Kimber Lovers Only !!

[schmeky]

I have an early model Kimber, refered to as a "Series I", even though there is officially not a Series I. I bought mine new nearly 20 years ago and paid $600.00 for it at a local gunshop. It has been an incredibly reliable and accurate piece of gun makers art.

I don't doubt there have been some problems with some Kimbers in the past. I have 3 new Colts, and all three have quality control issues. I really should send them back to the factory to make them right.

With that said, here is my Kimber. I had the frame satin hard chromed and the slide done in Walter Birsong's Black T finish. The overall finish of this pistol is the closest to perfect of any handgun I have EVER owned. Everything on mine is flawless.

Not for sale at the twice that I paid for it.

 

[steelyblue]

That is a pretty gun!!! Heres is my only current 1911. Sorry, camera flash is not working well.

BTW, can anyone tell me the drawback of the firing pin block safety. I can't see why everyone is down on them.

 

[Geno]

That is the model of the very first Kimber I ever bought!! It was so accurate it was nearly scary! I had more people want to buy it, and then, one day...like a fool...I sold it. That was a big mistake.

Very nice pistol!! Congrats!

Geno

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I have a "series 1" as well. Bought the first one I saw in my local gunshop.

I think you have a typo in your post, Kimber 1911s have not been out for 20 years!!!! More like 10-12.

 

[schmeky]

Doc2005,

This one has the accuracy yours had. We used to line up tin cans at 15-20 yards and I could shoot them down with such ease it was almost boring. This was the first auto loader I bought that could actually group better than my 1st class revolvers.

Pumpkin,

You may be right, I am going off of a bad memory, but I know I've had this pistol more than 10 years, I'm thinking closer to 15+.

 

[Old Fuff]

steelyblue:

A hint: Turn off the flash and go outside. Take a picture on a slightly cloudy day to eliminate harsh shadows. Also back up a bit, you can crop the extra background out later.

Trust me... your pistol will feel much better...

 

[TheReeves]

Also steelyblue, if your camera has a manual ISO setting, put it low (mine is at 80). Even if you are inside and have low artificial light, back up 10 feet or so and zoom in, still using your flash. The reflection from the flash will be much less. I'm no expert, but I had a hard time getting good pictures of my guns inside the house with bad lighting.

BTW, OP, very nice Kimber!

 

[HisSoldier]

What are Hokies and where do you want them to go? If they are some kind of rodent I doubt if yelling at them will make them leave. A trap perhaps?

 

[Geno]

I bought my first Kimber in 1996. I simply could not imagine a tighter, smoother functioning 1911! The fit in ever single regard, on every single pistol part screamed of "Baer" quality and attention to detail...seriously!!! The fit was that good!

I started the series of surgeries that next year, 1997, and then in I think 1998 I sold it. By the time I sold it, Kimber had gone Series II. Ever-so-often, you'll find one of these gems come onto the market.

If you see one at a good price, snap it up.

Geno

 

[K9american]

Here's my "Series I" Compact Stainless. Bought this used in '98. Plz excuse lighting and rubber grips. I need to get a couple pix of it with the original rosewood stocks. Note original genuine stainless steel MSH.

 

[1911 guy]

Those early Kimbers are works of art, almost. If I found one available around here, I'd be sorely tempted to snatch it up.

 

[HisSoldier]

I love my Team Match II, I hear all kinds of talk about how rotten Kimbers are, I don't understand it. This gun is tight! But not tight enough to choke. I've never paid $2500 for a 1911 so I don't know what that's like, but for $1250 this one is a dream gun.
TheReeves, I still don't know what kind of animal a Hokie is. Did you eradicate them yet?

 

[schmeky]

The fit in ever single regard, on every single pistol part screamed of "Baer" quality and attention to detail...seriously!!! The fit was that good!

Doc,

I am glad you said this. My Classic Custom is so well executed I can't see how there is room for little, if any improvement. All gaps are even and tight, there is not a single tool mark anywhere.

I wonder how some of the newer Kimbers compare to the early ones in fit and finish? I know the Eclipse models are beautiful to me.

 

[steelyblue]

My eclipse targetII is a very close fit. It's every bit as good as my Pre II custom compact was. I get much better groups with this one. It may be the target sights or the full size, but the compact was a good fit in my medium hands as well. I do know that my champion was nowwhere near the fit of any Kimber I've ever shot. MIM parts or not, the Kimber's are my pistols of choice. I trust them to defend my family anytime.

 

[MustangHowie]

I love the Kimbers too. I have 4 and my wife has 2.


Here are mine. The Custom Classics are numbered about 3000 apart. One is from Clackamas and one is from Yonkers. The Gold Guardian is one of 500 made. The last one is an Anniversary. I haven't shot the Guardian or the Anniversary.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

I have the same gun in all black. I love it, super reliable and accurate.

I bought mine in '98

 

[glockman19]

Kimber Lover Here I have 4 now with one on order:

Have:
Raptor II
Ultra Raptor II
Custom II
Pro Carry II

On Order:
Pro Raptor II
Ultra CDP II

 

[George Hill]

Ultra CDP II
Ultra Carry II
Tactical Custom II
Custom II

I want a Tactical Pro II.

 

[railroader]

No pics but I have a clackamas custom with a bomar rear sight and a stainless gold match 1 with a EGW fiber optic front sight. Both shoot and run great. Mark

 

[Jayb]

I only have two Kimbers. Both are series 1 guns, and I do carry both. I've had no performance issues with either gun.

Bought this Pro CDP in 1999



Bought this Stainless SLE (Kimber's first All-stainless slide and frame) in 2000. Only 1329 produced.

 

[Geno]

Schmeky asked:

I wonder how some of the newer Kimbers compare to the early ones in fit and finish? I know the Eclipse models are beautiful to me.

The only Kimber I have remaining is my Warrior, and it is one of the first produced. The fit is so tight that if you changed the grips and manipulated the slide blindfolded, you just might believe it to be a Baer. It is that tight, and that smooth. I nearly sold it a year ago, and just couldn't do it. I really like this pistol. The trigger is almost beyond description in terms of crispness. The only thing that I changed was to add skateboard tape to the front strap and switched out the main spring house for an arched one.

 

[Lightsped]

I only have one Kimber, and it probably isn't much to look at as it isn't very blingy. I have fired this gun probably a total of 20 or so rounds.

 

[Rustynuts]

My UC CDP II with a DeSantis Super Fly when I feel the need to pocket carry it!

 

[Jaenak]

Lightsped said...

I only have one Kimber, and it probably isn't much to look at as it isn't very blingy. I have fired this gun probably a total of 20 or so rounds.

Dude, any pistol that isn't a piece of s#*t straight from the factory and doesn't look like it's been run over by a truck is nice to look at for someone who likes 'precious metals'. Bling is nice but the gun can look great without any too.

BTW, I could be wrong but I'm under the impression that a "Hokie" is a college sports team, not an animal.

Edit: I tend to preffer a full size with a Stainless Steel finish and some bright red checkered grips. The style looks standard enough to give it a classic look but the stainless steel color and the bright red wood contrasts each other perfectly.

 

[the pistolero]

Dude, any pistol that isn't a piece of s#*t straight from the factory and doesn't look like it's been run over by a truck is nice to look at for someone who likes 'precious metals'. Bling is nice but the gun can look great without any too.

*standing ovation* WELL SAID! Oh, and it's good to see I am not the only one who likes the Hogue rubber grips. I have them on both my Kimbers, a Tactical Ultra II and 10mm Stainless Target II.