Kimber Opinions

[Damien45]

Before I joined the Navy and got stationed in California I owned 2 Kimber's. The Compact Custom and the Ultra Carry. In retrospect I should have found some place to safely store at least one of them until I found a place to have them here. That was almost 4 years ago. Now I am looking at getting a new 1911 soon.

The two that I am looking at are:
Kimber Tactical Pro II
and
Springfield Operator

The Kimber has all the features I want. Including the 4" barrel. Problem is all the gun stores here seem to have nothing good to say about them. There is a laundry list of "problems" given to me anytime I look at one.

Normally I take the time to find people I can trust locally. However, I have reason to not trust the opinions of the local stores. I rented an XD 9mm (which I am getting the XD .40 as well) and the "shop expert" asked if I had ever fired one. Well, no I hadn't at the time. So he proceeded to give me a "lesson" on the XD. I have been looking into them for a long time, so I know the safeties/features of the XD. Anyway, he told me the trigger was the only safety on the gun. When I pointed out the chambered round indicater he cut me off with "that has nothing to do with anything". He never mentioned the grip safety either. So yeah, trust in the expert is missing.

Has anyone had issues with newer Kimbers? Extracters, disassembly, cleaning, reliability? Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[BADUNAME13]

I did a review of my new Kimber Warrior reciently. 803 rounds out the box (No cleaning or lube) jammed on 804.

Good enough for me. I cleaned it, and have put another 300 through it with no problems.

I CCW a Kimber every day, and bought another Sat.

My Springfields have been as good or better, but the new ones have the lock in the mainspring housing. I don't buy guns with locks and it is easier to buy a kimber than change it out. (Although I would for the right deal.)

The 'Kimber problems' were with the (Now discontinued) external extractor.

 

[gunfighter48]

I have a Kimber Pro Carry II with 2200 rds fired. 100% reliable out of the box. I did replace the fire control group with Ed Brown parts and do a very nice 4 lb trigger job. But that was my preference, nothing wrong with the Kimber parts. Wanted steel parts in my carry piece.

 

[tbtrout]

I have had nothing but good things to say about Kimber. I have seen a few problems now and then, but like anything it is the exception. I have seen some milling damage in one Warrior, but I inclined to think some people like to play and tinker with things that work perfectly well and create their own problems.

 

[shaggycat]

I have a Kimber that hasn't had a failure yet. I would take the advice of your local fun store sales clerk with a grain of salt. They are salesman who want to sell you what makes them the most money. Do your own research and buy what you want.

 

[Ala Dan]

My experience rest with two Kimber's, a 5" Raptor and a 3" Stainless Ultra
Carry. Neither has given me the first problem. I recently traded the Raptor,
not because of persistent problems; but rather as trade bait for a NIB Les
Baer Thunder Ranch Special. Both of the Kimbers have worked perfectly;
and I use the Ultra Carry as my daily CCW piece.

 

[Damien45]

Thanks for all the inputs. I can honestly say that based on the experience I had with my previous Kimbers, I was leaning toward another one. With the input you folks have provided, seems like I am not the only one to feel confident in Kimber. Thanks again.

 

[Jacka L Ope]

I've been carrying a 4" Kimber Eclipse Pro II as my CCW piece for about a year now. No problems at all other than the damned thing is HUNGRY!

 

[david_the_greek]

another incredibly impressed kimber owner here. I have a TLE II and it has been flawless. Not too high of a round count (under 1000) but the rounds I have put through it have been in less than optimal conditions.... so basically what the 1911 was meant for. lots of different types of ammunition and I'm using plain old chip mccormicks. no powermags or anything fancy. Used it in sub zero temps with mud and all kinds of weather all over it (early morning and not everything had a chance to freeze). another time I wanted to do a mini test on it so after I had already shot about 104-112 rounds through it I droped the mag (slide was locked back) tossed the gun into a whole in the snow and crammed it in. buried it for a sec and dug it up. no brushing it off just inserted clip fairly forcefully, released the slide and shot the mag out as quickly as I could. number of failures? none. I'm thinking of doing a complete torture test (gasp I know but hey we all have to get our kicks somehow) similar to a glock/xd type torture test

 

[HorseSoldier]

I own two Kimbers, a Desert Warrior and one of the 9mm Tac Pro II's, and have been entirely pleased with both of them.

No stoppages of any sort with either pistol, nothing broken, or any of the other horror stories one encounters online concerning Kimbers. Both run like tops and are better shooters than I am.

If I were in the market for another 1911, I would not hesitate to consider Kimber if they had a model that had whatever features I was looking for.

 

[waynedm]

You couldn't give me a Kimber. People that don't know any better love to name drop the things because they think it makes them look like they know what they're talking about. If Kimbers cost half of what they do at least their performance would be justified. Why pay that much for a gun when they're worse than guns that cost less? They're entry level 1911s at best.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have four Kimbers and friends have another 9 or 10.
Oh wait, 11 a friends son-in-law just bought his 2nd or 3rd Kimber.

I've got dozens of excellent carry guns and can carry anything I want but I choose to carry a Kimber Tactical Ultra (or any of my other three).

I don't doubt that there is another brand 3 inch barrel 1911 that will match the Kimber but I haven't seen one (can't buy everything that's on the market ) The day I find one I'll buy it.

Basically the gun has it all, reliability, fantastic accuracy and it looks like a pistol should.

 

[Deuce1911]

I have a Kimber tactical II. It runs like a sewing machine.

 

[Old Dog]

No problems whatsoever with any of my more recently purchased Kimbers ... a new TLE II (in spite of the silly front-cocking serrations) is becoming one of my favorite full-size 1911s ... And I love the Tactical Pro II (internal extractor), an awesome 4-incher, and the Pro CDP is just a way cool carry piece, though take a look at the stainless Pro Carry for a really practical carry piece.

To the OP, I believe that just about any recent production model Kimber is a pretty good bet. 'Course, there's a whole lotta Kimber-haters out there, too.

M2Carbine -- much as I like my Kimbers, I'd put my two 3" Loaded LW Springfield Armory Micro-Compacts up against any Kimber Ultra model; they're awfully good mini-1911s in my view.

 

[possum]

You couldn't give me a Kimber. People that don't know any better love to name drop the things because they think it makes them look like they know what they're talking about. If Kimbers cost half of what they do at least their performance would be justified. Why pay that much for a gun when they're worse than guns that cost less? They're entry level 1911s at best.

can you please jusftify this post and tell us why you feel this way? maybe examples. if kimber is entry level what do you suggest for folks that want a good 1911 without spending the money on say a wilson, les baer, nighthawk custom, etc. thanks.

in my personally expereinces i love kimbers they are accurate, reliable, have many different models and features to meet any need. and they keep comming out with more and more great models pretty often. my next handgun is gonna be a 1911 kimber as a matter of fact.

 

[.45&TKD]

I love my Kimber TLE.

Be sure to get one with the internal extractor and you should be fine.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Old Dog
M2Carbine -- much as I like my Kimbers, I'd put my two 3" Loaded LW Springfield Armory Micro-Compacts up against any Kimber Ultra model; they're awfully good mini-1911s in my view.

I wouldn't mind buying other than Kimber. Just haven't had the opportunity to try out anything else. Since the Kimbers are so good I'd be irritated if I bought something else and it wasn't at least as good as a Kimber.

That Springfield does look good. Might try it out one day.

 

[Steve H]

I bought a Kimber Ultra CDP II back in December. Today I put it's 500 round (+/- a few) and it has been GREAT. It did have two faliure to feeds but I am blaming the OAL on the ammo, that was about 350 rounds ago. It shoots great and loves factory ammo. Here is what it did today with Speer Gold Dot and Sellier & Bellot. Of course one out of each five I did my usual flyer.......

 

[hnk45acp]

I don't own a Kimber but my shooting buddy has a KIMBER Warrior and loves it however the front sight broke in half and the plunger tube housing came loose making it very hard to put the safety on/off. Sent the gun back to Kimber and they took care of it. However his Springfield has been pretty reliable.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Steve H
Of course one out of each five I did my usual flyer.......

That's OK Steve, I had a flyer out of each magazine.


Love those Kimber Tactical Ultras.

 

[Damien45]

I have to say that the responce to my question has been outstanding. I thank you all for your honesty.

I agree with possum, if you could please elaborate wayden. What problems, reasons do you have for your opinion?

A really good friend of mine was the first to warn me of the extractor problems. He has been my go-to guy for any gun question I have had over the last 12+ years. Back then he was a Glock person. Now he is a Springfield fan. He did say that Kimber isn't a bad choice lately, but his opinion is Springfield because they have not had any problems ever. That I can respect.

On the other hand, MY experience with Kimber has been 100%. Since I am looking at a new 1911, I feel confident that Kimber will perform as I expect. Thanks to you all for your inputs.

To the folks who own the Tact II's......I am jealous! lol

 

[kentucky_smith]

Here's what a Series 1 Custom Classic will do with 30 rounds of cheap Independence.

 

[glockman19]

I have a Kimber Raptor. I'd highly recommend it. I will also be buying other Kimbers. They are really nice well made firearms. I don't think you can go wrong with any Kimber 1911.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

over 6,000 rounds through my kimber cusom classic with maybe a few jams. good, solid gun. dependable and reasonably priced....i really like the ultra raptor, my fav 1911

and wayne....since you hate them, send any good deals my way. thanks

 

[10-Ring]

Kimber makes a nice pistol. I had a Custom II a few years ago, it went bang everytime I pulled the trigger, put rounds right where I wanted & I got it at a good price.
If it's Kimber you want, then go for it!