Kimber range review

[Crow1108]

So finally took my Kimber out to the range. Brought out 150 rounds of American Eagle 230 grain FMJ, the 7 round mag it came with, an 8 round Kimpro Tactical mag I picked up for a song, and 2 Wilson 47Ds.

Cranked out the target to about 10 yards, and the holes just got bigger. I was really impressed. 25 yards was pretty much the same story. The recoil was on the same level, if not just a wee bit lighter, as my Sig P226 .40.

Only experienced 2 malfunctions, which, surprisingly (and you guys are probably gonna think I'm crazy when I say this), were only when I was using the Wilson mags, and they were on the last round. The Kimpro mag didn't have any problems with feeding the last round, and the stock Kimber mag worked perfectly fine. To be perfectly honest, I half expected it to be the other way around. It also took a little more effort to insert the Wilson magazines. The Kimber mags went in easy as pie.

Overall I am very pleased. I expected alot more malfunctions the first time out, just from what everyone else said. Probably put some night-sights on this bad boy as soon as I get some more cash together, and it will be my new carry gun.

 

[MaterDei]

Good review. Congrats on your new Kimber, which one did you get? My Stainless II has run flawlessly since day one but I've not used any of those cheap Wilson mags. I've only used Kimber and GI mags.

 

[Crow1108]

It's my Stainless II. Picked it up a few weeks ago. I'm strongly thinking about getting a few more of the Kimpro mags.

 

[MaterDei]

Sorry, missed that in your signature. I'm with you on the sights. Mine came with plain jane all black sights. No dots much less anything that glows.

 

[jlbraun]

How many thousand rounds between failures have you experienced?

Oh, wait... this is about a Kimber.

That's a pretty reliable gun you got there.

 

[MaterDei]

Who pissed in your cereal, jlbraun? The man comes to talk about how happy he is with his new gun and you've got to take a shot at him. fwiw, I've got over 5 thousand rounds through my Kimber and my next failure will be my first.

 

[jlbraun]

I just can't see how people can be happy with a gun that malfs even *once* with factory ammo.

As I've said before:

"I want to return this gun, it's doesn't work with factory ammo."

"Put 500 rounds through it first to break it in."

...later...

"It still doesn't work. I'd like to return it please."

"I can't take this gun back, it's used!"

"...!"

"...but I do know a gunsmith..."

Eh, it came off wrong. 2/150 failures and I would be sending that gun back.

 

[Crow1108]

I'm sure the failures were attributed to the magazines. I've read of 1911s from different manufacturers having problems with 8 round magazines (including those that cost twice as much as what my Kimber costs). I'll pick up a few more of the kimber mags, and maybe a few of the GI mags, and we'll see where it stands.

 

[steelyblue]

I've never had a problem with any Kimber except with Wilson mags. They usually like the cheap shooting stars. They are about the same as the Kimber mags. BTW, don't buy a cheap brand called magtech. I bought one at a range and it broke. One more comment, if you type the word Kimber in your thread title, know that you will be slammed. If you expect it then it won't bother you so much.

 

[MM]

Well, regarding 1911's in general. it's about that sweet, sweet trigger pull. And regarding a Kimber that great trigger is attached to a very accurate weapon.
Arguably, one of the more reportedly "troublesome" models is the one I own, the Ultra Carry II. I still remember the great rush of thrill I experienced when I first took it to the range.
Now, I'm a vet of an age where the .45 was issue, so I'm very hip to the platform, knowing enough about how it feeds to never rely on one until it breaks in. I took my time feeding it ball until it ate without failure, then was patient to let it get reliable with different personal defense loads. I learned what rounds and which brand of mags it liked. When it decided not to lock back with the mags I found best, I slightly stoned the slide release and it worked flawlessly. I have used this gun enough to completely wear-out one guide rod/captive spring assembly, probably around 6000 rounds. The gun still worked with the fubar guide, I just replaced it with the new one I had ordered at about round count 4K (I took the time to learn this weapon and what/when it was likely to fail). I Did not carry it again until I knew the new spring/rod assembly was functional. You do what is necessary to insure reliable function, all the more so for a weapon you love to use. All this to say, one works through the problems with the weapon.
Now I own at least 60 different handguns. None of them are disposable, all were chosen for their appeal to me. If there is a mechanical problem, I fix it or get it fixed. I do not have a habit of calling something junk. The only one I ever gave up on was a PPK/S SWalther that would not break in after some 600 rounds, bit my hand (big hands, I suppose) and was a bit snappy of recoil. I traded to an acquaintance with full disclosure and it has, over time, proven reliable for him. So I love my handguns and try to work through the issues when problematical.
The Kimber I own is as reliable as any revolver I carry and it's sweet trigger and phenominal accuracy are more than rewarding enough for me to overlook it's few teething problems. and damn if I will fail to be pleased with it, just as our friend Crow is pleased and thrilled with his new piece, no matter how someone who doesn't get it tries to steal our joy and pride of ownership.
Again, it's about the trigger, the accuracy and the abiding joy the mastery of the fine weapon brings.
Enjoy,
MM

 

[possum]

op disregard the following

How many thousand rounds between failures have you experienced?

Oh, wait... this is about a Kimber.

That's a pretty reliable gun you got there.

thanks for the review, it sounds like you have the problem figured out, and i am sure that it is a mag issue too.

how out some pics?

 

[Crow1108]

One more comment, if you type the word Kimber in your thread title, know that you will be slammed. If you expect it then it won't bother you so much.

Yeah, I knew it would happen. Everybody has their brands that they swear by.

Here ya guys go.




These were after I just got it. I posted them in another thread a few weeks ago.



Here's the target from 25 yards. I need to work on my flinch a little .

Steelyblue: I think next time I pick up some mags, I'll try some of the shooting stars like you suggested. Midway seems to have a good price on them.

 

[steelyblue]

Sometimes you can find them at a show for under twenty dollars.

 

[clemsonu0219]

I've got two Kimber's...only had one problem the entire time i've had them, my Desert Warrior shot fully automatic after a few rounds when I first bought it (used). The seer pin had worn just slightly. Since it is a federal offense if caught with it, I sent it directly back to Kimber and they corrected it in less than 2 weeks. Kimber's customer service is great and I have had absolutely no more issues with either of my kimbers