Kimber 'Compact' 1911s

Feeling the need for another 1911... Anyone have one of the Kimber 'Compact' models with the Commander-sized slide and the Officer sized frame? Also considering a Colt CCO (or COO... I forget) or a Springfield Compact but haven't seen any of those on shelves for quite some time.

Also noticed Dan Wesson is offering a few similar guns... I'd consider those but I've only handled about five of the Dan Wesson 1911s... Love their old revolvers though.

 

Looking at the Kimber Ultra CDP II

Ditto - was looking at the Kimber (http://www.kimberamerica.com/cdp.php)

Did a search, not much info here on the small frame 1911's, need to check over on the 1911 forum as well . . . .

I think I recall 1911tuner not liking them . . . . . perhaps he'll jump in with an explanation

 

Lots of people don't like the sub-4" 1911s, because they tend to be less reliable.

 

I have a Kimber Stainless compact; Officer's frame with 4" Commander barrel/slide and like it a whole lot. I had an Officer Model, Series 80, and traded for the Kimber (+cash of course) and have never been sorry. It feeds anything I've put in it, shows good accuracy and has a fine trigger. They recommend replacing the recoil spring about every 600 or 800 rounds (I forgot exactly) and have purchased a couple of Wolff springs to have for that purpose. I think it's a great gun for the money. Small frame makes it easier to carry than the large frame and the 4" barrel is no problem to conceal. The grip/frame is the hardest thing to conceal on a 1911, anyway.

 

I have a Kimber Pro Elite and am very satisfied with it.

JimL3

 

Seconding the Compact Stainless

I love my Compact Stainless II, a few FTRB in the first 2-300 rounds after that I’m convinced it would feed a brick if said brick would fit in the chamber. I really like the CDP’s but I don’t want an ambi safety on a carry gun.
And its 800 rounds to replace the recoil spring although I pushed my first one to 1100 with no appriciable problems (the slide moved a little quicker and the spring was shorter) not something I plan to do again.

 

Short Slides

Ahhhh...The chopped 1911s...I know'em well.

For the record, I never said I didn't like'em...I said I don't trust'em unless they've proved themselves. The shorter the slide, the less likely you are to get one to hit the ground runnin' from the box.

The farther away from the 5-inch pistols ya get, the more persnickety they tend to get. They can be made to run, but it gets a little tedious sometimes. Even some Commanders can throw a curve once in a while.

That being said, the 4-inch slide/barrel combo isn't that far removed from Commander-length.(4.25 inches) and most seem to do okay as long as
the magazine timing is up to the task. That requires good mag springs.

The combination of Officer's grip frame and Commander slide is probably the
best as far as comfortable carry and easy concealment goes. The grip is
what tends to print the gun under a coat, and shorter is gooder. The shorter slide takes care of the pistol pokin' ya in the ribs when sitting or getting in and out of a car.

At the first sign of a last round feeding problem, save yourself a headache and order Wolff extra-power mag springs. Those things have been worth their weight in gold in solving last-round problems. A tuned extractor will
also go far in making the pistol reliable. If I can't get a spring steel extractor, I like Brown Hardcore or Wilson Bulletproof, slightly modified
and tweaked to the gun. The hardcore requires a little less work than the
Wilson. The Wilson has a little more meat in the fp stop slot to allow you
to press-fit the stop. Coin toss.

Luck!

Tuner

 

I had a Kimber stainless Compact that was accurate, thoroughly reliable (fed everything), great trigger, my only regret is selling it to my brother -in-law. Ran fine with both the OEM (CMC0 mag and Wilson O-model equivalents.

I still have a Kimber Ultra Carry. Like it's bigger brother, it is quite reliable (though sensitive to limp-wristing), feeds everything I've fed it, and is scary accurate for such a short tube. It also runs fine on OEM and Wislon mags. FWIW.

 

I have 2 Kimber Compacts -- one in steel and one in aluminum. Great guns. Both have been reliable for me. Definitely more recoil in the al model. The steel gun is very close to a full-size in felt recoil. Take down is a bit of a pain (have to use a paper-clip) and I have found the recoil plug to be prone to battering. You have to change the recoil spring frequently.

I'm relatively small front-to-back (though I am "growing" :-(), so a full-size M1911 tends doesn't work well for CCW for me -- the butt tends to print and the barrel is long enough that it is uncomfortable for IWB carry. I find the Compact much easier to carry.

 

I've had a series 1 Compact for three years. EXCELLENT litttle gun. Seriously accurate and reliable.

It's on vacation in Michigan for some beautification

What the heck, it's only a mortgage payment.....

 

cratz2

I've got 3 "Ultra" Kimbers (3 inch barrels).
2 have run 100% out of the box.
The third, a stainless Eclipse needed a couple hundred round breakin to function with all ammo.

Friends that have several Ultras have had the same 100% reliability.

I've got several other 1911's but the small Kimbers are my favorite.

Even the accuracy is such with that Kimber short barrel that you can cover a 50 yard group with your hand.
(on a good day )

 

No FTFs, FTEs, or any other issues with my Kimber ProCarry II (4 incher). Runs like a charm, and looks great too!

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I've had 5" Govt models and 4.25" Commander models... What I'm interested is the 4" slide on the Officer type frame and I'm not really interested in any of the sub 4" barrel models but speaking of them, I'm not a big Kimber fan but I've heard consistantly better things about Kimber's 3" models than Colts or Springfields 3" models.

Thanks again for the info.

 

Kimber CDP Compact Series II (internal extractor) checking in.

Changes I've made:

1) McCormick thin smooth grips
2) McCormick single-sided thumb safety (literally drop-in)
3) Novak night sights
4) Wilson 7-round mags with thin base pads
5) Series II stuff removed

Only change I'd make is to go with XS 24/7 sights next time

I need to shoot the gun more, but I have only had one FTF when shooting weak hand only at the end of a shooting session. The gun has about 550 rounds through it.

It is a great carry gun -- very slim. It's what I carry when a G19 and spare mag would be too bulky.

I fired a friend's Ultra CDP and cannot recommend it. Recoil is harsh and the gun was not reliable.

 

About 4 years ago I purchased a Kimber Compact Aluminum Stainless for About $400. I've never been disapointed with the performance of this weapon.

Now I have the unique opportunity of being able to afford a pistol of my chosing. I've considered another Kimber because of the performance of the first one. I am however considering also Springfield, Les Bauer,Glock etc.

I'm interested in what the readers of this thread think. I believe it is important to respect the values of your peers. This pistol would be used mainly for practice and as a stand by for home defense, perhaps occasionally for a CCW.

 

Kimber Comp

Here's my two. Both steel frames.

Haven't fired the SS (just got it) but the Custom Comp is great. Reliability and accuracy are more than I hoped for...That's why I just bought another.

 

Customized Kimber Ultra Eclipse II:

 

I like my Kimber SS Compact II, 4"w/ tactical extyractor.
I don't care for the shorter models. The officers grip frame is just about perfect for me. Also it seems to me that the longer slide/barrel is more comfortable in an IWB, for me at least.

That said I used to own a lightly customized Colt O model and love it too.

My one and only issue with with my compact Kimber is the ~1 per hundred rounds failure to extract. That seems to be improving too! The last several time at the range the first 100 rounds went in an out without a hitch.

When I first got it I was getting 1-2 FTE's in every magagazine, 2 new wilsons and the factory kimber mag.

Since the condition is almost gone I am a "Happy Boy" !

My amateur diagnosis of this condition, with my pistol, attributes this initial problem to several factors. Damn tight frames to slide, tight chamber dimensions.
Also, a new 24 lb Wolf recoil spring cut the FTEs mor than in half upon installation.

I reccommend the SS Compact highly. Just get it and shoot the heck out of it until it finds it happy place. Mine just keeps getting better.