Kimber 10mm question

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Balrog

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
3,207
I am in the market for a 10mm 1911, and they are a little bit hard to find. I can't find a Colt or Springfield. I had some bad experiences with a few Kimber 1911s back 15-20 yrs ago, and decided just to stay away from Kimber because of that. But I have found a new Kimber TLE II in 10mm that looks to be a very nice gun.

I am wary of cartridges other than 45 ACP in the 1911, and also have been bitten with Kimbers in the past not being reliable. So I am a little apprehensive about a 10mm Kimber.

I am not trashing Kimber, just basing my current concern on past experience. I really like the looks of the TLE 10mm, but don't want to end up with a gun that can't run reliably. What is the opinion of Kimber these days, and in particular would like to hear from people with experience with Kimber 10mm 1911s.
 
Seems like Kimber weakness is their magazines. Not sure there’s many options beyond their factory mags in 10MM.

Are you dead set in a 10MM 1911 platform?
 
Not a 10mm but a 45acp Rapide purchased on October 9, 2020.
695 rounds through it now with not a single malfunction.

Just sayin'...

Maybe production practices are better now?
 
Have you considered a Ruger SR1911 in 10mm? They make a damn fine 1911 in both 45 ACP and 10MM auto. I have one and consider it an excellent well made pistol and it's accuracy is outstanding! Would match it up to a Colt Delta Elite any day!
 
Actually, I'm in the same boat... I've been considering a 10mm 1911. I also have questions about their reliability, but my only reference is from hoary internet lore about the original Colt Delta Elite.... certainly the manufacturers have fixed the frame problems by now, or I don't think you would be seeing the proliferation of them we see now.

There were some issues with the mid-2000's Kimbers, it's well known their QC was not very good back then. I have 3 Kimbers, all .45's mind you, and they all run 100%... even one bought second-hand that was Bubba'ed by the previous owner. Every company kicks out a lemon now and then, however, even the other manufacturers. If the Kimber pistol fits what you are looking for, and you can examine the pistol you will be buying for functionality, fit, and finish, I would be perfectly willing to take a chance on one...
 
loadedround said:
Have you considered a Ruger SR1911 in 10mm? They make a damn fine 1911 in both 45 ACP and 10MM auto. I have one and consider it an excellent well made pistol and it's accuracy is outstanding! Would match it up to a Colt Delta Elite any day!
Click to expand...
I would be open to the Ruger, just cannot find one. I would be open to Colt and Springfield too. I am not closed to the idea of a Kimber, just a little concerned based on previous history with Kimbers from 15 yrs or so ago.
 
I have two Kimbers, a Super Match in 45ACP and a Target II in 10mm. Both are very accurate pistols but they are in the realm of target shooting only. Both have been back to the mother ship for numerous problems, most notably the self disintegrating adjustable sights.
The biggest problem I have had is with Kimbers customer service which totally sucks, it's always your fault, the sight problem has nothing to do with MIM parts but is normal wear, etc, etc.

I have since switched to Dan Wessons and will be trading in the Kimbers in the near future.
 
My Kimber TLEii has been great. Feeds and fires factory and reloads fine. They are very tight at first. But no problems even during the break in.
 
I think you sort of got your answer, stay away from Kimber.There's a thread on Defensive Carry about a dude that got a new K6 and if you see the pics you wouldn't buy a Kimber and yes it's his fault according to Kimber.
 
Balrog said:
Does "still breaking it in" mean it is having failures to feed or eject?
Click to expand...

No, it means I am still in the recommended break-in phase. The manual suggests shooting 50 rounds, break-down and clean, repeat, for 300-500 rounds before competition/CCW use. Seems to work well, but only about 150 rounds down range so far.
 
I have an Eclipse II. It was really tight from the factory and they had me send it back.
They returned it within 3 weeks and it has run flawless with everything I feed it. I reload so it's had a variety of loads sent downrange.

My experience with customer service was quite good. This was back in 2018. Yeah, it should have been running right from the get-go but they fixed it and were friendly & prompt.
 
Balrog said:
I am in the market for a 10mm 1911, and they are a little bit hard to find. I can't find a Colt or Springfield. I had some bad experiences with a few Kimber 1911s back 15-20 yrs ago, and decided just to stay away from Kimber because of that. But I have found a new Kimber TLE II in 10mm that looks to be a very nice gun.

I am wary of cartridges other than 45 ACP in the 1911, and also have been bitten with Kimbers in the past not being reliable. So I am a little apprehensive about a 10mm Kimber.

I am not trashing Kimber, just basing my current concern on past experience. I really like the looks of the TLE 10mm, but don't want to end up with a gun that can't run reliably. What is the opinion of Kimber these days, and in particular would like to hear from people with experience with Kimber 10mm 1911s.
Click to expand...
My son in law has the Kimber 10 mm, it seems to not feed consistently for whatever reason.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
10mm: Glock 20 or Kimber 1911
2
Replies
31
Views
8K
f4t9r
F
B
  • Locked
Reliability of 10mm 1911's
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
mljdeckard
mljdeckard
Lennyjoe
  • Locked
Double Eagle or Delta Elite 10mm. You choose
Replies
13
Views
1K
KenW.
K
G
  • Locked
kimber 10mm question
Replies
9
Views
1K
gunlaw
G
C
  • Locked
Kimber or Springfield?
Replies
16
Views
1K
rchernandez
R
Back
Top