Went to the gun store and...

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barneyfife.357

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...I fondled a Kimber Custom Target II, blued. I have never owned a 1911, but have always wanted one. The problem I see is that I shoot regularly in competition against a Les Bear 1911 that jams up constantly, and I do not want to get into something like that, I want to be able to trust my life with every firearm I own. With that said, the Kimber is new, fits nicely in my hand and the price seems okay (as far as I can tell checking out prices online). Plus it is with a local gun shop, which I always like to promote. My question for you 1911 guys (preferably new Kimber owners)--should I hold off for a better 1911? Or will the Kimber serve me well enough not to be frustrated everytime I go out to shoot it?
 
Wow, I have 2 Les Baer's one in a 38 super and the other in a 45acp. I have owned 3 others and have never had one jam, don't let that one be your judgment on all. This is the first one I have heard about.
 
Kimber is a good pistol. You'll here the MIM arguments, but I had a series I Gold Match and it was a very good gun. Sharp looking, accurate, reliable and a pleasure to shoot. I should have kept it. The Target model you are looking at should serve you well. If it is a new gun, run a hundred rounds through before passing judgement. If it has an issue, call Kimber and get it fixed.
 
I appear to be an exception to every rule

My Kimber Pro CDP II has never had a non-magazine related malfunction in 2500 rounds. I discovered early on that MY gun appeared to crave Wilson combat mags, and since adjusting it’s diet I have had no more issues. I replaced the recoil spring with a Wolff unit at the 2k round mark.

More reasons I think I am an exception to common internet forum wisdom:
  • I have a gen4 Glock that hasn't self destructed or jammed within the first 500 rounds.
  • I've owned compact 1911's that were accurate and reliable (reliable thanks to wolff springs)
  • I've owned several Fords that were reliable and long lasting.
  • I've owned a Toyota Camry (new) that was a complete lemon. Customer Service at the lot was complete hogwash, can't count the number of times I left there fuming mad. :fire:The customer service was so bad that I refuse to ever own another Toyota due to that experience. That's a shame, too...I really like the new FJ's.

Back to the 1911 bit. My first one was a kimber and I am thoroughly pleased with it. I do not regret that purchase at all.

Having said that, I wish I would have started with a plain jane Rock Island or a Springfield GI Spec. They’re both cheap and reliable. I could have experimented by adding parts before I went out bought my first $700+ 1911 that came with parts I didn’t care for and missing a few that I want. Either way once the 1911 bug bites you, you’ll end up building your own one day or at least customizing a semi-custom to your personal preferences. Then one day you’ll hate the thing and find yourself shooting other guns, then you’ll rekindle it like a lost love and tell it you’re sorry before putting another 1000 rounds through it. It’s a vicious cycle. ;) Don't worry, you can still own 1911's while still drinking (insert brand x) kool aid. My safe is a successful cohabitation of 1911's, revolvers and a glock. The glock is new and will soon give birth to a baby 33, or it wants to adopt an XD subcompact. ;)
 
Inspect your Kimber possibilities thoroughly. There are lemons out there especially NIB.

That being said for the MIMber haters that will be here shortly. They have lots of lists of parts and lots of links to bad pieces. They use scary words too. If you want a Kimber get a Kimber.

I have a new Custom SIS and old external extractor Custom II TLE/RL. Both operate just fine for me. Over 4000 rds through the TLE not quite to 500 on the SIS yet. No failures that can not be blamed on the magazine or the round. (bad reloads with crimped cases or cocked projectile)

I would trust my life to the TLE right now, the SIS has yet to prove itself to me.
 
surjimmy-I checked with the owner of that Bear this morning, and he uses lead flat nose reloads, and he stated that is the root of the evils with his gun.

Also, what are the best magazines for 1911? I hear a lot of talk about the Wilson mags
 
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The best mags are the ones that work in your gun. :D

I don't know if Wilson are the best, but I do know that I don't have problems with my wilson mags. I keep it simple and stick with what works in my guns. I don't like the factory mags because they have a metal follower and I hear that may promote wear on the feed ramp after the last round. Edit:: I have no idea if that is true, but as I said...my wilsons just work.

Some people like blued, some like stainless mags. I'm the latter, and I have no definitive answer...except that I like the stainless ones better.

Are they the best? Don't know, don't car...they work in my 1911's and that's all I want.:)
 
never had a non-magazine related malfunction
Click to expand...

I think of the magazine as an important and integral part of the gun, and a factory mag. related malfunction is a gun malfunction.... if not, perhaps they should ship the gun with no mags and lower the price by $50 so you can go buy a pair of Wilsons...

Though I'm hankerin' for a Crimson Carry, I don't have a dog in the Kimber race... my brother has one and raves about what a tack driver it is.

They have tight fitting slides... which some think is a great thing and other attribute to reliability problems.

I have never owned a 1911
Click to expand...

You're going to love having one.
 
357, Wilson's are what I use and have never had a problem with them in any of my 1911's.
 
Thanks, I do believe I will be making my way back to the gun store Monday to add this gun to my (small) collection. I believe I will start reloading some too, based on current 45 prices
 
i bought a new pro carry about 2 weeks ago mine is a great shooter verry accurate. mine did not like the mag which came with it either. i had some act mags from my s&w 1911 that fixed the problem. i also just bought a wilson mag to try today which worked perfectly. i have not had any failures of any kind since i switched mags, except that she is very hungry.
 
Make the buy Barney!

Hey Barney!

Listen, I bought a brand new Government Size Kimber Stainless II as my very first gun and I loved it then and still love it now! There was NO break-in period as it functioned flawlessly from round 1!

I've NEVER had any F.T.F.s, or jams, or problems of any kind with my Kimber! And even with all the constant bashing the magazine that Kimber sends with the gun takes I've NEVER had any problems with it ... and that's with a few thousand rounds under its belt.

I would say buy it but I am VERY biased in favor of Kimbers. Could you spend more on a 1911? Sure ... but why? I think, and in my experience, the mechanics of the gun are very good and sound ... but after hearing that you need to consider a few things for yourself. Things beyond sheer mechanical function like ... do you like the look of the Kimber ... does it feel good in your hand ... does it have the options and finish you'd want? You don't want to have buyer's remorse!

It is YOUR decision and I wish you well with whatever pistol you wind up buying ... just let us know what you get and post a pic for us! ;-)

Take Care & Be Safe!


Frank
NJGunOwner81
 
Thanks for the words of advice, just picked up the Kimber this morning--will have a range report after the weekend and maybe some pictures if I can get them to cooperate.

Thanks again
357
 
Fishslayer- You would be correct, although I do like the .357 sig auto load as well, bedside is a GP100 full house mags actually in the gun instead of my pocket :p
 
The Kimber mags are the biggest problem. Get some Tripp Cobramags. Grab a couple 10rounders for reloads while your at it.

My kimber mags damaged my frame. Allmost ate my ramps.
The rest is usually easy to fix. I know a guy that loves buying kimbers used that kimber couldn't fix, and the owner wants to sell quickly.

Usually good modern mags, Federal ammo, heavier Wolf recoil spring, and polishing the feed ramp, guiderod, and mag feedlips do the trick.
 
Kimber mags really are horrible, I've never used them. I have 8 Wilsons that I use for my 2 1911's, period.
 
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