I bought a new Kimber Pro Carry II 3 years ago. I was told from my dealer about the 500 round break in. The first 500 rounds were a little frustrating, blazer, winchester--you know, the cheap walmart stuff. FTF and FTE using the only mag I have for the kimber, the one that came with it. I upgraded to Wilson Combat mags and still had FTF and FTE until I got about 400 rounds through it. I now carry the Kimber everyday, and practice with it about once every other month. I'm sure I have over 3000 rounds through it. I carry it in a Bommermanland's IWB holster. Fits me great. Other than the break in period, its been great.
Any Thoughts on Kimber 1911s
- Thread starter nmduke
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mljdeckard
Member
Azizza,
All that equals three times the price? I see the law of diminishing returns coming in hard at about $1000.
All that equals three times the price? I see the law of diminishing returns coming in hard at about $1000.
sideways
Member
Aegis
Just returned from range shot my new Aegis for the first time function was flawless and very accurate.Also it being 9mm aloud me to shoot 150 rounds for 34.00 of federal premium ammo. The pistol was a little pricey ,for me anyway at 1219.00 out the door but all in all I'm happy. If it keeps running this well I may consider replacing my Colt Officer as carry piece Aegis is much lighter but not sure weather I'm willing to go from 45acp to 9mm for carry .
Just returned from range shot my new Aegis for the first time function was flawless and very accurate.Also it being 9mm aloud me to shoot 150 rounds for 34.00 of federal premium ammo. The pistol was a little pricey ,for me anyway at 1219.00 out the door but all in all I'm happy. If it keeps running this well I may consider replacing my Colt Officer as carry piece Aegis is much lighter but not sure weather I'm willing to go from 45acp to 9mm for carry .
After I left the service in the 1970's (45B2H) I built 1911's for a living, all sorts of 1911s target and combat, alloy and steel, nearly all 45acp or 38super.
I have fired dozens of different mfg of 1911s.
With the execption of Limp Wristing you have to work very hard to make a 1911 malfunction, especially failure to extract. The gun must be built to super tight tollerances with a super tight chamber or a over strong spring, way tighter than necessary or desired even for a target pistol. I know because I would build target pistols and spend hours honing them like a watchmaker polishes the internal parts of a watch to a mirror finish, so they would be accurate AND function everytime! When someone sells you a 1911 and demands that YOU spend the money for a 500 round 'break-in' they are sticking the long hard one up your ash! it also means there is no final quality control because the gun never went through the final test firing.
Combat guns MUST go bang every time! Sniper rifle accuracy in a combat handgun is BS and trying to make a combat handgun a target pistol or visa versa will only get someone killed.
Currently I own only two 1911s, a 1960's Commercial Model in 45acp and a 1970s Combat Comander in 30 Luger.
I have tweeked the 45acp a tiny bit, plated a few parts and thats about it. I still have a large stock of WW2 US GI steel cased, ball ammo I shoot through my 1911 as well as other ammo like Super-Vel HPs. It swallows em whole and spits em out like pumkin seeds, as any good 45 should! Accuacy? Minute of Milkjug but it fires and functions everytime.
If you need better accuracy buy a rifle.
I have fired dozens of different mfg of 1911s.
With the execption of Limp Wristing you have to work very hard to make a 1911 malfunction, especially failure to extract. The gun must be built to super tight tollerances with a super tight chamber or a over strong spring, way tighter than necessary or desired even for a target pistol. I know because I would build target pistols and spend hours honing them like a watchmaker polishes the internal parts of a watch to a mirror finish, so they would be accurate AND function everytime! When someone sells you a 1911 and demands that YOU spend the money for a 500 round 'break-in' they are sticking the long hard one up your ash! it also means there is no final quality control because the gun never went through the final test firing.
Combat guns MUST go bang every time! Sniper rifle accuracy in a combat handgun is BS and trying to make a combat handgun a target pistol or visa versa will only get someone killed.
Currently I own only two 1911s, a 1960's Commercial Model in 45acp and a 1970s Combat Comander in 30 Luger.
I have tweeked the 45acp a tiny bit, plated a few parts and thats about it. I still have a large stock of WW2 US GI steel cased, ball ammo I shoot through my 1911 as well as other ammo like Super-Vel HPs. It swallows em whole and spits em out like pumkin seeds, as any good 45 should! Accuacy? Minute of Milkjug but it fires and functions everytime.
If you need better accuracy buy a rifle.
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smoothdraw
Member
I'll personally go 4" or longer. The problem with Kimber is that it is expensive for what it cost. If you can find a Dan Wesson CBOB, it will be better than any Kimber (accuracy, quality of parts, reliability). I have 3 Kimber 1911's. I have spent a lot of coins for them to be reliable.
velocette
Member
I've had and carried a Kimber Compact Stainless II for 5 years. In that time, it has not failed, jammed or caused problems. I have over 1500 rds of widely varied ammo through it. (such as 230 ball, 230 & 200 JHPs, 200 LSWC & 230 RNL) fThere was NO break in period of unreliability. It ran right from out of the box. (after a cleaning and lubricating of course) The only changes have been CT laser grips, Tritium nite sights and changing the mag follower to a tripp follower.
smoothdraw
Member
Also beware of aluminum frames if you are planning to use hollowpoints. They will pound/not slide smoothly to your aluminum feedramps.
Also consider a colt. Colt uses less MIM parts and command better resale value. A Kimber has lower resale value because of the quality of it's parts. Almost every higher end semi-custom 1911 maker do not use MIM. (Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Les Baer, Wilson).
Dan Wesson CBOB is semi-custom quality with production price. The newer Dan Wesson are expensive too also. If you are really into Kimber, the Warrior, SIS, are relatively better made.
Also consider a colt. Colt uses less MIM parts and command better resale value. A Kimber has lower resale value because of the quality of it's parts. Almost every higher end semi-custom 1911 maker do not use MIM. (Ed Brown, Nighthawk, Les Baer, Wilson).
Dan Wesson CBOB is semi-custom quality with production price. The newer Dan Wesson are expensive too also. If you are really into Kimber, the Warrior, SIS, are relatively better made.
mljdeckard
Member
Irrelevant. I'm never selling mine.
kwelz
Member
You can get an STI for the same or less than a Kimber. Hell my Spartan was $650 out the door.
againstthagrane
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- Apr 8, 2008
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- 505
i had a spartan once. It was a piece of junk that i traded straight up for a sig p239 in .357 sig. i got lucky.
from what i remember the frame and slide are made somewhere in the south pacific and then put together by STI in texas. although i'm not a fan of Kimber i would avoid the Spartan at all costs. it failed to feed on the last round of every mag i tried in it including wilson combat mags that are supposed to be the best. the finish was garbage and the inside of the slide had tons of burrs and it would rip up any cleaning cloths i used on it. other than the Spartan STI makes awesome guns.
on the plus side, it was accurate and STI offered to take a look at it for me. i didn't want to deal with it. i'm of the frame of thought that pistols should be deadnuts reliable. so i only use glocks and H&Ks now. i had to sell the sig to fund a USP Tactical. i made the right choice.
my favorite stock non-custom 1911 right now is the springfield TRP. VERY well built gun for the money. i think they're around $1,200.
swinokur
Member
Kimber Custon TLE/RL. About 1k rounds through it.
Not a hiccup firing WWB and HST 230 +p.
This one's a keeper.
Not a hiccup firing WWB and HST 230 +p.
This one's a keeper.
The Bushmaster
Member
Smoothdraw. My Kimber UCC II uses an aluminum frame, but the "hollow point" 185 grain XTP's do not contact the aluminum. The ramp is part of the barrel. In fact I would like you to check to see what manufacturer allows the bullet to contact the aluminum frame during chambering. Will ya?
NJGunOwner81
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- Jul 11, 2009
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- 72
Great Choice!
Hey there VBallDust!
I think your decision to buy a Kimber is an EXCELLENT one! If you look at the posts I have made I have ALWAYS put my Kimber up on a pedestal! My Stainless Kimber Custom II .45ACP 5" Barrel w/ Tritium Nightsights was my first gun and I don't have anything bad to say about it!
I have 1000s of rounds through it at this point and I have yet to have a jam, misfire, F.T.F., or any of that nonsense. I personally think they are the embodiment of a 1911! They are accurate right from the box, and for me they have no problems ... even with the factory magazines which I STILL use to this day!
Regardless of what model you buy I think they have a clean sleek look to them which cannot be matched by any gun! They have a cool and sexy look and I know it sounds REALLY lame but I love it and I wouldn't trade it for anything! All that being said I DO own other guns ... most notably a Sig P250 and a Taurus Judge Magnum but I don't think they would win any beauty pageants. I not saying they're ugly but they are not in the same league as my Kimber as far as looks are concerned.
I really think you are going to be happy with your Kimber!!! Enjoy it and take care of it!
Take Care & Be Safe!
Frank
NJGunOwner81
Hey there VBallDust!
I think your decision to buy a Kimber is an EXCELLENT one! If you look at the posts I have made I have ALWAYS put my Kimber up on a pedestal! My Stainless Kimber Custom II .45ACP 5" Barrel w/ Tritium Nightsights was my first gun and I don't have anything bad to say about it!
I have 1000s of rounds through it at this point and I have yet to have a jam, misfire, F.T.F., or any of that nonsense. I personally think they are the embodiment of a 1911! They are accurate right from the box, and for me they have no problems ... even with the factory magazines which I STILL use to this day!
Regardless of what model you buy I think they have a clean sleek look to them which cannot be matched by any gun! They have a cool and sexy look and I know it sounds REALLY lame but I love it and I wouldn't trade it for anything! All that being said I DO own other guns ... most notably a Sig P250 and a Taurus Judge Magnum but I don't think they would win any beauty pageants. I not saying they're ugly but they are not in the same league as my Kimber as far as looks are concerned.
I really think you are going to be happy with your Kimber!!! Enjoy it and take care of it!
I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE ELSE'S OPINIONS ... THESE ARE JUST MY PERSONAL BELIEFS!
Take Care & Be Safe!
Frank
NJGunOwner81
JoelSteinbach
Member
I own & shoot Kimbers in both 45 & 10mm, I have never, had a problem with any of the 6 that I pesently own or the few that I have used to trade up to my present few. They feed and fire flawlessly, I have had some ammo selection problems with my original Kimber compact aluminun, but it was a handload problem that I quickly cleared up
jmillas
Member
I have a Kimber Tactical Custom II that just broke the 3,000 round mark this weekend. I've had one FTE in all of those rounds. I also have H&K's in P30L and USP Tactical, and as much as I like the H&K's, the Kimber puts a smile on my face every time I shoot it.
PMROY
Member
I have owned a Kimber SIS Custom RL for over a year now. It is one of the most accurate guns out of the box that I have ever fired. When I purchased the 45, I heard all sorts of horror stories from several gun dealers I know. After the 1st 200 rounds I started to get FTL when I new mag was inserted and the frame released. After much research from both dealers and friends, these guns require a break in period, the factory mags are as good as the Wilson's or any other and don't clean it after every 100 rounds, at the beginning. I started cleaning after 300 rounds and Presto, after the 700 break in, No More Issues. The gun is as tight as when i bought it, a little more accurate (could be the shooter) and no other issues, None. I have found that most dealers, bad mouth them, as they don't want to contend with frustrated customers, who will or do not want to break it in properly. They have told me they rather sell a cheaper made unit, than deal with headaches, unless they know they are serious about their weapons. The manual clearly says and advises what ammo to use at the start and you know what, they are right. IMO if you want one of the best 1911's made, for any price, and are going to take the time to break it in, you will never go wrong with a Kimber. I depend on it working flawlessly every time I might need it and I sleep well knowing what I carry as a PDW is a Kimber.
From what I read on the gun boards people either love or hate them. My only experience was as a range officer when the thumb safety on one broke into pieces while shooting a relay. Took the gun out of service til fixed by factory. I'll never own one.
The Bushmaster
Member
Thoughts? That's rather odd...Now why would you have problems with FP block equipped 1911? My Kimber UCC is a II and I own a Colts Series 80. The FP block on either one creates no problems at all. And the Colt has the finest 2 3/4 lb trigger pull you ever pulled. Granted the trigger job was done by one of the finest gunsmiths on the west coast. And the Kimber ain't all that bad right out of the box. The Kimber is my CC piece.
Choclabman
Member
I have a Ultra Carry II LG, a TLE II Stainless, and a Royal II.
My EDC is the Ultra Carry II w/night sights and Crimson Trace. All three of my Kimbers have been 100% reliable with different makes of FMJ and JHP. I have had NO issues with any of them.
I could not be happier with my Kimbers.
No BS second hand internet horror stories here.
My EDC is the Ultra Carry II w/night sights and Crimson Trace. All three of my Kimbers have been 100% reliable with different makes of FMJ and JHP. I have had NO issues with any of them.
I could not be happier with my Kimbers.
No BS second hand internet horror stories here.
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ugaarguy
Member
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- Mar 19, 2006
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- 13,828
Ever had the FP block plunger break on one? I have, and it rendered the weapon inoperable. It's not necessary in a 1911, and it adds an entire group of small parts which will render the weapon inoperable if any one of them breaks.
Happened to me on a Colt - still won't have any 1911 with a FP block. Read up on Hilton Yam's thoughts on a duty 1911, and you'll see he has the same opinion.
Now, if you want a range toy, who cares if it has a FP block. On a duty / carry / HD / SD pistol though, no way.
The Bushmaster
Member
You are absolutely correct... His opinion. I've had this Colt Series 80 sense 1990. Thousands of rounds down range. and no breakage of any part what so ever...
Parts, any part, can break. I've had a sear break on my Colt woodsman once and had to replace the extractor on my Firestar once too. 20+ firearms here and that is about all the breakage I've had...Oh...Forgot the forearm band screw on my 60+ year old Winchester 94 that I lost on a hunting trip.
Firearms are just like any other mechanical man made machine. Parts break................................
Parts, any part, can break. I've had a sear break on my Colt woodsman once and had to replace the extractor on my Firestar once too. 20+ firearms here and that is about all the breakage I've had...Oh...Forgot the forearm band screw on my 60+ year old Winchester 94 that I lost on a hunting trip.
Firearms are just like any other mechanical man made machine. Parts break................................
ForumSurfer
Member
My Kimber has never let me down...rain, snow or shine
Here's my problem. Some of the guys at the range that like to volunteer their opinion without anyone asking for said opinion tell me my Kimber is nice looking, but will be nothing but trouble and likely won't last long. They look at me like I am lying and just kind of "hmmph, ok...whatever" once I tell them it's passing the 3k round mark with no issues. I have changed the springs with wolf springs at every 1000 rounds.
Then the glock snobs poke fun at my fish-gilled 19 rtf2 and point out why everything about it that is different from a standard g19 is just all wrong. I just can't win. I'm glad I have my own property that I can shoot on and avoid the range. But that's only 10% or less of the people there. The rest of the people are nice, friendly or they keep to themselves. I enjoy going from time to time since you meet some nice people and swap weapons to fire off different stuff.
But yeah, my Kimber has been trouble free. Replace the springs with wolf ones whenever kimber recommends it and you'll be fine. But yourself some wilson combat mags, too. My experience with customer service was awesome, as well. I fell against a curb while holding a box and landed on a curb, kimber first breaking the ambi safety. I explained this to kimber customer support on the phone hoping to order a replacement piece if the price was right and the guy sent me a new ambi safety free of charge...after I clearly explained my warranty-voiding abuse. I'm not doubting others' testimonies regarding bad experiences, but my experience has been outstanding and I'll buy another Kimber in a heartbeat.
Here's my problem. Some of the guys at the range that like to volunteer their opinion without anyone asking for said opinion tell me my Kimber is nice looking, but will be nothing but trouble and likely won't last long. They look at me like I am lying and just kind of "hmmph, ok...whatever" once I tell them it's passing the 3k round mark with no issues. I have changed the springs with wolf springs at every 1000 rounds.
Then the glock snobs poke fun at my fish-gilled 19 rtf2 and point out why everything about it that is different from a standard g19 is just all wrong. I just can't win. I'm glad I have my own property that I can shoot on and avoid the range. But that's only 10% or less of the people there. The rest of the people are nice, friendly or they keep to themselves. I enjoy going from time to time since you meet some nice people and swap weapons to fire off different stuff.
But yeah, my Kimber has been trouble free. Replace the springs with wolf ones whenever kimber recommends it and you'll be fine. But yourself some wilson combat mags, too. My experience with customer service was awesome, as well. I fell against a curb while holding a box and landed on a curb, kimber first breaking the ambi safety. I explained this to kimber customer support on the phone hoping to order a replacement piece if the price was right and the guy sent me a new ambi safety free of charge...after I clearly explained my warranty-voiding abuse. I'm not doubting others' testimonies regarding bad experiences, but my experience has been outstanding and I'll buy another Kimber in a heartbeat.
I bought a Kimber Tactical Entry II a few months ago since I wanted a 1911 style pistol and the TEII comes with a lot of desirable "custom" features. I put almost 100 rounds through it last Friday using Wilson Combat ETMs and I couldn't be happier. It handled my 185gr SWC reloads with no fuss at all. It's definitely the most accurate pistol I own and a real joy to shoot. It feels really good in the hand with excellent balance. I now find myself wanting more Kimbers.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=502965
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=502965
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