Why all the Kimber hate????

[9mmepiphany]

Kimber has a very interesting company history and made a diffinite impact on the 1911 market. Their business/marketing plan may not appeal to all potential 1911 users, but it does fill a niche (a rather large one) in the 1911 market.

Kimber's largest impact was rising expectations of 1911 buyers. When they were first introduced, they offered, in their base models, everything that everyone had have a gunsmith do to their Colt or Springfield Armory (SA) 1911 to make them function as a defensive pistol...much as SA made Colt improve their QC when they came on the market. The other thing that Kimber has done is been a consistent supporter of the US Olympic Shooting Teams.

When Kimber moved and introduced the "II" series, they took a reputation hit because of two things they added...the External Extractor and the Firing Pin Safety.

The Kimber niche is offering "custom" features on guns that could be seen and handled on a dealer's shelf. Much of this was window dressing, but there was a demand for it among buyers...it is pretty impressive when you consider that there wasn't the internet to receive feedback back then. QC seemed to go down as they increased production...this was in the early days of CNC manufacturing. Often it was a hit-or-miss proposition as to reliability

For a while the Series "1" Kimbers were in high demand and brought inflated prices. The other Kimber models that had a reputation for being reliable were the Warrior II series and the Gold Combat II series.

I've never own a Kimber, but I have shot several that belonged to friends or fellow IDPA competitors. They are functional out of the box, but I've never seen one make it through a two day class (1200 rounds) without having functioning issues.

If the features offered appeal to you, it was much less expensive than having it done aftermarket. If you're not going to shoot it in competition or train much with it, it might never have problems

 

[Bcwitt]

I was to understand the hammer & sear on a Kimber(45 pro carry 2) is sintered rather than machined part. I cannot understand why a high end maker would dabble w something that couldnt have cost all that much.

 

[trackskippy]

Im sure some will make the connection and understand.

 

[Jimbo80]

My shop was a big Kimber dealer and I sold tons of them over the years. I like their looks but not the finish. I’ve seen more than one rust just sitting in the display case. I’ll pass.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I cannot understand why a high end maker would dabble w something that couldnt have cost all that much.

What would lead you to believe that Kimber is, or even thinks of itself as, a High End maker.

Most folks, who have some knowledge of the 1911, consider Kimber pretty much middle-of-the-road manufacturer...maybe even a value manufacturer

 

[Walkalong]

.maybe even a value manufacturer

They built their business up like that, offering standard "custom" options at a reasonable price. They got big and had growing pains, but they still put out a good product. I'm not into the market enough today to know if they are still a good value or where they fall in the low end middle top end etc. I had a couple of them years ago and they did well for me, I still have my CDP II Ultra, and it's a really nice 1911 that has never filed to function in any way. Now, I did replace the plastic mainspring housing, and they slide stop, and the thumb safety with quality parts, then sand blast them to match. I cut/ground/polished the extended thumb safety to match an old Colt safety.

 

[SwampWolf]

When I got it, I did not care for the plastic mainspring housing,

I've heard tell that even Colt made some of their 1911 pistols having plastic mainspring housings.

Personally I think what gave them the bad rep was their seeming total inability to admit any problems. If you had an issue and called them it either needed to be broken in more, or it was the ammo. It was quiet ridiculous.

Early 2000s I saw more kimbers not work than I saw Kimber that did work. Then when you contacted customer service they made you waste 500 rounds for "break in" which is pretty frustrating when the gun jams every other round.

I think that poor customer service was the biggest reason Kimber wrought "hate" on themselves. In an era when it is common for most handguns, even 1911 pistols, to function reliably straight out of the box, telling the buyer of a new Kimber pistol that was jamming to run through 500 or so rounds before any fixes could be addressed by the factory was a poor marketing "strategy". I've heard that Kimber has improved their relationship with customers but, as bdickens noted, buyers having bad experiences in the past can nurture grudges for a long time in the future.

 

[WVsig]

I was to understand the hammer & sear on a Kimber(45 pro carry 2) is sintered rather than machined part. I cannot understand why a high end maker would dabble w something that couldnt have cost all that much.

It is because they are not a high end maker.

 

[trackskippy]

I've heard tell that even Colt made some of their 1911 pistols having plastic mainspring housings.

I had a couple of Series 80 Colts that came with plastic MSH's and plastic triggers. Always wondered what they were thinking. Easily replaced with steel, but still annoying.

 

[SwampWolf]

(minus the loose plunger tube on the Carry,)

You don't want to have a plunger tube on a 1911 pistol to loosen ever? Get a Ruger.

 

[WVsig]

I've heard tell that even Colt made some of their 1911 pistols having plastic mainspring housings.





I think that poor customer service was the biggest reason Kimber wrought "hate" on themselves. In an era when it is common for most handguns, even 1911 pistols, to function reliably straight out of the box, telling the buyer of a new Kimber pistol that was jamming to run through 500 or so rounds before any fixes could be addressed by the factory was a poor marketing "strategy". I've heard that Kimber has improved their relationship with customers but, as bdickens noted, buyers having bad experiences in the past can nurture grudges for a long time in the future.

Colt still makes guns with plastic mainspring housings. The external extractor and the "Cohen"ization of the company earned them the negative rep they have now in some circles. They took a solid gun with upgraded feature right out of the box at a good price and cheapened it to the point of failure while offering more bling than substance. Cohen has run the same playbook at Sig.

 

[WVsig]

What would lead you to believe that Kimber is, or even thinks of itself as, a High End maker.

Most folks, who have some knowledge of the 1911, consider Kimber pretty much middle-of-the-road manufacturer...maybe even a value manufacturer

They are like buying named brand fashion at TJ Maxx. What they are selling might look like designer quality but it isn't. It was not built in the same manner and it was never intended to be used or presented as high end. Kimber is a marketing company who happens to make avg 1911s.

 

[JR24]

My shop was a big Kimber dealer and I sold tons of them over the years. I like their looks but not the finish. I’ve seen more than one rust just sitting in the display case. I’ll pass.

Good point I forgot that the KimPro finish will show wear if you look at it hard. Mine had holster wear before I ever had a holster for it, I swear.

 

[mjsdwash]

Everything I have to say is my experience and opinion.
They are incredibly ugly, and very expensive. They are the 1911 equivalent of an Escalade.

I've only encountered two 1911's I couldn't fix, and one was a Kimber.

They use weird, non-standard parts.

90% of all the "defective ammo" for pistols shipping out seem to end up in Kimbers at the range. The rifle stuff goes to the guys who hate AR's, wont touch one, insult them and call the jamming garbage. I see them with cheap AK's and others rifles that just don't work. They're still convinced their better off with a half assed parts kit rifle that fails often, and a $1300 Kimber than me with my 29,000 round without malfunction AR. Or 7000 round without malfunction Springfield, or 2400 round AO (that cost less than 1/2 what a Kimber does).

I have a friend with one. It can't make it through one magazine with factory ball ammo without some type of feed malfunction. I watched it jam about 12 times in one box. Owner says its "defective ammo".

They have a very real presence to many as a benchmark of quality. That has led to many people growing an excessive dislike for them, just like anything else considered a status symbol.

I watched a guy at a gun counter try to order one. The sales guy askes why he wanted it, given their not so great reputation, when he could buy a DW for the same price. He arrogantly stated "kimber makes the best guns, and I want the best gun". He then goes on to express he doesn't care about the price, he just wants the best. Sales guy tries to introduce an Ed Brown he has in stock. Guy gets mad and says he wants "the best".... Yea sales guys sucks, but but customer is wrong.

Between the "defective ammo" guy at the range, and the "I have the best gun made" guy, it makes it easy to associate a brand with a personality type. Especially a brand that's perceived to be Hi-End, and a personality type that usually stubborn, arrogant, and pompous. I don't see this as much these days, but this was the typical Kimber experience in the early 2000's.

This isn't really fare, but its a major part. I personally don't hate them, but I also don't recommend them.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Only come with one mag...I hate that!!!

 

[Paul R Zartman]

Only come with one mag...I hate that!!!

My RIA came with one mag, can't for the life of me remember where it is... 425 out the door, some polishing, some parts drawer replacements, a few Wilson mags, grips, some DIY brass plating....1 FTF and mag spring failure....Now I remember what I did with that original mag this gun eats all ammo with no issues... it was a great basic skeleton to start from...

 

[nettlle]

I have a Kimber 1911. It's not a remarkable 1911 nor do I consider it a non remarkable 1911. Kimber's marketing is second to none. All the major gun periodicals have Kimber full page adds in them. Every gun shop has Kimber's when other brands like Colt are not on the shelves.

Kimber has saturated the 1911 market and the gun stores. And Kimber owners are saturating gun forums with their opinions.

 

[Obturation]

I've seen more kimbers rusted out new in The case than any other gun that sits in a closet for 50 years untouched. They strike me as guns for non gun guys that want to show it off but not shoot it. That's really 1911s in general to me, show the 1911 to your friends and the glock to your enemies.

Kimber is just the brunt of it because they make a lot of them and they're on the lower end of quality. A buddy of mine had one that didn't have a barrel bushing and you needed a pin to hold the recoil spring to disassemble, nonsense .

I might be totally wrong but they just seem way too cheesey and wannabe tacticool , I'd own one but just for novelty sake, I wouldn't trust my bacon on one.

I've had 1911s over the years, the best being a Sig but I'm an older guy now and have no use for nostalgia in a gun I intend to fight with, different for range guns. Kimber makes a darn fine range gun.

 

[WVsig]

I've seen more kimbers rusted out new in The case than any other gun that sits in a closet for 50 years untouched. They strike me as guns for non gun guys that want to show it off but not shoot it. That's really 1911s in general to me, show the 1911 to your friends and the glock to your enemies.

Kimber is just the brunt of it because they make a lot of them and they're on the lower end of quality. A buddy of mine had one that didn't have a barrel bushing and you needed a pin to hold the recoil spring to disassemble, nonsense .

I might be totally wrong but they just seem way too cheesey and wannabe tacticool , I'd own one but just for novelty sake, I wouldn't trust my bacon on one.

I've had 1911s over the years, the best being a Sig but I'm an older guy now and have no use for nostalgia in a gun I intend to fight with, different for range guns. Kimber makes a darn fine range gun.

LOL shoot the crap out of mine. These are glamor shots but they all get shot. They all come in and out of holsters. Some get carried. 1911s are still serious work guns if you buy the right ones. #dontownakmimber

PS your Sig 1911 was made under the same CEO who destroyed Kimbers Rep. #sigcohen LMAO

 

[Bcwitt]

Are Kimber internals a direct swap for other 1911s? Thats news to me.

 

[WVsig]

Are Kimber internals a direct swap for other 1911s? Thats news to me.

It is like my underwear...

 

[Bcwitt]

It is like my underwear...

View attachment 1099277

Im not swapping w you, dude.

 

[Bcwitt]

When i got my Pro carry 2, the dealer put it this way, a Kimber is a carry gun. Not a feild gun. You shoot your iron frame most of the time & the Kimber just a little bit, due to aluminum frame. Thats what i do. I shoot my Thomson a lot more.

 

[Bcwitt]

I've seen more kimbers rusted out new in The case than any other gun that sits in a closet for 50 years untouched. They strike me as guns for non gun guys that want to show it off but not shoot it. That's really 1911s in general to me, show the 1911 to your friends and the glock to your enemies.

Kimber is just the brunt of it because they make a lot of them and they're on the lower end of quality. A buddy of mine had one that didn't have a barrel bushing and you needed a pin to hold the recoil spring to disassemble, nonsense .

I might be totally wrong but they just seem way too cheesey and wannabe tacticool , I'd own one but just for novelty sake, I wouldn't trust my bacon on one.

I've had 1911s over the years, the best being a Sig but I'm an older guy now and have no use for nostalgia in a gun I intend to fight with, different for range guns. Kimber makes a darn fine range gun.

The requirement to use a takedown pin is very annoying.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I am going to sell my 2 1911's. Been adding to my Glock collection alot.