Best out of box 1911 under 1K?

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Get over it and move on. Quit living in the past. Don't buy a kimber! If I got a bad Kimber, I would never buy another. I had terrible problems with an SA 1911 and won't ever buy another. My problem is over.
 
Conversely, I never said your Kimber did jam nor that it was out of spec. You put those words in my mouth. I said "many", not "all".

Actually, you said "Most"

You claim there are many happy Kimber owners, I never said there weren't. There were happy Ford Pinto owners too. But that doesn't negate the fact that they were problematic, nor does it negate the fact many Kimbers (more than other 1911 makers) have quality problems. That's very well documented and not "internet drivel". Just because you stick your fingers in your ears and go "nah nah nah nah" doesn't mean that Kimbers don't have very real problems.

More problems with Kimber is due to the fact that they produce three times as many 1911's per year as the number two 1911 company out there (Which happens to be Springfield).

You have a good one, I'm happy for you.

But don't belittle those of us who have had more than one Kimber and had horrible experiences (yes, I'm one) with both the product and customer service. There are a lot of us out there, hence the poor reputation of Kimber.

I am sure there are alot of you guys out there, but after working 7 years dealing with the public I can understand why some people get crappy service from warranty repair shops. 90% of the people I talk to on a daily basis have terrible attitudes.

You can discount the comments of people like Vickers and Yam, but to most of us we respect their opinions. Most in the gun community do as they are operators and world class smiths. What are your qualifications? Should anyone value your observation with one Kimber over theirs with many?

No, I never intended to get anyone to value my opinion over theirs but we are not talking about their opinion, we are talking about your opinion. You are allowed to form your own you know.

I'm sorry you got your feelings hurt because said something unflattering about your favorite pistol.
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Trust me, you didn't hurt my feelings but I think it is sad when a person can't ask a question about a firearm (*Especially Kimber) without someone coming in the thread and talking about how most of them are crap and they fall apart and they rust and they are all MIM and they jam and they make people drink koolaid and all that jazz.

Im sorry if my positive opinion of a firearm manufacturer doesn't fall in line with the rest of the internet but I tend to go off of my own life experiences rather than what johnny doe tells me...

There may be thousands and thousands of Kimber sold each year that will ultimately become a nice expensive paperweight but that is not yet the case otherwise they wouldn't sell 60,000 a year.
 
What about a Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail vs. Kimber Ultra CDP II?
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I own both so I guess I'm qualified to post.

I would choose the Dan Wesson over the Kimber. The DW is just built more 'solidly' than the Kimber. Better fitting of parts as well.

Kimber makes nice guns, but once a model becomes "popular" they let quality drop in order to meet the demand. -My Ultra CDP came NIB and went full-auto on the second magazine -bad sear. Went back to Kimber 3X before I gave up and used my local smith. Thumb safety still has too much play when disengaged, beavertail grip is so loose that it rattles (pistol frame gap was cut too wide), making it too loud for CCW. Yes, it is one accurate 3" gun, but still one I will always feel concerned over reliability.
 
Trust me, you didn't hurt my feelings but I think it is sad when a person can't ask a question about a firearm (*Especially Kimber) without someone coming in the thread and talking about how most of them are crap and they fall apart and they rust and they are all MIM and they jam and they make people drink koolaid and all that jazz.
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So let me get this right, if someone asks a question about buying a firearm (any firearm) we're only supposed to say positive things? Or does this "only say positive things" rule only apply to Kimber?

Do you run around to Kel-Tec and Taurus threads screaming "don't say anything negative!!" too, or do you just feel so strongly about Kimber?
 
So let me get this right, if someone asks a question about buying a firearm (any firearm) we're only supposed to say positive things?
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Now you know the secret behind writing for a gun rag.
 
So let me get this right, if someone asks a question about buying a firearm (any firearm) we're only supposed to say positive things? Or does this only apply to Kimber?

Do you run around to Kel-Tec and Taurus threads screaming "don't say anything negative!!" too, or do you just feel so strongly about Kimber?
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No, that isn't what I said. Not once did I say that you couldn't state negative things about a firearm but when you post information that was gathered by (Keywords coming up here, don't miss it.) OTHER PEOPLE it is just silly.

You stated that MOST kimbers have problems, how do you know this? Have you personally shot MOST kimbers?

State what YOU know. Your original post said nothing about what you have owned or what problems you had but yet you immediately stated for the OP not to purchase a kimber because MOST of them are out of spec.

You wonder why Glock shooters are such a rabid bunch? Its because they have to deal with ignorant 2nd and 3rd person account stories all day long.

There is nothing wrong with Glock but I bet you can't Google Glock without pulling up atleast one article about KB's... Does this mean that ALL GLOCKS KB? No, but you would think that if you were to ask a question when there happened to be no Glock enthusiasts logged on.

Get my drift?

*Edit, I don't own a Keltec or a Taurus therefore I have no opinion on them. I could tell you what other peoples opinions on them are but then that wouldn't be my place.
 
No, that isn't what I said. Not once did I say that you couldn't state negative things about a firearm but when you post information that was gathered by (Keywords coming up here, don't miss it.) OTHER PEOPLE it is just silly.
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Oh, now it's making sense. So you don't read Car and Driver, Guns and Ammo, Consumer Reports, or any other periodical when you're shopping for something? You have no experts in any field that you defer to when you're thinking of buying something new?

Larry Vickers is a top writer for many firearms publications as is Hilton Yam. So you're saying my posting their review of a product is "silly". Interesting. Thankfully not many people share your rather narrow view of the world otherwise we wouldn't have such a wealth of knowledge out there.

You stated that MOST kimbers have problems, how do you know this? Have you personally shot MOST kimbers?
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Oh, I got that from those silly people at 10-8. I did paraphrase.

The issues stem from a variety of causes, to include (but is not limited to) chamber dimensions, feed ramp/barrel throat geometry, ignition parts quality (or lack thereof), extractor issues, and slide stop problems make the gun more trouble than it is worth.

Kimber chambers are typically so tight that I have to pound the pilot in with a mallet.

The symptoms you describe are not uncommon at all with the Warriors. It is not the magazine that is causing false lockbacks with your pistol. The slide stop is unstable, and may also need reprofiling to clear it for rounds left in the magazine AND the magazine itself. EVERY Kimber I've come across needs its chamber reamed.
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Tim did say that "every" Kimber he's ever worked on was out of spec. I wouldn't dare hazard a guess as to how many guns he has worked on, but I think it would suffice to say far more than you or I have. But then you evidentially don't read articles authored by professionals so this has little baring on your perspective.
 
Oh, now it's making sense. So you don't read Car and Driver, Guns and Ammo, Consumer Reports, or any other periodical when you're shopping for something? You have no experts in any field that you defer to when you're thinking of buying something new?

Never stated that either. But the OP didn't ask what Vickers, Yam and Steve the Pirate said about the Kimber. He asked what YOU thought of it.

Larry Vickers is a top writer for many firearms publications as is Hilton Yam. So you're saying my posting their review of a product is "silly". Interesting. Thankfully not many people share your rather narrow view of the world otherwise we wouldn't have such a wealth of knowledge out there.

No, but we would have alot less people being turned away from products because of what someone "heard".

Oh, I got that from those silly people at 10-8. I did paraphrase.

Oh, imagine that... you got your information from somewhere other than your own experience.

Tim did say that "every" Kimber he's ever worked on was out of spec. I wouldn't dare hazard a guess as to how many guns he has worked on, but I think it would suffice to say far more than you or I have. But then you don't read articles authored by professionals so this has little baring on your perspective.
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Yup, he has definitely worked on more firearms than me... But only I have owned mine. You assumed that I never read articles by "Professionals". I read them just as much as the next guy but I also realize that everything you read on the internet or in a magazine should be taken with a grain of salt.

I can point you to a website full of UFO sightings and Bigfoot encounters if you need something else to believe in...
 
I can point you to a website full of UFO sightings and Bigfoot encounters if you need something else to believe in...
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So reading the literary works of acknowledged professionals, and citing them, is the same thing as believing in UFO's and Bigfoot in your opinion?

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to take you seriously.
 
GUYS, GUYS, GUYS! My intent was not to start a pissing contest here... I have a genuine question and am trying to get opinions, and that is what they all are... OPINIONS. Please either calm it down or take it to a more private format.
 
People love to argue and most everyone thinks their stuff is the best. No worries.

The STI Trojan keeps coming up and being great, but I have never tried it. One thing to consider is that it is a 1911 design but it is or can be had in 9mm. While maybe not a true 1911, the ammo is easier on the wallet than .45.
 
So reading the literary works of acknowledged professionals, and citing them, is the same thing as believing in UFO's and Bigfoot in your opinion?

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to take you seriously
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Please give it a rest with that link to the 10-8 forum. Every thread you post in that has anything to do with Kimbers you think it's the final word. Sure they know what they're talking about but Kimber produces over 50,000 1911s each year. If they were all dogs they wouldn't stay in business long now would they.
 
Rinspeed, it is you who needs to "give it a rest". We've been asked to drop it by the OP, so try to let it go - would ya?
 
Well my only experience with a 1911 is my Para 14.45 LDA. Since I bought it in December ($820) I've fired several hundred rounds through it, though never more than 100 at a time. It has yet to malfunction and is very comfortable to shoot.
 
Though I am not a moderator I feel sure if we cannot keep the thread on track and keep it from turning into a flaming war this thread could get locked with question unanswered.
Discussion opinions like gentlemen is what puts us above argumentative close minded individuals.
 
Kimber, a great gun, doesn't jam, well made. They don't skimp like Springfield, Springfield doesn't even pin their ejectors in place, saved twenty whole cents per gun! I like my DW too, and it's a great value for the money.
 
I bought the bottom of the line Kimber, the Custom II, and love it. Have about 5k rounds through it now, practice and competition. I did chuck the plastic MSH for an Ed Brown, but nothing had broken there, just wanted the EB MSH and magwell.
 
I'm trying to decide right now if I want to buy a Kimber Custom II or that new Ruger Charger. I really love the Custom II I've shot at my range. It's a pretty well worn gun too. That might work in it's favor though.
 
Springfield Loaded Stainless with the new crossed cannon grips.

I used to think the two-tones were better looking, but all stainless Springfield with most any wood grip is a thing of beauty.

Mine has been super reliable, strong and accurate.

I blew it up with a double charge. I bought new grips, new spring and follower, adjusted the rear sight and was back in business. I have shot several hundred loads out of it since and I can hit bulls free hand at 25 yards.

Only thing I can think of dressing it up is Caspian Damascus Hammer.
 
Something else to consider about the Dan Wesson PM7 is that it hasn't been "lawyered" if that is important to you. That is, it doesn't have the firing pin safety found in the Series 80s Colts, the Swartz firing pin safety like the current Kimbers, or the mainspring housing lock like the Springfields.

Now, I have a Series 80 Colt so I am not passing judgment on the firing pin safeties (my early Kimber and DW don't have them) just passing on the info.
 
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I had an OK experience with 2 Kimbers: a Tactical Custom II and a Pro Carry II. Would I buy another one? No.

I can buy a Dan Wesson for less money and get a better product.
 
Kimbers are nice but they jam
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I think this can be said for any gun.

I had a Kimber Ultra CDP had a couple hiccups in the first 200rnds. after that it ran flawless.

In between me and 4 other co-workers we put around 7000rnds through it 2 yrs ago and never had a problem other than when I loaded my loads to light and it wouldn't cycle.

It was very accurate for a 3in. an nice to carry.
 
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