When did Kimbers skyrocket $$$?

[thaddeus]

I stopped actively buying guns for a while and come back to see Kimbers went way up in price. When did this happen and why?

Most gun prices have gotten very soft, while Kimbers went way up.

 

[thaddeus]

On that note, Wilson has skyrocketed too. But it seems that Bushmaster AR and some other things I have priced have dropped a lot with the economy.

What happened that made the economy drop values on most guns but raise values on others?

 

[ugaarguy]

Kimber is turning out mostly high end models (for them), and very few of the standard Custom II base model which can still be found in the low to mid $700 range. They didn't go up much in price. They simply shifted their focus.

 

[JTQ]

AR's went up in price around the time of the 2008 election largely due to demand. You couldn't find an AR in gun stores in early 2009 due to demand. By now, the demand has dropped and prices have come down.

This of course is 2011, the 100th Anniversary of the 1911. Demand is high for 1911's bringing prices up, just like AR's three years ago. I expect prices to come down by this time next year.

The moral of the story, if you're looking to save money, don't buy an AR when everybody is concerned there may be a coming ban on "assault weapons", and don't by a 1911 during the 100th Anniversary year.

 

[JohnBT]

I bought a Stainless Gold Match in 12/99 for $1049.

Ozark Guns has a Stainless Gold Match II for $1182 and Bud's wants $1259.

I don't know when they went up.

 

[csa77]

I bought my series 1 classic stainless target in 1999-2000 only paid ~750-800, i saw the series II stainless target at shoot strait the other day for 850, considering the inflation over the last decade they haven't gone up that much if at all.


if Kimber started using 2 piece barrels and glued ejectors and parts made over seas (like springfield )then they could cut costs and keep prices closer to what they were

 

[wditto]

I think Kimber has shown no prejudice at all to their models nor the customers - they make their top priced model jam just as much as the bottom level model...

 

[csa77]

Im closing in on 4,000 rounds though my target kimber, original recoil spring and factory mag and have one FTF using UMC 230grain fmj ammo

I dont believe for a second a gluefield could do better then my kimber.
not that kimber is the end all be all , but IMO its certainly better then a gluefield

 

[Balrog]

Kimber had to up their price so that when buyers ship their guns back because they jam, Kimber can give them "free" shipping.

 

[thefamcnaj]

My lgs is selling the ultra raptor 2 for 1275$ and they have a used kimber full size(don't know the model name) for 1500$. Those prices are insane for problematic guns. Those guns are priced up ther with the SA trp and that gun is in a class all its own.
My uncle took his back to the dealer and they told him it needed a 500 round break in period, what?

 

[ugaarguy]

I dont believe for a second a gluefield could do better then my kimber.
not that kimber is the end all be all , but IMO its certainly better then a gluefield

IMBEL of Brazil makes some of the finest forged firearm frames in the world. Kimber cuts costs using cheaper MIM parts than SA. Kimber, for some strange reason, uses the extremely finicky Swarz Safety that Colt rejected back in the 1930s. You can whine all you want about the two piece barrels, but they work. You can whine about glued extractors too, but unless have credentials up there with Hilton Yam, I'm not believing you*. Kimber used to make good guns, but that ended when they went to the Swarz safety, and added cost cutting measures at the same time with the Series II pistols. Those guns are simply not on par with the old Kimbers. I've traded away two Kimber Warriors because they just weren't up to the same quality level as the old Classic Custom I have. I'm keeping my SA Operator though. The Kimber Warrior isn't on the same level as the SA Operator, so I have no reason to believe Kimber can build anything approaching the TRP.

* Hilton Yam apparently has no problem with glued ejectors when done properly.

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-can-loctite-do-for-your-1911.html
271, Red, High strength: For installation of 1911 grip screw bushings, 1911 front sight roll pins, dovetail front sights, ejectors, ejector pins. Anytime you want the installation to be pretty much permanent, 271 is the answer. It is easy to remove red Loctited parts with heat - even a lighter or heat gun will do the trick, but in most applications it will last the service cycle of the part.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

Kimber had to up their price so that when buyers ship their guns back because they jam, Kimber can give them "free" shipping.

best post of the thread