather and a Crossbreed Supertuck.



The Escort can be had for about $900-$950. I'd recommend it as a CCW, too. I added some custom grips from Esmeralda recently. They're stunning and I highly recommend her grips if you're looking for some fancy grips.

[rsxr22]

I love the Ranger II's! I have a SA Champion Operator right now and if i could find someone to trade that for the Ranger, I would. I love their products and fully believe them to be one of the best, if not the best, production 1911 companies. The Trojan and Spartan are probably the 2 best value 1911's for intermediate and introductory price ranges.

I love her grips as well, but just dont prefer fancy. I like grips that have a little bit more aggressiveness to them, like VZ's, Gunner's, and LD's

[M-ONE-X]

Well it sounds like kimbers aren't going to win this one. I held one at the store and didn't like the way my finger covered up the crimson grip laser when it was indexed along the receiver anyway (that was the Custom Covert II.)

Shanzlik- Those are some good looking guns, I will take a peak at some STI's and see what I think . I also looked into the Springfield Operator before the Kimber, but for some reason I was just more drawn to the Kimber. Maybe it was nice looks that did it, But like I said thats not what I'm looking for, so that's my own fault there. Thanks for the pics and info. Also how is that Supertuck? I was looking into them as well, right now I have a Galco Skyops but have heard people say that they went from the skyops to the super tuck and never looked back.

Big Bill- Thanks for the input. The reason I was thinking about another Sig, is because I know they are good guns. I have heard lots of positive things about them from close friends and from reading blogs. I think I may have just gotten a sub par machine. Also the P220 fit my hand well and the with my natural draw the sights were lined up perfectly, I believe that to be attributed to carrying the P229 everyday and having my hands on it everyday. The XD used to be that way but since I practice many draws and only use the Sig my muscle memory has sync'd with grip angle of the Sig. I know that if I go back to XD then I will eventually go back to having a naturally lined up draw with it as well. But when I was at the store every time I drew and put it on target by "feel" I was front sight high. Same with the XD9 at home.

[Teirst]

I had an XD 45 for about 200 rounds before I traded it. Ran flawlessly for that time, felt great in my hand, and recoil seemed very soft. Great gun, would recommend to anyone

[Big Bill]

I didn't mean to be so hard on Kimber and Sig products. I'd buy a SIG, if I felt the quality justified the price. I just don't think they're worth the premium that has to be paid to own one.

And, after reading about the problems people have had with Kimber, I think I'd have to pass on one of them. I really like the way they look, but am afraid of the quality issues. Anyway, after looking at all the options I bought the XDm 45; and, I don't regret it for one minute.

BTW, I've really enjoyed this thread. Thanks for all the pictures guys.

[orangello]

I have an XD45 tactical (geezer barrel) in OD and have been happier with it than with any firearm other than my first bolt action .22 rifle that i received at age 6. Had the XD45 been a Christmas present from my father, even that first .22 rifle may have been in a real fight for it's MFF position.

I've probably only put a couple thousand rounds through mine, but it has digested them all without a burp and put them on target very well considering my skill level. I have used some UMC, blazer brass, PMC, WWB, Federal, and Remington ammunition in FMJ without a single jam or failure of any kind. The defense rounds i've run through it were some Hydrashocks, i bleve, and they fed and functioned without a hitch.

The only problem i've had with the XD45 is that my CZ75b in 9mm seems less adequate in comparison. At least my GP100 is a less direct comparison.



This was my first firearm that wasn't blued, stainless, or parkerized. I've come to like its OD greenness.

[Valkman]

My choice would be between the Kimber and the XD - I have no experience with Sig. I have 3 Kimbers (all utterly reliable) and 2 XD-45's and it would be very hard to pick between them except that the Kimber Compact CDP is much more concealable than a XD and is my carry gun. If you don't mind a bigger gun the XD-45 Compact is sweet with either 10 or 13 rd mags.

[shanzlik]

The Crossbreed holsters are great. I have a couple for 1911s and several for other pistols.





If you prefer an all leather holster, check out Tucker Gunleather. He has great holsters, too.





Hope nobody minds all the pictures.

Edit - looks like I didn't fully seat the mag but I was just taking some quick pics with an empty to show the holsters.

[INMY01TA]

XD 45 here. Never had any malfunctions with it. Great gun.

[M-ONE-X]

Well I have never heard any complaints about XD's every since I started shooting them back in 2003. The only thing I don't like, is that they are made in Croatia. I wish Springfield would just start manufacturing them here in the states. I much rather support the American working man. I Make my money defending the US, being paid by American taxpayers, the least I can do is pay it back (to the hard working ones) I should say, not the ones that sit on their rears all day.

Shanzlik- thanks for all the pics of your gear. Looks like you have some nice toys.

Orangello- That is exactly the XD I was looking at.. Nice gun

On a separate note has anyone ever dealt with a Springfield Operator? I like the idea of a steel frame as opposed to the aluminum that the Kimber had. My Sig is an Aluminum frame and I have already had to file my magazine well because when Practicing fast or "emergency" reloads the steal magazine tears up the softer aluminum frame causing burrs and gouges

[Don P]

I own 2 XD's a 9mm and a 45acp. Only problem I had was the 9mm needed the extractor replaced and the factory took care of that in less than a 3 week turn around. The 45 has been flawless to date. I like the fact of 13+1. Both XD's are in the service size 4" .

[billnourse]

My son had an XD in .45. Nice gun but does not fit me like a 1911.

I have two Kimbers and both have been bullet proof so far. No function issues, very accurate, and well made.

If Kimber is such a dud I wonder why the LAPD SWAT and other law enforcement organizations, as well as various elite military forces keep using them?

Bill

[rsxr22]

M-ONE-X,
If you want an american made fighting gun, then definitely go with STI. The only STI not made in the US is the Spartan. The slide, frame, and barrel are made in the Phillipines, but the gun is filled with parts and assembled in TX.

The crossbreeds are a great holster, ive been using them for years, however lately i have been buying shielded holsters. They are a CBST look a like but their half the price and less than a week wait to get. He will also leather line them for an additional $5