All my 1911’s are high end, so I don’t buy any with MIM. However, most companies that use it extensively like Kimber does don’t fancy up their guns and slap big price tags on them.
Do you see Dan Wesson doing that? No, they put the value into quality components.
Kimbers are for 1911 amateurs, in my opinion
Remove the word Kimber and insert Taurus and all these post's would be the same responses.Maybe I'll stay away from both.
I have had 7 1911's in my time.
My first, a stainless Colt Government, was a typical '80's era Colt... that is to say, it was an ill-fitted piece of junk. Oh, it was pretty, and that prancing pony gave me back what I paid for it a few years later. Colt's QC has been off and on over the years, and they have pulled a few stupids, too, yet you don't see general Colt Hate like you do Kimber.
My second was a stainless Springfield Government. It wasn't a bad pistol, it was fitted pretty well even if the finish was pretty crude. It had a nasty habit of flinging the brass back at your head, however... very likely a bent extractor. I sold it to my brother, who still has it.
My third was my Kimber Pro Eclipse II... stainless 4". I paid $1100 for it, more money than I had ever spent on a firearm in my life... but it was worth every penny. Yes, it has a plastic MSH, and likely MIM parts in it... but in over 20 years of service, it has been flawless. I guess if I had to complain about something... the night sights are finally dead. Oh, the horror, Kimber!
Fourth was a Kimber Pro Carry (not a II...) alloy 4". Just like the Eclipse, it has been 100% except for a loose safety plunger tube, easily fixed.
My 5th and 6th pistols were Taurus PT1911's... plain Jane parked Government models. Both had issues... one shot so far left it was uncorrectable, even after swapping parts between the 2 pistols, and the second one had soft slide metal (I don't think it was heat-treated correctly) and the rear of the slide peened. Each of those was $400... and I thought... how can you go wrong with a $400 pistol? Well, they figured out a way.
7th 1911 was a used, Bubba'd up Kimber Custom II. A little work on it, and it is 100% now, too.
Soooo... all 3 of my Kimbers have been 100% (minus the loose plunger tube on the Carry,) and I've had problems with pistols from Colt, Springfield, and Taurus. The inclusion of MIM parts has had NO bearing on the serviceability of my Kimbers, but poor assembly and fitting has, as well as poorly made FORGED parts.
Indeed, your opinion...
Yes, this is just my anecdotal, first-hand experiences with my 7 pistols. EVERY manufacturer has kicked out a lemon... I always say that. The argument over forged vs cast vs MIM will go on forever as well. YMMV, need not be present to win, do not fold, bend, spindle, or mutilate.
