Kimber Pro Carry II: Weight

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Aluminum frame, stainless slide. Is the aluminum an issue?

I handled one today and it seemed reasonable in weight for a carry piece. Bushing-less takedown. 7+1 standard grips. Fits my nand with a 4 inch barrel.

KimberAmerica.com does not list the weight.

Does Springfield offer a similar-type auto?

Whenver I hold a new one, I admit that I get giddy, and reality is suspended

It is like the first time, every time Or do I just enjoy it more with age?

Anyway,

Comments?
Complaints?
Suggestions?

 

[Zach S]

Cant comment on the weight, I tend to say away from aluminum frames. Although takedown is easy, changing recoil springs is kind of a PITA. I use a standard GR in my 4" and it runs great. I can press check now too

 

[wintermute76]

Kimber's 2003 catalog lists empty magazine weight at 28 oz. It's at the website also Specifications

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I didn't page over enough. Thanks. Still pretty difficult to follow all that data across.

 

[45R]

No problems with Al frames here. Check your PM.

 

[wintermute76]

Yeah, Kimber's Spec page could use a bit of a facelift, it's the same as their catalog table, works fine in a book, but not so much on the webpage.

 

[MK11]

I've got a series 1 pro carry. The weight is a joy to carry, not bad at all for shooting, although your hand will let you know after a box of 50 or so.

There's a conversation over on www.selfdefenseforums.com where the moderator advises people to stay away from hollowpoints in aluminum frames because they'll cause enough wear and tear that the gun will misfeed. I have no idea if this is valid, just passing something along.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Does Springfield offer a similar-type auto?

Springfield offers alloy-framed models in four sizes...full-sized, Commander-sized, Compact (Commander slide on Officers frame), and Officers. As a plus, all their alloy-framed guns have fully ramped barrels, even the full-sized model. I have the Lightweight Loaded in full size, and I'm very pleased with it. It tips the scales at ~28oz. loaded, so the Commander-sized model (called the Champion) would be an ounce or two lighter.

 

[45R]

I wonder what type of anodizing process Kimber uses for the Al Alloy frames. I've also seen pictures on the 1911 forum of steel followers dinging up the Al frames pretty good.

Heck just get yourself a Sig 220 and forget about it

 

[JonnyB]

I've got the alloy-frame ProCarry - but don't know the difference between series 1 & 2. Mine allegedly weighs in - empty - at 25 ounces, and is a joy to carry on the belt, either IWB or out.

Regarding the ammo comments - my feed ramp has been dinged up by plated SWC reloads, so I've made the decision to use only round-nose bullets in mine. It *is* one of my 2 carry guns (along with an FN hi-Power), so I want it to work very, very well.

Mine, after having been carried, shot and handled, has a 'used' look to it, but I don't mind. It has character, rather than looking old. It is, after all, a 'working' pistol, not for show. The steel has more wear showing than the frame. Kimber's finish appears to be a bit less durable than, say, Glock's.

Jon

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

JohnnyB

Blue or stainless?

 

[JonnyB]

Mine's blue. Well, black, actually. I've not seen a stainless model; does it have an alloy frame, or is the frame stainless steel, too?

Mine will rust when carried in the summer, next to my sweaty hide. I need a few of the wife-beater tee shirts to put on under a polo-type shirt for summer carry.

Jon

 

[Stasher1]

The Stainless Pro Carry II has an all stainless upper with an alloy frame like the black version. Mine had a few problems at first but they were easily solved with a new Wilson slide stop, removal of the Shok-Buff I added (don't use them on a 4" 1911, it'll make the slide short-stroke), and removal of all of the Series II firing pin safety junk.

It's now a good shooting and fairly reliable pistol.

 

[Dave T]

It tips the scales at ~28oz. loaded,

Marko, are you sure about that? That sounds more like the unloaded weight. My old Colt Commander's all were rated at 27.5 oz empty and my KZ-45 Compact is 29 oz empty. I find it hard to believe the Springfield is the same weight loaded as my Commander was empty.

 

[Marko Kloos]

I meant to say "28 ounces unloaded," of course. It's closer to 34 loaded.

 

[JayGee]

I've got the Kimber Compact CDPII which I believe is the jazzed up version of the Pro Carry (couple hundred bucks extra for fit & finish stuff). 4" barrel and aluminum frame. I believe it's 28oz empty.

Aluminum feed ramp has gotten dinged a little (about 1500 rds) but it actually feeds better now than at 500 rds. The only feeding probs I ever get anymore is a failure of the first round to feed when the slide is manually released; the round "nose dives" occasionally into the bottom of the ramp and ONLY with the Kimber magazine (DON'T use the factory mags).

I did develop a problem with the slide locking open after the second or third shot. I filed down the cam inside the frame on the slide release lever, and that corrected the problem. I'd like to know more about the Wilson slide release in an earlier post to this thread; was it purchased in due to a problem (like mine?) with the factory release? Was it effective? How do I get one?

I use the Wilson Combat ss mag with plastic follower virtually exclusively now. With the plastic follower, no dinging problems. Always feeds well. Slide release works perfectly with it.

 

[Stasher1]

I'd like to know more about the Wilson slide release in an earlier post to this thread; was it purchased in due to a problem (like mine?) with the factory release? Was it effective? How do I get one?

Yes, the Wilson slide stop was installed for two reasons. The main reason was to fix the problem of the slide locking back after every 2nd or 3rd shot, and the second reason was because I prefer extended slide stops.

It's a higher quality part than the stock McCormick and fits much better. I had to do a bit of filing on the backside to remove some sharp edges that were scratching my alloy frame, but you expect that with any aftermarket 1911 part.

It has worked flawlessly for the 600 or so rounds that I've put thru the gun since installing it. Just about every dealer of 1911 accessories will have Wilson parts in stock. If you can't find one locally, check Brownell's. I know they have the extended stainless version for about $28.

The only feeding probs I ever get anymore is a failure of the first round to feed when the slide is manually released; the round "nose dives" occasionally into the bottom of the ramp and ONLY with the Kimber magazine (DON'T use the factory mags).

I had a similar problem, but mine turned out to be a combination of a Shok-Buff causing the slide to "short-stroke" and a poorly manufactured (slighly undersized) mag catch that allowed the mag to sit lower than it should've. I installed a new mag catch (another McCormick), removed the Shok-Buff, and switched to Wilson 47D mags and it's been fine since.

I'm in the process of swapping out every stock part in my Pro carry for higher quality parts. If I had done more research before shelling out the $$ I never would've bought the dang thing...

 

[JayGee]

Thanks for the info, Stasher1. My Wilson SS Mag (47*) has corrected the "nose dives". I think in my case the factory mags had too high a spring tension (you can "feel" the difference betw Wilson & factory by pushing the follower down with your little finger) and the feeder lips were sharp & rough on the factories. No probs with the Wilson.

On the slide stop, I'll give the Wilson a try. I like the idea of an extended release tab (although I've never tried it).

Ditto on being fed up with Kimber (non) quality. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a Colt or STI.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Thanks all. I am veering away from the "gunsmith work protection device".

It may be light(er) and it may be purdy, but if the gunsmith has it more than I do, then it ain't renting space in my safe.

 

[Stasher1]

Well, if you can find a Series I Kimber you'll be much happier. The fit, finish, and function of the early models is sooooo much better than the newer ones...almost seems like two different companies made the guns.

If I had to do all over agin, I'd buy a Dan Wesson. They're using mainly Chip McCormick parts as well, so the quality of the parts is the same as Kimber. I'd rate their quality right up there with the early Kimbers...for about 2/3 the price.