For what it is worth, I do seem to be a jinx when I get around 1911s. My experience is also with older Springfields (late 80's vintage), so I don't know about the new ones. Also, I suspect it depends how many rounds you put down range.
I doubt there is any one problem with Kimbers that can't be said about 1911s in general. They aren't jammomatics, but then, they never went the flawless 1,000s of rounds that other guns such as HK, Sig, and Glock seem to, either.
The Kimber (it was one of the first ones released) was the most reliable of the 8 1911 style pistols I've personally gone through. Still, failure to lock open with every magazine (and I tried a bunch, all top quality) - sure replace the slide stop. Did that. Still didn't lock open reliably. And, I ask you - why the Hell should I have to replace parts on a brand new gun? Loose plunger tube. Restaked, but, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO? Not reliable with all hollow points - again, Sig, HK, Browning, and Glock seem to have this down.
I won't bore you with the list from the Colts and Springfields, but if it could break, it did. This included a hammer strut of all things. Geeez.
1911's are fantastic designs - sliding trigger, low bore axis, slim, big bullet, best trigger reset in the business. The only thing that probably handles better is a P7M8. But, I think that things could be improved - and the recent introduction of external, pivoting extractors is very good and follows behind dovetailed front sights being common. Now, ditch the plunger tube, put in a ramped barrel, make a more sensitive grip safety, and CAD/CAM the whole thing with new machinery - and that will be a fighting pistol.
I know, so and so can work on a 1911. I saw a Gunsite instructor's pistol have hammer follow. Now, if there is one place that should be able to put out a reliable 1911, it's Gunsite. Seen Les Baers have failures to feed with hardball. And, a whole handful of others top notch 'smiths.
This isn't a flame - this is me begging someone to make a 1911 that can slog it out for a few 100,000 rounds of hard use and abuse without bobbling just like the vast majority of Sigs and Glocks do.