Does Kimber really have a bad reputation for off the shelf reliability?

[ATLDave]

I understand the internet fodder, and tend to take that with a grain of salt unless it's from a reliable source. What is not subjective is their 1 year warranty. The higher ups at Kimber thought through the warranty they'd offer and decided on 1 year. I'm curious as to what the thought process was.

The 1-year warranty is especially suspect given their stated 500-round break-in period. A lot of people don't get 500 rounds through a new gun in a year (I do, but I shoot a fair amount). So, for some people, by the time they discover that a problem is not remedied by the recommended break-in, they would be past a 1-year warranty.

 

[WestKentucky]

I had a custom 2 and a procarry. Neither would feed anything reliably. I’m not at all fond of Kimber because my issues seemed to be the same as most internet grumbling, lending some credibility to the grumbling. The baby sig is a wonderful gun. I haven’t owned one, but have shot a few of them and was pleasantly surprised at how nice they are.

 

[Old Dog]

I've a TLE-II that has a splendid trigger, is highly accurate and has never, ever, malfunctioned over the course of a few thousand rounds. Below is probably my favorite Kimber, the CDP Pro with the nice carry melt and pretty finish. I must be one lucky guy, because I've owned five Kimber 1911s and each one has been excellent. Well, I have one complaint about the TLE-II: the finish quickly wore off the safety lever and grip safety, but that's only cosmetic. My other 1911s have included over the years numerous Springfield Amory pistols, several Colt's, a Wilson and an Ed Brown, having been a 1911 owner and shooter since the early '70s.

Don't have a problem with the concept of a one-year warranty; that seems a reasonable enough time-frame for any defects to come to light, but then, I've never had to use any maker's warranty. I note that a Google search indicates most folks who talk about Kimber problems on the internet seems to have been during a specific period in the early 2000s, yet Kimber still sells a lot of pistols -- does this mean people are complaining less or the quality control from the factory is much improved?

 

[Theohazard]

I note that a Google search indicates most folks who talk about Kimber problems on the internet seems to have been during a specific period in the early 2000s, yet Kimber still sells a lot of pistols -- does this mean people are complaining less or the quality control from the factory is much improved?

The negative experiences that I and my coworkers experienced with Kimber occurred between 2012 and 2017. Some of the guns might have been older than that, but many weren’t.

Also, the sentiment of all the employees at the shop where I currently work is the same as mine regarding Kimber, but we don’t have a range to experience it firsthand with customers. But, like me, most of them worked at a local range (not the ones I worked at — that was in a different state) and saw many of the same issues that I experienced.

 

[L-2]

I've bought three Kimber 5" 1911 guns ~2007-2008.

TLE II Custom (the "II" means it has a Swartz firing pin safety system; "Custom" in Kimber terms merely means a 5" model).
At this time, there were many reports of premature slide-lock-backs due to a batch of slide stops. I wasn't handy enough to figure out how to file & fit a slide-stop to remedy this problem. I simultaneously called Kimber, which sent me a new hand-filed slide-stop; and had a local gunsmith go over the gun who did a few things for ~$125. He fit a new slide-stop (Ed Brown part); timed the Swartz firing pin safety; and fit my supplied G.I. guiderod, polishing some other areas, too; all while I waited. He usually wouldn't do this type of turnaround but he knew I was an LEO who carried this gun.

I wasn't well-versed in the peculiarities of a Kimber Swartz Series II firing pin safety system. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't bother with a 1911 with this firing pin safety. In fact, I wouldn't want to deal with any of the other firing pin safety systems on the 1911 market at this point, but that's my personal preference.

Warrior. This gun had extractor clocking; it extracted ok, although I had some intermittent failures to feed and suspected the extractor and possibly the feed ramp angle; one of the rear night sight dots went out. This time, the gunsmith didn't get around to even looking at the gun for over a year. I ended up selling it to him and I don't know if he ever got around to fixing the minor issues even for himself. I did put 5,000+ rounds through this gun while I did have it. (prior to the Warrior, I tried another no-name {Doublestar} 1911 brand which had a rail and had even more trouble with it during this time period. I wished I'd bought another Kimber Warrior it was so bad).

SIS Custom. This was a limited production gun which I still have and will occasionally carry (I'm back to being mainly a Glock-carrying-guy). This gun went full auto within its first couple of mags. Kimber wanted it back, although my Rangemaster adjusting the trigger's set screw seemed to cure it. Kimber replaced the ignition components and the trigger has worked fine now for ~15,000+ rounds. The front night sight did go out during this time. Kimber replaced the front sight under warranty, but it took two trips as Kimber first replaced the front sight with one of the wrong height. The 2nd time they got it right but it took ~month to get it done right (two slow round trips using USPS).

OTHER regarding the Kimber Warrior.
Now knowing much more about the 1911 platform, I could have either sent the Warrior slide back for a new rear sight or even replaced it myself. I also could have gotten another extractor, done some minor fitting, and fit a new firing pin stop, but back then my skills had not yet developed that far. I wanted the feed ramp angle checked, too, but still haven't ever checked a feed ramp angle and wouldn't be able to correct it if the angle was wrong.

 

[marksman13]

My Warrior SOC was the most unreliable pistol I have ever owned. My secondTLE RL II was crap. My Pro Covert II was decent, but was not the most reliable pistol ever. And my Super Carry (at least that's what I think Kimber called it) was very accurate, but in the end I decided it was worth more to someone else than it was to me. I don't believe I'll ever buy another Kimber.

The minute some people have any trouble with a firearm they immediately get on the internet and bash the manufacturer. That brings out everyone else that had a miss-feed or FTE and pretty soon you have a reputation. Kahr, Kimber, Sig, Ruger, recently S&W have all had models they have has issues with and they are widely reported and mostly exaggerated on the internet. Issues don't bother me, it is the customer service fixing my issue that makes it or breaks it for me. In my long life I have only sent two guns back for work. Both were promptly returned and function perfectly.

Back on topic, as a RSO I have seen a few issues with some model Kimbers and the Solo being the most predominate. Their owners got their guns back and they now function as advertised. My 3" Kimber Ultra carry CDPII has never given me any issues and I handload everything from 185gr. - 230gr with a variety of shapes and powders. I will comment that short barreled 1911's will start to malfunction if the owner does not pay attention the the recoil springs usually between 1000-1500 rounds.

Problem is, this isn't a new thing or a fad with Kimber. Kimber is in a slow decline because of QC issues. I have had four different Kimbers that had problems within a three year window. In the same time frame I have owned Sprinfields, Glocks, CZs and HKs that never gave me an issue. The common denominator in the guns that failed to perform was the rollmark on the slide.

 

[CNobbe]

I've never had a problem with a Kimber 1911. I've also never had to shoot 500 rounds through one to "break in." I've always been impressed with the quality of their machining.

Everyone ties MIM parts to Kimber, fact is Sig and Ruger are just as bad (if you don't like the idea of MIM parts).

Kimber 1911s need to be run it very wet in the beginning. They need good oil such as FP-10 or Mobil 1.

We've seen some local S.W.A.T. guys bring their TLE models in for tune ups here and there, they hold up very well.

Like anything, if they weren't as mass produced as they are they'd probably be a little better but it is what it is. FWIW, I've had my share of CZ failures, but I put a lot of rounds through my guns. I had my frame crack on my P-01, slide stops break, etc. It doesn't matter what is is. If it's mechanical, it will fail eventually.

 

[milemaker13]

Passed on Kimber (if I could have even afforded one) after reading about reliability issues. Never handled or fired one however .

 

[JR24]

My 3 were all good to go out of the box.

YMMV

FWIW if you are in the pro carry range, I would go Ruger with my money, as they are better quality (IMO, better trigger and superior MIM parts) with better CS should you get a lemon.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I’ve owned a number of various Kimbers over the years, probably a couple of dozen total in various calibers. Each has been totally reliable and quite accurate. I still have several in .45 and 9MM, both series 1 and series 2. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another if I found a good deal.

It has been my experience that the less expensive Kimbers such as the Custom models shoot just as accurately as the higher priced models. The difference is in the finish, custom checkering, fancy grips, etc.

In my opinion, Kimbers are some of the best values in 1911 pistols.

 

[Theohazard]

Since I first posted in this thread yesterday morning, I’ve had two different Kimber experiences at the shop where I currently work. Yesterday a customer told me about a Kimber Ultra .45 he just bought at a different shop that he couldn’t get to function properly. He was buying new mags from us hoping that would fix the problem.

Then today our head gunsmith showed me a broken part from a customer’s higher-end Custom Shop Kimber (I forget the model). The customer was shooting, and the half-full mag fell out on its own. Turns out the magazine release broke cleanly in half merely from the gun being fired.

It’s against THR rules to post the exact words he used to describe his opinion on Kimber’s quality, but I’ll just say that I’ve never met a gunsmith who thought highly of Kimbers.

 

[jjones45]

I had 2 kimbers in the past, a custom 2 and a BP 10 II. Surprisingly the BP 10 II was just as reliable as anything. It really wasn’t recieved well by the 1911 community because it was polymer with non traditional 10 shot double stack mags. Apparently the magazines were the problem with those guns but the 2 mags I had ran flawlessly, except with some select bullet designs I used for super cheap reloads. The custom 2 was a problem child from the very start. Fail to feed, double feed, stovepipe, ......etc. It didn’t matter what mags I used from several different manufacturers. I eventually gave up on it and sold it to a Kimber fan who had big plans for it as he apparently knew how to get kimbers to run like sewing machines. Don’t know how that turned out since I lost contact with him. Other than that I have several friends who have kimbers. It’s about 40/60 for problems it seems. The ones that had the problems normally send them back to Kimber and they come back like a new gun and work 100% reliable. This is just my limited experience and the 4 guys I know who buy them, one of which is a Kimber dealer. The BP 10 II is one I actually miss, it was accurate as any handgun I’ve ever shot. I know it’s not a traditional 1911 but that gun should have been one I kept.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

It's certainly true that they have a bad internet reputation. I have stayed away as a result, but honesty compels me to say that the one time I shot a 3" Kimber myself, it was reliable, accurate, and surprisingly soft-shooting.

 

[bluecollar]

It's rather intriguing how Kimbers can be just so much crap but they manage to sell a ton of guns

 

[Theohazard]

It's rather intriguing how Kimbers can be just so much crap but they manage to sell a ton of guns

It’s pretty simple, really. They focus on looks over quality control. Combined with excellent marketing over the years.

Kimber was the first major company to offer affordable 1911s from the factory with features normally reserved for custom 1911s. They established a good reputation with the general gun public early on, and they’ve been riding that reputation ever since.

 

[George P]

And they're guns ARE nice-looking, especially the s.s and blue with the rosewood grips, and the sizzle sells a lot of steaks; but................

 

[Madcap_Magician]

It's rather intriguing how Kimbers can be just so much crap but they manage to sell a ton of guns

I think it makes sense. They put out a lot of guns, so naturally the absolute number of complaints is higher. It does make it hard to tell whether the number of complaints relative to the number of guns manufactured or sold is any higher than other 1911 makers.

 

[Bottom Gun]

In my opinion, Kimber makes a fine pistol. That’s why they sell “a ton of guns”. I’ve owned a number of 1911s over the past 37 years including Colts, Springfield Armory, Sig and others. I’ve upgraded as I went and only kept the cream of the crop. Today, my 1911 collection consists of Les Baer, Kimber and one Dan Wesson Valor. One of my Kimbers, an Eclipse Pro II, even has the dreaded external extractor.

I wonder how many of the guys who warn about the short comings of Kimbers on these forums have actually owned or even shot one? I suspect that many are simply parroting hearsay similar to the old wives tales of Wolf ammo coating melting in chambers, Kimber external extractors failing, etc.

My experience with Kimber pistols, having used them for decades, is extremely positive. They shoot almost as well as other high end 1911s I’ve had such as Les Baer, Wilson Combat and Ed Brown. I think Kimbers are some of the best values out there.

 

[AJB2]

Kimber makes pretty guns . Kimber has one of the best marketing divisions in the industry . Kimber doesn't build guns they assemble parts . Short chambered barrels & other crap . Like most mfgers these days they'd rather fix it under warranty than do it right the first time . They won't get any more of my money . I drank the Koolaid once & can still taste it .

 

[Zerodefect]

If you want the truth about Kimbers, go to a Kimber forum.
You don't get internet rumors and innuendo. You get real, Kimber owners.
https://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

No, you just get a bunch of whiny Kimber fan boys with ego issues. That forum sucks! Any critical thread gets deleted. Even the legit ones.

Go there with some legit Kimber problems and tell me your results.
-They'll call you a lier.
-They make up some BS reason why the pistol fails
-They'll blame it on your technique.

But they'll fail to see out of spec MIM parts, rough barrel finish, poorly fitted mag releases, bad ramps, bad lockup, bad lugs, rough disco, etc. etc.

I'd avoid Kimber like the plague unless you can shoot it first, and it's priced low. Otherwise, Colt, Dan Wesson, and Les Bauer are better options just a hair more expensive.

I own 2 Kimber 1911's. They're a $650 gun, tops. The robot plops out parts, Kimber assembles them into a pistol. Their guns should cost no more than Glock, CZ, FN, etc. etc. It's not a fitted, finely crafted 1911.

 

[bikerdoc]

I agree with the above comments about hit or miss. I work p/T in a gun shop that is also a master dealer.

That said my EDC`s are a CZ 75 and Rock Island officers model.

Make of that what you want.

 

[Zerodefect]

I actually credit Kimber for the fact that I can troubleshoot and repair just about any pistol out there. And that all my other 1911's and Glocks, even AR's are 100% reliable.

If you can fix a troubled Kimber, you can fix anything.

 

[Powder296]

I've got three Kimbers that have trouble free and flawless from day one. Unlike one of my Colts which I was told to not shoot anymore. This Colt has never seen hand loads or Underwood ammo.

I bought a Rock Island bull barrel in 10mm just to work up a good hand load with. If something goes wrong I'm out a RIA instead of one of my Deltas

 

[Backroad]

I can’t speak for the .380, but I did once own a 3” Kimber .45 that I bought brand new for close to a grand. It was not at all reliable with factory round nose and even worse with defensive ammo. A trip back to the factory did not make it better.

 

[nettlle]

I have a Kimber 1911 and a couple of Kimber rifles. The Kimber 1911 is a disappointment. My Kimber (Clackamas) rifles are second to none. Colt 1911's aren't as pretty as Kimbers but run better.