Should I sell my Kimber? Looking for CCW.

[pinetree64]

I've recently posted about the Kahr K9 and the Beretta Tomcat. I was thinking about picking-up a Tomcat. Last weekend at the range my Kimber compact made an abysmal showing(jam-o-matic and accuracy). So bad that I'm thinking about forgoing the Tomcat, selling the Kimber and buying a new main CCW gun. Since I have a large quantity of brass and am setup for 45acp, I was thinking about staying with it.

Options:
1. Keep Kimber (work on loads) buy Tomcat for warm weather ccw.
2. Sell Kimber and buy a Glock 36 or 30
3. Sell Kimber and buy a Kahr K9 and start reloading 9mm.

I'm leaning towards #1 since I have 6 good mags. I really like the trigger on on SA guns. I usually shoot the Kimber well, but I think shooting a box of 44mag had the flinch factor going.

I appreciate the input.

Tim

 

[pale horse]

Are the jams coming from reloads or factory? If its reloads I would suggest keeping the kimber and working on the reloads. If the pistol is hanging up on factory I would go to a gunsmith and ask him to check it out. If its a minor fix I would keep it. However, if its a major fix I would sell it and get something else.

Get a .22 to work on that flinch or just dont shoot the 44 mags. I got a .22 and stopped shooting my dads 44 its too much gun for me, although he loves it to death.

 

[AK103K]

Keep the Kimber, take it to a good 1911 smith and have them do a throat and polish and reliability package on it. (some places this is all in one) After that, it should feed anything you put in it. This should cost you no more than $50-75. Carry it all year round, they hide well if you dress right.

 

[critter]

I own, shoot and carry a Kimber compact in stainless regularly. Mine is quite accurate, ultimately reliable on every fodder I have fed it and I don't think I could find a better carry piece for me. I'd see if I couldn't get the Kimber's indigestion fixed and keep it. Probably a minor problem-it is a GOOD gun!

 

[10-Ring]

Since you mentioned you normally shoot the Kimber well, I'd keep it and work on finding loads it prefers and sticking w/ those. THen go w/ option #1. The Tomcat is a pretty nice summer gun

 

[Kahr carrier]

Ditto Option 1 keep the Kimber.

 

[Zundfolge]

I've got a better idea ...

1. Keep Kimber (work on loads) but fluff & buff for better reliability (maybe show it to gunsmith)
2. Then buy Kahr MK9 or PM9 for warm weather ccw, and start reloading 9mm.
3. Then buy a Glock 36 or 30 (I'd recommend 36) for daily carry ... keeping Kimber for IDPA and/or range gun


possible alternative #3
3. Then buy a Glock 29 for daily carry , start reloading 10mm and keep Kimber for IDPA and/or range gun.

 

[M1911]

Keep the Kimber and get it fixed.

 

[docbones]

Or, just sell the broken junker to me!

The check will be sent from Docbones Home for Wayward Guns!


Seriously though, Kimber makes an excellent product and usually very little tinkering will make it right. I bet you can talk Kimber into doing the work for free.

Docbones

P.S. But, if you really want to get rid of it $500 is not too much to part with!

 

[scoop]

im sure the jams are from your techniqe.hard to beleive a kimber would jam on a regular basis.my ultra carry (3 inch barel)nhas never malfuntioned period>>>>>.....

 

[BerettaNut92]

Life's too short to invest time and money into guns you don't like or disappoint you.

 

[Guntalk]

The Kimber is a piece of junk, and I'll take it off your hands for $50!

Seriously, have you called Kimber? Give them a chance to make it right.

 

[pinetree64]

Thanks guys. Technique, I doubt it. This gun has been back to Kimber twice for:
1. Slide would not lock back.
2. Would sometimes machine gun - special!
3. Mags would fall out, mag catch not engaging
4. The grip saftey would not engage.

However, this timeI really think it was the handloads. For some reason it likes 200FP. It did not like the 230g RN. I think I over crimped. If I understand correctly, over taper crimping will cause a loose bullet. I think I was having some set-back. I'll probably pick-up a Tomcat or Jetfire this weekend for pocket carry.

I really like the Kahr K9, but they seem pricey($589) and the mags are $$$.

Thanks,
tjg

 

[IRock]

pinetree64, as far as the other jams go you have not told us whether you are using reloads or QUALITY factory ammo. Ammo has a lot to do with the accuracy also. As far as the rest of the problems it sounds like you may have a lemon. I'll take off your hands if you like.

 

[45R]

Keep the Kimber, use:
Good factory ammo for carry.
Ditch the Kimber mags and use CMC or Wilson Mags

If its not dependable send it out to a Gunnie and buy the Glock 30! It will unleash 11 rounds of 230gr hardball if you can hang on to it!

 

[Longbow]

I second what Skunkabilly said.
I think you should sell the kimber (its been in the factory twice! that's enough for me!) and buy a Glock 23 or 30 or an XD compact. They're light weight, not finicky w/ ammo, almost same size as your kimber and works all the time (at least to my experience). Good luck!

 

[Guntalk]

My offer stands!

Fifty bucks, sight unseen.

 

[docbones]

Yep, it's broke!

Okay, okay. Since it is broken, I will buy it for $300. Just give me a call or private message.

Docbones

 

[dairycreek]

I have had guns that gave me trouble...........

and I worked with them until they worked like they were supposed to. But, I really never had confidence in them and eventually sold them. For me having confidence in my firearm is a BIG thing. FWIW Good shooting

 

[Captain Bligh]

I vote to keep the Kimber and keep working with it until you get it right. Kimber Compact is my primary carry gun. I shoot it so well; I've never found another gun to match it. I shoot only factory ammo and like Chip McCormick Shooting Stars. Other folks are happy with Wilson's. And, it you have to go deeper than that, I would keep sending the gun back to Kimber until they make it a reliable shooter. I confess I'm rather suspect of neighborhood smith's unless you really know their reputation. I kind of dread picking a smith like I do an auto mechanic. There are lots of great ones out there I am sure, but the challenge is being able to find them amongst the not-so-great. You turn it over to a not-so-great and it may only make your problems worse.

My Compact also likes the shooter to have a locked wrist. My 14 year old shoots and it will jam occasionally for him--but it never jams for me. I assume that is because of a limp wrist.

RJ