zen_grasshopper
Member
I borrowed the format from Mr. Stephen A. Camp, I hope he doesn't mind.
Already owning a Springfield Mil-Spec that I rebuilt, I fell in love with the design of the 1911. So after several months of prodding my Chief and Lt. they finally gave me the go ahead to carry a 1911 on duty. Unfortunately there was one stipulation, it has to be factory stock. When I asked them to elaborate they stated that they were most concerned with the trigger system, and that it is the same as what came from the factory. So my Mil-Spec was out of the question. Thus began my quest for a new 1911.
I couldn’t spend a fortune on it, but it had to have a beavertail as I get severe hammer bite. I looked at several Springfield Loaded models and really was not that impressed with them, plus my Lt. had a OD Loaded a few months ago that just sucked. So I looked at Kimbers, but I really didn’t want the Swartz safety as it is just one more thing that can fail at some point. So a low priced, excellent condition, unmodified, Pre-Series II model was the order of the day. Looking everywhere but not liking what I saw, I stopped into my local gun shop and happened to mention my dilemma to the owner. He said that he had a Classic Custom at home that would fit the bill and he might be willing to sell it. So three days later when he remembered to bring it in, I went to see it and walked out of the store with it, beaming from ear to ear.
I took it home and cleaned it, and made sure that I had some ammo to put through it. I was planning to go to the range on Saturday, but I come to find out that the wife decided we were going to go out of town. So I waited, and waited, finally we got back and I went to the range this morning.
The Pistol:
This being my first Kimber, I am very happy about the gun as it is quite the gun for the money. It is smooth racking and locks up tight, no holster wear or other marks on the gun. But like every gun I have ever handled there a few things that bother me. I really don’t like the grip safety design and prefer it to be flush with the back of the grip when depressed. Also the top edge of the thumb safety is not dehorned and is quite sharp. Not a fan of front cocking serrations or full-length guide rods, but I can live with those.
I pulled the extractor out and replaced it with an Ed Brown Hardcore and I replaced the Hogue wraparounds that the previous owner had on it, with McCormick Rosewood and skateboard tape on the front strap.
Ammunition:
I took fifty rounds of Winchester 230 gr. Ranger T-Series and 200 rounds of my reloads that I have been putting through my Mil-Spec for the last month (just started reloading).
Load I was using was:
230 gr. Berry’s Plated Round Nose
New Starline Brass
5.6 gr. Winchester 231
Winchester Large Pistol Primers
OAL 1.250â€
Shooting:
I had to spend a little time driving the gun because the trigger is lighter then I am used to. I set my Mil-Spec up with a trigger in the 5.5 lbs range, but the Kimber is down in the 4.0 lbs range, both equally crisp. The difference was not much but I had to get used to it, and I still think I am pushing left. I started at 7 yards with some controlled pairs and Mozambique failure drills. When I stopped to reload the magazines I looked at some of my brass and saw that the middle of the case was getting pretty badly dented. I pulled my extractor and released some of the tension on it and tested it, now no dent and the brass landed in a nice neat pile. This was mostly a function testing trip and I needed to see what magazines it liked best. I took three Wilson 7 rounder, a Metalform 7 rounder, a McCormick Shooting Star 8 rounder, and a rusty old GI mag. All magazines functioned great, I will be carrying the Wilsons but it was cool to see it run on the GI mag that will choke every other 1911 I have shot.
This group was shot with Winchester 230 gr. Ranger T-Series, rapid fire (as fast as I could pull the trigger), with a two handed hold, Weaver stance, at 15 yards. 21 shots, center circle is 3 1/2 inches in diameter. I am not a target shooter, so no slow fire groups.
Observations:
Just for kicks I checked and it will load an empty case from slide lock every time. No malfunctions of any kind with both types of ammo and all magazines. It got quite hot and really dirty but kept on going without a problem. Now if I get another 400 rounds of ball through it and 200 rounds of Winchester Ranger, it will be ready for my duty holster. That is if they ever get the holster ordered!
Would be dirtier but I wiped it down while shooting.
Time for cleaning!
Already owning a Springfield Mil-Spec that I rebuilt, I fell in love with the design of the 1911. So after several months of prodding my Chief and Lt. they finally gave me the go ahead to carry a 1911 on duty. Unfortunately there was one stipulation, it has to be factory stock. When I asked them to elaborate they stated that they were most concerned with the trigger system, and that it is the same as what came from the factory. So my Mil-Spec was out of the question. Thus began my quest for a new 1911.
I couldn’t spend a fortune on it, but it had to have a beavertail as I get severe hammer bite. I looked at several Springfield Loaded models and really was not that impressed with them, plus my Lt. had a OD Loaded a few months ago that just sucked. So I looked at Kimbers, but I really didn’t want the Swartz safety as it is just one more thing that can fail at some point. So a low priced, excellent condition, unmodified, Pre-Series II model was the order of the day. Looking everywhere but not liking what I saw, I stopped into my local gun shop and happened to mention my dilemma to the owner. He said that he had a Classic Custom at home that would fit the bill and he might be willing to sell it. So three days later when he remembered to bring it in, I went to see it and walked out of the store with it, beaming from ear to ear.
I took it home and cleaned it, and made sure that I had some ammo to put through it. I was planning to go to the range on Saturday, but I come to find out that the wife decided we were going to go out of town. So I waited, and waited, finally we got back and I went to the range this morning.
The Pistol:
This being my first Kimber, I am very happy about the gun as it is quite the gun for the money. It is smooth racking and locks up tight, no holster wear or other marks on the gun. But like every gun I have ever handled there a few things that bother me. I really don’t like the grip safety design and prefer it to be flush with the back of the grip when depressed. Also the top edge of the thumb safety is not dehorned and is quite sharp. Not a fan of front cocking serrations or full-length guide rods, but I can live with those.
I pulled the extractor out and replaced it with an Ed Brown Hardcore and I replaced the Hogue wraparounds that the previous owner had on it, with McCormick Rosewood and skateboard tape on the front strap.
Ammunition:
I took fifty rounds of Winchester 230 gr. Ranger T-Series and 200 rounds of my reloads that I have been putting through my Mil-Spec for the last month (just started reloading).
Load I was using was:
230 gr. Berry’s Plated Round Nose
New Starline Brass
5.6 gr. Winchester 231
Winchester Large Pistol Primers
OAL 1.250â€
Shooting:
I had to spend a little time driving the gun because the trigger is lighter then I am used to. I set my Mil-Spec up with a trigger in the 5.5 lbs range, but the Kimber is down in the 4.0 lbs range, both equally crisp. The difference was not much but I had to get used to it, and I still think I am pushing left. I started at 7 yards with some controlled pairs and Mozambique failure drills. When I stopped to reload the magazines I looked at some of my brass and saw that the middle of the case was getting pretty badly dented. I pulled my extractor and released some of the tension on it and tested it, now no dent and the brass landed in a nice neat pile. This was mostly a function testing trip and I needed to see what magazines it liked best. I took three Wilson 7 rounder, a Metalform 7 rounder, a McCormick Shooting Star 8 rounder, and a rusty old GI mag. All magazines functioned great, I will be carrying the Wilsons but it was cool to see it run on the GI mag that will choke every other 1911 I have shot.
This group was shot with Winchester 230 gr. Ranger T-Series, rapid fire (as fast as I could pull the trigger), with a two handed hold, Weaver stance, at 15 yards. 21 shots, center circle is 3 1/2 inches in diameter. I am not a target shooter, so no slow fire groups.
Observations:
Just for kicks I checked and it will load an empty case from slide lock every time. No malfunctions of any kind with both types of ammo and all magazines. It got quite hot and really dirty but kept on going without a problem. Now if I get another 400 rounds of ball through it and 200 rounds of Winchester Ranger, it will be ready for my duty holster. That is if they ever get the holster ordered!
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