Talk me into (or out of) a Kimber

[tarosean]

You should heed their advice.

Why exactly is that?

 

[stchman]

It took a week or so, but the brand-bashers finally arrived ... Cute little phrases, yet no actual experience cited or even semi-useful commentary provided (that's okay, we can tell you're an expert on 1911s by the tone of your post). Ah, well. We were due.

At least the faithful Dan Wesson fanboys arrived on time (as they do in any 1911 thread, e.g., "Springfield Armory or Colt? What should I buy" Standard thread response: "Buy a Dan Wesson.").

I know what you mean. I have a few Taurus guns and know quite a few guys that bash them even though they've never even handled one. They listen to all their Internet buddies bash them as well and figure it's the thing to do. I only listen to people that have ACTUALLY owned them.

There's always going to be the gun snobs and Internet gun snobs. Buy what you want. I've never shot a Kimber, but IMO I'd be hesitant to buy one with that crappy one year warranty they have. If one considers themselves a high end gun maker, back up your products.

 

[Martowski]

I suppose I'm one of the Dan Wesson fanboys. I like things that work well and exhibit a high degree of quality, fit, and finish. DW 1911s meet all three requirements while staying below a price point for anything else I've seen or owned of similar quality in the 1911 world. My S&W PC1911 is not as nice of a pistol as my Dan Wessons. However, I'm not a gun "snob." I'll never look down on something someone else owns, and price alone doesn't make for a quality product. I know plenty of people happy with Taurus firearms and that's a good thing. I have a Mossberg shotgun in my safe, which is generally looked at as a "cheaper" pump gun.

My reasoning for the DW suggestion is based on what the OP indicates they already own. With that in mind, a Kimber may not give them anything different in terms of fit/finish or performance besides having something with a different logo on the slide. Of course, it's the OP's money and they are free to spend it how they like. FWIW I have an older Series 1 Kimber target that's a nice pistol, but no where near the fit of the DW and it shows down range.

Anyway, to the OP, happy hunting and take all of our comments with a grain of salt as our opinions are only as good as our individual experiences.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

So what are you looking for in a 1911? Do you want a basic G.I. model, or something with a few bells & whistles? Budget

I didn't really mean for this to be a generalized "choose my next 1911" thread. I just wanted some input on Kimbers given my relatively limited experience with them. I heard they were on sale and they looked nice in pictures, but when I got my hands on them, they didn't do it for me. That's really all there is to it. I'm sure I'll scratch the new 1911 itch somehow, just not with a Kimber. Maybe it'll be a new DW or an old Argentine gun or something else entirely - who knows!

 

[CNobbe]

I didn't really mean for this to be a generalized "choose my next 1911" thread. I just wanted some input on Kimbers given my relatively limited experience with them. I heard they were on sale and they looked nice in pictures, but when I got my hands on them, they didn't do it for me. That's really all there is to it. I'm sure I'll scratch the new 1911 itch somehow, just not with a Kimber. Maybe it'll be a new DW or an old Argentine gun or something else entirely - who knows!

Good for you. Better to decide for yourself.

 

[bluecollar]

A thing I detest in a 1911 is a creepy trigger. Can deal with a bit of take up and even the heavier than average pull weight but can't stomach the creep. In my experience with more than a fair share of production 1911s, the makers who are the most successful in producing an assembly line 1911 with zero creep are first Dan Wesson then Kimber. And don't get me started on that d*+n rebounding thumb safety that colts come with these days

 

[Olympus]

And don't get me started on that d*+n rebounding thumb safety that colts come with these days

Isn't that the truth! Most I've seen in the couple years have the overtraveling thumb safety and a grip safety so loose and sloppy it's a joke. All the other manufacturers are seeing that customers don't want Series 80 internals on their guns so a good number have dropped them and gone with titanium firing pins or gone to Series 70. But Colt keeps cranking out guns with Series 80 parts. Even seeing how popular the Wiley Clapp models are with Series 70, they still keep using Series 80 on their regular models. And how many years did they produce the Delta Elite with thise ridiculous GI sights before they finally realized everyone wants Novak style combat sights, especially on a 10mm! Don't even get ne started on Colt.

 

[CNobbe]

My Defender has the smaller G.I. style safety and doesn't have this problem. I looked at a Competition model and sure enough, the safety just doesn't engage nice and crisp like most other 1911s. I was shooting a friends' RIA 1911 and that thing seemed put together better than the 1991 Colt I have.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

They are making those Kimbers better now days.

 

[Winkman822]

Love your Ed Brown!

 

[Rinspeed]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/Kimber-8.jpg

I have known a few folks that have owned Kimber 1911s and they both have had issues with inconsistent performance. Apparently Kimber will not help them at all and they told me Kimber only has a 1 year warranty. ***???!!!! 1 year warranty from a company that considers themselves a fine 1911 maker?

Get a Ruger SR1911.

As I've posted several times in the past I love all the Kimber hate because it keeps the prices down on the ones I want made in the late 90's. Funny thing about the vast majority of the twits who talk smack about Kimber is they have never owned one, or even shot one, they are just regurgitation crap they have read on the errornet. My uncle's, neighbor's friend had one and it sucked, sounds rather stupid. I have no illusion that Kimber is all that and they don't put out some dogs but on the other hand when you sell 80K 1911s a year you are going to have some unhappy customers.



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/Kimber-8.jpg

 

[stchman]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/Kimber-8.jpg




As I've posted several times in the past I love all the Kimber hate because it keeps the prices down on the ones I want made in the late 90's. Funny thing about the vast majority of the twits who talk smack about Kimber is they have never owned one, or even shot one, they are just regurgitation crap they have read on the errornet. My uncle's, neighbor's friend had one and it sucked, sounds rather stupid. I have no illusion that Kimber is all that and they don't put out some dogs but on the other hand when you sell 80K 1911s a year you are going to have some unhappy customers.



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/Kimber-8.jpg

Like the Taurus haters that have never owned or even touched one, hate them. At least Taurus stands behind their product, Kimber cuts you loose after a year.

 

[CoThG]

Don't think they've been released yet, they're new for 2017. I have a CZ branded 1911 A1 which were supposedly made by Dan Wesson. Fit and finish is good as is my Valor, but when I read they only made 1k or so of the CZs I decided to put it away to see what happens with the value of them, Might use it towards another Nighthawk or Wilson down the road.

Great choice. Don't expect them be become collectible. Go out and shoot it.

 

[CoThG]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/Kimber-8.jpg




As I've posted several times in the past I love all the Kimber hate because it keeps the prices down on the ones I want made in the late 90's. Funny thing about the vast majority of the twits who talk smack about Kimber is they have never owned one, or even shot one, they are just regurgitation crap they have read on the errornet. My uncle's, neighbor's friend had one and it sucked, sounds rather stupid. I have no illusion that Kimber is all that and they don't put out some dogs but on the other hand when you sell 80K 1911s a year you are going to have some unhappy customers.



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/Rinspeed/Kimber-8.jpg

You don't have to own one to know that Kimber sucks.

 

[Walkalong]

Mine doesn't. Runs like a top and very accurate. Did they put out some bad ones? I am sure they did. Does that mean all Kimbers "suck"? Why do all Kimbers suck? Are there better 1911s out there? I would say yes. Are Kimbers a good bang for the buck? I have no idea with all the choices out there today. For an outdated useless old design they sure are getting made by everyone and still selling like hot cakes. I can't count all the companies making them these days. Not like when I was a kid.

 

[Winkman822]

I've had a number of Kimbers over the years and my results have been inconsistent at best. My first Kimber was an Eclipse Target II which had a fantastic fit and finish, but never functioned 100%. Admittedly, it was an earlier Series II with Kimber's not so great attempt at an external extractor. After repeated feeding and ejection problems over the first couple hundred rounds, the gun was sent back to Kimber and the top end was replaced with a slide with a traditional extractor setup. When the gun came back, the extractor required some tuning to get feeding and ejection ironed out. The second Kimber was a Royal II with a traditional extractor. The Swartz firing pin block was mistimed and required a trip back to Kimber. Number three was a Desert Warrior which did function 100%, but I didn't care for the super slippery finish and lack of front strap checkering. I also had a parts breakage with this one, specifically the right side thumb safety lever sheared off. Not a huge deal, but still took cost me some time and money to replace the part with a proper Wilson Bullet Proof part. While I was at it, I also swapped out the slide stop for a Wilson's Bullet Proof part. Fourth Kimber was a Custom TLE II that seemed completely fine out of the box, but taking the gun to class quickly showed this to be a less than trustworthy gun. About halfway into the first day, I found I was having to tap and rack every three or so shots. Culprit, bad extractor. Extractor was replaced and gun was sold, same as all previous Kimbers.

At the end of the day, I'm of the opinion that if you're wanting a 1911, there are far better options than Kimber. I've owned and still own a number of 1911's from Springfield, Colt, Wilson Combat, and Les Baer. The latter two are generally more than twice the cost of a standard Kimber, but they work. The former two (Colt and Springfield) are at the same price point and my experience with both brands has been that they don't have anything remotely resembling the indigestion inducing problems of the Kimbers I've owned over the years. I can officially say that I've washed my hands of that particular brand. If you want a good 1911 in the sub $1,000.00 price point, go for a Colt, Springfield, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, or even Sig. If you can creep into the $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 range, go for a Springfield TRP or a Dan Wesson.

 

[Walkalong]

That's how you do it, say you don't like them and then say why. Good stuff.

At the time I purchased my Kimber they were, IMHO, a lot of bang for the buck, and since it has been flawless, I am very happy with it. Truthfully though, if I were in the market for a new 1911, I would look elsewhere as others have been putting out great guns at good prices and have caught up with Kimber in the bang for the buck area, IMHO.

 

[Winkman822]

That's how you do it, say you don't like them and then say why. Good stuff.

At the time I purchased my Kimber they were, IMHO, a lot of bang for the buck, and since it has been flawless, I am very happy with it. Truthfully though, if I were in the market for a new 1911, I would look elsewhere as others have been putting out great guns at good prices and have caught up with Kimber in the bang for the buck area, IMHO.

Main reason that I bought a Kimber is that they were seemed to be a pretty good bang for the buck. The Most expensive one of the lot was the Desert Warrior, and incidentally the only one that functioned without problems despite the breakage of a non-critical small part. The rest of the Kimbers that I owned exhibited serious problems, worst of all probably being the Royal II with the mistimed firing pin block. What I will say of the all the Kimbers is that I've owned, when they worked, they shot great and they were well finished guns as far as the actual finish on the gun and the fitment of slide to frame, the bushings were well fit to the slides and barrels and they had good solid lockup. Other than that, they were for me, and due to my experiences with them, which is not a sample of one, will continue to be the bottom of the priority list when shopping 1911's.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

While I wasn't ridiculing you before for your comment, thanks for the invite. I simply pointed out that your previous comment added nothing of substance to the thread. Fact.

Now your latest comment indicates (1) you didn't actually read and comprehend my posts in the thread and (2) you don't know very much about 1911s. Kimbers have never been "crude, rude imitation ..." and calling a brand a "jabOmatic" also indicates you quite possibly don't understand how the platform operates and how to maintain it. And yes, as far as 1911s go, Colt has always been my favorite, but I don't need you to believe me on that.

Sort of like the jerk that calls another owers gun "Fugly" like in the Ruger LCR. Needless, senseless bashing that serves no purpose. Yep, the internet is full of hypocrisy and jerks.

 

[CoThG]

I've had a number of Kimbers over the years and my results have been inconsistent at best. My first Kimber was an Eclipse Target II which had a fantastic fit and finish, but never functioned 100%. Admittedly, it was an earlier Series II with Kimber's not so great attempt at an external extractor. After repeated feeding and ejection problems over the first couple hundred rounds, the gun was sent back to Kimber and the top end was replaced with a slide with a traditional extractor setup. When the gun came back, the extractor required some tuning to get feeding and ejection ironed out. The second Kimber was a Royal II with a traditional extractor. The Swartz firing pin block was mistimed and required a trip back to Kimber. Number three was a Desert Warrior which did function 100%, but I didn't care for the super slippery finish and lack of front strap checkering. I also had a parts breakage with this one, specifically the right side thumb safety lever sheared off. Not a huge deal, but still took cost me some time and money to replace the part with a proper Wilson Bullet Proof part. While I was at it, I also swapped out the slide stop for a Wilson's Bullet Proof part. Fourth Kimber was a Custom TLE II that seemed completely fine out of the box, but taking the gun to class quickly showed this to be a less than trustworthy gun. About halfway into the first day, I found I was having to tap and rack every three or so shots. Culprit, bad extractor. Extractor was replaced and gun was sold, same as all previous Kimbers.

At the end of the day, I'm of the opinion that if you're wanting a 1911, there are far better options than Kimber. I've owned and still own a number of 1911's from Springfield, Colt, Wilson Combat, and Les Baer. The latter two are generally more than twice the cost of a standard Kimber, but they work. The former two (Colt and Springfield) are at the same price point and my experience with both brands has been that they don't have anything remotely resembling the indigestion inducing problems of the Kimbers I've owned over the years. I can officially say that I've washed my hands of that particular brand. If you want a good 1911 in the sub $1,000.00 price point, go for a Colt, Springfield, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, or even Sig. If you can creep into the $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 range, go for a Springfield TRP or a Dan Wesson.

Now you know how they got the name "MIMber" LOL.

An instructor's worst nightmare is a student with a Kimber. At least you should be proficient in clearing malfunctions.

 

[JTQ]

You don't have to own one to know that Kimber sucks.

You opened a thread that had been dead for a year and a half to share this?

 

[joed]

I didn't really mean for this to be a generalized "choose my next 1911" thread. I just wanted some input on Kimbers given my relatively limited experience with them. I heard they were on sale and they looked nice in pictures, but when I got my hands on them, they didn't do it for me. That's really all there is to it. I'm sure I'll scratch the new 1911 itch somehow, just not with a Kimber. Maybe it'll be a new DW or an old Argentine gun or something else entirely - who knows!

Shame you want to pass on a Kimber. When I bought mine I pretty much wasn't impressed just like you but decided to try a 1911 by them. Till I shot the Kimber I wasn't even a fan of the 1911 after having one in the service. Heck I wasn't even a fan of anything but a revolver in those days. My Kimber changed all that. It shot groups at the range that I didn't think an auto could do. It was easily every bit as accurate as any revolver I owned.

Maybe I got a good one and the rest are terrible, I couldn't tell you. Mine is my favorite carry gun and fun to shoot at the range. I've owned it since 2003 and it's staying with me.

 

[Winkman822]

Now you know how they got the name "MIMber" LOL.

An instructor's worst nightmare is a student with a Kimber. At least you should be proficient in clearing malfunctions.

I got very good at clearing malfunctions that weekend. To be 100% fair though, Kimber is hardly the only gun to use MIM parts, theirs just seem to have a higher incidence of failure as compared to Springfield, Smith & Wesson, Sig, Ruger, etc.

 

[Reloadron]

Wow, old thread started Sergei Mosin, Jan 8, 2017. I figure by now Sergei has himself something be it a Kimber or something else.

As to Kimber and only with a focus on Kimber I have one.


This little Ultra CDP II is not a gun I would have run out to buy but was a result of someone really needing money and me having some money, the price was very right for what you see pictured so I bought it. I figured I would sell the little gun, make a small profit and be happy. This was several years ago and as of today the gun is still with me. The first time I shot it the gun grouped extremely well it also has proven reliable shooting and feeding both JHP and FMJ RN .45 ACP ammunition including my own hand loads. I never expected a 3" barrel .45 ACP ro shoot as well and group as well as the gun does. So while my experience with Kimber is limited to this single gun my experience is very favorable. I collect the older Colt Series 70 guns so this little gun is in good company and rightfully so. I can only speak for my experience but I would buy another Kimber if shopping for a .45 ACP and one came along at a good price.

Ron

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I admit to some bemusement at seeing this thread come back to life, as I have long since decided against a Kimber, and said so. I've bought a few things since, but none is a Kimber, nor even a 1911.