I have read several exhausting forum threads on Kimber 1911's and the back and forth debate on the quality of Clackimus (sp?) produced / marked guns versus early-Yonkers versus later-Yonkers, etc., etc. I bought a Kimber when the only other players were Colt, Springfield, and Norinco (!) based on the fact that, well, the Kimber I saw just seemed really tight and well-made, back when I thought that tightness of slide to frame on a 1911 was all that mattered. Actually now that I think about it Wilson was of course in production at the time but $1000+ for a gun was out of the question back then.
So can anyone tell me with any certainty:
When did Kimber 1911's hit the market?
When did the external extractor / Series II models come out?
What would you consider an "early" Kimber and / or when did quality control first become an issue (it seems Kimber became a victim of their own success, like S&W in the 60's (or 70's, or 80's, or 90's, depending on you you ask))?
So can anyone tell me with any certainty:
When did Kimber 1911's hit the market?
When did the external extractor / Series II models come out?
What would you consider an "early" Kimber and / or when did quality control first become an issue (it seems Kimber became a victim of their own success, like S&W in the 60's (or 70's, or 80's, or 90's, depending on you you ask))?