Thought I'd report on my experience with Kimber customer service .....

[PcolaDawg]

I sent my new Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II back to Kimber so they could install some Tactical Wedge night sights and redo the finish around the frame (I scratched it around the trigger guard - don't ask). When I talked to their shop folks on the phone they said that re-finishing the gun would cost about $140.00 and that they were a bit backed up, but they thought they could get the gun back to me by the middle of January, and would call me around then to let me know the status.

Well, true to their word, I got a call from one of their gunsmith folks early this week and we had a chat about the gun. I was very impressed with him. He actually talked me out of getting it refinished, since it's a conceal/carry gun and he suggested I wait a few years since I will probably get it dinged up again through daily use, etc., and I will probably get more out of refinishing it later.

It's not my usual experience to have a company try and talk me out of giving them money so I appreciated it. Also, he asked me if I had cleaned the gun recently (that's a bit ominous ). When I told him that I always clean it right after I shoot it and it had been cleaned right before I sent it to Kimber, he mentioned that it had a little bit of rust in the barrel. Well, I kind of freaked out and we talked a little bit about the best way to clean it. Basically, I need to oil the barrel a little better after I'm done cleaning it, and that should do the trick.

Finally, I asked to buy another one of those little infamous Kimber 'take down tools' in case I lost the one I had (since they are so blasted small) and he gave me two of 'em gratis.

A couple of days later, I got my Kimber back and it looks beautiful, shoots as nice and smooth as ever, and now has night sights to go with the laser grip.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with Kimber's customer service and thought I'd share that with y'all.

 

[CPshooter]

I just bought my first Kimber (black Ultra Carry II), so this is good to know! Do I need one of these take-down tools to take apart my Kimber?

 

[PcolaDawg]

Do I need one of these take-down tools to take apart my Kimber?

Yeah, pretty much. But it should have come with one. Check under the padding in the case the gun came in and it should be there (it's a very small, thin, kind of cheap looking wire that's bent to a 45 degree angle on one end). Then check the manual the first time you clean it and it will show you how it's done.

Warning: It's not as easy to clean a Kimber as it is other semi-autos (mainly because you need to use the take-down tool but, like everything else, practice makes perfect.

 

[Bozo]

Do I need one of these take-down tools to take apart my Kimber?

Most people usually lose or misplace the small tool. What I have used in its place is a bent paper clip, works just fine.

 

[steven58]

No you don't need a take down tool. I have one of the 3" Kimbers myself and don't like the idea of needing a special "tool" to field strip it. You can use a paper clip as was previously mentioned and follow the normal procedure or do what I do:

remove the slide assembly from the frame with the bbl and spring assembly in it. Turn it upside down on a table and using your fingers compress the recoil spring assembly by holding the bushing with fingers of one hand and the end plate with the other hand and jiggle the whole spring assembly with the bushing in place out. Replace in reverse manner.

I replace my springs every 1,000 rounds by sending the assembly to Kimber and when they send it back it always comes with one of those tools. So I have 6 of them now. While they are of no use to me for disassembly, they are good for keeping track of my round count

 

[Topgun121]

I have a couple of Kimbers, a 3" and a 4". It took me a few times to get the hang of breaking it down with that little tool, but now, I break down the guns almost as fast as any others. Just takes some practice, then it becomes easy. Good to hear about the customer service.....

 

[SCKimberFan]

The take down tool is an allen wrench. A small one, but an allen wrench none-the-less.

 

[Topgun121]

Actually, it is not an allen wrench. If you look closely, it is smooth on all sides. Just a small piece of wire.

 

[SCKimberFan]

Mea culpa.

I looked at mine and you are correct -shaped like an allen wrench, but round.

 

[Rob G]

Yeah, gotta love that little take down tool thingy.... not. My wife lost hers in under 5 minutes. I have a ton of small Allen wrenches though and they seem to work just fine in it's place.

Glad to hear their customer service is so good. I've never had a problem with my Kimbers but it's good to know that they're stand up people.