Kimber ammo questions

[Nathan Williams]

So I bought a Kimber Custom Target II in stainless today. I used to be a Glock 21 guy till I shoot my buddys Kimber and decided I needed one for myself . My question is this.......My standard defense load is Speer Gold Dot +P. Is this round safe to fire in this gun? If you have shot them through it do you find them reliable? I havent shot the gun yet as I live in a communist state that requires I wait 3 days to take possesion so any ammo recomendations would be appreciated.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If you intend to shoot a lot of +p, I would get a stiffer recoil spring from Wolff. If you are going to shoot mostly standard pressure ammo, with the occasional mag of +p to make sure it functions, the stock set-up is fine.

So I bought a Kimber Custom Target II in stainless today

Stainless Target II?

"Custom" denotes fixed sights, "Target" means adjustables.

 

[Nathan Williams]

"Custom" denotes fixed sights, "Target" means adjustables.

Nope this is correct. Check their website if you doubt me, it is listed under the custom II family. They dont show stainless as an option for this model though strangely enough.

 

[Nathan Williams]

"Custom" denotes fixed sights, "Target" means adjustables.

Nope this is correct. Check their website if you doubt me, it is listed under the custom II family. They dont show stainless as an option for this model though strangely enough. http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/custom/customtarget.php
Heres the link to the specific gun.

 

[Geno]

Use ball ammo for break-in

Use ball ammo for the 500 to 750 rounds break-in period. Some Kimbers take a good 1,000 rounds to break in to a reliable point. Then, after the break-in period begin experimenting with what ammo works best.

I agree re: a stiffer spring, but only after the break-in period. I have "Shock Buffs" in my 1911s. These keep the slide from beating up the frame and vice-versa. However, in Kimbers, you may be in a position that to rack the slide to closed battry, you may have to manually disengage the slide lock. The Colts do not have that problem. If that happends with your Kimbers, use the Shock Buffs to practice and remove it for CCW carry.

Good luck,

Doc2005

 

[poortrader]

Nevertheless, which ever model it is, occasional +P rounds will not hurt your gun. Just practice with the +P's to make sure that they will feed properly.

 

[2TransAms]

I had the exact same pistol,Stainless Target II,and Federal HST's(that's a +P load)wouldn't cycle without an 18# spring.

Also my slide stop snapped in half while using this load,so I replace all my slide stops with Wilson Combat Bulletproof now. This may or may not have been the +P's fault,it was just as likely a poor mim part.

 

[Kruzr]

Target does indeed mean adjustable sights. They are all part of the "Custom" line which is the base gun for Kimber. There are Stainless II's, which is a stainless Custom, and there are Stainless Target II's (I have one) that are a Stainless Custom with Target Sights.

With respect to +P ammo, this is excerpted from the letter Kimber sends to LEO agencies buying their pistols:

The following ammo is approved for Kimber 1911 pistols. +P ammo is not recommended.

Training Ammo
230 grn ball – Winchester white box
230 grn ball – American Eagle
230 grn ball – Black Hills
230 grn ball – Remington UMC

Duty Ammo
230 grn HP – Federal Hydra Shock
230 grn HP – Winchester SXT
230 grn HP – Winchester Ranger Series
230 grn HP – Black Hills
230 grn HP – Golden Sabre
230 grn HP – Speer Gold Dot

 

[mwpslp]

I actuall had a problem with my Kimber CDP and the Speer Gold Dots in 200 gr. The opening of the bullet (Ogive?) was just wide enough that about every 5-7 rounds it would lock the slide back before empty. I do not know if this is true for their 185 gr. or 230 gr. rounds as I just switched to the Ranger SXT's and have not had a problem since. Just my experience.

 

[Nathan Williams]

I contacted Kimber yesterday, and they told me +P was ok in this gun. But then again the fellow I spoke with sounded kinda abrupt about his answer . I think I will just shoot standard loads in this one. Dont wana take the chance with a almost $1000 pistol.

 

[cblambert]

Custom is 5" Pro is 4" Custom II is Novak sighted 5" & Custom Target II is the same gun w/ Adjustables...

 

[cblambert]

but whats the point in +p when you are shooting a 45 in a pistol? hell a 200 grn bullet @ 850 will work just as good, not bust your prized weapon into a non functioning lump of metal when you need it to save you @$$...Youll shoot a milder load better as well...and less flash at night which will disorient you...and increased muzzle flip...
9mm's need +p to perform under adverce conditions 45's dont...save the cash...just my opinion...

 

[cblambert]

plus with those 20# springs beat the hell out of (especially alum) your frames too! thats what the failures are from & Id rather a sheared slide lock then a cracked frame...or neither!

 

[EddieNFL]

But then again the fellow I spoke with sounded kinda abrupt about his answer

Was his name Dennis?

 

[The Bushmaster]

I bought a Kimber UCC II a year ago. I reload and used 185 grain JHP for the break-in. During the break-in period I found that the Kimber did not like dirty burning powder and had 3 failure to go to battery due to fouled chamber. It took 250 +/- a few to break it in. It has digested over 3,000 rounds sense without any failures of any kind. Total failures during the first 250 rounds (mostly FTE)...Seven.