elktrout
Member
Are the Kimber 1911s reliable performers? I am considering buying a 1911 style semi in 45 (of course) and like the looks of the Kimber line (in their catalog they look great). What is your experience with them?
KIMBER 1911s
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possum
Member
i have shot/and or trained with/ ran alot of rounds through many of thier models, and when i mean alot of rounds i don't mean less than 500rds, many models more than that.
i have had great realibility and accuracy in the custom 2, the tle, pro tle, grand raptor, warrior, covert, tactical 2, pro tactical etc.
they have had some issues in the past and the majority of the issues are worked out if not all of them. i do know that kimber has a great customer service and they take care of you if there is an issue.
i have had great realibility and accuracy in the custom 2, the tle, pro tle, grand raptor, warrior, covert, tactical 2, pro tactical etc.
they have had some issues in the past and the majority of the issues are worked out if not all of them. i do know that kimber has a great customer service and they take care of you if there is an issue.
I always had a fairly high opinion on Kimber, My uncle owns a few and they seemed to be on par with the modern colts but i have noticed a lot of people on THR bashing them...
It seems that the older ones were better...
But what do I know... I never owned one
It seems that the older ones were better...
But what do I know... I never owned one
glockman19
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Yes.
I have 5 1911's and all are Kimbers. I have 3 Custom Shop Raptors the Ultra, Pro, and Full Size. All are tac drivers. One Pro Carry II and one Custon Carry II. Only issue I have had was with the Pro Carry II, sent it back returned in 10 days and has run flawlessly since.
Would I buy another?
YES
JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
Member
There's not a gun brand/model available that doesn't have some issue..!
That said, I shoot a Kimber Stainless II, series 1 with external extractor in Bullseye competition. Essentially the model that gave Kimber a bit of a bad rep. Flawless gun! I bought it used right here on THR. I've got thousands of SWC through it. (ya think it might feed ball or HP ammo reliably? You bet!) Just ask anyone that shoots to my right; It extracts and ejects cases with fury. Sure I've changed springs for the loads I shoot. Sure, I've fit a tight bushing to the slide. Nothing I wouldn't do with a different brand 1911. Just like putting mag wheels and bigger tires on my SuperDuty pickup. I've changed the rear sight too. Fit and finish is great. I also own at least one other Colt 1911 that'll feed rocks and spit out shards of cases and bullets at equal velocity. Love the reliablity of that one too. There are JMB purists that feel that the Colt or SA mil spec are the only true 1911's. SoBeIt. No MIM parts in them! What do I want in my next 1911? I'd like something built by Roddy Toyota or Ed Masaki. Springer? Colt? Dunno. I'd like a Colt Gold Cup National Match series 70. But until then, I'm quite happy with my very reliable Kimber. Would I buy another? If the right one comes along, yes.
-Steve
That said, I shoot a Kimber Stainless II, series 1 with external extractor in Bullseye competition. Essentially the model that gave Kimber a bit of a bad rep. Flawless gun! I bought it used right here on THR. I've got thousands of SWC through it. (ya think it might feed ball or HP ammo reliably? You bet!) Just ask anyone that shoots to my right; It extracts and ejects cases with fury. Sure I've changed springs for the loads I shoot. Sure, I've fit a tight bushing to the slide. Nothing I wouldn't do with a different brand 1911. Just like putting mag wheels and bigger tires on my SuperDuty pickup. I've changed the rear sight too. Fit and finish is great. I also own at least one other Colt 1911 that'll feed rocks and spit out shards of cases and bullets at equal velocity. Love the reliablity of that one too. There are JMB purists that feel that the Colt or SA mil spec are the only true 1911's. SoBeIt. No MIM parts in them! What do I want in my next 1911? I'd like something built by Roddy Toyota or Ed Masaki. Springer? Colt? Dunno. I'd like a Colt Gold Cup National Match series 70. But until then, I'm quite happy with my very reliable Kimber. Would I buy another? If the right one comes along, yes.
-Steve
PcolaDawg
Member
I have a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II and I love it. Had some problems very early on with it feeding hollow points, but after a couple hundred rounds it has been flawless, a joy to shoot, and very accurate. It's the handgun I used to qualify as 'Distinguished Expert' on handguns with the NRA. It's the smallest 1911 Kimber makes and, based on my experience with it, I would love to try one of Kimber's larger 1911s.
azmtnbikerxdm
Member
I have the custom II and have no problems with it so far. I have over 500 rounds through it and it seems to get better the more I shoot it. I will purchase another Kimber in the future.
NGIB
Member
Wow, the Kimber bashers must not have seen this thread yet.
I have 2 currently, a first generation Gold Match and a Tactical Pro II and both are well built reliable guns. Will you get a great one? Odds are - yes...
I have 2 currently, a first generation Gold Match and a Tactical Pro II and both are well built reliable guns. Will you get a great one? Odds are - yes...
FullEffect1911
Member
As long as it has an internal extractor I do not think you will be disappointed with a Kimber.
Also as long as you don't mind a firing pin safety then I would be hard pressed to recommend a better pistol for a similar price.
Also as long as you don't mind a firing pin safety then I would be hard pressed to recommend a better pistol for a similar price.
jwr747
Member
don't want to hi-jack the thread but why is the external extractor such a problem for Kimber ?? jwr
It caused a lot of problems on the competition circuit, and was generally accepted as the cause of many malfunctions in the Kimber models. I'd attribute some of those to having a new gun, bad reloads, and inexperienced shooters too.
Rustler
Member
I have a TLE with an external extractor that I use for IDPA. Never had a problem with it.
My three kimbers all work...
My three kimbers all work...
awg1203r
Member
over a 1,000 rounds through my custom II family Warrior and not one mis-fire or jam. perfect performance. I don't think I'll ever need to consider a different brand for a second 1911.
FullEffect1911
Member
Now I admit this is completely from what I have read. The only experience that I have with a Kimber is one of their newer ones with an internal extractor.
Apparently the external extractors were hit or miss. If it worked... perfect it worked. If it didn't it seemed no matter what, Kimber couldn't get it to work 100%. With an internal extractor you could just replace it with a good one, shape the hook and tension it correctly and you are in business. I personally really like user serviceable products.
Though I do wonder if putting a Colt Hybrid mag in those troublesome externals would have corrected the problems? I love those mags.
Apparently the external extractors were hit or miss. If it worked... perfect it worked. If it didn't it seemed no matter what, Kimber couldn't get it to work 100%. With an internal extractor you could just replace it with a good one, shape the hook and tension it correctly and you are in business. I personally really like user serviceable products.
Though I do wonder if putting a Colt Hybrid mag in those troublesome externals would have corrected the problems? I love those mags.
bandreassen
Member
My very first gun is a Kimber stainless II that has has been very sweet to shoot. With the Hogue grips and the nightsights, I'm enjoying the hell out of it. About 800 rounds so far.
The fit and finish are first rate for a gun in this price range.
The fit and finish are first rate for a gun in this price range.
MaterDei
Member
Another happy Kimber owner here (Stainless II). It will feed anything and could care less what kind of magazine it is feeding from. The only malfunction was when one of my daughters limp wristed it and it stove piped. I tried like heck to recreate the malfunction, for fun, but couldn't get the darn thing to malfunction again regardless how much it flopped around in my hand.
Wesson Smith
Member
I have two of 'em and love 'em both. And it does seem to be
true that they improve with age/number of rounds. Both of
mine really 'smoothed out' after the initial 4-500 rounds.
true that they improve with age/number of rounds. Both of
mine really 'smoothed out' after the initial 4-500 rounds.
schmeky
Member
One very happy Kimber owner. My superb Classic Custom.
OP
OP
elktrout
Member
Schmeky,
Nice looking gun. There is just something about the 1911 shape that seems so classic, so appropriate for self defense. I see them on the hip of a number of police officers in the area where I live. Yes, they carry them cocked and locked.
Everyone,
Thanks for the feedback. I will be checking them out at a local shop soon. Can't wait to get my hands on one.
Nice looking gun. There is just something about the 1911 shape that seems so classic, so appropriate for self defense. I see them on the hip of a number of police officers in the area where I live. Yes, they carry them cocked and locked.
Everyone,
Thanks for the feedback. I will be checking them out at a local shop soon. Can't wait to get my hands on one.
Lone_Gunman
Member
I would not buy another Kimber. I have owned 4 or 5 over the years and none were 100 % reliable. I am either very unlucky, or Kimber has a major QC problem. In addition, their customer service is the worst of any company I know. They cannot fix their own product.
I would rather defend myself with a board with nail in the end of it than with a Kimber.
If you want a 1911 that works, get a S&W or Colt.
I would rather defend myself with a board with nail in the end of it than with a Kimber.
If you want a 1911 that works, get a S&W or Colt.
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