Kimber finish quality for daily carry

[mini14gb]

Can any other Kimber owners testify to the durability of the finish of their stainless steel slide, aluminum frame Kimbers?

Mine is a Ultra Raptor ll.

 

[JDGray]

Been carrying mine for a year, and It still looks pretty good. A little frame rub near the muzzle. Its gonna depend on how much you practice, just carrying it won't wear the finish

 

[kanook]

a little over two years of daily carry with little wear and a couple of dings. just shot a hog with it last friday. I don't think it cared about the scratches though.

 

[jaysouth]

I don't carry a gun to keep it pretty. I want one that goes bang when I pull the trigger. Your Kimber has a good finish but will require refinishing in another 20 or 30 years.

 

[clemsonu0219]

definitely watch the muzzle like above poster said... My ultra carry has a slight bit of rust on it from condensation.

 

[TIMC]

If it is a working gun it is going to have some finish wear sooner or later. Hey it's only the first scratch that hurts, the rest just adds character.

 

[Drail]

Stainless steel is not a "finish". It's just raw steel.

 

[WoofersInc]

I have 2 that are my primary carry. A Tactical Custom II and a SIS Custom. Both have wear at the muzzle from holstering and training. The Tactical also has wear on the thumb safety finish. The frame on the Tactical doesn't show any wear at this point. My others I haven't carried enough to see any noticable wear. The wear doesn't bother me since these 2 are my main carry pieces.

 

[mini14gb]

Stainless steel is not a "finish". It's just raw steel.

Drail,
That's why I let people know in the original post that it also has an aluminum frame which does have a finish applied and is a soft ore susceptible to wear. It appears others were able to figure it out. Thanks for the input though.

 

[mini14gb]

Thanks for the input guys. I expect some wear and I NEVER sell my firearms not even to "trade up" so I don't know why it matters. I guess this Rapor is such a good look weapon that I'm having trouble with the idea of that first scratch or knick. Your right only the first one hurts.

 

[OLD208X3A]

Ultra CDP II...

My Ultra CDP II has the stainless slide. Been carried for about three years and there isn't a mark on the slide. You should be fine. The others are right, no matter how careful you are you're gonna get a dent or ding somewhere along the way.

 

[Drail]

.."the finish of their stainless steel slide"....

 

[Quack]

here's a pic of my Tactical Ultra that i had.

 

[Zerodefect]

Carry it, beat it up good.

Then when the finish is all worn out replace all the MIM stuff and send it off to a Gunsmith for a beadblast and melonite refinish on the stailess, and re-anno the frame. Throw in a reliability upgrade and maybe some fresh sights.

Then carry it, beat it up real good, and repeat.........




The stainless parts on my Kimber CDP have held up well. if you see any spots of rust , they wipe off with brake fluid.

The barrel rusts real fast, keep it soaked with oil. I use stp/5w30/atf mixed.

The annodizing on my frame faded, and wore off quick. The checkering on the front of the frame got smooshed in a couple spots.

If I can find someone to reannodize my frame my CDP would look brand new.

 

[mini14gb]

All the input is appreciated. Screw it I'm gonna start carrying it in place of my S&W 638 for summer carry.

 

[CWL]

You bought it, you obviously like it greatly, as long as you are comfortable with the reliability of it, no reason not to carry it.

I've owned a stainless + aluminum Kimber for 10 years now. The finish on the aluminum is worn near the beavertail, safety, and beaten around the magwell, while the stainless is worn near the muzzle from the holster. That's about it.