Kimber Pro Carry SLE

[ToraBoraBlues]

Was trying to sell a Spikes AR and was offered a Kimber Pro Carry SLE as a trade. I couldn't find too much info on them and was wondering if any of my fellow highroaders had any opinions on it.

I'm heading out to Afghanistan again and would like to get my gf something as a carry weapon. I'd purchased a Kahr K9 for her but she didn't like the DA trigger.

Is it a reliable handgun? I keep hearing about issues with Kimbers and saw a buddy's jam on Remington ammo.

Is it a fair value? I figure my AR is worth right around 1k, and I've seen the Pro Carry listed for about the same.

 

[Coop45]

It's a series one pistol....no firing pin block. They were made between the move from Oregon and the introduction of the II series after the move to Yonkers. Mine has been flawless since I bought it new.

 

[ToraBoraBlues]

What's your take on the claims that Kimber went to crap after moving?

 

[Coop45]

I can only say my Carry Pro works fine. I fired a friend's series II 4" 9mm and it worked fine, but then again I like Kahrs too. Be careful when you get back out there. If you're an army guy be careful, the Marines are thieves. If you're a Marine, don't steal more than you can carry.

S/F

 

[MK11]

While the Clackamas, OR Kimbers are highly sought after, the pre-Series II Kimbers made in Yonkers are typically fine. Things went to hell after Kimber came out with the Series II and started focusing more on gimmicks and variety than making solid guns.

Kimber is usually held up as the 1911 brand to avoid today but they really kicked off the 1911 revival in the 1990s when Colt and Springfield were still making junk.

 

[RainDodger]

I have a Pro Carry Series II HD (stainless receiver) in .38 Super. Excellent gun; no problems. I simply removed all of the firing pin blocking stuff from the inside of the slide - it all comes out if you take off the rear sight. Now it's like any other 1911. Good guns - better than most.

 

[ToraBoraBlues]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[ToraBoraBlues]

Coop45, the only Marines we played with were MARSOC. They had nicer stuff than we did, and we tried to steal from them.

 

[JTQ]

ToraBoraBlues wrote,
What's your take on the claims that Kimber went to crap after moving?

MK11 wrote,
While the Clackamas, OR Kimbers are highly sought after, the pre-Series II Kimbers made in Yonkers are typically fine.

I don't believe Kimber 1911's were ever made anywhere but New York. They may have originally stamped Clackamas, Oregon, on their early guns to indicated where the company headquarter were located, but their 1911 manufacturing facility has always been in New York.

 

[orionengnr]

Just the same as any used gun, try to test it before you buy it.

I've had really good luck with used Kimbers (eight so far). I've owned pre-Series II 1911s and Series II guns, in steel and alloy frames, and in 3, 4 and 5".

I currently have a 4" alloy Ultra Carry II and a steel framed Pro Eclipse II. Wouldn't let either one go without a fight.

 

[CNobbe]

Have had 2 Kimber 1911s, Custom II and Pro Carry II 9mm. Custom II never needed a "break in." I put 500 rounds through it before selling it off to buy the Pro Carry II in 9mm when concealed carry was adopted here in WI. Actually never fired the darn thing. Was busy, found something else I wanted, so I sold it on gunbroker. Emailed the buyer a few weeks ago asking how it was going and she said "great, you sold me a great gun."

Now, a friend of mine has an Ultra Carry CDP or something like that, and he had problems early on that didn't involve firing the gun..the paint or whatever coating they used started to peel on the inside of the mag well and the barrel had corrosion after sitting in a safe for a couple of weeks.

Took it in to the dealer, they sent it to Kimber, Kimber sent it back all fixed up.

He said he had a few malfunctions early on, but it smoothed out after 100 rounds or so. He carries it daily on duty and loves it.

I'd buy another Kimber knowing IF I had issues, my local dealer will help me out as they sell tons of Kimber guns, and have been told they've only had to send a few back for repair.

 

[ToraBoraBlues]

Thanks for all the info guys, turns out she's gonna get a MP compact.