Kimber Disappointment (and Question)

[sig228]

So I decide to buy my first 1911 style pistol. After much research here and elsewhere (mostly here - thanks THR members) I decide that I want one of the best production pistols available - a Kimber Compact CDP II. Its a very sweet gun with melted edges, night sights, rosewood grips, etc. Apparently well regarded as a carry pistol.

Here's a link for anyone interested:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/compactcdp.php

Anyway, after saving up for a few months, I finally accumulate enough cash to buy this thing. Locally, its about $1,100 plus tax for a new model, which is what I wanted. So today, I head out to the shop, cash in hand, ready to buy. Its still in the show case, the salesman pulls it out, racks the slide and hands it to me.

To my horror, I notice that the top of the barrell is pitted and rusted. Not the whole barrell, but a nice piece of it, extending from the muzzle down about 3/4 inches. Now were not talking craters here, but it was pitted and not at all polished as I would have expected. And then if that wasn't bad enough, inside each of the small pock marks was RUST!!! Not at all what I would expect from Kimber, let alone in a NEW Kimber.

So I show it to the salesman who says its normal, "all Kimbers are like that. "

So we pull a couple of Kimbers rack the slide on each and, obviously, they were NOT all like that. The others had smooth polished barrells that I expected.

Needless to say, I didn't buy the gun. How this got past Kimber QC is beyond me. I'm sure the rust wasn't there at time of production, but the pitted barrell probably was.

It did feel great in my hand. Nicely balanced, just right. Natural almost. And soooooo good looking. Anyway, I guess I'll look for another (non rusted) model someplace else.

So anyway, after all that, here's my question. After he racked the slide, I couldn't get the slide release to function unless I dropped the mag. Was I not engaging the grip safety? Why would the slide release function normally after I dropped the mag?

Thanks to all for listening, and if anyone know the slide answer, please tell me. Thanks.

 

[Shipwreck]

All Kimbers are definetly NOT like that. But, it may not have been Kimbers fault.

That gun could have sat on the shelf a long time, been in its box a long time in a high humidty wearhouse (sat at the distributor for a while) or something else. I had a Sw99 compact ordered for me once, and it came in rusted.

As for the release - Dropping in the slide w/ the slide release has no connection with the grip safety.

 

[treebeard]

I just picked up my Pro CDP II earlier today and it is immaculate. Sounds like it has been sitting somewhere where it should not have been.

 

[Black Majik]

Regarding the rust, I'd probably blame the gunshop for letting those pistols sit dry on the shelf instead of Kimber.

 

[driven]

Not the usual Kimber!

"After he racked the slide, I couldn't get the slide release to function unless I dropped the mag. Was I not engaging the grip safety? Why would the slide release function normally after I dropped the mag?"

The slide release pushes against the magazine follower in the mag. New mags can have stiff springs, and combined with a stiffer recoil spring (since it's a compact model) and it being a new pistol could make it tough to depress the lever. After a couple of hundred rounds things should ease up a bit.

 

[Highland Ranger]

it does loosen up . . . .

 

[jlficken]

I have a Pro Raptor II and an Ultra CDP II (just bought it on Saturday and love it) and they both are tough to release when the mag is empty in the gun. Once you have ammo in it they both release without hardly any effort. I have noticed a little surface rust when I bought both of them but no pitting. I just used Flitz and polished it out.

 

[Baphomet]

So I show it to the salesman who says its normal, "all Kimbers are like that."

Tell me you're kidding. Please...

Pitting??!! Rust??!! In all the years I've bought and sold handguns, I have never, EVER, seen/been expected to pay for a NIB pistol from a reputable manufacturer that was anything but clean, shiny and oiled/greasy to the hilt.

Are you SURE what you were being shown was a NIB pistol?

Obviously you were wise to walk away from the transaction and in my opinion, either your salesperson was trying to pull one over on you, didn't know his a-- from a hole in the ground or was simply drunk on duty. Whatever the case, I'd be taking my business elsewhere. Go ahead and call me cynical if you want, that's just been my experience: NIB has always = flawless.

 

[Walkalong]

I couldn't get the slide release to function unless I dropped the mag

With an empty mag in the gun you are pushing against the mag spring whereas when you put a loaded mag in the gun to reload you are not. All 1911's are this way. They were not meant to drop the slide on an empty chamber anyway.

 

[never_summer]

i just put in an order for a custom target 2 9mm so hopefully mine doesnt come like this, but the guy was telling me that s&w makes their frames and slides and kimber assembles them so maybe it could be s&w who is at fault. But i would doubt a respectable company would send out a product like that

 

[AnthonyRSS]

Smith and Wesson does not manufacture frames or slides for Kimber. Its on their website somewhere.

Anthony

 

[Kruzr]

Guns that sit in display cases get handled and never get wiped down and relubed. Chances are it didn't leave the factory like that.

 

[never_summer]

oops, sorry about that. I looked on there sight and it says they use to get raw materials from s&w to make their frames and slides but dont anymore. The guy at the gun store told me that they did when he sold me mine today , hoping i didnt mess up not gettin an sti

 

[Ala Dan]

I sell Kimber's, rest assured that all of 'em aren't like that- cuz if they were
I probably would be seeking new employment~!

 

[JMusic]

Two manufacturers that receive undo critisism IMO are Kimber and Glock. I've owned several of both and have had zero issues. My present CDP Pro was purchased 4 days after (9 -11) and has had several thousand rounds through it with NO problems. I would not hesitate to buy another. You do need to find another gun dealer though.

Jim

 

[Redhat]

Sounds like the guy might not have been wiping the gun down after people handled it.

 

[waumo]

Run away from that gun store!

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Sounds like maybe you gun guy is less than reputable maybe?

 

[LAK Supply]

Did you ask the salesman if he would purchase an $1100 gun with pitting and rust on it? I would go to a different store. . . . and then come back with your new gun and show them what a new Kimber looks like. Maybe a little I spent my $ elsewhere because you guys suck without actually saying it. Maybe they'll think twice next time before they try to screw a customer . . . .

 

[Minator]

The slide release pushes against the magazine follower in the mag. New mags can have stiff springs, and combined with a stiffer recoil spring (since it's a compact model) and it being a new pistol could make it tough to depress the lever. After a couple of hundred rounds things should ease up a bit.

:banghead:

I Know Im only a dumb noob and have only been shooting for 15 years but every auto pistol with a removalable magazine is desighned to hold open with an empty magazine because the follower in the magazine is what causes the slide to hold open. No pistol will close with an empty magazine inserted unless the magazine is faulty or the gun is no matter if its broken in or NIB.

Even the 53 year old CZ-52 i just picked up is the same way.

 

[S&Wfan]

I love my original, (1st generation) Kimber Ultra CDP.

It's not Kimber's fault what happened to that gun.

I agree . . . tell the local sales slut you'll be back to show him a "normal" new Kimber and then leave. Purchase a new one elsewhere and then bring it in to show them how they need to maintain their original new stock!

They should be embarrassed to call themselves a gun shop!

T.