Kimbers good for carry or not
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Tarvis
Member
The Kimber's I've held at the store would not release the slide using normal force without pulling back on the slide. I'm not positive, but it seems like if it is not functioning properly at the store, it is not going to function properly until something changes with the geometry. I think that a break-in period of 2 boxes or so is reasonable for a new 1911, but 1000 rounds to make a gun run like it's supposed to is horse puckey. It seems like a good 1911 gunsmith could fix the problem in no time.
I don't believe any gun should have to go through a break in period. That's the factory having us do their job.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't put a couple hundred through a handgun to make sure they have done their job properly.
I own 5 pre Series II Kimbers. I would carry any of them with confidence. I own one Series II. I am not crazy about the Swartz system, and I have had trouble with it, if I do not fully depress the grip safety..
That doesn't mean we shouldn't put a couple hundred through a handgun to make sure they have done their job properly.
I own 5 pre Series II Kimbers. I would carry any of them with confidence. I own one Series II. I am not crazy about the Swartz system, and I have had trouble with it, if I do not fully depress the grip safety..
Kimber's have the reputation of spotty function without a loving touch here and there by a gunsmith when new.
However, many have them and love them and in fairness, I wouldn't trust any 1911 platform that I hadn't put at least 500 round thru as a defensive weapon - Kimber, SIG, STI, Nighthawk, Brown. You name them. 1911's need to prove their function as everybody has had a shot at redesigning what was an already good design from JMB. Some were less successful than was he.
<EDIT> That being said, I have a friend with a Kimber at the +100,000 round mark. Once it starts running, they are hard to stop.
RMD
However, many have them and love them and in fairness, I wouldn't trust any 1911 platform that I hadn't put at least 500 round thru as a defensive weapon - Kimber, SIG, STI, Nighthawk, Brown. You name them. 1911's need to prove their function as everybody has had a shot at redesigning what was an already good design from JMB. Some were less successful than was he.
<EDIT> That being said, I have a friend with a Kimber at the +100,000 round mark. Once it starts running, they are hard to stop.
RMD
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Old Grump
Member
Never heard of any gun that required more than 500 rounds
Most take considerably less as long as its properly cleaned and lubed as per directions. Do not over lubricate, more is not better and less than 200 rounds will more than likely be all the break in you need. A few trips to the range to get sighted in and familiar with the weapon and skill building will be more than enough rounds. In other words, clean, lube, shoot, repeat process.
Most take considerably less as long as its properly cleaned and lubed as per directions. Do not over lubricate, more is not better and less than 200 rounds will more than likely be all the break in you need. A few trips to the range to get sighted in and familiar with the weapon and skill building will be more than enough rounds. In other words, clean, lube, shoot, repeat process.
steelyblue
Member
I would say that if nothing happens in the break in period, you are good to go. I have three Kimbers that have over 2000 rounds each with no issues. They shoot JHP and FMJ ammo just fine. I would trust my life to any of them. I've never heard 1000 rounds before, but that would certainly put your mind at ease. I would still carry it before the 1000 rounds were finished if it was my only CCW. Its better to have a gun that will most likely work, than pointing your finger and saying, "bang."
I just read an article from larry vickers recently on shooting/owning a 1911. I don't have it in front of me but one of his quotes was something along these lines: if you aren't interested in learning about the function of your pistol and keeping tabs on all the important parts, then buy a glock.
My S&W 1911 worked right out of the box and has every round since then, even after taking modifications from me.
My springfield EMP has never had a single problem, and the fit and finish is amazing.
My springfield champion operator, while being gorgeous and having a really tight fit and finish, gave me some sass. But because I took the time to learn how the firearm worked and "what made it tick" I was able to assess the issue, and fix it myself.
I don't know that there's any 1911 manufacturer out there that can make a flawless 1911 100% of the time. That being said, it's more about personal dedication to carrying/owning a weapon like the 1911 the matters, and possibly customer support from the manufacturer.
I handled a Kimber pro CDP the other day at a store and actually I didn't like it. The thumb safety was way too stiff and the barrel lock up didn't feel very tight. I also didn't like it's recoil assembly and thought the plastic main spring housing was cheezy for such an expensive gun.
My S&W 1911 worked right out of the box and has every round since then, even after taking modifications from me.
My springfield EMP has never had a single problem, and the fit and finish is amazing.
My springfield champion operator, while being gorgeous and having a really tight fit and finish, gave me some sass. But because I took the time to learn how the firearm worked and "what made it tick" I was able to assess the issue, and fix it myself.
I don't know that there's any 1911 manufacturer out there that can make a flawless 1911 100% of the time. That being said, it's more about personal dedication to carrying/owning a weapon like the 1911 the matters, and possibly customer support from the manufacturer.
I handled a Kimber pro CDP the other day at a store and actually I didn't like it. The thumb safety was way too stiff and the barrel lock up didn't feel very tight. I also didn't like it's recoil assembly and thought the plastic main spring housing was cheezy for such an expensive gun.
joesolo
Member
the way I read this at first was more an issue of carrying/using a 1911 (think thumb safety) and not an issue of break-in period. With that in mind I have tried to practice and get comfortable with the 1911s safety but always go back to a DA or DAO gun. Anyway, could the guy at the range have been referring to familiarity with a 1911 platform?
It is NOT true that you have to put at least 1000 rounds through a Kimber, in order to break it in properly.
Kimber owner manuals recommend a break-in period of 400 to 500 rounds, using quality factory ball (230 grain, full metal jacket) ammunition. They also recommend cleaning and lubricating the gun every 100 to 150 rounds during the break-in period.
http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cach...ual&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Kimber owner manuals recommend a break-in period of 400 to 500 rounds, using quality factory ball (230 grain, full metal jacket) ammunition. They also recommend cleaning and lubricating the gun every 100 to 150 rounds during the break-in period.
http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cach...ual&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Joshua M. Smith
Member
If it's reliable with 50 rounds, carry it. If, within the first 50 rounds, it malfs, put another 100 through it.
In all honesty, I believe that shooting it enough to get familiar with it is plenty to break it in.
That said, I tend to get very familiar with my pistols.
Josh <><
In all honesty, I believe that shooting it enough to get familiar with it is plenty to break it in.
That said, I tend to get very familiar with my pistols.
Josh <><
chieftain
Member
I don't believe any semi-automatic pistol is broke in until 1000 rounds have been sent down range by the weapon.
Glock, SIG, S&W, Kahr,Kimber, Colt, Kel-Tec, Walther, Ruger. Browning, FN, they all need to be shot in. When you acquire a new weapon, before round number 1 goes down the pipe, you should take the weapon down to it's smallest components, clean, lube, inspect and if need be repaired or tweak the parts with a kiss of a file or stone to the parts that are not just right. Then lube her up and take that new fangled noise maker to the ranges, and shoot the hell out of it.
To be trusted enough to fight the weapon, I require a thousand rounds. Some pro's I know, both LEO and Military require many more.
Revolvers on the other hand, 50 rounds will do it. I am an ole' Smith guy. but with todays S&W's the only revolver I would consider trusting out of the box is the GP101, Redhawk, and the 101. My old original S&SW's, some over 60 years old, I would have trusted out of the box too. But no longer.
but a semi Auto, no less than 1000 rounds IMNSHO. That applied 40 years ago, it applies today too. In fact I haven't seen an increase in many firearms being sold today, over the weapons of yesteryear. By the way, even one FTF, requires the count to be reset to zero, for function testing the weapon, another 1000 would be required to be shot. Besides it allows you to learn your weapon better too.
Weapons in general, even rifles and shotguns work much better after shooting a bunch too.
By the way of that 1000 rounds, you got to suck up the coast and run at least a couple hundred of your carry rounds through the magazines and guns you will carry to fight with.
THERE IS NO DOWN SIDE TO RUNNING 1000 ROUNDS THROUGH YOUR WEAPON. Some real highspeed guys I know require 2000 or 2500 rounds before they deem a weapon to be fit to fight with. This is normally not done at one sitting. Usually you would want at the very least 4 or so different visits. Each time taking the weapon all the way down and inspecting and checking on wear, tolerances, how things are holding up, more cleaning and of course lubrication.
But that is professional behavior.
By the way, if this is a non fighting gun or, as I call mine I don't plan to fight with, a 'toys'.
Go figure.
Fred
Glock, SIG, S&W, Kahr,Kimber, Colt, Kel-Tec, Walther, Ruger. Browning, FN, they all need to be shot in. When you acquire a new weapon, before round number 1 goes down the pipe, you should take the weapon down to it's smallest components, clean, lube, inspect and if need be repaired or tweak the parts with a kiss of a file or stone to the parts that are not just right. Then lube her up and take that new fangled noise maker to the ranges, and shoot the hell out of it.
To be trusted enough to fight the weapon, I require a thousand rounds. Some pro's I know, both LEO and Military require many more.
Revolvers on the other hand, 50 rounds will do it. I am an ole' Smith guy. but with todays S&W's the only revolver I would consider trusting out of the box is the GP101, Redhawk, and the 101. My old original S&SW's, some over 60 years old, I would have trusted out of the box too. But no longer.
but a semi Auto, no less than 1000 rounds IMNSHO. That applied 40 years ago, it applies today too. In fact I haven't seen an increase in many firearms being sold today, over the weapons of yesteryear. By the way, even one FTF, requires the count to be reset to zero, for function testing the weapon, another 1000 would be required to be shot. Besides it allows you to learn your weapon better too.
Weapons in general, even rifles and shotguns work much better after shooting a bunch too.
By the way of that 1000 rounds, you got to suck up the coast and run at least a couple hundred of your carry rounds through the magazines and guns you will carry to fight with.
THERE IS NO DOWN SIDE TO RUNNING 1000 ROUNDS THROUGH YOUR WEAPON. Some real highspeed guys I know require 2000 or 2500 rounds before they deem a weapon to be fit to fight with. This is normally not done at one sitting. Usually you would want at the very least 4 or so different visits. Each time taking the weapon all the way down and inspecting and checking on wear, tolerances, how things are holding up, more cleaning and of course lubrication.
But that is professional behavior.
By the way, if this is a non fighting gun or, as I call mine I don't plan to fight with, a 'toys'.
Go figure.
Fred
Ske1etor
Member
Put it this way, I wouldn't carry a Wilson Combat without putting 1000 through it first. Infact, I wouldn't carry a Glock without putting 1000 through it first. A firearm has to prove to ME that it performs like is supposed to. Just because some guy in a gunshop said it is good to go straight out of the box means nothing to me.
That said, I carry a Kimber Custom II... and on occasion, a Springfield XD-40
That said, I carry a Kimber Custom II... and on occasion, a Springfield XD-40
CHEVELLE427
Member
if i had to put 1000 rounds through it just to make it dependable,
I DONT WANT IT, but running some to test it and make sure it will work when you need it to im all for
SORTA LIKE BUYING THAT BIG TRUCK TO TOW A TRAILER BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR 1000 MILES TO DO SO.
If I bought the truck to tow, it is for now not later, just like the gun it is to go to work now not down the road.
I will put a box or 2 through it just to make sure it goes bang and not boom. and i make sure i take it to the range with me when i go. but it will only see rounds i carry in the gun as the others will get all kinds of ammo run, because this one gun has a different job then the rest, it has to be there for me when i need it, 1,000-100,000 most all guns will act up sooner then later.
XD GIRL you cant get him into an XD?
I DONT WANT IT, but running some to test it and make sure it will work when you need it to im all for
SORTA LIKE BUYING THAT BIG TRUCK TO TOW A TRAILER BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR 1000 MILES TO DO SO.
If I bought the truck to tow, it is for now not later, just like the gun it is to go to work now not down the road.
I will put a box or 2 through it just to make sure it goes bang and not boom. and i make sure i take it to the range with me when i go. but it will only see rounds i carry in the gun as the others will get all kinds of ammo run, because this one gun has a different job then the rest, it has to be there for me when i need it, 1,000-100,000 most all guns will act up sooner then later.
XD GIRL you cant get him into an XD?
No manufacturer makes 100% of their guns reliable straight out of the box, none. Too many variables. Any gun needs to be shot some to prove itself. No gun should have to be shot 1000 rounds to make it depenable.
I have a Kimber CDP II Ultra that I carry sometimes. It has been flawless from round one with a variety of HP's, TrFP's, & SWC's in variuos weights. I have shot 4 or 5 hundred rounds through it. That instills confidence right there. Yes, FLAWLESS from ROUND ONE.
I have other 1911's from other makers that have done the same thing. Those guns, the ones you don't have to make excuses for, are the kind one feels comfortable carrying.
My XD SC in .40 has been the same way. I take it in the car with me a lot, and if I get out, it goes with me.
I have a Kimber CDP II Ultra that I carry sometimes. It has been flawless from round one with a variety of HP's, TrFP's, & SWC's in variuos weights. I have shot 4 or 5 hundred rounds through it. That instills confidence right there. Yes, FLAWLESS from ROUND ONE.
I have other 1911's from other makers that have done the same thing. Those guns, the ones you don't have to make excuses for, are the kind one feels comfortable carrying.
My XD SC in .40 has been the same way. I take it in the car with me a lot, and if I get out, it goes with me.
M2 Carbine
member
No, it's not true.
I've got five Kimbers and friends have another nine or ten. The only ones that required a break in was the Eclipse. A couple hundred rounds got them working fine.
The last Kimber I bought is the Ultra Covert II. It's a tight Custom Shop gun and I fully expected it to have some failures in the first 100-200 rounds.
I took it straight from the box to the firing line and began counting the rounds through it.
After a couple days I got tired of keeping track at about 350 rounds.
And that was with the Kimber factory magazine.
This Covert is fast becoming a favorite gun, although I just can't get to like the color of those grips.
Vern Humphrey
Member
My pre-MKII never required a break in. It shot well from the start. But I put about 1000 rounds through it before I retired my M1927 Argentine, which was my previous carry gun.
chieftain
Member
And another fellow stated:
Let's just assume they read what I and several others in fact said wrong. Otherwise...........
Any fire arm, should be well tested before it is put on the line to where your life may rely on it. I find a minimum number of rounds to be 1000 for a semi or full auto weapon. Some other professionals I know use 2000 and some 2500 rounds.
But that is just professionals.
It don't matter who made it either. Of my Carry SIG's 226,228,229 (except the 229, they are all German made stamped slide models) all passed the test, but the 225 or several 220's did not. I have yet to have any Glock besides the model 17 pass the tests. And one of them did not make it. I have only had one 1911 not pass the test. Several like a few of the Glocks, have required tweaks or mods to make it though. Each breakage, mod, or tweak meant going back to round 1 for the 1000 round test.
Shot an endurance shoot of 1000 rounds in one day earlier this year. The three guns that went 1000 rounds with no FTF's were a SIG 239, Glock 26, and a Colt Commander. Tied for second place were 4 more guns, a Glock 17, Kimber Warrior (my second one), and a Les Baer TRS, and a Springfield EMP all with two FTF's. Mine happened at round 39, and 46. I believe I caused them but a ftf is a ftf. Reason don't matter. That restarted the count. That Warrior is now safely over the 1300 rounds since the last FTF during that shoot, and now has about 4200 rounds total through her. My #1 Warrior total round count is about 11,700 with no FTF's. The highest round count of any of my fighting weapons is my SIG 228 at 37,500 rounds with one FTF due to a WWB winchester round with the primer in backward. ( I got two boxes of ammo from them boys for that about 12 years ago) I don't shoot that weapon anymore because of some medical problems. That is why I went back to carrying the ole Colt Governments. For the rail versions I rely on the two Kimber Warriors I have.
Most of the guns in these endurance shoots have been Glocks and 1911's. Earlier last year this same group had a shoot and the two winners was a Colt Government and a Glock 17. IIRC All the other folks 11 Glocks and IIRC 7 1911's. These are facts, not opinions.
Several of my friends have had luck with HK's. I know some LEO friends have had luck with a couple of the new S&W M&P, but not all. CZ's are seeming to do pretty good too, but I don't have any. Haven't had any problems with my Highpowers either. Part of the problem with the XD's that do have problems is the the factory parts can be difficult to get. For all makes except SIG's the magazines have caused problems from time to time. The early Glock magazines gave a lot of problems. A Glock 19 I tried to get qualified, just couldn't do it. Turned out the 4th generation magazines were the pits. So far the latest gen mags seem to be working reliably. We will see.
The shooting of 1000 rounds with out any FTF doesn't MAKE the weapon reliable. It is a test and proves, to the operator who's life may depend on that particular weapon that it, that one weapon, will most likely work properly when called on to work.
Rather simple, unless one is trying to be obtuse.
Go figure.
Fred
Vern Humphrey
Member
How many normal, practice range sessions does it take to shoot a thousand rounds? Not many!
combatantr2
Member
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A 1000round break in period is hogwash. It just took me 20rounds of hardball to condition my norinco and 50rounds of JHP of remington. All worked well. I chose to carry FMJs/hardball. I just cant believe that for a pistol to work properly you need 500 to 1000rounds to break them to make sure they're reliable.
and 50rounds of JHP of remington. All worked well. I chose to carry FMJs/hardball. I just cant believe that for a pistol to work properly you need 500 to 1000rounds to break them to make sure they're reliable.chieftain
Member
Depends, if there are any ftf, it can take a long time. Usually the time is spent checking what the problem is. Small problem not long.
I like to use at least 4 sessions. So I can tear the weapon down between sessions to check for breakage, improper wear, or any other problems that may need parts, springs, tweaks etc.
That is my methods. Some are more stringent some are less.
It is a self imposed test, used it as wisely as you think you should.
I have found that folks who take fighting their weapons seriously tend to put a lot more effort in this than those who don't. Remember in this test, unless others are counting on you in that potential fight, the only person who may pay the price is you. How much of your time is worth, well, you.
Good luck.
Fred
I like to use at least 4 sessions. So I can tear the weapon down between sessions to check for breakage, improper wear, or any other problems that may need parts, springs, tweaks etc.
That is my methods. Some are more stringent some are less.
It is a self imposed test, used it as wisely as you think you should.
I have found that folks who take fighting their weapons seriously tend to put a lot more effort in this than those who don't. Remember in this test, unless others are counting on you in that potential fight, the only person who may pay the price is you. How much of your time is worth, well, you.
Good luck.
Fred
Vern Humphrey
Member
We ought to distinguish between "breaking in" on the one hand, and reliability testing on the other.
The first term implies loosening up the pistol through use, wearing off possible burrs and so on. The second implies simply shooting it enough to determine if it is prone to stoppages.
Surely, no one would take a pistol right out of the box, wipe it with a handkerchief, load it and carry it without ever firing it. The question is, how many rounds do you fire before you feel comfortable with the gun?
The first term implies loosening up the pistol through use, wearing off possible burrs and so on. The second implies simply shooting it enough to determine if it is prone to stoppages.
Surely, no one would take a pistol right out of the box, wipe it with a handkerchief, load it and carry it without ever firing it. The question is, how many rounds do you fire before you feel comfortable with the gun?
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