Are Kimbers quality guns?

[Master Blaster]

I have two Kimbers a Custom Classic Target, 2000 vintage, and a TLE II from 2003. The CCT I used as a bullseye gun, over 20,000 rounds of LSWC target loads through it and it's as tight and accurate as the day I bought it, with zero problems or issues, it works 100% with any magazines I have used in it and I own several types. The TLE II has also been 100% about 5000 rounds down the pipe of various types of ammo all reloads I made and a few boxes of various factory Hollow points. Its my trunk gun and home defense gun. Now I also owned a spring field v10 champion (officers slide and full size frame) I got rid of it as the porting was too loud. A springfield mil spec, which I had to replace the malformed extractor on after 100 or so rounds ( cheaper and easier than sending it back), A Colt Government model 1975 vintage (replaced the collet bushing, restaked loose ejector), a colt officers acp I traded it as I didn't carry it and it was hard to shoot accurately, a Colt Gold cup stainless circa 1998, which had the ejector come loose, and the front sight fell off (both restaked by local gunsmith). SO I can say the two Kimbers have been the most accurate and reliable 1911 guns I have owned. Thats my experience.

If somone asked I would tell them to buy the base model 5" kimbers, adding bells and whistles and fancy junk, just makes for more money and more to go wrong. True of any 1911.

The base models are the best 1911's out there for the money.

 

[Slamfire]

I am on my third hammer with this Clackamas Kimber. The sear/hammer notches wore and the hammer fell to the second notch during cycling.

Last hammer I took the thing to the Marine Armorer's at Camp Perry and asked them to do a trigger job with a short GI trigger. They told me the Kimber sear was worn and to go get a new forged one, which I did a the Springfield Armory building on Commercial row.

To date the hammer and sear are working well.

I removed the stupid guide rod long ago. Other than the hammer issues it is a tight, fine running M1911.

 

[kmbrman]

I've owned the hated model of the Kimber Custom 2 with the, not correct ,external extractor like Smiths have . Never had a single problem with it over many years and is as tight as new. All the hoopla over the extractor and the FLGR are unwarranted and just nitpics from the purist out there.

 

[StrikeFire83]

^ My Kimber Custom II (external extractor model) was NEVER reliable with anything but 230 gr. FMJ ball ammo. Tons of FTFs with 4-5 different brands of JHPs, new mags, etc, nothing worked. I wasted sooooo much money trying to get that POS to work. I would have thrown in the towel much earlier but it was the most accurate gun I've ever owned, so I really wanted it to work.

Ended up selling it at a loss. Never again, Kimber, never again.

 

[Jim F. Barham]

Kimber question old, but can reply. I am a retired cop, carried Colts & Spring.Armory .45's for several years. I now own 7 Kimbers, from Ultra to Pro to Custom II's. They are accurate, do require break-in (as does my Wilson .45), have several "extras," such as checkered front straps, ambidextrous safties, extended slide-stops. night sights, etc.. You can't get these out-of-the-box refinements anywhere else that I know of. I love my Wilson Colt, but carry usually carry Kimbers. I like 'em.

 

[VJ]

kmbrman - It's fortunate that you have not experienced issues with the external extractor. However, to discount the issues which other users have experienced simply because you have not experienced them is unconstructive at best, and just short of calling those same people liars at worst. Still, if it's your opinion that if the experiences of others don't match yours then they are imagining their issues, then that's your right and it's helpful for others to know that this is your stance.

Jim F. Barham - It's tough to beat Kimber in terms of features you get versus price you pay, and that's certainly something to consider when making a decision.

 

[EddieNFL]

I've owned the hated model of the Kimber Custom 2 with the, not correct ,external extractor like Smiths have . Never had a single problem with it over many years and is as tight as new. All the hoopla over the extractor and the FLGR are unwarranted and just nitpics from the purist out there.

Wonder why Kimber replaced so many slides with internal extractor versions if there wasn't a problem?

 

[EddieNFL]

Kimber question old, but can reply. I am a retired cop, carried Colts & Spring.Armory .45's for several years. I now own 7 Kimbers, from Ultra to Pro to Custom II's. They are accurate, do require break-in (as does my Wilson .45), have several "extras," such as checkered front straps, ambidextrous safties, extended slide-stops. night sights, etc.. You can't get these out-of-the-box refinements anywhere else that I know of. I love my Wilson Colt, but carry usually carry Kimbers. I like 'em.

I own Wilson, Nighthawk and Baer and none required a break-in to correct malfunctions. And Kimbers are not tight comparatively speaking.

 

[mesinge2]

For people that say Kimbers jam, say that about mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTkY4ZroxNw

 

[Zerodefect]

Wonder why Kimber replaced so many slides with internal extractor versions if there wasn't a problem?

Because they were useing it as scapegoat. Which sounds worse to the uneducated newbie to 1911's and interested in a Kimber guy?:

"Our external extractor was a failure. If you have a problem with yours, send it back and we'll replace the slide with an internal extractor."

Or:

"We at Kimber stink at building guns. We have no idea how to QC and control reliability. We sent out a bunch of crappy 1911's that run poorly because we don't know how to fit a barrel, how to check barrel fit, and are too lazy to actually shoot the pistols at the end of the production line."

I think the second sounds worse. Kimber QC was terrible during the "tactical extractor" era. When they finally decided to step it up, they decided to blame the extractor. Chances are, the slide was fubar.

It's about the same type of extractor Glock uses. While my CDPII had issues, none of them were from the extractor. In fact I haven't fixed a single K with an extractor problem, it has allways been something else. Usually something far more elementary.

 

[DennisRL]

I have owned two Kimbers. One a Full sized Custom II in 9mm and A 3" Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 and probably shot 10,000 rounds between the two of them....ONE jam in the 9mm, and it was with Winchester ammo from Wal Mart.

I carry my Kimber Ultra whenever I can and LOVE it. I would trust my life with it, and can shoot bullseye in a 8X11 target at 18-20 Yds everytime.

 

[trex1310]

I carry my Kimber Ultra whenever I can and LOVE it. I would trust my life with it

If you're carrying it, you are trusting your life with it.

 

[Sulaco]

I owned both an Ultra CDP II and a Custom CDP II.

I liked them both a lot.

 

[Damon555]

My Custom II 9mm and Eclipse Custom II have been excellent pistols. I agree that the base model 5" guns are the best value. The only reason I own the Eclipse is because I got it for less than what a new Custom II cost. These are the most accurate pistols I have owned.

I'll also add that 2 of my brothers have Kimber's that have been very reliable. 4 friends of mine own Kimbers that have been flawless also....These are all 5" guns. I've also got a buddy who bought one of the Pro models with the god awful digital camo job and it has been nothing but trouble for him. That's what leads me to believe that the shorter guns are more problematic. Of course that's just 1 example......