Kimber Yay or Nay

[TexasGun]

I've heard from several sources, not to purchase a Kimber 1911.
Specifically referring to poor construction quality (slides cracking) and bad customer service(not warranting there products). Has any one had such problems or is someone blowing smoke my way?

[hwhite1725]

I have put a couple thousand rounds through my Kimber Pro Carry and the only thing wrong with it is a little holster wear around the front of the slide and some thumb wear on the safety. It never jams unless I don't clean it and I've never had any ammo that it won't eat reliably (although I don't shoot any all lead rounds). Every single trainer I work with has and shoots Kimbers (both 10mm and 45ACP) and none of them have had problems either. And trust me, we definitely don't baby them :D

[sar]

see this thread
http://usacarry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1391

My 5" is a fantastic gun. Never had a single issue with it.
My 3" in the tread is a fantastic gun WHEN IT OPERATES. I can say a lot of good stuff about Kimber, but plenty of bad as well. Their customer service can be arrogant and difficult to work with.

My 4'" eclipse required a return to kimber to fix ejecting brass into my face.

If I were to re-spend a couple of grand on a couple of guns I would choose another gun manufacturer.

If you get a "good" Kimber, it will be fantastic. Depends on whether you wanna roll the dice with 1000 dollars.

[sar]

ps. I personally know several folks with Kimbers. People I know who got their Kimber 5 or so years ago are invariably please. Of the recent Kimber purchasers, it seems there's about a 70% chance you're gonna be happy.

Additionally, a woman I know who does gun testing for the Texas DPS (state troopers here) and is pretty knowledgable on gun stuff feels there's been a decline in Kimbers quality control over the last few years or so. Anecdotally, that's been my take as well.

[hwhite1725]

I teach a lot of defensive pistol classes and 9 times out of 10 when a student on the line calls out a malfunction with their 1911, it is due to miscare, misuse, or mishandling. And these problems supercede all manufacturers. I think the biggest problem people have is that they buy a 1911, treat it like a Glock/XD/Sig and expect it to function as such. I can't count the number of students that have taken their 1911 out a couple of days before the class, put a hundred or so rounds through it, throw it back in the box without cleaning it and then bring it to class expecting it to work flawlessly.

I also believe that it speaks volumes for Kimber that the Marine SOCOM unit, LAPD and other SWAT teams, and the LAPD Special Investigative Services have all chosen Kimbers as their issue weapons (the US Shooting Rapid Fire Pistol Team also uses Kimbers but they are modified so I don't count them).

[KimberPB]

My everyday carry gun is a Kimber Ultra Carry II and I absolutely love it! I bought it used (40 rounds through it) off a sheriffs deputy for $450. I have only had one issue with it. I believe the guy I bought it off of had disassembled the guide rod assembly when he last cleaned it. When he put it back together the guide rod was not tightened properly to the base plate. Later that week I took a defensive shooting class and at some point the guide rod came unscrewed and lunched down range (without my knowledge). The gun still finished the class without a problem. It was not till I get home and broke down the gun that I realized the guide rod was missing. I called Kimber expecting to have to buy a new guide rod. I explained to the guys at the custom shop what had happened and that I was not the original owner. They were very professional and asked that I send the pistol in so they could check it over to make sure nothing was damaged from firing without the guide rod. Within a week I had it back with a new guide rod assembly (cost me nothing) and note saying everything had checked out fine.

Since then I have put around 2000 rounds through it and have not had one issue.

My dad also recently purchased a Kimber CDP and to date I have not heard of any issues with it.

[TexasGun]

Can't afford a Wilson combat, Les Bear, or NightHawk, and Kimber seems to be the only 1911 loaded for around a grand. I'll give Kimber a try then. Thanks guys :)

[PascalFleischman]

You might ought to check out STI International....they seem to have some pretty nice 1911's, plus they're sticking their middle finger up at CA for their latest legislative idiocy. Seems like a good company to support. Some of the MSRP's are also a good bit below the 4-digit prices of Kimber products.

[KimberRB]

I have the Kimber Ultra CDP II. Have put about 800 round thru her (this a new gun) with out one problem. I love this gun. But like has been said you have to clean after shooting, a Kimber as it is a high tolerance gun. But all in all I do not regret buying it.

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by PascalFleischman

You might ought to check out STI International....they seem to have some pretty nice 1911's, plus they're sticking their middle finger up at CA for their latest legislative idiocy. Seems like a good company to support. Some of the MSRP's are also a good bit below the 4-digit prices of Kimber products.

My primary reason for purchasing a STI over a Kimber. ;)