[45R]

Who has a Kimber 3" Compact model? I'd like some reviews on accuracy and reliablity.


TIA

45R

[TheEgg]

Kimber Custom Shop -- Ultra Elite II.

One of my most frustrating guns. It is really fun to shoot and is very, very accurate! But I bought it as a carry piece, and have never carried it because it is just not reliable enough, even after having work done on it. It is not a real jammomatic, but it jams just enough for me to not want to rely on it. I have put about 3,000 rounds through it so far and this is about what happens --- I will go 200 rounds, no problem, then it will jam. Another 100 rounds, then a jam. 150 rounds then a jam -- etc. And no pattern to the jams that I have been able to determine(the jam may be in the first mag of a session or the last or in the middle).

Everytime I think it is going to be good to go, another jam. Absolutely not a problem for a fun/range gun, but I will not trust my life to it.

However, it is just a blast to shoot, so I keep it for that reason.

I know that there are lots of people out there that have no reliability problems with their 3" Kimbers, Colt Defenders, etc., but after my experience with it, I would be very hesitant to buy another 3" bbl. 1911 with the thought of carrying it (I think they are maybe too much of a departure from the original design)-- my 4" and 5" 1911 style pistols will continue to be my carry guns.

As always YMMV;)

[Climb14er]

I had the same experience with my Ultra CDP. It would run, then jam, then run, then jam a few rounds. Sometimes right after the #2 and 3 rounds, or else, the next to last.

No rhyme or reason.

Sent it back, Kimber said everything was ok. It wasn't. I went to five inch instead. No problems.

The four inch Compacts are a lot more reliable than the three inch Ultras.

Good luck.

[CWL]

My Ultra CDP II was ordered NIB, went full auto on the second magazine -bad sear. Thumb safety swung loose like an old gate. Mag release didn't work without banging (Kimber told me it was supposed to be this stiff :mad: ). The 'melt-down' treatment wasn't very even either, just ground down on a wheel. Host of other problems as well that took three trips back to smiths to repair (?).

If I could do it over again, I wouldn't get an Officers/compact model -definitely not Kimber's.

[45R]

Anyone have any experience with the Ultra Carry II in SS?

[Sean Smith]

If you want it to work, don't get an Ultra, or anybody else's sub-4" barrel 1911 for that matter.

[XLMiguel]

I have a Plain Jane Ultra Carry that has run like a champ from day 1. Eats everything I've fed it(S&B, Fiocchi, Federal ball for practice, assorted premium JHP for carry, usually Corbon 185 gr. or Fed 165 gr. PD), scary accurate. I did add Ashley Big Dot Express sights and rosewood grips. Only complaint is that it is somewhat sensitive to limpwristing (which I consider operator error). I'm very happy with mine. YMMV.

[Normwood]

I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II that runs like a champ. Before it was broken it in had the last round hang up on the edge of the barrel ramp on three occasions out of probably 400 rounds. I took a little emory cloth and cleaned up the edge of the ramp and it has run flawlessly ever since. I probably have 1200 rounds through it without a hicup. Hydra shoks, Golden Sabres and a whole bunch of ball. No problemo!!!

Steve

[Lictalon]

My wife's stainless ultra carry has been perfect since adding a Wilson Combat mag. Before that, with the Kimber mag, it was a bit touchy.

Interestingly, her Kimber mag works in my 4'' CDP just fine...*shrug*