I read or heard that over the last few years Kimber was putting out some lemons. I was told that they got their act together now and are building quality guns again. However two of my local gun shops won't carry them because they said their crap. All the other gun shops think their top notch. Anyone care to comment on this? I would like to buy one, if they are a good quality 1911. I like the Custom II model. I was also looking into the new SR1911 as well. I don't care for Colt 1911's. Nothing bad about Colt, I just really like the Kimber. Oh and before anyone says get a Smith and Wesson, I was told from gun review writer Chuck Hawks to stay away from S&W products.
Kimber Question.
- Thread starter sch84
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I love them, I will buy more in the future, and will recommend them to everyone. I'm sure that they have put out some with problems just based alone on their volume compared to other manufacturers. I'm also sure you'll hear plenty from people that don't like them. Beginning...now.......
Had an Ultra Carry II that never jammed in 1500rds, but would lock back on a partial full mag every 100rds or so. Kimber fixed it, and they picked up the shipping.(even though it was outside the 1yr free shipping time line) I'll get another someday
matrem
Member
I've had two first hand Kimber experiences this month:
1911 "Super Carry" .45.
100-110 rounds= 1 fail to feed.(this gun hadn't been fired except by Kimber)
Found the magazine that didn't like that ONE red "rubbery" tipped Hornady & was able to tweek it to except even those.
New 84 in .257 Roberts put some good handloads into 15/ 16ths at 200yds.
Yeah. They're still making good stuff!
1911 "Super Carry" .45.
100-110 rounds= 1 fail to feed.(this gun hadn't been fired except by Kimber)
Found the magazine that didn't like that ONE red "rubbery" tipped Hornady & was able to tweek it to except even those.
New 84 in .257 Roberts put some good handloads into 15/ 16ths at 200yds.
Yeah. They're still making good stuff!
Old krow
Member
I have a custom II with about 6k rounds through it. I haven't had any issues with it what-so-ever. I've been very happy with mine.
KimberUltra
Member
I have an Ultra Carry which gave me some issues mostly due to me being new and limp wristing a bit. Polished the feed ramp and tightened up my grip and it's all good now. A little picky on HP ammo but I found some that it likes and I stick with it.
chez323
Member
Kimber's
I've got two, a Tactical Pro II and a SIS Custom. Neither of which have given me any issues. The only issue I would have with buying another one is my wife...........
I've got two, a Tactical Pro II and a SIS Custom. Neither of which have given me any issues. The only issue I would have with buying another one is my wife...........
tbutera2112
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friend of mine has a few of them and says you need 500rds break in before they start working flawlessly
sch84 said:
I know how that goes. My LGS owner doesn't stock Kimber and won't even order me one. I've bought two Ed Browns, two Dan Wessons and two SIGs from him but he simply refuses to order a Kimber. I want a Stainless Pro Raptor II but I guess I'll have to look elsewhere.
As for Kimber, I like 'em. I think they're decent out of the box and they make a good platform to build on if you're looking for a reliable practical shooting pistol. My Kimber Tactical Entry II proved to be 100% reliable from day one with four types of factory 230gr FMJ ammunition with no issues in hundreds of rounds. The trigger was fairly heavy at around 5lb but not bad. I started to upgrade various parts of the pistol and began shooting 200gr LRNFP reloads in USPSA matches. 1,500+ trouble-free rounds later I'm very, very happy with that pistol and would buy another Kimber without any concerns. There are other options out there of course, but I choose a 1911 based on the features that I can't easily change such as the frame and slide. Everything else can be "upgraded" easily if so desired. If you like a Kimber you should buy a Kimber.
On a side note, all I ask of my 1911s is that they feed three types of ammunition with 100% reliability.
1. Any quality 230gr FMJ factory ammunition
2. 200gr LRNFP reload for USPSA matches
3. 230gr JHP reload using Hornady's XTP bullets or similar
That's it!! If they prove to be reliable with LSWC bullets or other loads then I consider it a bonus but not a requirement.
Skylerbone
Member
Chuck Hawks...really? That's the standard for what you will or won't buy? Kimber had problems with external extractors. Their customer service is, depending on who you talk to, top notch or worst in the industry. Everyone does make lemons. You'll have to decide if your money is well spent on a pistol the manufacturer may or may not back up with service.
You have a good chance in my opinion of getting a good one but if you do a lot of shooting and keep what you buy you may want to factor that in to the equation. Are they top notch? I don't think so. 3 of your first 6 responses admitted to problems of some sort and most would be minor unless they came at the wrong time.
I don't dislike Kimber there are simply too many other 1911s that speak to me at their price point.
Ace, if the OP didn't want the bad with the good there wouldn't be much point in discussion, would there?
The Ruger does have a cast frame if that bothers you. It also has an integral plunger tube if that bothers you. There isn't likely to be anyone who has a significant number of rounds through one yet to speak to longevity but Ruger is known for their customer service. Unfortunately their pistols of late have suffered from a large number of recalls.
FWIW I'm pretty sure Colt has the kinks worked out on their 1911s, not sure why you don't like them??? I'll add that my S&Ws have all been reliable as well. Flawless no, but they all eat whatever I feed them, go bang and spit brass every time. 3 new and 1 used in the past 2 years with 5k + rounds.
You have a good chance in my opinion of getting a good one but if you do a lot of shooting and keep what you buy you may want to factor that in to the equation. Are they top notch? I don't think so. 3 of your first 6 responses admitted to problems of some sort and most would be minor unless they came at the wrong time.
I don't dislike Kimber there are simply too many other 1911s that speak to me at their price point.
Ace, if the OP didn't want the bad with the good there wouldn't be much point in discussion, would there?
The Ruger does have a cast frame if that bothers you. It also has an integral plunger tube if that bothers you. There isn't likely to be anyone who has a significant number of rounds through one yet to speak to longevity but Ruger is known for their customer service. Unfortunately their pistols of late have suffered from a large number of recalls.
FWIW I'm pretty sure Colt has the kinks worked out on their 1911s, not sure why you don't like them??? I'll add that my S&Ws have all been reliable as well. Flawless no, but they all eat whatever I feed them, go bang and spit brass every time. 3 new and 1 used in the past 2 years with 5k + rounds.
click clack
Member
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- 187
Anyone have info on the Solo Carrys?? Ive heard rumors that they were stopping production.. Can anyone clarify or does anyone have experience
Kimbers are good guns. You can't really compare them to custom guns costing twice as much though, which seems to happen with 1911's more so than any other gun.
I have roughly 800 rounds through my custom ll without any problems related to the gun. If you want to get into a 1911 for around 1000 bucks I'd say Kimber is an excellent choice.
Some Cons: non-supported carbon steel barrels and somewhat sketchy standard mags.
I have roughly 800 rounds through my custom ll without any problems related to the gun. If you want to get into a 1911 for around 1000 bucks I'd say Kimber is an excellent choice.
Some Cons: non-supported carbon steel barrels and somewhat sketchy standard mags.
Skylerbone
Member
A bit off topic but the Solo has been recalled and will not be available for sale again until Kimber can figure out where they went wrong.
joe_security
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My LGS loves to hype Kimber, claiming the brand to be "most accurate out of the box". Ive heard enough horror storys to stay away. Users seem to be split 50/50 as far as good or bad.
Giterboosted
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- Dec 9, 2010
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- 578
Ultra crimson carry, one of my first 1911's, haven't had a problem yet, love it, eats whatever you feed it, super accurate, blew me away how accurate for a 3" barrel
I have two Ultra Carry's. One with ramped barrel and one without. I happen to like the one without best. It takes absolutely anything I feed it. The one with ramped barrel is so picky about ammo, I've only found one brand it likes. I'm hoping after a thousand or so rounds it will start eating anything. 
Hey, I can hope can I.
Hey, I can hope can I.ichiban
Member
For the money, I think there are better guns than Kimber. I have had several (still have a couple) and have had no problems with them. I do think that, thanks to massive advertising campaigns, they have an unearned reputation among the less experienced as the gold standard by which all others are judged.
S&W? I love mine and consider them to be outstanding firearms. Here is another opinion on the new E-series.
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/01/s-e-series-1911-first-look.html
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/04/s-e-series-detailed-review.html
S&W? I love mine and consider them to be outstanding firearms. Here is another opinion on the new E-series.
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/01/s-e-series-1911-first-look.html
http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/04/s-e-series-detailed-review.html
I have to go back on saying I won't buy a Colt. I did some more research on the 1991 models and I like what I see. Again only a couple of my local gun shops carry them because the rest said they are junk. I might add that the shops that won't carry Kimber or Colt and will only push the Springfield 1911s. They seem to think all the others don't compare to Springfield. I like SA 1911s but I've seen way to many that have rough fit and finishes.
mljdeckard
Member
Day one, no problems, factory magazines, didn't matter. Best handgun I have ever owned. I just ordered a commemorative Para Ordnance for my unit's deployment, I will be very surprised if it runs as well as my Kimber.
We ask the Kimber question in here all the time. Some people seethe at the mention of the name, some have had great experiences. I THINK, that they make a lot more 1911s than their competitors, and a higher number of reported problems neither means that there is a higher RATE of problems, nor that the vast majority of Kimber owners don't have something better to do than complain about things on the internet.
I have shot Nighthawks, Baers, Wilsons, etc. For the life of me, I have no idea what it is they are supposed to do for more than three times what I paid for my Kimber.
We ask the Kimber question in here all the time. Some people seethe at the mention of the name, some have had great experiences. I THINK, that they make a lot more 1911s than their competitors, and a higher number of reported problems neither means that there is a higher RATE of problems, nor that the vast majority of Kimber owners don't have something better to do than complain about things on the internet.
I have shot Nighthawks, Baers, Wilsons, etc. For the life of me, I have no idea what it is they are supposed to do for more than three times what I paid for my Kimber.
BamAlmighty
Member
I'm not going to support a company that doesn't support its products.
only offering a 1 year warranty is ridiculous
only offering a 1 year warranty is ridiculous
CombatArmsUSAF
Member
Kimbers are indeed great guns, but I think they are over priced great guns.
Compare any kimber out there to a Springfield TRP, and you'll see a world of difference in the quality of fit and finish. The price of a TRP is on the high end of Kimber's line but when you're spending over 1k on a gun what's a difference of a few hundred dollars?
But Kimber has a history of marketing things and then letting us be the beta testers for them. The combination of that and the firing pin safety is why I won't be purchasing from them anytime soon.
Springfield's and S&W's customer service is beyond great. Don't like the way the frame on your Springer 1911 is blended in to the slide? Call SACS and they'll pay for shipping, address your issues, and send it back free of charge. I haven't dealt with S&W on any 1911 issues, but I have with a few revolvers I own and they are almost as good as Springfield.
Compare any kimber out there to a Springfield TRP, and you'll see a world of difference in the quality of fit and finish. The price of a TRP is on the high end of Kimber's line but when you're spending over 1k on a gun what's a difference of a few hundred dollars?
But Kimber has a history of marketing things and then letting us be the beta testers for them. The combination of that and the firing pin safety is why I won't be purchasing from them anytime soon.
Springfield's and S&W's customer service is beyond great. Don't like the way the frame on your Springer 1911 is blended in to the slide? Call SACS and they'll pay for shipping, address your issues, and send it back free of charge. I haven't dealt with S&W on any 1911 issues, but I have with a few revolvers I own and they are almost as good as Springfield.
mljdeckard
Member
I paid $630, NIB for my Custom II. What should I have paid for it?
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