Kimber opinions

[Winkman822]

I've owned my fair share of Kimber 1911's over the years, and the best thing that I can say about them is that they're inconsistent. My first was an Eclipse II with an external extractor. I had constant feeding and ejection problems with it. Sent it back to Kimber as a warranty claim and received it back with a new slide which housed a more traditional extractor. I continued having issues with the gun after getting it back from Kimber, sent it in again for them to adjust extractor tension. Next up was a Custom Royal II which had a mistimed Swartz safety. Sent back to Kimber, got the gun back, tested it for 50 rounds, sold it and never looked back. After that it was a Desert Warrior, I had no major function problems with it, but because of the type of ambi safety, I did experience a breakaget to the right side thumb safety. Not a huge deal, replaced with a Wilson Combat bullet proof part, then parted ways with it in favor of a Custom TLE II. That was a raving POS that never quite worked, and the more it got shot the worse it would get. Sent in to Kimber, chamber had to be reamed as it was too tight hence my persistent FTF and FTE issues with that gun. Had them fix it, and parted ways with it.

On the other hand, I've had a number of Springfields and though I've had some minor bobbles with them, I've not had the wide ranging issues with them that I've had with Kimber 1911's. At the end of the day, I had one, ONE out of 4 kimber 1911 pistols that functioned as it was supposed to. I'd recommend searching out a Springfield Loaded model, S&W 1911 or Ruger SR 1911 over the Kimber.

 

[MySuomi]

I have an UltraCarry II 45 and the 9mm micro. Both have worked fine for me. I probably have about 1000 rounds thru the micro and a little less than that thru the UC. All I have done is change recoil springs. I just shot the UC on Saturday testing out a new load. I would buy both of them again if something happened to them.

 

[SwampWolf]

with prices to match that support their extensive advertising campaign.

In my mind, for a long time Kimber has had by far the best looking ads for guns. Ad appearance doesn't necessarily translate to gun performance but if it did, Kimber's pistols would be the best of the bunch.

 

[Casefull]

I've owned my fair share of Kimber 1911's over the years, and the best thing that I can say about them is that they're inconsistent. My first was an Eclipse II with an external extractor. I had constant feeding and ejection problems with it. Sent it back to Kimber as a warranty claim and received it back with a new slide which housed a more traditional extractor. I continued having issues with the gun after getting it back from Kimber, sent it in again for them to adjust extractor tension. Next up was a Custom Royal II which had a mistimed Swartz safety. Sent back to Kimber, got the gun back, tested it for 50 rounds, sold it and never looked back. After that it was a Desert Warrior, I had no major function problems with it, but because of the type of ambi safety, I did experience a breakaget to the right side thumb safety. Not a huge deal, replaced with a Wilson Combat bullet proof part, then parted ways with it in favor of a Custom TLE II. That was a raving POS that never quite worked, and the more it got shot the worse it would get. Sent in to Kimber, chamber had to be reamed as it was too tight hence my persistent FTF and FTE issues with that gun. Had them fix it, and parted ways with it.

On the other hand, I've had a number of Springfields and though I've had some minor bobbles with them, I've not had the wide ranging issues with them that I've had with Kimber 1911's. At the end of the day, I had one, ONE out of 4 kimber 1911 pistols that functioned as it was supposed to. I'd recommend searching out a Springfield Loaded model, S&W 1911 or Ruger SR 1911 over the Kimber.

In reading your post I found myself wondering why you would continue to purchase Kimber‘s with the trouble you were having with them.
I have a bunch and had very few hiccups.

 

[Old Dog]

In reading your post I found myself wondering why you would continue to purchase Kimber‘s with the trouble you were having with them.
I have a bunch and had very few hiccups.

Wondered the same thing myself. Have also had a bunch and zero hiccups, but then, I am the luckiest 1911 owner ever (I was ridiculed for a year on a certain 1911-centric forum, probably here as well, when I kept touting the reliability of my Springfield Armory Micro-Compact, which everyone knows is the worst 1911 ever made...)

 

[DT Guy]

Just bought a Custom II at a great price; specifically chose the II for the FPS. Tuned correctly, the Swartz safety has no impact on trigger pull or anything except assembly and disassembly, and adds additional drop-safety to the gun.

Did up a couple of holsters for it, and just got it back from being checkered/round butted and high-gripped, and added some aggressive G-10 grips; look forward to adding it to the rotation. (Pics are before mods.)









Shoots OK, too (10 yards):


Larry

 

[Master Blaster]

I have three, 1999 Classic Custom, 2007 TLE II, and 2019 production Eclipse target ( no fp safety, limited run). The Classic Custom is my most shot firearm. I used it in bullseye league for 7 years , + - 200 rounds per week, with matches and practice. All three have been accurate and reliable.

 

[Casefull]

Wondered the same thing myself. Have also had a bunch and zero hiccups, but then, I am the luckiest 1911 owner ever (I was ridiculed for a year on a certain 1911-centric forum, probably here as well, when I kept touting the reliability of my Springfield Armory Micro-Compact, which everyone knows is the worst 1911 ever made...)

My first pistol was a used colt with 4 inch barrel. That was a little over 35 years ago. I fixed and tuned Myself because I didn’t know any better. A little custom bending with a pair of pliers on the magazine feed lips. Taking the slop out of the slide by hammering the slide rails with block of wood to take up the excess clearance made a very accurate pistol. Plus I was shooting about 600 rounds a week. It’s amazing how accurate you can get if you shoot a lot. Compared to that first experience getting a modern 1911 to function is child’s play.
By the way, I still enjoy shooting that original pistol as much as my gold cup, Wilson combat, Kimber customs, etc.

 

[RobClarkeRVA]

Love my Custom TLE II wish it fed my SWC a little better but it loves the ball

 

[SwampWolf]

wish it fed my SWC a little better

What does that mean? Does it feed it at all? Does it feed any other type of bullet configuration reliably besides hard ball?

 

[Sundance1908]

Recently bought a Kimber Ultra Carry II. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to get it home and load it up. Slipped in the mag, pulled back the slide and let her rip... nope - failure to feed. Try again, same.

I learned that the tolerances are tight, and because of that, it can be a picky eater. I was told to run rounds through it to work it in. Hard to do in todays market. Hell, what I spent on ammo compared to the gun, well... I worked well at the range with one load - no issues. Accuracy for the short barrell was good, kick was ok. Overall, I liked it.

It ended up not replacing my carry gun yet (the checkered grip is a bitch on the skin). But in time it may well become the new carry.

 

[Ru4real]

Question

How long can a Kimber Custom II 45 ACP stainless circa 1998 go between cleanings before the first misfire, fail to load, occurs.

Answer

About 1000 rounds.

In other words, I can only get mine to fail through severe neglect.

 

[3Crows]

Recently bought a Kimber Ultra Carry II. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to get it home and load it up. Slipped in the mag, pulled back the slide and let her rip... nope - failure to feed. Try again, same.

I learned that the tolerances are tight, and because of that, it can be a picky eater. I was told to run rounds through it to work it in. Hard to do in todays market. Hell, what I spent on ammo compared to the gun, well... I worked well at the range with one load - no issues. Accuracy for the short barrell was good, kick was ok. Overall, I liked it.

It ended up not replacing my carry gun yet (the checkered grip is a bitch on the skin). But in time it may well become the new carry.

Get you a Wolff spring (or several for spare). The Wolff spring made a huge difference in cycling.

https://www.gunsprings.com/KIMBER/Ultra-Carry .45ACP/cID1/mID32/dID414

I am running Wolff p/n 32725 recoil spring in my Pro Carry II four inch Kimber.

https://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=32

Again, do not all 1911 except for those $2,000 plus race guns require some break in? I would and I think I did run that much through my Glock 19 before I trusted it.

 

[Sundance1908]

Get you a Wolff spring (or several for spare). The Wolff spring made a huge difference in cycling.

https://www.gunsprings.com/KIMBER/Ultra-Carry .45ACP/cID1/mID32/dID414

I am running Wolff p/n 32725 recoil spring in my Pro Carry II four inch Kimber.

https://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=32

Again, do not all 1911 except for those $2,000 plus race guns require some break in? I would and I think I did run that much through my Glock 19 before I trusted it.

Thanks, I'll give this a try. Perhaps, they do, but this is the only 1911 I have ever purchased. All my Sigs never required any break-in - they ran smooth from day one.

 

[JTQ]

Recently bought a Kimber Ultra Carry II.

Thanks, I'll give this a try. Perhaps, they do, but this is the only 1911 I have ever purchased. All my Sigs never required any break-in - they ran smooth from day one.

The 1911 was designed as a 5" barreled gun. The Government model size has the most room for error/forgiveness with a lot of things from ammo, to lube, to springs, to magazines. The farther away from a 5" Government model size, the less room for forgiveness you have. A Kimber Ultra is almost as far away from a Government model as you can get and is not very forgiving.

It's kind of like comparing the reliability of a SIG P226 to a SIG P938.

Wilson Combat has some good info in their FAQ section on ammo for compact guns that may be helpful

https://www.wilsoncombat.com/faqs/

All the mechanical changes are important, but the biggest factor is ammunition selection because it affects both slide cycle speed and the magazine’s ability to lift the cartridge into position for proper feeding. Ammunition loaded with 230gr bullets generate more recoil impulse (especially +P loads) than 185gr loads, and 7 rounds of 185gr ammunition weighs 315gr less than 7 rounds of 230gr ammunition, making the column of ammunition easier for the magazine spring to lift. I hope you see where I’m going here?

 

[3Crows]

Thanks, I'll give this a try. Perhaps, they do, but this is the only 1911 I have ever purchased. All my Sigs never required any break-in - they ran smooth from day one.

You might try the Wolff extra strong or one of each. Your pistol is the Ultra Carry I think you said? Mine, was slow to break is the Pro Carry 4 inch. The issue was partly operator error on my part but in any case, I was limp wristing it and the Kimber provided magazine, it would not take the top round off when the magazine was fully loaded. This was cured by the Wolff spring.

And BTW, on the subject, if you are using the Kimber magazine that came with the pistol that does not have the solid, anti-tilt follower, either get yourself a Wilson Combat or KimPro magazine. These have the anti-tilt follower and will not chew up the feed ramp on your alloy frame and they feed much better than the provided magazine. Kimber would do themselves and their customers a service if they provided their KimPro magazines instead of that standard issue mag.

Since I stopped limp wristing (why, beats me I was doing that), installed the Wolff spring and tossed the stock magazine and got the KimPro mags, all issues disappeared and it has been 100% ever since.

 

[Sundance1908]

You might try the Wolff extra strong or one of each. Your pistol is the Ultra Carry I think you said? Mine, was slow to break is the Pro Carry 4 inch. The issue was partly operator error on my part but in any case, I was limp wristing it and the Kimber provided magazine, it would not take the top round off when the magazine was fully loaded. This was cured by the Wolff spring.

And BTW, on the subject, if you are using the Kimber magazine that came with the pistol that does not have the solid, anti-tilt follower, either get yourself a Wilson Combat or KimPro magazine. These have the anti-tilt follower and will not chew up the feed ramp on your alloy frame and they feed much better than the provided magazine. Kimber would do themselves and their customers a service if they provided their KimPro magazines instead of that standard issue mag.

Since I stopped limp wristing (why, beats me I was doing that), installed the Wolff spring and tossed the stock magazine and got the KimPro mags, all issues disappeared and it has been 100% ever since.

Ultra Carry II. I bought one of each spring.

I do have a Sig P938 (guess it might be considered 1911). I never had a problem with feeding on that except from limp wristing - once discovered that went away. The Kimber, however, will not feed from pulling the slide back with certain ammo - typically hollowpoints. We will see how the springs work.

I'll check on the mags. I'm sure they are just standard.

 

[3Crows]

The Kimber, however, will not feed from pulling the slide back with certain ammo - typically hollowpoints.

I'll check on the mags. I'm sure they are just standard.

I will leave you be after this (and I admit to being at best non-expert). I would ditch the provided magazine and get some with the solid anti-tilt follower (that is part of the first round feed issue IMO). On the hollow points, at the range the other day a fellow with a very pretty DW 1911 was having feed issues with hollow points. He was using the type that were truncated, look like a traffic cone with the top cutoff . The range owner who does seem very knowledgeable told him to use a rounded profile hollow point bullet, I dunno. I notice my hollow points are rounded and never had a feed issue (Hornady Critical Duty). I do have a little S&W Bodyguard and it will not feed the truncated type either, it too likes a rounded profile bullet. I think a lot of people have issues with non-ball ammo and just do not 'fess up. It is a .45 caliber hole! Just shoot ball .

 

[SwampWolf]

I am not a Kimber owner but I've always been amazed at how many Kimber users advocate "tossing" the factory mags and replacing them with something different (I counted at least seven times in this thread alone). A magazine obviously is an important component of any semi-auto pistol and it's curious to me as to how many Kimber owners seem willing to give the company a pass for including apparently defective magazines with their pistols. After all, Kimber has had decades to rectify the problem-if, indeed there actually is one.

 

[3Crows]

I am not a Kimber owner but I've always been amazed at how many Kimber users advocate "tossing" the factory mags and replacing them with something different (I counted at least seven times in this thread alone). A magazine obviously is an important component of any semi-auto pistol and it's curious to me as to how many Kimber owners seem willing to give the company a pass for including apparently defective magazines with their pistols. After all, Kimber has had decades to rectify the problem-if, indeed there actually is one.

The KimPro magazines are fine. The magazine that comes with the pistols does not have an anti-tilt design and it may chew into or mark the feed ramp on alloy frames as well as not maintaining alignment. This occurrence is widely reported and I have seen it. I am not giving them a pass, Kimber makes a good magazine, they just do not include it with their pistols.

Kimber as supplied bottom, KimPro middle and Wilson Combat top:



Notice the open front, no anti-tilt skirt which allows the follower to catch on the lip of the magazine and also be drug forward into the feed ramp, some individual magazines are worse than others in this regard:



Wilson on the left with a full polymer follower, KimPro in the center with a metal anti-tilt and Teflon coated, and the as issued standard Kimber with no anti-tilt:



Technically the standard issue magazine does have an anti-tilt feature but once the magazine is at full extension it can rock forward because it does not have a skirt, just that blade sticking forward, and I have poked at my two enough to see that I can also tilt the follower forward much more than the full skirted types even when depressed well down into the magazine.

 

[SwampWolf]

Kimber makes a good magazine, they just do not include it with their pistols.

I guess that begs the question: why not?

 

[JTQ]

The follower with the pen inserted is a standard GI follower found in all kinds of 1911 magazines and has been in use since 1911. The mag itself may not be good for other reasons, but there is nothing wrong with the follower. In addition, the GI follower is not an issue with tipping forward and damaging aluminum feed ramps.

The follower known for damaging feed ramps is the Devel (also known as the Shooting Star) follower primarily found in the Chip McCormick line-up of magazines.

Kimber makes no 1911 magazines. Just like nearly all 1911 makers, they contract them out. It is likely CheckMate Industries makes all models of Kimber's mags.

 

[3Crows]

Yes sir, except, I just inserted the standard mag into my Kimber Pro Carry and with the slide locked back I was able to push the follower forward enough to contact the lower edge of the feed ramp with the lower blade, exactly where I have seen marks. I cannot do that with the KimPro or the WC magazines. I did have another (standard) magazine that I got at a show, it is much like the standard issue Kimber, except, I cannot get it to tilt into the feed ramp. Some of them seem to be looser or have more fore and aft rock at full extension.

I had my two Kimbers at the range Saturday and have not cleaned either so there was residue/soot on the ramp, you can see the shiny place in the soot where the lower blade of the standard magazine contacted the lower edge of the ramp when I pushed it forward just now and over rides the top forward edge of the magazine:



I never said Kimber made them, I simply provided the branding of the three magazines I had in my hand. And maybe the contact if you say it is normal and not of concern is a non-issue or cannot occur in normal usage. Perhaps the only time that contact could occur, just thinking it through, would be if dropping the slide down on an empty chamber, a bad thing to do anyways? If I am wrong, so be it .

 

[JTQ]

Perhaps the only time that contact could occur, just thinking it through, would be if dropping the slide down on an empty chamber, a bad thing to do anyways? .

Which would be extremely difficult with an empty mag inserted.

One of the more common questions asked by new 1911 owners, "I can't get the slide to drop using the slide stop or by sling shot."

"Do you have an empty mag inserted in the gun?"

"Yes."

"Don't do that, the gun isn't designed to work that way."

 

[3Crows]

Which would be extremely difficult with an empty mag inserted.

That is true, hmmm, maybe then the follower is drug forward with the last round? In any case, I have seen wear on alloy ramps right where the smudge mark is in my photo, would that be considered normal and of no concern? If so, I have several more magazines now in rotation than I thought I had .