American Rifleman History of Kimber

[Master Blaster]

I dont know if many of you subscribe to the American Rifleman through the NRA, but in the latest issue they have an article on Kimber Manufacturing that gives a good history and overview of the company.

According to the article Kimber moved to Yonkers NY with the purchase of a company called JP manufacturing. JP made parts for the us military. JP also was/ is the manufacturer of all Chip MacCormick 1911 parts. The article also stated that Kimber makes all of their own parts here in the USA.

Does Smith & Wesson make any parts on the Kimber?


No.

Kimber pistols and rifles are 100% manufactured, assembled and tested by Kimber.

** At one time, Smith & Wesson provided raw metal forgings to Kimber. These blocks of steel were then machined by Kimber into slides and frames. This is no longer true and Kimber does every aspect of the pistol & rifle production.

 

[Majic]

Well that clears up the story of the faulty MIM parts on the series II pistols when they first came out. The poor QC was entirely Kimber's fault.

 

[Drjones]

I am an NRA member but get America's First Freedom magazine.

Any chance you could photocopy the article and mail it to me?

I'd really appreciate it as I have a new Kimber.


Thanks!

 

[Tamara]

Well, to be fair, bare frame and slide forgings ready for finish-machining are fairly significant parts.

'Nother piece of trivia is that even the old Clackamas-marked Kimbers (like mine) were actually made in Noo Yawk.