Anyone got a kimber SIS 1911?

Kimbers quality has gone way south in recent years, I expect this to be no exception. Older ones were fine, others will chime in I am sure. If you are looking at spending close to a grand there are plenty of others out there that will bring you much higher quality for the money.

Was just at the gun show today and say yet another springfield loaded ss. There were 2 of them at one table one with target sights and the other with carry sights. $719 was the price. The slide to frame fit was unbelievable! Truly quality work for a production gun. I personally bit the bigger one and got the TRP a few weeks back and am glad I did.

There was a post on here somewhere about 100 reasons not to buy a kimber (pictures included) perhaps someone can dredge up that post. (was on another site)

anyhoo my .02

Kimbers quality has gone way south in recent years, I expect this to be no exception.

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No kiddin'! They can't even keep the rear serrations straight!

I just bought a SIS last week. If you follow some of my posts here and other forums, you will know that for years I have been quick to say "friends don't let friends buy Kimbers". I had bad experiences with two diferent Series II Kimbers several years ago. But I took a look at this gun because it has an internal extractor, and none of the Series II junk parts in it. After looking at it, I decided to give Kimber another try. And I'm very glad I did. This gun is every bit as nice as the first Kimber I bought when they first came out.

Had it at the range yesterday and got a little less than 100 rounds thru it, both ball and JHPs. Function was perfect, and accuracy everything my old eyes can make possible. The stories about the slide being too slick with the use of SIS for serrations was a non issue. The gun is tight, well finished, and as nice of a non custom 1911 as you could ask for.

For several years, people have been asking for Kimber to offer several features. Like steel MSHs, GI style recoil set up, and removal of Series II fps to name a few. Here is a gun that offers all of that and a lot more, and all anyone can focus on is the "hype" of it being named after a LAPD unit. Examine one for yourself, and I'll bet you'll find. like I did, that underneath all the talk of a "gimmick gun" this is a truly nice, old school Kimber.

Oh, just for the record, there is a guy who frequents a lot of the gun boards who loves to post pics he takes in gunshops of the "inferior QC" on new Kimbers. This same guy usually manages to fit in at least one pic of his "perfect" Springifeld TRP. Now I don't know about you, but I've seen bad examples in gunshops of EVERY maker at one time or another. But if I decided to focus on one brand, I'm sure I could post the same kind of pics for Springfield, S&W, etc. Take internet info for what it's worth.

Bottom line, I can't speak for current Kimbere QC "across the board". And I personally would still have serious reservations about buying any Kimber Series II pistol. But if you're looking for a nice 1911 with a lot of features, great fit and finish, and no firing pin safties, at least take a look at the SIS offerings. Good luck.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Asking price at the gunshow was $1069. I traded my Springfield MC Operator and some cash. I loved the MC, it was a very nice gun. But I wanted front strap checkering. All I can say is that I'm very happy I made the trade.

My custom II has been totally reliable when I go Manatee hunting.






jk. I like Manatees. Buy the Kimber.

just went there

just posted at another thread:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=332796

responce #5.

just my experience, <$0.02

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i used to have a TLE/RL II. very accurate, no reliability issues that i experienced after break-in. wish i could say the same for the glock rail light i foolishly scored with the package deal. sold the TLE as i did not like the reassembly characteristics of the firing pin block mechanism, or the cure for a problem that doesn't exist extractor.

the frame mounted firing pin block plunger DID catch in the firing pin retainer plate slot if one dissassembled the slide when new. cured same by filing ramps on both sides of milled slot.

THIS IS WHY MOST KNOWLEDGABLE BOXCAR USERS REQUIRE AT LEAST 200 ROUNDS BREAK IN BEFORE BETTING THEIR ASSETS ON THE 1911 SYSTEM. with/without the firing pin safety, i prefer 500 rounds. feel the need to point out that i HAVE had reliability probs before generating 500 empty cases with colt, kimber, and springfield.

also, it is NOT {IMHO} out of the realm of "real world" considerations that one could have the need to field clean the frame, without access to tools. i find this nearly impossible in "morphed" non-JMB original designs. the man's genius is best displayed in the OEM 1911 system. it has all the tools needed onboard for complete take-down except for the grip panels. this is a moot point as they have no bearing on the mechanical function of the pistol.

as far as the ~BROKE-IN~ TLE II going "BANG" when the sear released and cycling in a fresh round, not ONE problem that wasn't cured by tossing a magazine over my shoulder. [again, kimber, colt, sprgfld.]

....i don't know what the difference is between myself and others, but have had NO reliability issues after break in with 3 kimbers i have owned.

gunnie

just remembered, a friends 11-A1 colt commander had probs with an OEM plastic overtravel adjustable trigger that had either moved from factory setting, or wasn't set properly at factory. it engaged overtravel screw before sear. resulted in 10+Lb trigger pull. also, the mainspring housing required a screwdriver levered against the grip saftey to force it out of the mount slots. mr. dial caliper revealed the housing to be an average of .009" wider than the other housings i removed from other handguns that went in with no strain. ended up stoning the flats and retainer rail for a somewhat less forcefull R&R drill. i doubt it was parkerizing induced as it became bare, polished metal before the desired results were obtained. told him to get another housing, or send back to sammy c's for replacement.

gunnie

I'm on record saying I think they're ugly. But now that LA officials are fussing about this model being made available to "civilians," I think I'll get one. Probably put Punisher grips on it too. I like my TLE II very much and the SIS appears to be a close, though much more expensive, derivative.

I really like my Desert Warrior, and the SIS is virtually the same pistol, but for the grips, sights, color, and serrations. They are definitely heavy though.

If you could post some pictures, I'd like to see a change and welcome it from kimber.

That "guy" that you speak of, and that I was referring to earlier, hit it dead on the mark. I went to my local shop here and browsed over about 15 kimbers in the case, every one, I mean EVERY one had symptoms that were described such as rusting on the barrel, horrible frame to slide fit, tool markings all over the place, ramp that looked like it was a file, misaligned serrations, and much more.

I'd love to see that they finally "got the hint" and are turning around. But as you know pictures are worth a thousand so post em up!

But I took a look at this gun because it has an internal extractor, and none of the Series II junk parts in it

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The SIS does not have the FP safety?

ditto: above question

.45&TKD...

this was my exact thoughts when i checked the SIS out on kimberamerica yesterday. hadn't heard of the model 'till this posting. i couldn't find any reference to a return to the "series 70" cofiguration, [or deleted FP safety].

perhaps this is their way of playing down a mistake they are now quietly trying to correct. this model lacks the "II" suffix, so my ~GUESS~ is it does not have the FP lock....like the warrior and desert warrior mdls. as stated above, even though i haven't had any trigger/cycling probs with the broken in "II" model, i got rid of it.

gunnie

PS- agree with above negative postings about slide "serations". same-o for similar offerings from other high end mfgrs. but then i drive a plain-jane pick up with rubber floor mats.....

The SIS does not have the FP safety?

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The light rail-equipped model, at least, does not. I haven't checked the other three models, but I suspect that they do not either. If they did, Kimber would have added the II designation.

Quote:
"Thanks guys... I was just wondering cuz I'm gonna be in the market for a good $1000-1500 1911 in the next few months."

Have you looked at the Colt stuff recently? For new-style features the XSE's can be had for under 850, the GoldCup's very close to that and in your 1000-1500 range the Special Combat.

Funnel

If you have an FFL willing to do a transfer, should be good. Budsgunshop.com has consistently good prices but their in stock Colts do vary much like other retailers.

Funnel

I was just wondering cuz I'm gonna be in the market for a good $1000-1500 1911 in the next few months

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You can get a new Les Baer Concept II or Premier II for $1400. That's the route I would take if I had your budget. A Kimber any Kimber does not compare to a Les Baer pistol. That's not a criticism of Kimber, I own both a Kimber Custom II and a LB Concept II. But Les Baer pistols are better.

I'm in agreement with Big Boomer in large part. I see many, many Kimber's on the auction block at my two fave gunshops, but can't remember the last time I saw a SA. I've always felt the Kimber's were overpriced and not as well constructed as for instance the average SA loaded model, let alone the higher end SA's. At any rate you'll never find me toting around any pistol with SIS etched into it........

I was just wondering cuz I'm gonna be in the market for a good $1000-1500 1911 in the next few months

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I'd probably go with a Warrior or Desert Warrior instead of the SIS as far as Kimbers go -- those two are basic Series 70 type guns and have functional slide serrations, etc. I've had really good luck with both my Desert Warrior and a Tac Pro II.

Besides the previously suggested brands, I'd suggest checking out the Dan Wessons as well. I've been really impressed with the 10mm Classic Bobtail I have from them, and if I was in the market for another 1911, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them if they whatever package of features I was looking for.

I can't speak for quality of other Kimbers, but, I just bought a Kimber, CDP II and I am unable to find a thing wrong with it. Finish and fit are excellent. It isn't a Wilson or Baher, but it is tight and shoots well. I have put over 300 rounds through it with not one FTF. I have had two times when the slide did need to move forward about 1/8" to battery. At this point I am chalking that up to a tight pistol, but will check as I keep working with it. I would have a hard time to say anything negative about this one.

Man, I almost cringe seeing another Kimber thread. Now, we will have the rusty barrel kimber pic links, and a crusade against the guns. Oh well, if they keep it up, I'll be getting some fine used Kimbers for under $400. Is'nt propoganda great!!!

Yes, I'm fishing!!!lol

Well, I'll chime in because, as the OP asked, I actually own an SIS. As a matter of fact, I own two. The Pro and the Ultra.

The Pro has been perfect thus far after about 500 rounds...admittedly not a long track record. But still perfect. Amazingly enough, despite what others here would have you believe, when I got it into my shop there was no rust on the barrel or machine marks on any parts or file marks or parts made in China or any of the other terrible things you hear of. As a matter of fact, I sell somewhere in the neighborhood of $80k of Kimbers every year and none have ever looked that way. In 7 years of being a Kimber Master Dealer I've sent two Kimbers back for warranty work for customers.

OK, now about the Ultra. It had a bad slide stop lever that would catch the nose of FMJ (worked fine with all HP ammo I tried) bullets as they were fed from the magazine into the chamber and would lock the slide open. Replaced it with another Kimber slide stop lever and it's been perfect. Should it have done that? No. Was it an easy fix? Yes. Does it mean all Kimbers suck? No.

I also own a Warrior with about 7k rounds through it. I've had this many malfunctions: Zero, nada, none, zilch. I shoot mostly Wolf ammo through it. GASP!!! Yes, that's right, Wolf.

In my opinion, the only gun that comes close to the Warrior in terms of quality and function and reliability is the Springfield Professional. But the SA Pro is twice as much (and then some) as the Warrior. I should have never sold it but I needed the money at the time when my wife was in school.

I've owned two LB Thunder Ranch guns...couldn't get either to "break in" to the point I could manually operate the slide. Both quickly gone. A tight gun is OK, but come on. How long should I have to shoot the darn things before they actually work?

I've owned several Colts. They all worked fine but cost more money and you don't get the features you do with a Kimber that costs roughly the same. I can't stand firing pin safeties on 1911s, either. New Colts are not an option for that reason.

Kimber makes more 1911 pistols than any maker in the country. They pretty much sell everything they can build before they even build it. Now, either there are a lot of stupid people out there buying a lot of inferior quality guns with obvious, visible problems as they lay on gun counters or, alternatively, Kimber builds a gun that's as good or better than anyone else builds, is priced fairly, and makes their customers happy. You'll have to decide which is the case.

I have also never, in 7 years selling Kimber pistols, had anyone...not one person...come into the shop and trade a Kimber for a different 1911. I have sold many (up to 10) Kimbers to the same person, though. And I've owned several new and traded Kimbers. They have all been flawless or near-flawless in function with only a very occasional malfunction, mostly attributed to ammo.

So, I guess I'm just a little amused to say the least by all the Kimber experts on various forums who just know they are terrible guns and a laughable waste of money even though the closest they've ever come to owning one that was actually a problem gun is having heard something from their: neighbor's girlfriend's husband who knew a guy that worked with a friend who talked to a guy at a gun show who sold a Colt to guy because he had heard Kimbers suck.