have a friend who has a Kimber Desert Warrior with all the bells and whistles.big $$$ pistol.when he first got it ,it wouldn't feed hard ball,or anything consistently.messed with it,called Kimber twice that I know of.was told both times not to worry till he had 500 rounds thru it.well,it did finally settle down at bout round 520 or so.now I'm an old school John M. Browning mod 1911 Colt person and having to shoot 500 rounds to get a pistol to settle in just doesn't seem right.I own several autos,Colt,S&W,CZ,FI,Ruger,High Standard,Beretta,Walther and I've never had to do a 500 round "breakin".is this normal for 21st. century Semi-Autos? thanks jwr
thoughts on Kimber
- Thread starter jwr_747
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Rob G
Member
It's not uncommon for most modern 1911s. However I would state that I own 2 kimbers and they both shot just fine out of box. One of them jammed a couple times because of an old mag I put in it with a bad spring. Otherwise they've worked fine. There's nothing wrong with a Kimber, or Colt, or any other 1911 design as a whole. Just sometimes you get a bad one.
Old Dog
Member
Gee, I've wasted my money on several Kimbers, and they're all terrific pistols.
How can one compare a CZ to a 1911, anyway? (I do like many of CZ's offerings, but really, now ...)
Why do the Glocksters and CZers all chime in with claims of superiority when folks ask about 1911s, anyway? Am I just a curmudgeon, or is anyone else getting tired of this as well?
Deputy25
Member
I have a Kimber CDP 5 inch. It is as reliable as any mechanical device can be. Maybe I just got lucky.
sm
member
I do not suggest a Kimber newer than Series I
Before Kimber moved to where they are now , they made a very nice 1911 made to specs, with quality metallurgy and quality control.
They were honestly giving Colt a run for the money on a 1911.
Line Extension will kill a business...so do not fall into the line extension trap... [Trout & Reys], and Kimber fell into the line extension by jumping into the Great Equipment Race [Part Umpteenth time] via the Great Clone Contest.
In the beginning Kimber offered a heck of a lot of gun for the money for those that wanted duck-butts, FLGRs, curb feelers and fuzzy dice.
For those in the Great Equipment Race, attempting to buy skill and targets, and "had to have" duck-butts and all the other stuff, Kimber had all this stuff on a gun and for a good price as compared to buying a bone stock 1911 and having these "accessories" added.
Series I were doing fine and then the line had to be extended even more, as Kimber wanted "some of that pie over there and some of that pie over yonder and".
It was not about customers getting a nice gun for the money, it was about Mfgs "racing" to get as much of the Clone dollars.
Heck, creative marketing - make something and folks had to it as one of the other mfg did not offer...yet.
Kimber is not the only one that forgot customers that made them what they became.
Line extension means cutting corners, getting stuff out fast, saving 2 cents and there...
1911s are not the only platform. It is not a platform, it is the Gun Mfg more interested in themselves and not the consumer problem across the board.
I will not carry a Kimber after a Series I.I refuse to.
I was offered for Free to carry a Series 2 CDP, and Officers, and a few others.
I refused, either let me get what I know or trust, with the offer or no.
Yep turned down free guns... extra mags, holsters and ammo - ego and pride will get one killed.
I have never and will not ever carry for serious defensive use a 1911 smaller than a Commander.
I have and will only carry a full size, or Commander, that takes a USGI/Colt 7 rd mag. I prefer bone stock.
Exceptions for me:
Colt .38 Super and a certain custom in 9x23.
Before Kimber moved to where they are now , they made a very nice 1911 made to specs, with quality metallurgy and quality control.
They were honestly giving Colt a run for the money on a 1911.
Line Extension will kill a business...so do not fall into the line extension trap... [Trout & Reys], and Kimber fell into the line extension by jumping into the Great Equipment Race [Part Umpteenth time] via the Great Clone Contest.
In the beginning Kimber offered a heck of a lot of gun for the money for those that wanted duck-butts, FLGRs, curb feelers and fuzzy dice.
For those in the Great Equipment Race, attempting to buy skill and targets, and "had to have" duck-butts and all the other stuff, Kimber had all this stuff on a gun and for a good price as compared to buying a bone stock 1911 and having these "accessories" added.
Series I were doing fine and then the line had to be extended even more, as Kimber wanted "some of that pie over there and some of that pie over yonder and".
It was not about customers getting a nice gun for the money, it was about Mfgs "racing" to get as much of the Clone dollars.
Heck, creative marketing - make something and folks had to it as one of the other mfg did not offer...yet.
Kimber is not the only one that forgot customers that made them what they became.
Line extension means cutting corners, getting stuff out fast, saving 2 cents and there...
1911s are not the only platform. It is not a platform, it is the Gun Mfg more interested in themselves and not the consumer problem across the board.
I will not carry a Kimber after a Series I.I refuse to.
I was offered for Free to carry a Series 2 CDP, and Officers, and a few others.
I refused, either let me get what I know or trust, with the offer or no.
Yep turned down free guns... extra mags, holsters and ammo - ego and pride will get one killed.
I have never and will not ever carry for serious defensive use a 1911 smaller than a Commander.
I have and will only carry a full size, or Commander, that takes a USGI/Colt 7 rd mag. I prefer bone stock.
Exceptions for me:
Colt .38 Super and a certain custom in 9x23.
BevrFevr
Member
have both 1911's and czs
both have merits and both have issues.
I have seen some real crapo kimbers and some others that really did work.
my personal experience is about 3 to 1.
That is 3 crap to 1 good one.
my smith 1911 ran great out of the box. Trigger has some slop in it S&W won't fix but the gun does function.
If you want a great looking gun that is great to hold and look at... by all means buy a kimber. I think I am going to buy one now based on my experience with S&W customer service. I have never seen a kimber with a sloppy trigger.
good luck whatever you decide as luck has more to do with it than brand loyalty.
-bevr
both have merits and both have issues.
I have seen some real crapo kimbers and some others that really did work.
my personal experience is about 3 to 1.
That is 3 crap to 1 good one.
my smith 1911 ran great out of the box. Trigger has some slop in it S&W won't fix but the gun does function.
If you want a great looking gun that is great to hold and look at... by all means buy a kimber. I think I am going to buy one now based on my experience with S&W customer service. I have never seen a kimber with a sloppy trigger.
good luck whatever you decide as luck has more to do with it than brand loyalty.
-bevr
mmay1
Member
Curmudgeon!!! Well, maybe me, too.
I had a CZ 75B and thought it a great pistol. I traded it on a Colt officer's model, however, because the CZ did not do anything my BHP does not do and the BHP is more asthetically pleasing to me. That left the CZ sitting in the safe. My 3 commander-size Kimbers are reliable and shoot inside the spaces I left with the CZ. Some 1911s need a break-in and I have to change the springs more often than other designs, but for accuracy, concealibility and a great trigger, 1911s can't be beaten, in my opinion.
I had a CZ 75B and thought it a great pistol. I traded it on a Colt officer's model, however, because the CZ did not do anything my BHP does not do and the BHP is more asthetically pleasing to me. That left the CZ sitting in the safe. My 3 commander-size Kimbers are reliable and shoot inside the spaces I left with the CZ. Some 1911s need a break-in and I have to change the springs more often than other designs, but for accuracy, concealibility and a great trigger, 1911s can't be beaten, in my opinion.
berkbw
Member
I wonder why, when folks buy a new tight gun that fails to function because it's new and tight, they don't do a small amount of lapping. Ammo, gas, and range time co$t.
b-
b-
Kimbers are fine. They are probably my pick of the mass produced 1911's. My TLE/RL II....yes I said series 2. Is almost as accurate as some of my guns that cost twice as much. So far the only Kimber I have that I have had problems with is the Rimfire model.
M2 Carbine
member
My 5th Kimber, right out of the box. Totally reliable and very accurate.
Typical of the other four, except the Ultra Eclipse which did require a couple hundred round break in. From what I've seen the Eclipse line does need a break in.
Ultra Covert II.
[/IMG]
I don't think so. Between my friends and I we have about 18 Kimbers, most are Ultras.
In a serious defense shooting I wouldn't think twice about picking up and using any one of those 18 guns.
Typical of the other four, except the Ultra Eclipse which did require a couple hundred round break in. From what I've seen the Eclipse line does need a break in.
Ultra Covert II.
I don't think so. Between my friends and I we have about 18 Kimbers, most are Ultras.
In a serious defense shooting I wouldn't think twice about picking up and using any one of those 18 guns.
jfh
Member.
My current generation Kimber ST II - 10mm couldn't be much better, I think. It took about 500 rounds of FMJ for complete break in--early on, the tight fit caused real heatup; by round 350 it was running smoothly, and by round 500 it was very smooth with no unusual heating.
With the right reloads (5.2 gr 231, Hornady 180 TMJFN, 1.256 LOA) it shoots in 2" at fifty yards.
There are things I do NOT like, like the plastic mainspring housing, but overall, I'm more than satisfied.
Jim H.
With the right reloads (5.2 gr 231, Hornady 180 TMJFN, 1.256 LOA) it shoots in 2" at fifty yards.
There are things I do NOT like, like the plastic mainspring housing, but overall, I'm more than satisfied.
Jim H.
hanno
Member
I have a Kimber Classic Custom Target that I got 9 years ago. When I bought it, it had a plastic mainspring housing which I immediately replaced with a steel mainspring housing. I also replaced the stock full length recoil spring guide with a GI style recoil spring guide and plug. It shot great right out of the box and has performed since without a hiccup.
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HisSoldier
Member
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- Sep 26, 2007
- Messages
- 1,330
I've got a late model Kimber, a wonderful gun! I've got a CZ too, a Dan Wesson! That is of course a 1911. Another great gun, beautiful.
Tom Servo
Member
Umm...the CZ and Kimber are two completely different platforms.
I've had both. I only got rid of the Kimber because the 1911 doesn't fit my hands, not because of any mechanical issues.
It was a CDP Compact, Series II, external extractor...all the no-no's, basically. In ~3500rds, I had one stovepipe. That's it. It had a good, if slightly mushy, trigger and was easy to shoot well.
I've seen too many Kimbers to count, and most owners echo my experience. I also have one very knowledgeable friend who could not get his to work. Actual ratio was overwhelmingly positive, though.
I think the issue is that 1911 fans look for craftsmanship and perfection, and when it doesn't come through, they're very vocal. For $1000 bucks, it's understandable. Every company churns out a lemon once in awhile (I've seen bad Sigs, Glocks and CZs), but from what I've seen, Kimber's odds are just as good as any manufacturer.
I've had both. I only got rid of the Kimber because the 1911 doesn't fit my hands, not because of any mechanical issues.
It was a CDP Compact, Series II, external extractor...all the no-no's, basically. In ~3500rds, I had one stovepipe. That's it. It had a good, if slightly mushy, trigger and was easy to shoot well.
I've seen too many Kimbers to count, and most owners echo my experience. I also have one very knowledgeable friend who could not get his to work. Actual ratio was overwhelmingly positive, though.
I think the issue is that 1911 fans look for craftsmanship and perfection, and when it doesn't come through, they're very vocal. For $1000 bucks, it's understandable. Every company churns out a lemon once in awhile (I've seen bad Sigs, Glocks and CZs), but from what I've seen, Kimber's odds are just as good as any manufacturer.
76shuvlinoff
Member
Fanboyz be hanged. A full size Kimber Raptor II is my bedside weapon of choice. The only time it hiccuped was when the first .22 round out of the conversion kit failed to fire.
Can we go back to picking on Glocks?
Can we go back to picking on Glocks?
I have had 4 Kimbers. One Series 1 that somebody had screwed up "improving" and it made me greyer, but I finally figured it out and fixed it. One 3" Tactical that was a little finicky for at least 500 rounds, but then settled down and runs fine, for my nephew, to this day. A 4" CDP that ran great from round one. Sold it in favor of my 4th Kimber.(A 3" CDP) I still have the 3" CDP that ran great from round one and continues to do so. Only changes are the Wilson modified thumb safety, Wilson slide stop, Kimber Tactical mainspring housing, and black finish on grip safety.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
The Kimber Experience
My only ones have been with the 5" Raptor, and the 3" Stainless Ultra Carry.
In both cases, they proved to be 100% reliable; with very little "break in"
period. I still have the UC .45 ACP; but I traded in the Raptor on my Les
Baer Thunder Ranch Special, and have NEVER looked back~!
My only ones have been with the 5" Raptor, and the 3" Stainless Ultra Carry.
In both cases, they proved to be 100% reliable; with very little "break in"
period. I still have the UC .45 ACP; but I traded in the Raptor on my Les
Baer Thunder Ranch Special, and have NEVER looked back~!
texagun
Member
I guess, from all the above, you either love them or you hate them.
I don't fall into either category, but I don't and won't own one of them.
I much prefer Colts (the real thing), Springfields, and S&W 1911's.
I've just had too many friends who have had unpleasant experiences with Kimbers and with their customer service. They are always told on the 1st call to "...be sure and put 500 rounds through it, and then call us back." I just don't think that should be necessary. For those who like them, I am happy for you.
I don't fall into either category, but I don't and won't own one of them.
I much prefer Colts (the real thing), Springfields, and S&W 1911's.
I've just had too many friends who have had unpleasant experiences with Kimbers and with their customer service. They are always told on the 1st call to "...be sure and put 500 rounds through it, and then call us back." I just don't think that should be necessary. For those who like them, I am happy for you.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I am sure what was meant by CZ in this case is the Dan Wesson brand, owned by CZ-USA.
And that should be "get a Glock" instead.
And that should be "get a Glock" instead.
RobertFBurnett
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 415
Heya sm, you (or if anyone else knows I'm all ears) seem to have a great deal of knowledge about the pre II-series Kimbers. Can you give me a ball park of the era my Classic Gold Match fell in to? It has Yonkers, NY markings and I purchased it new on 4-20-2000.
Don't say that I just mailed in mine to them with a FULL (I mean 10 font 1/2" margins) page of work I need/want done to my Gold Match.
Thanks!
RFB
P.S. Except for some wear and tear issues my kimber has never had an operational failure or fail to feed or fire, but like some people have pointed out to me its a Gold Match...it should be fine all the time in a non combat target environment. Now if its a weapon that my life HAS to depend on and because of the aforementioned "laundry list" of several little problems I sent in with my Kimber, then I'm selling my car and buying a Wilson, SIG, or H&K.
Don't say that I just mailed in mine to them with a FULL (I mean 10 font 1/2" margins) page of work I need/want done to my Gold Match.Thanks!
RFB
P.S. Except for some wear and tear issues my kimber has never had an operational failure or fail to feed or fire, but like some people have pointed out to me its a Gold Match...it should be fine all the time in a non combat target environment. Now if its a weapon that my life HAS to depend on and because of the aforementioned "laundry list" of several little problems I sent in with my Kimber, then I'm selling my car and buying a Wilson, SIG, or H&K.
clemsonu0219
Member
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- Feb 8, 2008
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never had any problems with my kimbers...no break-in, anything. Great pistols!!
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