PowerG
Member
I've used a Custom Compact as my main carry gun for over 15 years. The finish on the older Kimbers wasn't much good but the pistol itself has been excellent.
Kimber any thoughts????
- Thread starter horsemen61
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Reloadron
Contributing Member
Never owned a Kimber till this gun found its way into my life. Kimber Ultra CDP II and I like the little gun. I got the gun, holster and 3 magazines for a song and dance, as pictured. I figured if I didn't like it I could always get rid of it and get my money back. Turns out I like the little gun and the accuracy from a short barrel .45 ACP surprised me. I liked it enough started to carry it. It simply always works and works well for me.
This is my only Kimber experience so I can't comment on Kimber's other guns but this little gun has well proven itself to me.
Ron
This is my only Kimber experience so I can't comment on Kimber's other guns but this little gun has well proven itself to me.
Ron
200Apples
Mojave Lever Crew
.
After an extremely satisfying purchase and use of a Springfield Loaded parkerized (full-size 1911), I wanted a second, smaller 1911-pattern pistol for eventual carry.
I had my eye on the .40 S&W chambering in Springfield's then-new EMP, but out here in ol' Kaliphr3nia, the only version on the CA Safe Handguns Roster was the 9mm... since I have never gotten all hot and bothered over the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge, I kept looking.
I visited my dealer to gripe about the Roster offerings and was reminded of the Kimber Ultra CDP II (just like Reloadron's, pictured above). Here's a "semi-micro" 1911, but still chambered in .45! SOLD.
I don't shoot it as often as the steel Springfield but after two years and 2000 rounds the little pistol remains a peach!
After an extremely satisfying purchase and use of a Springfield Loaded parkerized (full-size 1911), I wanted a second, smaller 1911-pattern pistol for eventual carry.
I had my eye on the .40 S&W chambering in Springfield's then-new EMP, but out here in ol' Kaliphr3nia, the only version on the CA Safe Handguns Roster was the 9mm... since I have never gotten all hot and bothered over the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge, I kept looking.
I visited my dealer to gripe about the Roster offerings and was reminded of the Kimber Ultra CDP II (just like Reloadron's, pictured above). Here's a "semi-micro" 1911, but still chambered in .45! SOLD.
I don't shoot it as often as the steel Springfield but after two years and 2000 rounds the little pistol remains a peach!
The street price on a Dan Wesson Specialist is 1800 around IF here you can find one. Kimber Warriors are going for 1150 in this market. That is far more than a $100 price difference. The Dan Wesson is more than 50% higher, is it worth it? Perhaps? But the Kimber's are darn good gun for the scratch.
I personally don't think the comparison is fair comparison, because of the large increase in price. To compare a Dan W to a US made Springfield TRP with rail is a far more honest comparison. The Kimber is in the same price range as the Sigs, Brazilian Springfield's, and Colts. And I think it compares favorably.
Evil-Twin
member
IM 70 years old. I live on a Fixed income... I chose a Kimber, because I can not afford to buy anything too cheap. especially for an EDC. The Kimber had everything I wanted in an EDC. Quality build, attention to detail ( carry melt ), tight tolerances. Once broken in, it is the most accurate EDC I own (8 EDC weapons ) and it makes the seven others obsolete as far as I am concerned.. @ 45 ACP. IM happy with the power, and it ability to make tight groups at defensive carry range ( 21 feet for me ). Its not very important to be good looking, but the Kimber is a good looking weapon, at least through my eyes.
@21 feet.
Bill
@21 feet.
Bill
JR24
Member
Ive had a number (still have my Warrior) and have only a single complaint. That is that the finish tends to wear very easily and quickly. Now, I purchased mine to be used (field, CCW, competition) and do not mind a "worn in" look, so its no big deal for me.
I have had exactly zero issues with reliability, accuracy or durability through many thousands of rounds.
I have had exactly zero issues with reliability, accuracy or durability through many thousands of rounds.
Your pistol was made in Yonkers NY like all the Kimber pistols. They NEVER made any of the pistols in Clackamas. That's where the corporate office was, and that's why the pistol is marked that way.This is an original Clackamas Kimber Classic, I have shot thousands of rounds through the thing. I have worn out two MIM hammers. I took it to Camp Perry and the Marines did a trigger job. I think I replaced the last MIM hammer with a forged hammer, and I replaced the MIM sear with a forged sear. I got those parts off of Commercial Row from the Springfield Armory's pavilion .
I am not a fan of these MIM parts as they have not held up. But, the rest of the pistol functions fine, still tight.
My Kimber Classic Gold Match is an awesome pistol. It's an early, early model, with the high polished blue finish. Deadly accurate, precision made. I haven't shot any other 1911 that I liked more.
BUT: It's finicky about ammo. Will NOT feed Federal. Not a single round will go through the pistol. But it'll run everything else I've run through it.
AND: It is finicky about mags. Will run Wilson Combat 8-rounders only. So, I have a box full of them, and never try to fool it with other mags.
BUT: It's finicky about ammo. Will NOT feed Federal. Not a single round will go through the pistol. But it'll run everything else I've run through it.
AND: It is finicky about mags. Will run Wilson Combat 8-rounders only. So, I have a box full of them, and never try to fool it with other mags.
JR24
Member
That's my general tactic for all 1911's, regardless of brand or configuration.
my "Tactical Pro ll"
Only a couple of thousand rounds through it, so far so good. I'm happy with the way it handles and shoots.
Dealing with them on the phone buying parts has been aggravating, with their rude NY tude. That, and based on a rocky customer service experience a buddy of mine had, I don't think I'd buy another. These days I think I'd be looking to Colt or Springfield.
Never beg anyone to take your money...............dad used to say.
Only a couple of thousand rounds through it, so far so good. I'm happy with the way it handles and shoots.
Dealing with them on the phone buying parts has been aggravating, with their rude NY tude. That, and based on a rocky customer service experience a buddy of mine had, I don't think I'd buy another. These days I think I'd be looking to Colt or Springfield.
Never beg anyone to take your money...............dad used to say.
While I've not owned any Kimbers, I've handled some and shot some. Here's my take.
Build quality doesn't warrant the price.
Company/warranty BS is a deterrent to ownership when there are companies out there who do stand by their products.
They do a great job of filling so many 1911 niches. They have many models to choose from.
The advertisement of a "Custom Shop" is deceptive at best.
It seems a handful of people I know who have only one 1911 frequently have a Kimber. Once people really get into 1911s they seem to move to a different brand(s).
Build quality doesn't warrant the price.
Company/warranty BS is a deterrent to ownership when there are companies out there who do stand by their products.
They do a great job of filling so many 1911 niches. They have many models to choose from.
The advertisement of a "Custom Shop" is deceptive at best.
It seems a handful of people I know who have only one 1911 frequently have a Kimber. Once people really get into 1911s they seem to move to a different brand(s).
Old Checkered Wool
Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2015
- Messages
- 21
I personally don't own any Kimbers, but I know many shooters who do own them or have owned them. Just like what is shown on this thread, there are many who have had countless problems with their Kimbers and there are also many that will swear by them and stand behind their name.
When I was looking for my first 1911, it literally took me over 2 years to decide which one I wanted. All I found on the internet, at ranges, and at gun stores was that the 1911 was full of problems, they jammed, they had stove-pipes, ftf, fte. There seemed to be a never ending rant about the 1911 platform that it actually almost turned me away from buying one completely.
I would hear two or three good things about them, but then I would hear 5 or 6 bad attributes about the 1911 to every 1 good attribute.
I mulled and mulled. There where so many decisions. It was a lot to think about. After all, who wants to lay down any considerable chunk of cash for a useless firearm that wont even cycle 70-80% of the time.
The 1911 fear bug bit me. Then I couldn't decide over external vs, internal extractor, full length guide rod vs. standard, ambi safeties............ blah, blah blah, blah blah!!!!
Seeing how I was seeing mostly negative comments about the 1911 platform, I realized there was an even worse situation going on. Apparently each manufacturer had their own group of fan boys that would swear by the quality of the make they liked but slander and find fault in almost all other brands.
So what I did was try to find what company all these "experts" claimed had the most problems and what the majority had to say was the least with problems.
After YEARS of painstaking research, ulcers and headaches, I finally broke down and got myself my very first 1911. I decided on the Springfield Loaded Target model in stainless. The first trip to the range I went through 450 rounds of varying ammo companies without a fail to fire or single feed or eject problem. My wife then took it to the range where she fired an additional 450 rounds out of it without any problems at all!!! Within 1 month we put 1800 rounds through that pistol without a single fail to fire or feed problem.
After that first month, I was so impressed that I bought another Springfield Loaded. It has been many years since my first purchase of a 1911. I currently own 3 Springfield Loaded models, Smith&Wesson Enhanced Tactical, Springfield TRP, Colt Gold Cup Trophy, and Dan Wesson Valor.
I love them all and have no complaints about any of them. I will say this interesting factoid about all the 1911's that I own. I own 1911's that cost me under $700 and ones that cost over $1400 and out of all of them, it is my Springfields that are my workhorses. Everyone of my Springfields have had less fail to fires and feeding problems than all the others except the Dan Wesson Valor (but that was twice the price)
The reason I chose Springfield, Colt, S&W Enhanced and Dan Wesson is because out of all the makers I read about, they had the LEAST problems and complaints coming from customers.
From all that I have read about Kimber, I am still skeptical about dropping that kind of cash on something that I have heard more negatives about than positives.
This is also not to say that all the happy Kimber owners are lying. I actually believe them that they did purchase a quality 1911. I just don't like gambling and I'm not going to take that kind of a risk. But that is just me.
When I was looking for my first 1911, it literally took me over 2 years to decide which one I wanted. All I found on the internet, at ranges, and at gun stores was that the 1911 was full of problems, they jammed, they had stove-pipes, ftf, fte. There seemed to be a never ending rant about the 1911 platform that it actually almost turned me away from buying one completely.
I would hear two or three good things about them, but then I would hear 5 or 6 bad attributes about the 1911 to every 1 good attribute.
I mulled and mulled. There where so many decisions. It was a lot to think about. After all, who wants to lay down any considerable chunk of cash for a useless firearm that wont even cycle 70-80% of the time.
The 1911 fear bug bit me. Then I couldn't decide over external vs, internal extractor, full length guide rod vs. standard, ambi safeties............ blah, blah blah, blah blah!!!!
Seeing how I was seeing mostly negative comments about the 1911 platform, I realized there was an even worse situation going on. Apparently each manufacturer had their own group of fan boys that would swear by the quality of the make they liked but slander and find fault in almost all other brands.
So what I did was try to find what company all these "experts" claimed had the most problems and what the majority had to say was the least with problems.
After YEARS of painstaking research, ulcers and headaches, I finally broke down and got myself my very first 1911. I decided on the Springfield Loaded Target model in stainless. The first trip to the range I went through 450 rounds of varying ammo companies without a fail to fire or single feed or eject problem. My wife then took it to the range where she fired an additional 450 rounds out of it without any problems at all!!! Within 1 month we put 1800 rounds through that pistol without a single fail to fire or feed problem.
After that first month, I was so impressed that I bought another Springfield Loaded. It has been many years since my first purchase of a 1911. I currently own 3 Springfield Loaded models, Smith&Wesson Enhanced Tactical, Springfield TRP, Colt Gold Cup Trophy, and Dan Wesson Valor.
I love them all and have no complaints about any of them. I will say this interesting factoid about all the 1911's that I own. I own 1911's that cost me under $700 and ones that cost over $1400 and out of all of them, it is my Springfields that are my workhorses. Everyone of my Springfields have had less fail to fires and feeding problems than all the others except the Dan Wesson Valor (but that was twice the price)
The reason I chose Springfield, Colt, S&W Enhanced and Dan Wesson is because out of all the makers I read about, they had the LEAST problems and complaints coming from customers.
From all that I have read about Kimber, I am still skeptical about dropping that kind of cash on something that I have heard more negatives about than positives.
This is also not to say that all the happy Kimber owners are lying. I actually believe them that they did purchase a quality 1911. I just don't like gambling and I'm not going to take that kind of a risk. But that is just me.
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dakota1911
Member
I don't hate them but I think they are overpriced for what you get and why shouldn't they be with Kimber buying nice glossy usually full page adds in what seems like every gun rag out there plus they often have the back cover of the mag. That advertising money has to come from somewhere. On the other hand I was up to 6 at one time and have sold 5 of them and never lost money although I never made much either. Thank you all the glossy adds.
I still have one which is a Grand Raptor I bought in 2005. The only reason it remains in my shooty collection is because it is pretty, and it has the Kimber external extractor.
Would I buy another one. Yes if it is a nice early one at a good price before they used the Swartz mechanical firing pin safety in them.
I still have one which is a Grand Raptor I bought in 2005. The only reason it remains in my shooty collection is because it is pretty, and it has the Kimber external extractor.
Would I buy another one. Yes if it is a nice early one at a good price before they used the Swartz mechanical firing pin safety in them.
robertg5322
Member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2007
- Messages
- 28
"Upper-mid range production 1911, often with bling @ a more or less premium production price.
I personally would buy a Colt... Combat Elite or S70 Gold Cup National Match for the same or less money.
You have to decide whether or not you want the Swartz mechanism (FPB activated off of grip safety) if your buying a Kimber"
In what world is a Series 70 or Combat Elite Colt the same price as a Kimber?
Here's what I know about Kimbers. All of their models use the same quality parts. The higher cost models usually have fancy paint/coatings, front strap checkering or other aesthetic details.
A Custom II is in the $725.00 range.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_40/Handguns/Kimber
A Colt XSE, Series 80, which is comparably equipped is in the $1,000.00 range.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/55899
Springfield Loaded Target .45 is in the $825.00 range.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_24/Handguns/Springfield+Armory
I've owned a Kimber since 2001, it's never had an issue.
Is my (or any other for that matter) Kimber better than a Colt? Who knows. I don't own a Colt to compare it to. I do know there are as many horror stories about Colts as Kimbers.
I own a Kimber Custom II ($600.00 in 2001), a Les Baer Hardballer (1,400.00 in 2007), and a Springfield Armory Loaded Target 9mm ($1,100.00 in 2015, California ripoff pricing in effect). Of the three, the Les Baer was tightest, smoothest and most accurate. Kimber is reasonably tight (no rattle, little perceptible play in slide/frame fit) and the Springfield was a rattle trap (though it was reasonably accurate). LB had best trigger, Kimber close second, it had a very little bit of creep and the SA distant third (gritty and tons of creep).
Are any of them bad guns? No. They all work, just the Springfield required a bit of tweaking to get it where I wanted it. Disappointing but it's one of only two 9mm 1911s available in California, and availability is spotty, so you aren't given much choice.
I have no brand loyalty. I buy what is affordable and works (or what's available and make it work). My and several friend's Kimbers have worked well. Springfields as well. Either is a good buy, the Schwartz safety is my only issue with Kimbers; it makes some upgrades a little more difficult.
I personally would buy a Colt... Combat Elite or S70 Gold Cup National Match for the same or less money.
You have to decide whether or not you want the Swartz mechanism (FPB activated off of grip safety) if your buying a Kimber"
In what world is a Series 70 or Combat Elite Colt the same price as a Kimber?
Here's what I know about Kimbers. All of their models use the same quality parts. The higher cost models usually have fancy paint/coatings, front strap checkering or other aesthetic details.
A Custom II is in the $725.00 range.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_40/Handguns/Kimber
A Colt XSE, Series 80, which is comparably equipped is in the $1,000.00 range.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/55899
Springfield Loaded Target .45 is in the $825.00 range.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_24/Handguns/Springfield+Armory
I've owned a Kimber since 2001, it's never had an issue.
Is my (or any other for that matter) Kimber better than a Colt? Who knows. I don't own a Colt to compare it to. I do know there are as many horror stories about Colts as Kimbers.
I own a Kimber Custom II ($600.00 in 2001), a Les Baer Hardballer (1,400.00 in 2007), and a Springfield Armory Loaded Target 9mm ($1,100.00 in 2015, California ripoff pricing in effect). Of the three, the Les Baer was tightest, smoothest and most accurate. Kimber is reasonably tight (no rattle, little perceptible play in slide/frame fit) and the Springfield was a rattle trap (though it was reasonably accurate). LB had best trigger, Kimber close second, it had a very little bit of creep and the SA distant third (gritty and tons of creep).
Are any of them bad guns? No. They all work, just the Springfield required a bit of tweaking to get it where I wanted it. Disappointing but it's one of only two 9mm 1911s available in California, and availability is spotty, so you aren't given much choice.
I have no brand loyalty. I buy what is affordable and works (or what's available and make it work). My and several friend's Kimbers have worked well. Springfields as well. Either is a good buy, the Schwartz safety is my only issue with Kimbers; it makes some upgrades a little more difficult.
Old Dog
Member
Well, predictably, we've had: numerous complaints about Kimber because the company has really super-nice ads in the gun magazines; guys who say that Kimbers are "all show and no go" (guy who's never owned one) who won't own one for "numerous reasons" (but fail to disclose those reasons); remarks confirming that Kimber has the Swartz safety (but no one says why this is bad); complaints about customer service (which may be valid if the complainant actually had occasion to use the company's CS, rather than just believing everything he read on the internet), etc., etc., ad nauseum.
I simply don't understand those who bother to type out posts in threads about guns they have never even owned. When someone says they won't ever buy a gun but their only reasons are vague complaints about pricing, customer service, the guns are too pretty, the ads are full-page and wonderful, "a buddy had one that wasn't reliable," etc., but it seems they've never even used that gun, well, it's kinda sorta just wasting bandwidth.
I've owned several Kimbers. Yes, they're all very pretty. My TLE-II (which has a simply splendid trigger, better than my two Series 70s) has never ever malfunctioned with over 5K rounds through it, it's accurate, tight and handles terrifically ... oh, but the finish wore off the safety, it must be a crappy gun.
My Pro CDP ... what can I say? 100% reliable over the past seven years and gets carried often. But it's just too pretty ... must be all show and no go.
My Pro Tactical ... again, too pretty, but strangely, has also never malfunctioned and is more than acceptably accurate as well as being totally reliable. Gotta keep shooting it until one of those durn MIM parts break.
I have no brand loyalty although I'm somewhat of a Colt fanboy. But I love my SA TRP, my LB TRS and I liked my Wilson until I found something I needed more and sacrificed it ...
We overthink the 1911 more than any gun out there, for sure.
I simply don't understand those who bother to type out posts in threads about guns they have never even owned. When someone says they won't ever buy a gun but their only reasons are vague complaints about pricing, customer service, the guns are too pretty, the ads are full-page and wonderful, "a buddy had one that wasn't reliable," etc., but it seems they've never even used that gun, well, it's kinda sorta just wasting bandwidth.
I've owned several Kimbers. Yes, they're all very pretty. My TLE-II (which has a simply splendid trigger, better than my two Series 70s) has never ever malfunctioned with over 5K rounds through it, it's accurate, tight and handles terrifically ... oh, but the finish wore off the safety, it must be a crappy gun.
My Pro CDP ... what can I say? 100% reliable over the past seven years and gets carried often. But it's just too pretty ... must be all show and no go.
My Pro Tactical ... again, too pretty, but strangely, has also never malfunctioned and is more than acceptably accurate as well as being totally reliable. Gotta keep shooting it until one of those durn MIM parts break.
I have no brand loyalty although I'm somewhat of a Colt fanboy. But I love my SA TRP, my LB TRS and I liked my Wilson until I found something I needed more and sacrificed it ...
We overthink the 1911 more than any gun out there, for sure.
matthewpittinger
Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2015
- Messages
- 40
I've got three Kimbers, all older manufacture, even have an original Clack Kimber tuned by Clarks, all great guns no complaints, but there's a colt in my waistband if that says anything.
@ Old Dog
What posts are you responding to where a litany of people who've never owned a Kimber are registering these complaints? Doing CTRL+F for "never own," the word "again" shows up attached to the phrase from those who aren't fans of the brand.
"Magazines" similarly yields no results.
We had one person say he doesn't prefer the Swartz safety, but that's not an accusation that it's "bad."
Customer service mentions are coming from owners–one owner who had a story relayed to him by a friend.
So that leaves one post, the "all show no go" that you pointed out. One post out of 70 hardly qualifies as being "etc., etc., ad nauseum." Now if there's something missing, posting a quote or # of the ones saying that would be helpful. I do want to understand where you're coming from on the thing about a non-owners crop dusting a brand, but need some help picking them out.
What posts are you responding to where a litany of people who've never owned a Kimber are registering these complaints? Doing CTRL+F for "never own," the word "again" shows up attached to the phrase from those who aren't fans of the brand.
"Magazines" similarly yields no results.
We had one person say he doesn't prefer the Swartz safety, but that's not an accusation that it's "bad."
Customer service mentions are coming from owners–one owner who had a story relayed to him by a friend.
So that leaves one post, the "all show no go" that you pointed out. One post out of 70 hardly qualifies as being "etc., etc., ad nauseum." Now if there's something missing, posting a quote or # of the ones saying that would be helpful. I do want to understand where you're coming from on the thing about a non-owners crop dusting a brand, but need some help picking them out.
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Damon555
Member
There are several forums dedicated to the 1911 platform. It is a fact that there are just as many complaints about almost every other mass produced 1911 on the market as there are about Kimbers......It's really a subject that gets beaten to death....the same old tired arguments from folks with zero first hand experience.
Zerodefect
member
My Kimber had a few of the issues you mention:
-miss timed Shwartz safety misfires.
-rough chamber and barrel finish
-broken MIM parts
It's fine now. But for what Kimber charges, there's better options. But as long as Kimber sells every unit they make, they aren't going to lower prices.
@ Damon555
Source? I've not noticed this, but readily admit that after two nonfunctioning Kimber pistols my bias may have me screwed up.
Like the reply to Old Dog above, can you point out the posts containing these arguments? Being old, tired, and plural, there must be a few but I'm not seeing them–granted this makes #75 in the thread.
Source? I've not noticed this, but readily admit that after two nonfunctioning Kimber pistols my bias may have me screwed up.
Like the reply to Old Dog above, can you point out the posts containing these arguments? Being old, tired, and plural, there must be a few but I'm not seeing them–granted this makes #75 in the thread.
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