Which Kimber

[george burns]

Which Kimber for carry? the TLE or Custom, also stainless for Florida? The little ones are cute, but I want a 1911 that functions all of the time. What model for duty or off duty carry, "IWB".
Also need the NS, and option for 8+1. Full or Pro, Thanks

 

[Fishbed77]

The little ones are cute, but I want a 1911 that functions all of the time.

Then you want the one that says "Colt" on the side.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I agree get the Colt . A better built pistol and a who lot less MIM


my Kimber rusted worst than a 1955 Ford . It was a Eclipse .Lot of money for a lot of rust on arrival

 

[Old Dog]

Great help, guys ... OP is trying to choose a Kimber and you tell him to buy a Colt.

I've had - and have - lots of Colts, but I've also owned four extremely trustworthy Kimbers.

Frankly, if I had to choose between any Kimbers, I'd go with the TLE ... same as the Custom, but the frontstrap checkering and Meprolight nightsights for only a hundred bucks more make it worth it. The 5" barrel isn't really any more difficult to conceal than the 4" (Pro) ...

My TLE II (blued) is one of my handful of go-to 1911s (that handful includes a Colt or two and an Ed Brown).

The Colt isn't a "whole lot less MIM" either (just somewhat less, if that's what's important to you). But the Kimber comes with FS checkering and really good nightsights, not to mention none of the sharp edges Colts are known for, at the same -- or lower -- price point.

And hey -- I know about rust on pistols. I live in Western Washington.

 

[JTQ]

I think the Custom II and the TLE II are probably the best values, and choices, in the Kimber line up. I'd prefer the 5" versions of both.

As Old Dog mentions, I don't think the Custom II comes with night sights. The TLE II does have night sights.

I don't know about their stainless guns, but most Kimber barrels are not stainless. They are carbon steel just left "in the white". You'll need to give them some attention to avoid rust on the barrel. I think a simple solution for that would be to just treat the barrel with Eezox on a regular basis.

Eezox http://www.eezox.com/gun-care.html

I think you'll be happy with a Kimber.

 

[dogmush]

The Pro size (4" barrel, fill size frame) is as close as Kimber has to the commander, which is my prefered size. That's the one I'd recommend sizewise. I CCW'd a 5" 1911 in FL for years, and it's doable, but a 4" is a lot nicer, and doesn't give up anything on shootabliity or reliability.

Of the two you mentioned The Stainless Pro TLE II is probably the best bet. Night sights, Front strap checkering and 4" barrel make for a competent carry weapon. There's also the stainless Pro Raptor II with an ambi safety and way nicer grips, if that's your thing.

Not that it was a part of your original question, but I'm going to throw in that I recently did some 1911 shopping in this price range, and held and shot a lot of guns. I've also shot a few Kimbers in my time. If you can put a couple hundred more in the budget, Dan Wesson offers a lot more gun for not much more coin.

 

[kcofohio]

We have 2 pro II now. One in 45 and one in 9. The Pro style, I think, for an IWB carry would be easier on the draw.

They're 1911 minus the bushing nut.

The Custom (5") and the Pro (4") both take the standard 1911 magazine.

The Ultra (3") takes the compact magazine.

Our 45 has +500 rds. throught it and has been reliable. The 9 is new, with only 50 or so rds. Nothing to report on it yet.

 

[NGIB]

I carried both a Colt Defender and a Kimber Ultra Carry II for several years each. Both were 100% reliable. I actually used the Colt to qualify for my SC carry permit and my son carries the Kimber. I moved to plastic for carry as it's HOT here in GA but I was completely confident in either of these.

While I've never carried this Eclipse Pro II - I have over 4000 rounds thru it with zero issues...

 

[Zaydok Allen]

also stainless for Florida?

Be aware that even though some Kimbers are machined from stainless steel, many of them do not have stainless barrels. I live in a relatively dry place. I asked to look at a NIB stainless Kimber. When I looked it over, I found surface rust on the bushing and the muzzle of the gun.

I found the $1200 price tag associated with the NIB rust bucket to be distasteful. I decided, for other reasons also, that Kimbers were not for me.

So, if you do get a Kimber, keep that "match grade" barrel oiled up, or replace it with one that is stainless.

Personally, I think I'd get a Dan Wesson. That's just me though. Good Luck. Let us know what you get.

 

[JDR]

I'd rather have one of these than a Kimber!

 

[CNobbe]

Sig has way better service than Kimber, and much less MIM. They're also priced lower than equivalent Kimber models. Pretty much all of their guns have night sights, front strap checkering.

 

[uncle joe]

I have a pro carry 2 cdp and love to carry it but as the other posters say the barrel dies rust for some reason.

 

[AustinTX]

Sig has way better service than Kimber, and much less MIM. They're also priced lower than equivalent Kimber models. Pretty much all of their guns have night sights, front strap checkering.

The Sig has plenty of MIM: slide stop, sear, disconnector, ejector, mainspring housing, mag release, firing pin stop, thumb safety, grip safety. There could be more. And not all MIM is created equal. Unfortunately, the trend at Sig has been to source cheaper and crappier MIM over time and to substitute it for more and more formerly non-MIM parts.

The Sig 1911 is also just ugly, in my opinion.

 

[DaBruins]

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II (that I bought new) and it is the poster child for unreliability. In fact, at the range this afternoon I had two jams in the first 7 rounds, so back into the range bag it went. I'll be sending it back to Kimber again, and when it's returned I'll be trading it in for a Sig P938.

 

[JR24]

I liked the Pro Carry II for carry, for awhile. Turned out I like all-steel over aluminum frames. I don't mind the weight and shooting is nicer in my hands.

But that Kimber is one fine carry piece in a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2.

 

[DC Plumber]

I had a Kimber Pro TLE II and sold it to lay for my Sig Fastback Carry 1911. I think the Sig quality us a little better and I love the sig slide profile.

Neither the Sig nor the Kimber have ever had an issue. My buddy bought my Kimber and put almost 800 rounds through it without ever cleaning it. It is a very reliable gun in my opinion.

 

[L-2]

It appears as you've settled on the Kimber brand, which is fine.

I'll recommend the 5" Custom TLE/RL II, either stainless or blued. Maintain the gun and finish, daily, if necessary. The 5" model will provide the most reliability in that it may be a bit less sensitive to needing recoil springs as the round count goes up.

Even then, consider replacing recoil springs somewhere in the 2000 to 3000 round range. For me, I'd get ~5000 rounds from a Kimber extractor before I noticed it needing more adjusting and it might not hold its adjustment, except for a magazine amount or two.

As you said on & off duty, the railed model works fine IWB. It just depends on choosing the right holster for yourself.

 

[HexHead]

The 5" 1911 is just as easy to conceal as the others. Not as comfortable when you're seated though.

 

[jmr40]

I've personally had better luck with S&W 1911's than Colt or SA. The Kimber Custom II I own has also out performed all others except the S&W's. For some reason the S&W's are forgotten, but are a serious player in the 1911 field.

 

[raze]

I'd rather have one of these than a Kimber!

big old x2

 

[CNobbe]

I've personally had better luck with S&W 1911's than Colt or SA. The Kimber Custom II I own has also out performed all others except the S&W's. For some reason the S&W's are forgotten, but are a serious player in the 1911 field.

Agreed, they make some great guns.

 

[orionengnr]

I, too have had better luck with Kimber than Springfield, Colt and several others.

But hey, i've only owned 25 or so 1911s, so what do I know?

FWIW, I have also done really well with S&W 1911s.

And the 4" - 4 1/2" length is my choice. In aluminum or Scandium frame, please.

 

[MCMXI]

I don't know about their stainless guns, but most Kimber barrels are not stainless. They are carbon steel just left "in the white". You'll need to give them some attention to avoid rust on the barrel.

Of the 92 centerfire 1911 models listed in the 2014 catalog only 2 are listed as having steel barrels.


george burns, I have two Kimber 1911s (also have three Ed Browns and two Dan Wessons) and my recommendation would be a Master Carry Custom which has a stainless steel frame, slide and barrel plus night sights, Crimson Trace lasergrips and the frame is bobbed. I would order a tactical bump grip safety for it though and a really good holster and belt. I use ARES GEAR belts and have no complaints.

 

[UKWildcatFan]

Then you want the one that says "Colt" on the side.

Oh please.

 

[JTQ]

1858 wrote,
Of the 92 centerfire 1911 models listed in the 2014 catalog only 2 are listed as having steel barrels.

I did not know that.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but when you said only two of 92 their 1911 models don't have stainless barrels that surely surprised me. You certainly could be right. Well, I did have to take a look…

The OP

george burns wrote,
Which Kimber for carry? the TLE or Custom

Stainless TLE II - barrel is steel (not stainless) http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/stainless-tle-ii

Stainless Custom II - barrel is steel (not stainless) http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/stainless-ii

I didn't look at the rest, but I find it hard to believe the incredible coincidence the only two 1911's that Kimber sells without stainless steel barrels are the two the OP is interested in.

I suspect one of our sources are incorrect. Certainly, the on-line catalog could be lagging and is not up to date. I'm not trying to be right, just that your information seemed so off to me. I'm fine if your information is correct. I just want to make sure the correct information is out there for the OP.