Why do you own a kimber ?

[wizard]

I was reading a post the otherday and was suprised by the number of people who own a Kimber. I know that they are popular, but what is the big draw to this brand? I am not bashing anyone for there choices or the 1911 crowd, I own a 1911. Just curious as to what makes them so popular.

[mtallit]

I'm curious of the same thing. They have a premium price tag which would initially make you believe premium quality or features. But from all the magazines I look at, they have a premium advertising budget... exceptionally more than other manufacturers.

[roguesam]

Owned the original "Clackamas" roll mark. Nothing exceptional re: accuracy. Sold it. MASSIVE advertising budget....

[localgirl]

From what I understand, they have exceptionally small tolerances. So if a Glock or a Springfield might have a part that can pass inspection with a half millimeter variance, the Kimber requires the same part to carry a fraction of that.

This translates to more reliability and durability. These are meant to be weapons that last a lifetime and are passed down. There is also a lot of prestige to the name. They are truly hand-crafted and highly customized.

Now as to whether all this makes much of a difference in the field, I can't say.

[BattleSwine]

I've owned Kimbers for years. When they first came out with 1911's the they were a very good value. That was in late 90s. Colt was pulling out of the civilian market. They filled a gape between low end imports and high end custom 1911's. A lot of my service buddies also bought Kimbers. None of us paid more than $900 back then. Now all I see in stores are $1,200 and up. I don't recommend Kimber now. Springfield Armory it now my recommendation for starter match grade 1911's. Hard to beat Range Officer at $770-870. With some Kimber's running north of $2K I recommend Les Beaer, Wilson Combat, or Ed Brown. Lots of great 1911 choices now. I agree Kimber magazines are worthless... Range only.... Never carry to prone to FTF. I use Wilson Combat magazines. Other than that love the full size Kimber I kept. Sold my first model year Pro Carry years ago. I carry my full size sometimes in winter months. Not my EDC, but it's my 2nd most carried handgun.

[Cotillion]

They are beautiful guns. I'll look at a glock and want to laugh at the price tag but then look at a kimber and think, some day!

[brockrac]

I own a Kimber Crimson Carry and it is awesome. They r expensive but they come stock with match grade barrels which make them surgically accurate.

[David Manley]

I carry the Kimber Custom TLEII with Crimson Laser grips and after chunking the junk factory mags and buying Kimber Kim-Pro Tac mags the gun functions flawlessly. Tolerances and accuracy are superb. My BUG is a Chiappa Rhino 200ds but I will be switching it out with a Kimber Custom TLEII Compact.

['Lareina Saindon]

I just bought my first Kimber. Yes, it was EXPENSIVE, but most things that are nice are. The handcrafted quality is awesome and the gun itself is a show piece! Kind of like having a Winchester or a replica that shoots almost as nicely but just isn't quite the same gun mechanically or aesthetically!

['Lareina Saindon]

oh, the Kimber I bought was the Ultra CDP Custom with laser grips.