Kimber---good or bad
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orionengnr
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I would say "great" is justified in my experience.
I have had well over 20 1911s, and eight have been Kimbers. Of those, four have been alloy framed 3"ers.
Every Kimber I have owned has worked perfectly--that's why I keep buying them. I no longer buy or own Colts, Springers, or several other brands.
I currently own an alloy framed, Commander sized Les Baer and a Dan Wesson 10mm CBOB, and I have had issues with both. I am not giving up on either (yet), but it gives me a new appreciation for how good the Kimbers are.
If I could only keep one 1911, I'd be tempted to make it my 4" Eclipse.
I have had well over 20 1911s, and eight have been Kimbers. Of those, four have been alloy framed 3"ers.
Every Kimber I have owned has worked perfectly--that's why I keep buying them. I no longer buy or own Colts, Springers, or several other brands.
I currently own an alloy framed, Commander sized Les Baer and a Dan Wesson 10mm CBOB, and I have had issues with both. I am not giving up on either (yet), but it gives me a new appreciation for how good the Kimbers are.
If I could only keep one 1911, I'd be tempted to make it my 4" Eclipse.
Zerodefect said:
So where does that put my Kimber Tactical Entry II which was around $1,250 ... average I suppose? Despite all the crap that gets dumped on Kimber, I couldn't be happier with mine and feel that it's worth putting more money into it with some Ed Brown parts and a trigger job. I'm very impressed with the accuracy and basically everyone that's got to shoot it has been impressed to the point of wanting to buy one. I'm going to buy more Kimbers for sure as well as an Ed Brown or two.
Perseverance
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Oh my god, I haven't been a member of this forum very long but this topic has come up so many times I'm going to puke.
Heres the break down:
Opinion 1)A lot of people think Kimbers are total ass crap
Opinion 2)A lot of people think Kimber makes a good firearm for the money
Opinion 3)But a gun and shut it
Heres the break down:
Opinion 1)A lot of people think Kimbers are total ass crap
Opinion 2)A lot of people think Kimber makes a good firearm for the money
Opinion 3)But a gun and shut it
bartman06
Member
I won't ever buy one. I'm not looking to buy a name. I'll find something cheaper that will have equal quality.
I have the Tactical Pro and Super Ultra Carry. SU Carry is my everyday gun. Price aside they are great. However for $1k there are plenty of other guns out there that would be a cheaper substitute, but as far as quality goes you get what you pay for with a kimber.
Also, I can't speak for others that own a 3" Kimber, but the kick on mine feels less than my SW M&P Compact .40. Very smooth shooting.
Also, I can't speak for others that own a 3" Kimber, but the kick on mine feels less than my SW M&P Compact .40. Very smooth shooting.
IMTHDUKE
Member
Here is the one that give you all the problems with FTE....at least that's what I keep hearing....this one never got that memo.....been 100%.
Disliked the one experience I had with them.
CDP in 2005.
Took about three hundred rounds before it became reliable (90% or better) with FMJ.
It however routinely choked on hollow points -- one out of every two rounds on average.
Only positive thing -- it was very accurate and looked pretty.
I shot just under 100 rounds through my Tactical Entry II this past Friday. I was using American Eagle 230gr FMJ ammunition and was knocking down reactive targets at 50 yards, 100 yards and 150 yards with ease and not one problem to report. Kimber mentions a 500 round break in but my pistol has worked flawlessly after the first 10 rounds. I'm using Wilson Combat magazines and I couldn't be happier. I'm in the middle of ordering some Ed Brown parts for it.
Talking of Ed Brown, he states in the FAQ section of his website ...
http://edbrown.com/cgi/htmlos.cgi/00347.1.346971382583180262#aas
"What type of ammunition do you recommend for your handguns?
We recommend high quality Federal or Winchester ammunition, and nothing else. In our years of testing and experience, ammunition by these makers has proven to be of consistent high quality. The core of our function testing is done with Federal 230 grain FMJ, which is great self-defense ammunition. For accuracy, the Federal 185 grain Gold Metal Match ammo tends to produce the best groups.
Talking of Ed Brown, he states in the FAQ section of his website ...
http://edbrown.com/cgi/htmlos.cgi/00347.1.346971382583180262#aas
"What type of ammunition do you recommend for your handguns?
We recommend high quality Federal or Winchester ammunition, and nothing else. In our years of testing and experience, ammunition by these makers has proven to be of consistent high quality. The core of our function testing is done with Federal 230 grain FMJ, which is great self-defense ammunition. For accuracy, the Federal 185 grain Gold Metal Match ammo tends to produce the best groups.
ol' scratch
Member
I have owned a custom II for about 2 and a half years. I love it. I reload and the only time the pistol has EVER messed up is when I set the C.O.A.L. too long, causing the pistol to jam. Keep in mind that this was using reloads and I jammed both my Rock Island and my father-in-law's 1911. The pistol runs like a top. I have run 185 and 230 grain FMJ's, 185, 200 and 230 grain hollow points and 185 and 200 grain semi wadcutters through the pistol. I have sent a little over 2500 reloads down the pipe running Unique (a very dirty powder). I only break it completely down once a year (strip to the bare frame) and clean it only once every 500 rounds. I have also fired about a 1000 rounds of factory ammo through the pistol INCLUDING Wolf. No Problems. The pistol is a champ in this price range and truely a bargin.
If you are looking for one of the higher end Kimbers (my Custom cost me $725 new), look at a different manufacturer. Nothing against the Kimber, but if the price starts pushing the cost of a Baer, Wilson or something else, pick up one of the higher end pistols. By my estamation, the higher priced Kimbers are just higher priced Custom II's.
GET WILSON COMBAT MAGAZINES!!! All 1911's seem to like them.
If you are looking for one of the higher end Kimbers (my Custom cost me $725 new), look at a different manufacturer. Nothing against the Kimber, but if the price starts pushing the cost of a Baer, Wilson or something else, pick up one of the higher end pistols. By my estamation, the higher priced Kimbers are just higher priced Custom II's.
GET WILSON COMBAT MAGAZINES!!! All 1911's seem to like them.
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ol' scratch
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The OP asked that if you don't own one, don't weigh in. Follow directions.
harmon rabb
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Honestly, the companies with good CS don't care what you did. They'll fix it anyway, on their dime.
harmon rabb
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I'll assume you own some RIA 1911's then?
Ragnar Danneskjold
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If I had to name the maker that I have heard the most threads about having to send their gun to the shop, or swap out parts to make it work right, it would be Kimber. I've never owned own, and I'm not a 1911 fan, but I have noticed that Kimbers seem to need A LOT of tweaking and upkeep to keep them running.
JohnBT
Member
I would expect to hear more about Kimber year after year. They are the sales leader when it comes to 1911 pattern pistols.
The last time I looked at the government figures for yearly sales by manufacturer, Kimber was selling something like 40,000 or 50,000 and the small companies like Wilson and Brown were selling maybe 1,000 or 2,000.
After a quick check, I'm out of touch. My numbers are old, old, old.
www.thefreelibrary.com/U.S.+firearm...business+growth+continues,+yet...-a0233050533
2008 data:
Kimber - pistols - 62,603
Springfield - pistols - 10,878
The last time I looked at the government figures for yearly sales by manufacturer, Kimber was selling something like 40,000 or 50,000 and the small companies like Wilson and Brown were selling maybe 1,000 or 2,000.
After a quick check, I'm out of touch. My numbers are old, old, old.
www.thefreelibrary.com/U.S.+firearm...business+growth+continues,+yet...-a0233050533
2008 data:
Kimber - pistols - 62,603
Springfield - pistols - 10,878
I have 3 Kimbers: CDP Compact II, Ultra Carry II, Ultra Carry stainless TLE II.
-None of them worked with the factory magazine, last round feeding issues; Tripp magazines work 100% in all three.
-I had to file down the Ultra stainless TLE slide stop because it would randomly lock open when shooting hollow point ammunition; problem was corrected by file and sandpaper applications on the slide stop.
My CDP Compact started throwing brass at my head around the 500 round mark, it hadn't before, so I replaced the recoil spring and solved the problem.
Compared to Colt:
-All three Kimbers came with factory night sights, I had to install them on the Colt since they are not offered as a factory option.
-Kimber barrels are "in the white" whereas the Colt has a stainless barrel.
-Both Kimber and Colt make use of MIM parts.
IME: If you have trouble with a Kimber (or Colt 1911) try a different magazine, may work fine with one, but not another.
Keep the exterior of the barrel oiled if you get a Kimber to prevent rust.
Recoil springs have to be replaced sooner on compact 1911 pistols (compared to others) to keep them performing correctly.
-None of them worked with the factory magazine, last round feeding issues; Tripp magazines work 100% in all three.
-I had to file down the Ultra stainless TLE slide stop because it would randomly lock open when shooting hollow point ammunition; problem was corrected by file and sandpaper applications on the slide stop.
My CDP Compact started throwing brass at my head around the 500 round mark, it hadn't before, so I replaced the recoil spring and solved the problem.
Compared to Colt:
-All three Kimbers came with factory night sights, I had to install them on the Colt since they are not offered as a factory option.
-Kimber barrels are "in the white" whereas the Colt has a stainless barrel.
-Both Kimber and Colt make use of MIM parts.
IME: If you have trouble with a Kimber (or Colt 1911) try a different magazine, may work fine with one, but not another.
Keep the exterior of the barrel oiled if you get a Kimber to prevent rust.
Recoil springs have to be replaced sooner on compact 1911 pistols (compared to others) to keep them performing correctly.
ForumSurfer
Member
MY CDP Pro had the same issue. I'm on the 4th or so set of springs and 3500+ rounds. Once it starts dinging me in the forehead predictably, I order a set of wolff springs.
Other than that, no issues to speak of. Well, not true. I broke the ambi-safety when I fell on a curb. Kimber sent me a (free) replacement part when I asked for a part number, even though it was out of scope and out of warranty. So my hats off to their customer service in my case.
I also own a glock that has yet to kaboom. I guess it goes to show you that experiences and opinions vary.
The Wiry Irishman
Member
I've got two, a Custom II and SIS Ultra. I'm very happy with both. The SIS was one of those "how did this make it out of the factory" guns, with many obvious problems out of the box. Kimber picked up shipping both ways to service it, took a week less than they said they would, and had it working 100%. I had a similar experience when the SIS had to go back again to get a new front site. (The tritium vial burst, a Meprolight problem, not a Kimber problem)
Like many posters on this thread already, I've found that Kimbers are very competitive at around the 1200 dollar price point and under. Much more than that and their quality doesn't even come close to other makers at the price point. On the opposite side, I still think they have the best triggers you can get on a sub-$1000 gun.
Like many posters on this thread already, I've found that Kimbers are very competitive at around the 1200 dollar price point and under. Much more than that and their quality doesn't even come close to other makers at the price point. On the opposite side, I still think they have the best triggers you can get on a sub-$1000 gun.
Chuck Warner
Member
Kimber has the largest share of the 1911 market by five fold. with those kinds of numbers, Its amazing we dont see more problem threads.
I have worked on more than a few and I recommend them.
They are a good value . They also raised the bar such that, you the consumer enjoy better 1911s across the board from all manufacturers.
I have worked on more than a few and I recommend them.
They are a good value . They also raised the bar such that, you the consumer enjoy better 1911s across the board from all manufacturers.
BIGGBAY90
Member
Nice picture---must be custom grips
I've owned three and still own two (the only reason I sold the third was I was getting tired of hearing my buddy begging me to sell it to him). Never have had a single issue with any of them, not sure how you can get better than that.
JoelSteinbach
Member
I own a few , never, ever had a problem, I have just finnished breaking in my new , Eclipse Custom 10MM, 550 hand loaded rounds, flawless. My first Kimber the Compact Aluminum, still as accurate as the day I first fired it, Ther are now 7 kimbers in my safe.
swinokur
Member
TLE/RL II 1k rounds through it. Eats HST 230g +p and 230g Gold Dots like a champ.
It even shoots well with the Kimber mags, which are now used for the range. I use the Wilson 47D's for carry no issues.
As someone pointed out Kimber makes more 1911's than all the others combined. Statistically you'd expect a larger number of complaints. The important question is what percentage of their annual output have problems.
Mine has been perfect and with the included night sights and front strap checkering I think it's one of the best values out there.
It even shoots well with the Kimber mags, which are now used for the range. I use the Wilson 47D's for carry no issues.
As someone pointed out Kimber makes more 1911's than all the others combined. Statistically you'd expect a larger number of complaints. The important question is what percentage of their annual output have problems.
Mine has been perfect and with the included night sights and front strap checkering I think it's one of the best values out there.
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