[Dobe]

I just bought NIB a new toy, and I was wondering how many of you have experience with this Kimber. This is not the II but the Series I, and is all steel. That is why I bought it. I knew that I would not be able to get a Series I in the future.

I am mostly interested in reliability, since this is a defensive/CCW type. I have yet to make it to the range, but promise to be there by Saturday. But, I would also like to know what any of you think about the way this gun handles, and what loads you feed it.

Thanks

[9x19]

My Compact Stainless/Aluminum runs just fine with good quality ammo.

It's easy to shoot and as accurate as any other gun for me.

I agree about buying the orignial series Kimbers now, as they are only going to get more scarce and go up in price to boot.

[boing]

My current carry gun is an all-steel Series I Compact, bought about 1.5 years ago. It hasn't exactly been a love affair, but it works fine now.

The extractor needed tweaking to fix erratic ejection. Eventually replaced with a Wilson part.

The slide stop broke after 1100 rounds. Bad MIM part, replaced with a better MIM part.

The OEM mag wasn't too terribly reliable. Replaced with a Wilson mag.

The trigger is creepy on my gun, but I knew that when I bought it. I just haven't gotten around to installing tool steel parts and getting the trigger job.

Grip screw bushings came loose (all four of them)

The black oxide (or whatever) finish is not very durable, but the gun resists rust well with a modicum of care.

On the plus side:

With the Wilson mag, feeding is smooth and reliable with all types of ammo I've used, except for occasional hang-ups with one brand of commercial reloads. Lots of Winchester white box (ball and JHP), and various Federal, Speer, and other brands run reliably.

Very accurate, shoots to POA, and fairly easy in the recoil department.

Nice radius on most of the edges. This important to me, given the holster damage I've suffered from other makes.

The trigger has no slack, plunger tube is tight, hammer is centered, thumb safety clicks positively, no dust cover rubbing.

Pretty much a mixed bag, quality wise. The broken slide stop and crummy extractor weren't exactly surprises, as they're known Kimber "issues". I can't say I can recommend Kimber based on this, my only experience with them, but YMMV.

Anyway, I don't get excited about this gun. It just kinda sits there, being blah, until I get it to the range. That's where it shines. I have to be shooting this gun to appreciate it, and I find that I shoot surprisingly well with it.

[Captain Bligh]

My primary gun is also a SS steel-framed Kimber Compact, Series I. I have about 3,000 rounds through it. All parts are original, including MIM parts.

I have had no breakages or feeding problems. The trigger is wonderfully crisp. This thing is a tack driver. It is the most accurate of any pistol that I own.

I hope your gun and your enjoyment factor are as good as mine.

RJ

[ruger357]

My Ultra Carry works just fine.

[customfret]

My steel series 1 Custom Compact has over 2,000 rounds through it without any problems at all, is quite accurate & carrys very comfortably in an Alessi Talon +. Only problem I've had is with the bluing wearing fairly rapidly & here in the South, rust spots that have to be delt with in the summertime.

[critter]

My primary carry piece is identical to that described by Captain Bligh. It is 100% reliable, accurate, easy to carry, easy and fun to shoot. I shoot it a good bit to stay 'in practice'.

I use a Milt Sparks Summer Special mostly. I have had night sights added and a small relief cut under the rear of the trigger guard to allow it to sit slightly lower in the hand and it makes it seem as if the grip were longer to these big hands.

I think you will like it. Shoot the thing a lot!
Good luck and have fun.

[M1911]

My primary carry piece has been a steel Kimber Compact. I've had some work done it, but it was reasonable out of the box. I'm currently replacing it with an aluminum framed Kimber Compact. I'll use the steel-framed version for most of the range work. The AL framed version has significantly more felt recoil and muzzle flip. YMMV.

[MK11]

Have a Series 1 Pro Carry. Slide stop was too long, had to file it down to keep the slide from locking back while mag still had rounds in it. Not what I'd expect from a $700 gun but now it's reliable and it's always been scary accurate.

[Dobe]

I just got back from the range. I took the new Kimber Compact, Kimber Target, and a CZ 75 B.

I was surprised at how easy the Compact was to shoot for such a small gun. The recoil was more noticable than the heavier Kimber Target, but it was certainly manageable and fun to shoot. I was actually surprised at how tight the groups were. I usually shot the Compact at the 30' mark. This is a CCW handgun, so I generally shot close with it.

I did find that my Compact shoots a little low. I'll eventually have that taken care of. I had one FTE out of about 150 rounds. I had one of those with my CZ 75 tonight and I had one jam with my Kimber Target; twas the night.

I like the gun. I am glad I got the steel frame and not the aluminum. The weight on this handgun really helps tame it with the hardball ammo.
I am also glad I found the Series I.

[M1911]

The recoil was more noticable than the heavier Kimber Target, but it was certainly manageable and fun to shoot.The steel framed compact is actually pretty nice to shoot. Not a lot of recoil. The aluminum framed compact does have significantly more recoil.