Poll for current and previous KIMBER owners only: Would you buy another Kimber?
- Thread starter Balrog
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Hokkmike
Member
WOW! I don't own a Kimber but that is quite a few no's. Make me really hesitant to go that way....
Lv4snobrdg
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- Jan 8, 2010
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- 123
I have owned a glock and an m&p and I won't be buying them again. Own two Kimbers and nothing else ATM.
ForumSurfer
Member
I own a Pro CDP II. It is hands down the favorite handgun I own and my preferred ccw weapon. I have had zero malfunctions in 2500 rounds, except for some stock mag and bad hand load failures. I would not hesitate to buy another Kimber.
That being said, here are a few items I'd like to see addressed:
I broke the ambi safety on it, but that was my fault. I fell on concrete and landed directly on the safety. I called Kimber, ended up talking to some guy in the shop, he took my address and sent me a replacement piece free of charge even though it most definitely wasn't under warranty. It was then I discovered that I don't like ambi safeties. They add unnecessary width and just don't do anything for me. As long as my trigger finger is intact (necessary to pull the trigger anyway), I can actuate the safety with my weak hand just fine. Aside from that, I'm right handed. When practicing transitioning to my weak hand, the safety is on. In an actual defensive situation, I doubt I'd be switching hands with the safety on.
I've heard Kimbers kaboom and jam every third shot. Not true for me. I've heard they have tremendous extractor issues. Not true for me. I've heard the mags suck. They do.
Yes, a glock wouldn't have broken anything when I fell on it. But this is a 1911 and what I want. I own a glock, too for the record. Sigs, Glocks, S&W's, Berettas and whatever weapon of choice you say all come with mags that work. Again, I don't care because I wanted a reliable 1911 for ccw. I knew going in that the kimber mags suck.
Many people wouldn't pay over $700 for a gun that came with lousy mags. I agree that it is frustrating.
But it would not stop me from buying another Kimber, nor am I disappointed. Rationally, I can understand that. But if I rationalized all of my firearm purchases, my collection wouldn't be quite so varied.
That being said, here are a few items I'd like to see addressed:
- Kimber should quit making mags and outsource to Wilson Combat or someone. Kimber mags suck, period. If it is your ccw piece, throw away the stock Kimber mags right away ...preferably before you ever leave the store.
- What?! Why is my mainspring housing non-metal?! I feel slightly cheated, but not so much that I wouldn't buy another Kimber.
- I hear MIM parts suck, but I haven't experienced a failure on my Kimber.
- I'm not a fan of full length guide rods. I'd like to be able to disassemble my Kimber without a paper clip, thank you.
- All Kimber pistols, given the price should come with stainless barrels. I give mine (and all my guns) judicious cleaning and tlc often whether fired or not, so I have no rust. All the same, it would be nice just in case.
I broke the ambi safety on it, but that was my fault. I fell on concrete and landed directly on the safety. I called Kimber, ended up talking to some guy in the shop, he took my address and sent me a replacement piece free of charge even though it most definitely wasn't under warranty. It was then I discovered that I don't like ambi safeties. They add unnecessary width and just don't do anything for me. As long as my trigger finger is intact (necessary to pull the trigger anyway), I can actuate the safety with my weak hand just fine. Aside from that, I'm right handed. When practicing transitioning to my weak hand, the safety is on. In an actual defensive situation, I doubt I'd be switching hands with the safety on.
I've heard Kimbers kaboom and jam every third shot. Not true for me. I've heard they have tremendous extractor issues. Not true for me. I've heard the mags suck. They do.
Yes, a glock wouldn't have broken anything when I fell on it. But this is a 1911 and what I want. I own a glock, too for the record. Sigs, Glocks, S&W's, Berettas and whatever weapon of choice you say all come with mags that work. Again, I don't care because I wanted a reliable 1911 for ccw. I knew going in that the kimber mags suck. Many people wouldn't pay over $700 for a gun that came with lousy mags. I agree that it is frustrating.
But it would not stop me from buying another Kimber, nor am I disappointed. Rationally, I can understand that. But if I rationalized all of my firearm purchases, my collection wouldn't be quite so varied.ForumSurfer
Member
It's the internet, that's how it goes. Take it all with a grain of salt, brother.
Coincidentally, go surf the GlockTalk forums where guys complain about their Glock issues to fellow Glock lovers. You'll see enough complaints there that you would think Glocks are unreliable.
People love to bash Glocks, Kimbers, XD's or 1911's in general for whatever reason.
If you want a pistol no one bashes on the forums, get a CZ.
Maybe all Kimbers suck and I got the one good apple.
those who have had reliability and or service issues with their 1911's will have a strong driving force to alert others. (pls see: culo rojo) whether to protect fellow consumers from the same pratfall, or to "get even" with the mfgr is open to debate.
those who spent more than the average 1911 runs for a brand that ends up working well for them will have a strong driving force to prove their extra investment of american inflationary notes was not folly. (pls see: boastum maximus) whether this is leading others to a superior maker, or playing show and tell with their classmates is open to debate.
the onliest info i could place much stock in would be a statistical finding that included:
1...how many were made in THAT model, and the percentage of those that required repair, after it was determined absolutely that their problem was not in fact, THEIR problem. this would have to include private smiths, and factory repair centers. (even this would not stand a chance of including the ones that were deemed unworthy, and offed by private sale to another by the original owner.)
2...the flavors of ammo and magazines used to determine those findings.
3...a postmortem investigation to determine the level of lubrication and cleaning methods the weapon had gotten. a thorough check for evidence of internal and or external abuse.
4...at least, an approximate total of rounds that were fired in the weapon before it was deemed as unsuitable.
i doubt i will see these findings published in the future, but would find room in my wallet to purchase same.
that said, i previously stated that i would buy (some) kimbers again.
just to prove this is not driven by brand loyalty, other makers also.
and to further the just cause of thread perversion, some of the kimber mfgd glocks i used to own....
come on kids, which of the first two paragraphs best define the driving force that compels you to jump into the middle of a non-related thread with your output?
er, i mean, input?
gunnie
those who spent more than the average 1911 runs for a brand that ends up working well for them will have a strong driving force to prove their extra investment of american inflationary notes was not folly. (pls see: boastum maximus) whether this is leading others to a superior maker, or playing show and tell with their classmates is open to debate.
the onliest info i could place much stock in would be a statistical finding that included:
1...how many were made in THAT model, and the percentage of those that required repair, after it was determined absolutely that their problem was not in fact, THEIR problem. this would have to include private smiths, and factory repair centers. (even this would not stand a chance of including the ones that were deemed unworthy, and offed by private sale to another by the original owner.)
2...the flavors of ammo and magazines used to determine those findings.
3...a postmortem investigation to determine the level of lubrication and cleaning methods the weapon had gotten. a thorough check for evidence of internal and or external abuse.
4...at least, an approximate total of rounds that were fired in the weapon before it was deemed as unsuitable.
i doubt i will see these findings published in the future, but would find room in my wallet to purchase same.
that said, i previously stated that i would buy (some) kimbers again.
just to prove this is not driven by brand loyalty, other makers also.
and to further the just cause of thread perversion, some of the kimber mfgd glocks i used to own....
come on kids, which of the first two paragraphs best define the driving force that compels you to jump into the middle of a non-related thread with your output?
er, i mean, input?
gunnie
Hokkmike
Member
Gotcha about the internet. Fact is I just put my handgun investment into a Walther PPS.
ForumSurfer
Member
Feel free to drop me a message and let me know how you like it. I've been contemplating one of those. I'm a slim guy, so I don't care to wear anything too baggy. It's hard for me to conceal anything as thicker than 1911 (in reference to the grip). I've tried carrying glocks. They work, but eventually they start printing once I move around alot. If I started buying all of my pants +2" and carrying iwb, things would be different. That isn't a sacrifice I want to make. I like my pants to fit. The pps seems like a good compromise and that it would be very unnoticeable in a high ride owb holster.
Sweet purchase...I'm having wather envy!
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
Cant't add much, I, like mine, and will by more if the money ever comes back.
orionhawk
Member
I clicked "Yes", but it's really more "maybe...". They are decent 1911's imho, but a bit tight for my liking, compared to my Springfields. My father also had one turn unreliable. And I don't like their normal grip safeties (I realise that's correctable). I'd be willing to get another, if I got a good deal on it.
And I, for one, am perfectly willing to bash a CZ. I had one that just flat didn't work.
And I, for one, am perfectly willing to bash a CZ. I had one that just flat didn't work.
Yup...well probably would buy another, but don't need one cause I have one that I love, and shouldn't ever have to replace it.Love my Ultra CDPII, and it has worked flawlessly, granted I haven't shot a bajillion rounds through it like most experts, but I am comfortable enough with it after 500+ rnds....my .02 worth
I would not buy a car or a washing machine that had this high a % of dissatisfied owners, much less a firearm that I might need to rely on to save the life of my family. I understand the internet hype on both sides. However there are other brands that have a much higher owner satisfaction rating.
smoothdraw
Member
Kimbers are reliable and accurate weapons. My HD and my EDC are Kimbers. But the reason why i will not buy any kimbers anymore is because they keep on using MIM parts and plastic mainspring housing and ask a lot of money for their guns. Same with HK which i have last year. There are more good value 1911's there like Dan Wesson which do not use MIM parts and almost same price as kimbers. Colts the same, their 1911's now have few MIM parts unlike Kimber that are 100% of internals at least my pro carry 2 and TLE/RL2 are concerned.
So why not HK? Because you can have Smith and wesson M&P and Glocks at $500's new and they are as capable and use maybe even better parts than HK or maybe equal. And after you watch Magpul's Dynamic Handgun then you'll love striker fired M&P and Glock. You manipulate them similar to your AR15.
But of course i respect other people and if they so like Kimbers and HK then go for it. I was one of them when i started (maybe i've seen too many ads of kimber and Hk). Freedom of choice is good and either Kimber or HK are very capable weapon.
So why not HK? Because you can have Smith and wesson M&P and Glocks at $500's new and they are as capable and use maybe even better parts than HK or maybe equal. And after you watch Magpul's Dynamic Handgun then you'll love striker fired M&P and Glock. You manipulate them similar to your AR15.
But of course i respect other people and if they so like Kimbers and HK then go for it. I was one of them when i started (maybe i've seen too many ads of kimber and Hk). Freedom of choice is good and either Kimber or HK are very capable weapon.
2ndamd
Member
Never again.
Airman193SOS
Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2007
- Messages
- 267
I'd buy one in a second. It's an even easier choice for me because I have sufficient handguns to cover myself if something went wrong with it while I worked on the problem.
I would never discount other peoples' experiences with bad Kimbers, but my Kimber has done very well indeed and I trust it without reservation. It's amazing how a single good or bad experience can polarize people so much. Then again, when you buy something you intend to trust your life to and it doesn't work the first time, every time, it's easy to see why that is.
I would never discount other peoples' experiences with bad Kimbers, but my Kimber has done very well indeed and I trust it without reservation. It's amazing how a single good or bad experience can polarize people so much. Then again, when you buy something you intend to trust your life to and it doesn't work the first time, every time, it's easy to see why that is.
Browns Fan
Member
In all fairness, even though my Ultra Carry was unreliable, it was remarkably accurate. It was the only handgun with a 3" brl I could consistently make headshots with at 50 yds.
But, in my humble opinion, reliability IS job 1! I still wouldnt buy another.
But, in my humble opinion, reliability IS job 1! I still wouldnt buy another.
PowerG
Member
I have an old Custom Compact, one of the best handguns I've ever owned. Due to all the negative posts about Kimber I'd be hesitant, but yeah I'd probably go for another one if the price was right.
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