KIMBER custom II... whadaya thank about it

Kimber's are pretty good values at the Custom II price point.

The key thing to understand with the Custom II is the presence of the Swartz style firing pin block. It is neither good or bad, but Kimber is the only company using that particular firing pin safety design in their 1911's. The Colt Series 80 is used by more companies, but both are effective firing pin safety designs.

If you value a firing pin block, as is found in nearly every modern semi-auto pistol, the Springfield Armory won't have one. However, many if not most, other 1911's won't have one either.

What round is the Kimber chambered in? Are you wanting a .45 or 9mm? About all the Kimber pistols I'd ever owned were either Custom II's or Custom LW's. Never had any problems out of them and for something in the $600 or less range they were great. I do feel like the Springfield is an upgrade and 9mm in a steel 1911 is pure joy to shoot (even if it's frowned upon by traditionalists).

I just got to a point where the extra couple hundred $ was worth it to me to get something that felt like it was made better. It may well be my imagination, but it does feel like there's a difference.

I have a Kimber, Colt, and Dan Wesson 1911. The Kimpro finish on the Kimber is not very durable and has not held up as well as the parkerized finish on the Colt or the Duty Treat finish on the Dan Wesson. The Kimber is not as reliable as the Colt or Dan Wesson. It doesn't run as well.

Buy the Springfield, don't spend your money on Kimber.

NorthBorder said:

Price is $749, or $200 higher than the used Kimber.

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Sooooo... a used Kimber Custom II for $550??? Unless there is just something blatantly wrong with it... that price is pretty hard to beat...

My slightly Bubba'd up Two-tone Custom II (top)... just got it this summer, to go with my 2 4" Kimbers...

I'd skip the Kimber Swartz and get the Springfield

derek45 said:

I'd skip the Kimber Swartz

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Of my 2 4" Kimbers pictured above, the Pro Eclipse II (L) has the Swartz, the Pro Carry (R) does not. The safety mechanism is virtually transparent. Of the two, I'd say the Eclipse has the better trigger...

Charlie98 said:

The safety mechanism is virtually transparent.

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For the OP - This will be the case for most users.

I've had a lot of different 1911's in the past and Kimbers are some of my favorites.
I've never had one that wasn't 100% reliable.
I really like Kimber.

It is a crap shoot.

That is pretty cheap. I wonder why it is on the market. Is it in a store or a private sale?
Could test firing be arranged or a satisfaction guarantee?

SA has sent out some pretty sad Prodigies, and I read of a single stack with similar flaws.
I would demand the dealer to handle return shipping on warranty if it were a dud.

I have had Colts, Springfields, STIs, and one Kimber. It is the only 1911 of the bunch that fed everything I put in it from day one, 200 grain SWCs, all defensive ammo I've tried, and of course FMJ.

But then I have KelTecs I like as well, so my gun judgement is probably suspect.

Jim Watson said:

It is a crap shoot.
SA has sent out some pretty sad Prodigies, and I read of a single stack with similar flaws.
I would demand the dealer to handle return shipping on warranty if it were a dud.

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Springfield paid shipping both ways, had to send my SA-35 back. No need to take it to the dealer.

The last time I checked Kimber, they all have the same safety and the same trigger design and break.
Has something changed ?

CNobbe said:

Springfield paid shipping both ways, had to send my SA-35 back. No need to take it to the dealer.

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Fedup will no longer ship a pistol for an American. I don't know what they will do if you have a company label, though.

I’d go used kimber. And I’m anti firing pin block. I generally like springfields and carried one for a decade. Wish I still had it.

South Prairie Jim said:

The last time I checked Kimber, they all have the same safety and the same trigger design and break.
Has something changed ?

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I'm not sure what your question is.

If it is regarding the firing pin safety, usually Kimber's with "II" (2) designation have a firing pin safety, while those without the "II" designation (usually) don't have the firing pin safety.

If you're talking about the thumb and grip safety's, well, that's different.

JTQ said:

I'm not sure what your question is.

If it is regarding the firing pin safety, usually Kimber's with "II" (2) designation have a firing pin safety, while those without the "II" designation (usually) don't have the firing pin safety.
Are you sure about that ? Why would Kimber change design fit one model

If you're talking about the thumb and grip safety's, well, that's different.

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I know what it is I’ve owned Kimber

South Prairie Jim said:

I is know what it is I’ve owned Kimber

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I'm not following this post, either.

JTQ said:

I'm not following this post, either.

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Let’s start over, are you saying Kimber has two models ? One with Swartz and one without ?

South Prairie Jim said:

Let’s start over, are you saying Kimber has two models ? One with Swartz and one without ?

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Aha, this I understand.

Yes, Kimber has two configurations, those with a firing pin safety, known as Series II, and those without a firing pin safety and those don't have a II designation.

Kimbers that do not have the "II" designation do not have the Swartz FPS.

I've owned four Kimber series II (CDP Pro, Tactical Pro, TLE II, Eclipse) with the Swartz FPS. All the triggers were fine, especially the TLE II's, which was excellent.

Sometimes there are good deals on used Kimber 1911s out there -- especially since there are some haters, er, those without a high regard for Kimbers -- who don't value them much.

I'm a little disappointed with the quality of my most recent Springfield Armory 1911s (and I've always been a huge SA fan). Give Kimber a try.

Jim Watson said:

Fedup will no longer ship a pistol for an American. I don't know what they will do if you have a company label, though.

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So, the same as USPS and UPS. The two Sigs, S&W, and CZ I sent back were all on labels created by the companies. I just dropped em off at the local FedEx office and were returned to my home address.

When was that? Anti gunowner policy by common carriers is pretty recent.