Which Kimber
- Thread starter george burns
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JTQ
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Thanks.
The on-line catalog certainly could be out of date. However, if Kimber was now putting stainless barrels in nearly all their guns, I'd think that would be a major marketing point and I haven't seen it. While I don't follow Kimber very closely, I am primarily a 1911 guy and their ads are hard to miss so I have some idea of what they are doing.
The "in the white" carbon steel barrels, while probably contributing to Kimber's good accuracy reputation, have been a knock on Kimber for a very long time. They may have changed, and I'd think that would be a good move on their part.
The on-line catalog certainly could be out of date. However, if Kimber was now putting stainless barrels in nearly all their guns, I'd think that would be a major marketing point and I haven't seen it. While I don't follow Kimber very closely, I am primarily a 1911 guy and their ads are hard to miss so I have some idea of what they are doing.
The "in the white" carbon steel barrels, while probably contributing to Kimber's good accuracy reputation, have been a knock on Kimber for a very long time. They may have changed, and I'd think that would be a good move on their part.
The 2014 print catalog states on pages 66 and 68 ...
"Barrel material for 1911 pistols available in California may be carbon steel rather than stainless steel where indicated".
The only two models (non CA versions) with steel barrels are the Classic Carry Pro and Royal II if you believe the 2014 catalog.
"Barrel material for 1911 pistols available in California may be carbon steel rather than stainless steel where indicated".
The only two models (non CA versions) with steel barrels are the Classic Carry Pro and Royal II if you believe the 2014 catalog.
JTQ
Member
Thanks for the research. I stand corrected.
This is some important information for the Kimber lovers (and haters).
This is some important information for the Kimber lovers (and haters).
OP
OP
george burns
Member
I have to honestly say that in 40 years of shooting every kind of pistol and rifle normally used by most folks. I never had one rust. I think you really have to be negligent for that to happen.
Unless you leave them in a boat or a cabin in the woods unattended. They should last forever, as long as you wipe them down with some light oil and keep them in a container where there is a dehumidifier or those packets of desiccant.
It's like someone leaving expensive tools out in their garage in Florida, they will rust if left out and not taken care of, they won't rust if you exercise care and common sense.
Unless you leave them in a boat or a cabin in the woods unattended. They should last forever, as long as you wipe them down with some light oil and keep them in a container where there is a dehumidifier or those packets of desiccant.
It's like someone leaving expensive tools out in their garage in Florida, they will rust if left out and not taken care of, they won't rust if you exercise care and common sense.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Functions all the time? Hmmm....I've carried this one for 12 years and it's never bobbled once. Carry mag is first fired downrange every visit. Where those hit determines how much I shoot the gun that visit.
I currently own 10 1911s and have owned a lot more
Every brand can and has had its problems along the way. The early Kimbers were reliable and were considered by most to be a great gun. The company moved and went through growing pains and quality control went out the window. I think current production guns are much better than the those that were made in the interim years. Even those guns can be made reliable in most cases. My first Kimber was one of those guns, a Tac Pro II which I paid $700 for. I knew it had problems when I bought it which is why I got a $1200 gun for $700. I traded two chip McCormick mags for a little gunsmithing, it only needed to have the extractor tuned. It has been extremely reliable ever since. My Kimber Eclipe Pro is my favorite 1911 which is why I carry it all day every day. I just like the feel of the all steel gun better than the light weight frame. I also own two Ulras which are also very reliable. I will say that new Kimbers are over priced, as are a lot of 1911's which Is why I prefer to buy used. Just to stir the puddin' a little I have had 2 COLT 1911'S ALONG THE WAY AND THEY WERE THE WORST PIECES OF CRAP THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. They were the reason that I went without a 1911 for 15 years. I thought all 1911s were junk, then I bought a duo-tone Taurus and fell back in love with the 1911 platform. I have had 2 springers that worked fairly well but but they were nothing to write home about and they weren't very accurate. My Ruger 1911 was a great gun but I won't carry a 5" gun so I sold it and made a profit. I will own one of their commander models soon. I own 2 Rock Islands, one is a 3" 45 which will digest anything you feed it. Great gun, but not pretty. The other is a a 5" 9mm tactical which will not feed any hollow point. I still think that the Taurus is one heck of a lot of gun for the money and mine has been utterly reliable.
But gettin back to what the OP wanted to know, I would go with the Tactical Pro II or the Eclipse pro II if you like Stainless. No rust on mine just a lot of crud from all the trouble free shootin' I do with it.
Every brand can and has had its problems along the way. The early Kimbers were reliable and were considered by most to be a great gun. The company moved and went through growing pains and quality control went out the window. I think current production guns are much better than the those that were made in the interim years. Even those guns can be made reliable in most cases. My first Kimber was one of those guns, a Tac Pro II which I paid $700 for. I knew it had problems when I bought it which is why I got a $1200 gun for $700. I traded two chip McCormick mags for a little gunsmithing, it only needed to have the extractor tuned. It has been extremely reliable ever since. My Kimber Eclipe Pro is my favorite 1911 which is why I carry it all day every day. I just like the feel of the all steel gun better than the light weight frame. I also own two Ulras which are also very reliable. I will say that new Kimbers are over priced, as are a lot of 1911's which Is why I prefer to buy used. Just to stir the puddin' a little I have had 2 COLT 1911'S ALONG THE WAY AND THEY WERE THE WORST PIECES OF CRAP THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. They were the reason that I went without a 1911 for 15 years. I thought all 1911s were junk, then I bought a duo-tone Taurus and fell back in love with the 1911 platform. I have had 2 springers that worked fairly well but but they were nothing to write home about and they weren't very accurate. My Ruger 1911 was a great gun but I won't carry a 5" gun so I sold it and made a profit. I will own one of their commander models soon. I own 2 Rock Islands, one is a 3" 45 which will digest anything you feed it. Great gun, but not pretty. The other is a a 5" 9mm tactical which will not feed any hollow point. I still think that the Taurus is one heck of a lot of gun for the money and mine has been utterly reliable.
But gettin back to what the OP wanted to know, I would go with the Tactical Pro II or the Eclipse pro II if you like Stainless. No rust on mine just a lot of crud from all the trouble free shootin' I do with it.
bluecollar
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Also have an ultra CDP II that has been totally reliable with anything I have put in it. The little guns catch a lot of flack but mine has been great. Hate to say it but it will shoot rings around the Colt Defender I own that won't reliably feed hardball
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