KIMBERS and 1911s...
- Thread starter GZOh
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I bought a CDP II Kimber and while doing research I found that to get a 3" 1911 withthe features I wanted I did not have tons of choices. I also found that all the very compact 1911's in that catergory were about the same price range. Then it all came down to availability. I don't own any other 1911's but I am more than happy with the fit, finish, accuracy, and price of mine. BTW I paid about $1,000 for mine out the door.
Big Boomer
Member
ACK! 
Let me be one of the first to say
RUN! RUN AWAY NOW!
First generation kimbers were ok but after that they qc went down the proverbial toilet like a big brown stack of poo.
(had to get graphic there for effect )
There are PLENTY of other, or almost ANY 1911 manufactures that make a quality product for equal or less.
The only thing IMHO that kimbers have is style. The do make some damn fine looking firearms. I just wish they functioned anywhere near how they looked.
Until that day, they "K" word will remain banned from this household.
Let me be one of the first to say
RUN! RUN AWAY NOW!
First generation kimbers were ok but after that they qc went down the proverbial toilet like a big brown stack of poo.
(had to get graphic there for effect
)There are PLENTY of other, or almost ANY 1911 manufactures that make a quality product for equal or less.
The only thing IMHO that kimbers have is style. The do make some damn fine looking firearms. I just wish they functioned anywhere near how they looked.
Until that day, they "K" word will remain banned from this household.
The Wiry Irishman
Member
Between myself and my friends, I've either had first-hand experience with maybe 10 different Kimbers, all but one series two, some three inch, mostly full-size.
My Custom II hasn't had a malfunction yet in 2400 rounds. My friend's Custom II hasn't had one in over 3000. His new 3" CDP has been flawless for 500 or so.
None of the other people I know that own them have mentioned problems with functionality. There have been a few very minor issues with finish durability.
Custom IIs run about 650 new most places. I've not fired a 1911 in the same price range that I liked as much. When you start getting up around 1000, there's others that are better, the STI Trojan in particular. Still, the Kimbers are good guns. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
My Custom II hasn't had a malfunction yet in 2400 rounds. My friend's Custom II hasn't had one in over 3000. His new 3" CDP has been flawless for 500 or so.
None of the other people I know that own them have mentioned problems with functionality. There have been a few very minor issues with finish durability.
Custom IIs run about 650 new most places. I've not fired a 1911 in the same price range that I liked as much. When you start getting up around 1000, there's others that are better, the STI Trojan in particular. Still, the Kimbers are good guns. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
DFW1911
Member
A Kimber 1911 was the WORST handgun I have ever purchased.
I sent it back to Kimber twice to resolve its issues - they did nothing. So I ended sending to Wilson Combat to be completely rebuilt, so now it's a "Kimber" full of Wilson stuff and works fine.
I don't know if this is indicative of the brand. Maybe I just got a lemon. I do know this: I'll never buy another one.
Of note: no Springfield Armory 1911 has ever given me any issues, nor have any of my Colts. I'm sure others have stories about them, but if I were buying another 1911 I'd look at those brands.
I hope this helps.
DFW1911
I sent it back to Kimber twice to resolve its issues - they did nothing. So I ended sending to Wilson Combat to be completely rebuilt, so now it's a "Kimber" full of Wilson stuff and works fine.
I don't know if this is indicative of the brand. Maybe I just got a lemon. I do know this: I'll never buy another one.
Of note: no Springfield Armory 1911 has ever given me any issues, nor have any of my Colts. I'm sure others have stories about them, but if I were buying another 1911 I'd look at those brands.
I hope this helps.
DFW1911
Kimbers are no more expensive than other major manufacturers. SA, S&W, Colt, all close in price. My NIB Loaded Springer cost me $660 shipped, my just ordered Kimber Ultra Carry was $687. My nicest 1911, by far, is my S&W SC commander, $650 lightly used
Hopefully a glitch free range report, from the little Kimber, sometime next week
Hopefully a glitch free range report, from the little Kimber, sometime next week
glockman19
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,700
I have 4 Kimbers. Love them all. YES worth the money.
They got a bad rap about a year or two ago with the External Extractor. Mine all are internal extractor.
I'll get 2-3 more.
They got a bad rap about a year or two ago with the External Extractor. Mine all are internal extractor.
I'll get 2-3 more.
Wildfire
Member
Ultra Carry.
Hey There:
back when I bought my Kimber Ultra carry I paid $720.00 for the gun, $100.00 for the night sights, and $100.00 for my Galco holster. Never been sorry.
My colt 1911 is well worn and extremely accurate but way to big for carry.
The colt has also had way to many mods done and that likely would not fly so well in a court room as a self defence carry gun.
The cost was not an issue. the quality was.
Hey There:
back when I bought my Kimber Ultra carry I paid $720.00 for the gun, $100.00 for the night sights, and $100.00 for my Galco holster. Never been sorry.
My colt 1911 is well worn and extremely accurate but way to big for carry.
The colt has also had way to many mods done and that likely would not fly so well in a court room as a self defence carry gun.
The cost was not an issue. the quality was.
SCKimberFan
Member
I have an Eclipse Pro (4"). I have had a few (3-4) FTE through approximately 350 rounds. Aside from those events, the gun has performed quite well.
sturmgewehr
Member
They really don't have any key selling advantages over any other brand. Their lack of quality is pretty much universally acknowledged. For that reason, I would suggest you look at other offerings by companies such a S&W, Springfield, Dan Wesson, Sig, or even Taurus... all of which are in the same price range as Kimber with better reputations for quality.
For the money I'd rather have a springfield. But there are definitely "cheaper" 1911s that can be had, by even the big name manufacturers. The kimber custom is reasonably priced. The Springfield mil-spec is around 600 from a good shop, and the new STI spartan is $600 from any good shop and is a really nice deal.
I myself own two springfields and a smith and wesson 1911. They've all been flawless and I paid $900 on average for each of them. Worth it to me. Even though they cost nearly $400 more than either of the berettas i've owned, I only end up using my 1911s, whether i'm carrying or shooting. I just love everything about them.
I myself own two springfields and a smith and wesson 1911. They've all been flawless and I paid $900 on average for each of them. Worth it to me. Even though they cost nearly $400 more than either of the berettas i've owned, I only end up using my 1911s, whether i'm carrying or shooting. I just love everything about them.
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
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- 5,711
I've owned four so far and am contemplating a fifth.
I have had zero issues with any of mine and trust them enough to carry.
That's pretty funny...
I've had a Springer and two Colts and had trouble with each. So my experience is 180 degrees from Sturmie's, but there is no way I would condemn Colt or Springfield as having a "universally acknowledged" lack of quality...
I have had zero issues with any of mine and trust them enough to carry.
That's pretty funny...
I've had a Springer and two Colts and had trouble with each. So my experience is 180 degrees from Sturmie's, but there is no way I would condemn Colt or Springfield as having a "universally acknowledged" lack of quality...
76shuvlinoff
Member
I have only had one Kimber, a 5" Raptor II, yes a II. Are they worth it? That's a matter of opinion and when it comes to guns there are a few megga tons of opinions on the errornet. Don't know how anyone else's is but mine goes bang everytime and compared to my daily carry poly pistol in .40, it's a joy to shoot.
It's your money.
It's your money.
I own a Kimber Custom II, 2 Colts and 2 Springfield 1911's. Other than some different features as near as I can tell all of mine are equally accurate and reliable. Some of the Kimbers with external extractors had a lot of problems a few years ago. It seems from what I have read on the net and other places that with Kimbers the cheaper Custom II's seem more reliable than the more expensive models.
Hawk
Member
I don't purport to have my finger on the pulse of the internet but there seems to be a comeback story in process.
I actually read where someone was treated well by Dennis and got his pistol fixed.
I haven't seen any in shops recently that looked as horrid as the pics that sturmgewehr has posted elsewhere.
I, personally, which is to say, my own self, not somebody else or my 4th cousin, had a Kimber that was a steaming heap and got the kind of service that wouldn't make it past Art's Granma if described literally.
If Colt could do it with SAAs, why not Kimber with 1911's? Your odds of getting a good one were always decent. They may be somewhat improved of late if I'm reading the chatter right.
But I'm done - had nothing but good luck with STI and don't see a reason to rock the boat. It's not totally clear if STI or Dawson gets most of that credit - Dawson's "enhancement package" is great for peace of mind.
I actually read where someone was treated well by Dennis and got his pistol fixed.
I haven't seen any in shops recently that looked as horrid as the pics that sturmgewehr has posted elsewhere.
I, personally, which is to say, my own self, not somebody else or my 4th cousin, had a Kimber that was a steaming heap and got the kind of service that wouldn't make it past Art's Granma if described literally.
If Colt could do it with SAAs, why not Kimber with 1911's? Your odds of getting a good one were always decent. They may be somewhat improved of late if I'm reading the chatter right.
But I'm done - had nothing but good luck with STI and don't see a reason to rock the boat. It's not totally clear if STI or Dawson gets most of that credit - Dawson's "enhancement package" is great for peace of mind.
Alot of people don't like Kimbers because of the Firing pin block (schwartz safety). People claim that they are not reliable and that Wilson, Les Baer, Ed Brown, etc.... are all superior guns. THat MIGHT be true, heck, I'd be willing to bet that these guns will outperform a Kimber out of the box. THe reason is the work that is put into these individual guns. The price tag shows it too!
Any of these puppies are gonna cost you close to 2 grand or more often, more than that. Back in yesteryear, 1911's were sold very basic. No beavertails, no lowered and flared ejection ports, no beveled mag wells..... you get the point. You would then have to take this pistol to a gunsmith to get all of these upgrades done to it. THis translates to alot of moolah. But that was the only way to do it. Then comes along Kimber and they revolutionized the way the 1911 was sold. THey manufactured the gun with the majority, if not all of the upgrades most 1911 lovers wanted. THis meant alot of moolah saved for the buyer. When you take a Kimber and compared it side by side with a GI model that was custom built, the Kimber would be alot less expensive and yet be on par with it as to quality. I know cuz I did the whole GI rebuild upgrade with my SPringfield GI. I'd say it's better than the Kimber, but I had to put double the money I put into the Kimber to get it where it's at now. THat's not saying that Kimbers are perfect out of the box. I've had to drop an additional $250 to get it to where I like it. I'm a perfectionist though, so some people might say it wasn't nesessary. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend Kimber to anybody who wants a quality firearm, but not break the bank getting the other more expensive Custom builds from any of the aforementioned brands like WIlson, Les Baer, etc....
Fact is, Kimber sells more 1911's than ALL other 1911 makers out there. The only other outfit that gives competition to Kimber is Springfield. Funny how everybody is always critical of whoever is in the #1 spot. I don't think Kimber would be as succesfull as they have been if they truly sold a piece of junk. The free market tends to weed out bad products, Kimbers guns are a testimony to thier quality.
Any of these puppies are gonna cost you close to 2 grand or more often, more than that. Back in yesteryear, 1911's were sold very basic. No beavertails, no lowered and flared ejection ports, no beveled mag wells..... you get the point. You would then have to take this pistol to a gunsmith to get all of these upgrades done to it. THis translates to alot of moolah. But that was the only way to do it. Then comes along Kimber and they revolutionized the way the 1911 was sold. THey manufactured the gun with the majority, if not all of the upgrades most 1911 lovers wanted. THis meant alot of moolah saved for the buyer. When you take a Kimber and compared it side by side with a GI model that was custom built, the Kimber would be alot less expensive and yet be on par with it as to quality. I know cuz I did the whole GI rebuild upgrade with my SPringfield GI. I'd say it's better than the Kimber, but I had to put double the money I put into the Kimber to get it where it's at now. THat's not saying that Kimbers are perfect out of the box. I've had to drop an additional $250 to get it to where I like it. I'm a perfectionist though, so some people might say it wasn't nesessary. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend Kimber to anybody who wants a quality firearm, but not break the bank getting the other more expensive Custom builds from any of the aforementioned brands like WIlson, Les Baer, etc....Fact is, Kimber sells more 1911's than ALL other 1911 makers out there. The only other outfit that gives competition to Kimber is Springfield. Funny how everybody is always critical of whoever is in the #1 spot. I don't think Kimber would be as succesfull as they have been if they truly sold a piece of junk. The free market tends to weed out bad products, Kimbers guns are a testimony to thier quality.
Pumpkinheaver
Member
I own a Series one Kimber and several of my friends have sedries II Kimbers. All of them have one thing in common, absolute reliability.
I'll bet that most of the guys telling the Kimber horror stories have never owned one and they hear about it from their sisters counsins brothers father!!!!!
I'll bet that most of the guys telling the Kimber horror stories have never owned one and they hear about it from their sisters counsins brothers father!!!!!
Are KIMBERS really worth the 'top dollar' they command (ie. $800+) in the 1911 field?... What's their key 'selling advantages' from other 1911s... what are you really getting for the extra $$s?
Kimber's are entry level to mid range 1911s, not top dollar models. The only Kimber that approaches a higher end 1911 is the Super Match II, which retails over $2K.
They have some solid mid range guns, as in the Grand Raptor and Gold Combat series, but most are low end and entry level models. That said, all my Kimbers have been good performers.
In the world of 1911s, $800-$1200 is lower end for sure. Under $800 is entry level. Mid range is about $1200-$2,000.
Kimber's are entry level to mid range 1911s, not top dollar models. The only Kimber that approaches a higher end 1911 is the Super Match II, which retails over $2K.
They have some solid mid range guns, as in the Grand Raptor and Gold Combat series, but most are low end and entry level models. That said, all my Kimbers have been good performers.
In the world of 1911s, $800-$1200 is lower end for sure. Under $800 is entry level. Mid range is about $1200-$2,000.
DAVIDSDIVAD
member
My Kimber Custom II runs perfectly, and, IMO was worth the dough.
I've never had ANY problems with mine that weren't my fault.
I've never had ANY problems with mine that weren't my fault.
I consider myself a 1911 shooter and have been since 1986. I own and enjoy several other platforms that I use but the 1911 platform is what I am most comfortable with. I own several modles of Kimbers, Les Baers, Wilsons, Colts, Springfields and Dan Wessons. Kimbers are reliable pistols after they reach their breakin periods. I personally use the magic number 500 as the breakin point. Until I reach that number, I've noticed that all my 1911s have some problems even my Les Baers. Most people don't factor in a breakin period and are disappointed.
Tribal
Member
I get the impression that it depends on what kind of shooter you are. If you're a competitive shooter then Kimber's probably wrong for you. If you're someone who will fire about 2,000 rds or less each year but want a 1911 that will do the job well, Kimber's probably a good choice. I think bac1023 pegged it: Kimber is at the top of the entry-level 1911s.
guntotinguy
Member
My wife has a Kimber Ultra Carry 2,and never a FTF and always seemed accurate for its purpose.I would say (on her behalf) yes its well worth the cash.
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