RFI Kimber 1911s

[Trunk Monkey]

I have only ever fired one Kimber 1911 in my life. It was chambered in .38 Super. I didn't notice any particular difference between that gun in my Rock Island Armory 1911. I don't remember examining it closely either though.

I seem to remember reading that Kimber handguns have some real quality control issues. But I read an article today that referred to Kimber handguns as high-end.

What do those of you who actually own one think of them?

 

[Bruno Friia]

I have two 1911 Kimber's - the Stainless custom Raptor II 9MM and the KHX custom OR 9MM - great shooting - good pistols right out of the box - no problems using manufacture and reloads - reliability at it's best.

 

[jonnyc]

Sold them for years. More returns for problematic Kimbers than any other brand...including Taurus!

 

[Alex Clayton]

Kimber has suffered from the net more than anything. When they came on scene they really rocked the market. A high quality 1911 at mass manufactured price. Higher price but not even in the same league as the semi custom pistols. Market share took off. So they were cranking out a LOT of guns. When you mass manufacture you can not do it and not have some lemons slip past. Problem was people paying for the name tend to be VERY vocal when they are the unlucky one to get the lemon. Many read stuff on the net, then start to repeat it to any who will listen. Meanwhile the thousands of great guns get little press. Their owners are just happy. So yes if you buy a Kimber there is a slim chance you will get a problem. If you do it can be fixed. Often quite easily. This also causes it's own set of problems. People who "think" they know what they are doing trying to "fix" something. Often this just makes things worse, and of course the gun is blamed. Buy a Kimber and chances are super good you will just get a great gun.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I have two 1911 Kimber's - the Stainless custom Raptor II 9MM and the KHX custom OR 9MM - great shooting - good pistols right out of the box - no problems using manufacture and reloads - reliability at it's best.

What about the machining and fit and finish

 

[JTQ]

I'm not a Kimber owner, but am a long time 1911 owner and long time member on a couple of 1911 forums.

Kimber's have a good reputation for good slide and frame contours - Colt is notorious for sharp edges and corners - and generally have good lock ups.

A few of the downsides - many, though not all, of their barrels are carbon steel (generally a good thing for accuracy), but most of them are left "in the white" and are prone to rusting without some care.

All of the models designated with a "II" use the Swartz style firing pin safety. Nothing really wrong with a firing pin safety, but Kimber is the only one using this design while most other 1911 makers use the Series 80 style firing pin safety (both are Colt designs - Swartz from the late 1930's and Series 80 from the 1980's).

Kimber's non-stainless finishes are typically not particularly robust. Not a big deal for most 1911 users as they are accustomed to the care of bluing, but lots of complaints from the typical young guys used to modern striker fired guns.

Kimber also went through a period of less than stellar MIM parts. When it started and when (or if) it ended I don't know, but it was a common complaint.

My take - Kimber's slide's and frames are solid. Barrels and fitment are also very good, but pay attention to potential rust issues. While I like firing pin safeties, in general, I'd probably choose a non-Series II Kimber if given the option.

 

[JTQ]

But I read an article today that referred to Kimber handguns as high-end.

Kimber's are not high-end. They should be compared to Colt, Springfield, S&W, and whoever else makes good, solid, USA made production level guns.

Kimber also doesn't have a "Custom Shop". All Kimber's are made with the same attention to detail. If you are buying a high end Kimber 1911, you are generally paying for "bling". The Custom II (I believe now covered by the Two-Tone models in the line-up) and the TLE II is typically where the value in the Kimber line-up sits.

 

[Jack B.]

I have a Kimber 1911 Custom II I got about 8 years ago. I think it's a better gun than the Colt Gold Cup I owned about 25 years ago. I've had 0 problems and it's my favorite semi-auto.

 

[wanderinwalker]

A Kimber is a roll of the dice, in my experience. These days I regard them as a marketing company who happens to produce firearms.

The old Series I guns were generally good. This is how Kimber established their reputation and name recognition. The current Series II guns, less good. Google "Kimber safety timing issues" for just a sample of why I dislike their newest 1911s. You can also add in small-chambers that might not have been finish-polished from time to time. We'll also add the personal experience of my brother having a Series I gun with a 4" bushing-less barrel and aluminum frame that never quite wanted to run reliably. Though to be fair, that particular pistol may have been a victim of Bubba's school of "I can make it better" before my brother got it.

Which is all kind of disappointing, because Kimber puts out a really nice looking, generally well machined product. I can't fault them for the fit and finish of their final assemblies. They're certainly cosmetically more consistent than the Filipino guns, without fail.

In the interest of full-disclosure, I've seen various issues with Dan Wessons, Rugers, Colts, SIGs and the Filipino 1911s too. Just not as consistently as I've seen tight chambers with Kimbers.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I have a Kimber 1911 Custom II I got about 8 years ago. I think it's a better gun than the Colt Gold Cup I owned about 25 years ago. I've had 0 problems and it's my favorite semi-auto.

When they got started they were one of the early people to start offering 1911's with "bells and whistles". It for a long time was almost always you either got a government model, or you bought a Gold Cup. A LOT of people wanted different things done. This was of course pricey as it was labor intensive to have a Smith do the work. Well a Couple people got the idea of starting to offer many "extras" factory. Mass produce them and the extra's suddenly can be had for pennies on the dollar compared to having it done later. Kimber was well known as a higher end example of this. This worked as they just took off as a company. The vast majority of what they send out of course is great. If they were even 10% as bad and some love to claim they would have never gained market share. As I said the net was hard on them. People read or hear some story so they just keep repeating it because it sounds good <shrug>.
Never much mattered to me as I do not own a piece of the Co, so do not care. When anyone asks me about buying one of theirs, even though I do not own one, I always tell them if they like one, buy it. Chances are super good they are going to be happy with it. The only warning I give is if it for any reason does not work do not let some kitchen table smith go at it. Either send it back or get a pro to look at it.

 

[Charlie98]

Kimber has suffered from the net more than anything.

I agree. They did have some QC issues in the mid 2000's, they have largely fixed that.

I have 2 Kimbers, they have been largely trouble-free...

L is my original Pro Eclipse II, I bought new in 2003 (4" stainless) and R is a Pro Carry II (4" alloy) I bought as NIB about 5-6 years ago, but dates back to 1998 or so, if I did my research correctly. The only thing I have had to do is have the safety plunger restaked on the Pro Carry... it was loose.



I have over 10K rounds through my Eclipse, and about 5K through the Carry... and they are just as solid as the day I brought them home.

A friend of mine bought a Pro CDP about 3 years ago (4" alloy, carry treatment) and his had feeding issues with some ammos. I broke it down and found the coating on the slide was too thick between the lugs on the breechface... some ammo was dimensionally able to fit, some were dragging. He sent it off to Kimber, and it's fine, now.



I also agree with JTQ, as much as I like my Kimbers, I don't consider them a 'custom' pistol... they are a production pistol no matter how 'fancy' they make some of them look. Would I buy another Kimber? Yes.

 

[edwardware]

I've owned two, an Ultra Carry and a 5" Gov't, both in 45ACP. Both were well finished, noticeably nicer than the contemporaneous Colt, Springfield, and Ruger competition. Neither ever bobbled a single time after I lubed then properly, and both ate every 45 ACP ammo I fed them.

Both went down the road because their brand appeal made them more valuable than the other children.

Regarding their CS, they're New Yorkers on the phone. . . but they did repair my Ultra Carry after I damaged it (peened sear/hooks) gratis.

 

[CDW4ME]

I had a couple of Kimber Ultra Carry 45 acp 1911's that worked fine, any issue was magazine related; got rid of them for no good reason.
Currently have a Kimber TLE 10mm 1911, works fine with Kimber, Colt, or Metalform 8 round mags; issue with Wilson 9 rd; I stick with the 8 rd. that work.
The TLE has over 500 rounds of my HP handloads through it, 150 & 180 gr. Nosler JHP and 180 Gold Dot, feeds HP reliably has been established.

 

[JTQ]

Currently have a Kimber TLE 10mm 1911, works fine with Kimber, Colt, or ... mags

Both the Kimber and Colt mags are most likely made by CheckMate if you're looking for another option.

https://www.topgunsupply.com/magazines/1911/check-mate/1911-10mm.html

 

[JTQ]

My mag comment, and looking at Charlie98's picture reminds me, most will recommend against using mags with the Devel follower, as commonly used in the Chip McCormick line-up of mags, with aluminum framed guns. The follower can jump forward after the last round and ding the aluminum feed ramp.

McCormick makes a fine mag and has other options that don't use the traditional Devel follower (RPM and PowerMag Plus) that should be safe for aluminum framed guns.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I agree. They did have some QC issues in the mid 2000's, they have largely fixed that.

I have 2 Kimbers, they have been largely trouble-free...

L is my original Pro Eclipse II, I bought new in 2003 (4" stainless) and R is a Pro Carry II (4" alloy) I bought as NIB about 5-6 years ago, but dates back to 1998 or so, if I did my research correctly. The only thing I have had to do is have the safety plunger restaked on the Pro Carry... it was loose.

View attachment 953002

I have over 10K rounds through my Eclipse, and about 5K through the Carry... and they are just as solid as the day I brought them home.

A friend of mine bought a Pro CDP about 3 years ago (4" alloy, carry treatment) and his had feeding issues with some ammos. I broke it down and found the coating on the slide was too thick between the lugs on the breechface... some ammo was dimensionally able to fit, some were dragging. He sent it off to Kimber, and it's fine, now.

View attachment 953003

I also agree with JTQ, as much as I like my Kimbers, I don't consider them a 'custom' pistol... they are a production pistol no matter how 'fancy' they make some of them look. Would I buy another Kimber? Yes.

Almost every major player in the gun game went through at least one period of bad QC. It always was a disaster. It always was the result of bean counters trying to save a buck, and finding out real fast it was a mistake. Ruger, Colt, S&W, Marlin, on and on. Sadly of course the ones who get a lemon don't want to hear it was a fluke or can be fixed of course. Can't blame them. I bought a NIB 70 Series Government Model in the early 80's that was a dumpster fire. Place was getting out of the gun sales and had it at a very nice price. I took it home and it would not work. Ended up taking it to a pro and he found a couple of VERY bad parts in it. It was made during a time Colt was going through this.

 

[JTQ]

Almost every major player in the gun game went through at least one period of bad QC.

The interesting thing with Kimber is their issues and those at SIG are generally attributed to the same CEO.

 

[Boarhunter]

I have owned a bunch of Kimber 1911s over the years. Many of them required minor “tweaks” before they were reliable. But after that, they tend to be solid, reliable shooters.

They are not “high end” guns (like I would categorize the Dan Wessons), but they look good and shoot fine when the bugs are worked out.

When I carry a 45, it is most likely a Kimber Ultra CDP, a great, lightweight, accurate shooter. I have put a lot of rounds through it. But this gun is my second CDP...the first was returned to the factory for lack of reliability...

BOARHUNTER

 

[Charlie98]

. I bought a NIB 70 Series Government Model in the early 80's that was a dumpster fire.

My first 1911 was a Series 80 '80's era Colt stainless that was the same way. Parts started to break, and it was never really that good of a shooter... but it was a looker of a pistol! That, and that prancing pony on the side got me what I paid for it... when I sold it and bought a Springfield.

McCormick makes a fine mag and has other options that don't use the traditional Devel follower (RPM and PowerMag Plus) that should be safe for aluminum framed guns.

When I first bought my Eclipse, I had mag issues. A general change to the PowerMag fixed all of the mag reliability issues, so I bought 12 of them. Then I got my alloy pistol... and read about issues with the follower. I need to break the alloy pistol down, anyway, and checking the frame is one of the tasks on the list.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Kimber's are not high-end. They should be compared to Colt, Springfield, S&W, and whoever else makes good, solid, USA made production level guns.

Kimber also doesn't have a "Custom Shop". All Kimber's are made with the same attention to detail. If you are buying a high end Kimber 1911, you are generally paying for "bling". The Custom II (I believe now covered by the Two-Tone models in the line-up) and the TLE II is typically where the value in the Kimber line-up sits.

The person who wrote the article was specifically comparing Smith & Wesson 3rd Generation pistols to a Kimber.

 

[JFrank]

Stripped my Kimber down to the last part and guess what?
MIM Crap parts... my 1911 smith replaced the entire ignition with tool steel parts from a Colt Delta Elite , (replaced the barrel bushing also and all the springs ) ordered up a couple Wilson 47 D magazines. Now it’s a real Custom 1911

 

[JTQ]

The person who wrote the article was specifically comparing Smith & Wesson 3rd Generation pistols to a Kimber.

That's probably reasonable. I have an S&W 4506. Production gun vs production gun.

However, the 1911 world is not like most other guns in the pistol world. The 1911 is a style of pistol and not a brand. There are truly high end 1911's, there are middle of the road production guns, and there are entry level guns. They are different. A Glock is a Glock.

 

[Alex Clayton]

The interesting thing with Kimber is their issues and those at SIG are generally attributed to the same CEO.

People who get hired to run a Co normally have a certain "style". Quality Control is of course often looked at as a way to cut cost. Of course it normally is a mess but takes a while. So probably makes the person who got profits up for a while look great. Decades ago we had a City Manger here who cost the tax payers MILLIONS of buck by incompetence. He then promptly got hired by some other City.

 

[Ru4real]

Kimber 30 years ago brought out a 1911 that upset the old gun world order. So naturally a lot of people have hurt feelings, similar to Glock. You won’t go wrong by owning a Kimber, and if your skills are not that great, you won’t see a difference compared to your Rock Island.

My Kimber 1911 is from mid 1990’s. It is superbly accurate, reliable and has an outstanding factory trigger. I tested, and it can go about a thousand rounds between cleanings before interference between barrel and bushing becomes a problem. In the same test, my Rock Island was still running strong through the thousand rounds. Both were cleaned at the same time to end the test. The Kimber is much more accurate than the Rock Island.

My Kimber K6S is from 2020. I had to do trigger work to make it a S&W trigger for single and double action. This is the smallest, lightest, most accurate 4 inch barrel 357 on the market right now. Much higher quality than a Ruger handgun for which I own a few Rugers. K6S quality is slightly better than a new manufactured S&W handgun, for which I have two new S&W’s.
View attachment 953035

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Kimber that runs 100%. I did replace the slide stop and thumb safety with Wilson parts,

I have had a couple of others, one 4” with an exterior extractor that needed a “new style” extractor. They sent it to me and it ran great after that, but sold it in favor of the 3” internal extractor one I still have.

I had an early model someone butchered that ran well after I fixed it.