Kimber 1911

[The Dutchman]

I am thinking about getting a 1911 but I don't want to spend more than $800 on it. At my local gunstore there is a Kimber TLE 2 for $700. Are there any recommendations for any other 1911's? Reliability is the key issue here. I heard that the Kimber TLE 2 is very good but has anyone out there had any problems with it or heard anything? Thanks everybody!

Sean

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I have a Kimber TLE II, and it is 100% reliable.

Colt, Kimber, and Springfield all turn out good products, but sometimes you will get a bad one from any of them.

 

[Darkside852003]

I bought a Kimber Custom II for $550 with Tru-Glow night sites. It is accurate and reliable after 3K. Fit and finish was good.

But if I did it all over again I would have bought the Dan Wesson PM1S I just bought. Accuracy is excellent so is the fit and finish. 400 rounds without a problem. For $600 I think it was a good deal.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

It sounds as if you're doing the same thing I did before dropping a big chunk of change for a 1911 - you're watching these message boards to see who has experienced what, with what. I think that's a smart thing to do. The only thing is, I got confused. It seemed a lot like everyone loved whatever 1911 they had and felt all other 1911's were junk.

At any rate, the Kimber TLE II has an external extractor. If you follow these message boards, you'll read some 1911 enthusiasts cussing Kimber for it. But I have been unable to determine whether or not external extractors on 1911s have been the source of any real problems. I do know this - my TLE II hasn't had a failure of any kind yet. Then again, I've only had it a few weeks and only put about 250 rounds through it. Even the Kimber instructs you to put 500 rounds through their 1911s to break them in.

I think it's like someone else already said. There's a lot of companies building good, reliable 1911s now. But every once in a while, someone is going to get a lemon.

 

[RikWriter]

I've had nothing but great experiences with Kimber, including my current carry gun, a Classic Stainless II. I'd say go for it!

 

[Brigrat]

I just bought a Springfield Loaded Full Size for $650, ran 300 rounds through it with absolutely ZERO problems. I would highly recomend it!

 

[YammyMonkey]

Both my Kimber and Springfield have a few thousand rounds through them with no major problems. If you're looking to save some $$$ a Springfield Loaded model may interest you. Just ditch the 2 piece guide rod, either a full length or GI type will serve just fine.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

As for as the external extractor is concerned, I think it is a great idea on today's pistols.

50 or 60 years ago, internal extractors were fine. They were made out of appropriate spring steel, and then hand fitted and tweaked so they would work well.

Now though, the manufacturing materials and techniques for internal extractors are not as good as they once were.

The external extractor fixes this problem.

 

[wally]

Major problem with external extractors is each maker has a different design for it and they are not interchangeable.

With the internal extractor you can keep a spare in your range bag and have the gun working again in ten minutes or less should it break.

As to "they don't make them like they used to" the extractor on my pre series 80 Colt Government model purchased new over 20 years ago broke after maybe 7-8000 rounds, the extractor in my Charles Daly EMS broke after a bit over 5000 rounds, I had retensioned it after about 800 rounds. Considering that the Colt cost $500+ in 1984 dollars and the CD $390 in 2004 dollars I don't think things are so bad now.

--wally.

 

[stellarpod]

Dropped about $1K on a new Kimber Pro TLE RL II with Streamlight M3 weapon light to mount on the rail about 5 months ago. The pistol has an external extractor, which failed to extract from the very beginning. I shot about 200 rounds through it with about 3 failures per magazine. The shop where I bought it tried to adjust the extractor, but no joy.

I finally sent it back to Kimber and they seem to have fixed the problem. On the other hand, my Kimber CDP Compact has been pretty much reliable (traditional 1911 extractor), but I've been less than pleased with this new external-extractor model. The most aggravating part is that the choice of this pistol was a mutual decision for the wife and I, as it was to become our primary "go-to" house gun. Although it seems to be running properly now, my wife has lost all confidence in this gun. Not exactly what I wanted in a home defense weapon - especially at the price of a Kimber.

Needless to say, I'm not too impressed with the new external extractor models. I believe they are an answer in search of a question. It's not often that I get the wife enthused about a new gun purchase and it pisses me off to no end to have this experience in this context. I understand that the occasional problems arise in the manufacturing world, but this couldn't have happened at a worse time for me.

stellarpod

 

[Bwana John]

As far as the external vs. one piece extractor goes, J.M. Browning fixed that little problem on the Hi-Power.

The one piece extractor is the only part that has ever failed on me with a M1911.

 

[Ala Dan]

I just dropped a bundle of cash on a brand NIB Kimber Raptor II with the
external extractor. Haven't had a chance to get it to the range just yet,
but I hope it works OK?

 

[fedlaw]

I just dropped a bundle of cash on a brand NIB Kimber Raptor II with the
external extractor. Haven't had a chance to get it to the range just yet,
but I hope it works OK?

I've run at least 2,500 rds. through my Kimber Custom Stainless Target II since Christmas, including use in competition. I can't seem to figure out what all the fuss is about regarding the external extractor. Mine runs fine with all ammo except Speer Lawman.

 

[cottontoptexan]

Kimber TLE II Custom

Dutchman,
I purchased a Kimber TLE II Custom 5" about 2 months ago. It has in a black looking finish. This is the pistol the LA Swat Team has adopted. You can see this in the Kimber brochure. Mine still has the internal extractor which i wanted over the external. I understand Kimber has made some adjustments and have redesigned the external extractor claw after some problems arose with the first ones. Personally i would not be afraid of any pistol Kimber makes . There are many forums where people have posted Kimber as junk etc. You will find that with all brands and get and occasional gun which has problems in all makes. Someone also posted here about choosing a Springfield. I have a low end Springfield Champion GI 4" which i purchased for concealed carry. I did change out the extractor with a Wilson Bulletproof, and that is about it other than putting nice rubber wrap a round grips on it. Did not like the US Army grips. It is a reliable gun and never fails to feed or cycle. This model SA has a ramped barrel and no barrel bushing. Last weekend while just having fun and sighting in a 22 rimfire we decided to try and hit the 100 yard small bore rifle target set up at 50 yards with the Kimber 45. I was using Independence 230 hardball which is excellent ammo. Off of the bags with my other Kimber (Eclipse Pro II) in 4" it placed 4 of the 5 rounds shot in a 5" group and one out. I hard a hard time believing these guns would perform that well. It was just a prank but the accuracy of these guns is definitely there. Good shooting Dutchman and hope you get a fine pistol.

 

[Zach S]

Major problem with external extractors is each maker has a different design for it and they are not interchangeable.

AFAIK, S&W, Sig, and I think DW use the wilson exctrator, found on their KZ45. Kimber uses their own. AFAIK, these are the only companies putting external extractors on current-production 1911s.

 

[glocker1911]

External extractors on a 1911 CAN be a good thing. But Kimber has trouble getting it right. They are currently on their fourth redesign. From post I've read on many forums, it seems with a current production Kimber, it is hit or miss. Those that work, work great. Those that don't, don't ever seem to get fixed 100%. Also, FWIW, the basic black finish Kimber uses is one of the fastest wearing finishes I have ever seen. I personally reccomend you take a look at Springfields selection. They make great 1911s and have a price range from $450 right up to $2500. Good luck.

 

[dmftoy1]

Dutchman, I don't have a TLE, but I do have a Gold Match and a Series1 "Custom". Both guns can outshoot me by a mile and have created some really nice targets for hanging behind the loading bench. Your mileage may vary!

Have a good one,
Dave