We returned back in Phoenix yesterday from San Francisco where I experienced my first earth quake, woo hoo! While still in the big city, I decided to visit the local Bass Pro Shop and check on some supplies then look at some pistols I have been considering buying.
When I returned home last night, I started surfing the web looking for more information on the gun and what I found was a bit disturbing and would like to know if I'm just encountering a lot of internet BS or are these guns really problematic.
Judging from the price of the gun, I would assume that it is a very well made weapon BUT.... it seems that there is more "bad press" about it than good in forum discussions, "reviews" and youtube videos, etc and that puzzles me. Is this just a gun that folks love to hate or is it really notorious for jamming? Being a carry gun, jamming is the largest concern I would have.
A few of the "review" videos I watched, I dismissed as BS when I realized about half way through that the person was really just bashing the gun so they could praise their Glock as if on a mission to convert the world over to their choice of gun.
After some surfing I ran across the Kimber Ultra Raptor II which is equally appealing and would like some opinions from those who actually own one of these two models.
Being a leftie, the ambidextrous safety is just one of the features that drew me to the gun, so what do you think, should I look for a more dependable weapon or what?
I, personally, don't like the Ultra. Being an "Officer's Model" size, the grip is too short for me. It's uncomfortable.
However, a friend of mine has an Ultra CDP, and it's been his everyday carry for 7 or 8 years now.
Problem is, you're looking at a CDP II. I don't know what, if any difference there is between them, but people have been bashing the IIs, on the net, since they came out.
Wish I could help you. My CDP Pro has been exceedingly reliable, and is the most accurate auto I own.
Well, that's sorta my problem......... I will use this as my carry weapon and I'm trying to see if all the hype I'm reading is indeed valid or just typical web bashing.
Their customer service may be top notch but if the need does arise to draw the weapon and use it, knowing that Kimber will address my gun jam wouldn't be very reassuring at the moment!
Reliability....... THAT is the problem I am wrestling with now. I really like the look and feel of the gun but that isn't reason for buying it.
George, I recently bought my first Kimber and 1911. I did a lot of reading and research prior to my purchase. I boiled my options down to the Springfield TRP and Kimber Tactical HD II. I went with the Kimber which has a 5" barrel so I did not buy it for concealed carry--none the less I expect my $1300 gun to be extremely reliable!
I've read lots of what you are talking about and there definitely is Kimber bashing going on out there. Is it valid criticism? I don't believe it is. Being new to Kimber and 1911s, maybe there was a period of time where Kimber deserved the criticism and maybe the notion is still out there, but I don't know, I'm just speculating here.
Ironically, I'm in the midst of my break-in period and I'm not having the best of luck. You can read a thread (on another forum) here that I recently started. I am optimistic once I'm beyond that "500 round break-in" things will be good. Although I favor this forum, go through the Kimber threads here. It might help you with your decision.
George, I recently bought my first Kimber and 1911. I did a lot of reading and research prior to my purchase. I boiled my options down to the Springfield TRP and Kimber Tactical HD II. I went with the Kimber which has a 5" barrel so I did not buy it for concealed carry--none the less I expect my $1300 gun to be extremely reliable!
I've read lots of what you are talking about and there definitely is Kimber bashing going on out there. Is it valid criticism? I don't believe it is. Being new to Kimber and 1911s, maybe there was a period of time where Kimber deserved the criticism and maybe the notion is still out there, but I don't know, I'm just speculating here.
Ironically, I'm in the midst of my break-in period and I'm not having the best of luck. You can read a thread (on another forum) here that I recently started. I am optimistic once I'm beyond that "500 round break-in" things will be good. Although I favor this forum, go through the Kimber threads here. It might help you with your decision.
Well I went down to the valley yesterday and after looking at a LOT of pistols, I decided on the Kimber Pro CDP. It has the 4" barrel instead of the 3" barrel of the Ultra but will conceal just as well plus the full size grip felt so much better.
Now to order some ammo and get started with the break-in! My little book says to run 400 - 500 rounds through with cleaning every 100 to 150 rounds. I think a case should work well enough to break the gun in then just continue the fun of shooting it. And just FYI since you're close by..... Bear Arms in Scottsdale not only matched the lowest price I found anywhere on the internet, they beat it!
Thanks to everyone for all the comments and suggestions and please note in the photo that I also took everyone's suggestions to get a few more reloading manuals!
Well it's good to hear good things about the Kimbers! Randon, thanks for the links, I've been reading the forums for hours now and learning a lot, especially about how many similar models Kimber has and that several other brands make very similar guns. Looks like this won't be an easy decision after all.
My feeling is guns and cars are similar. Some are highly reliable, some of problematic, but work, and others are junk. It's all a draw with the odds in your favor of a reliable gun in most cases. Like stated above, Kimber will take care of it. I had a Bersa Thunder that was finicky with the last round and the mag spring or follower wasn't the issue so I called tech support. Once that was resolved by a sharper than me tech support person, it has been solid reliable.
Very nice! Great choice. I'm anxious to hear how your break-in goes. I'll be shooting mine again on Monday. I'll let you know how things go as I approach that 500 round mark.
May I assume that the Kimber Pro CDP is considered a 1911 commander as far as accessories go? Example, the Chip McCormick magazines mentioned above.
The magazine that came with the pistol holds 7 rds but my pistol has the full size grip so does that mean the 8 rd magazine should work in my gun? If so, the McCormick magazines would be the better deal than the Kimber magazines even with the 30% off.
The photo below shows my magazine which has a rear length of approx 4.4"
An 8 round magazine will fit it just fine and I have to say that Chip McCormick mags are very good ones if not the best. They are the only kind I buy if I have to replace a factory mag.
I feel your pain. For years I have been toying with buying a higher end gun. I don't need another safe queen so I'd like one reliable enough to EDC. For my money & peace of mind, I wouldn't trust any gun that needs a break-in period to be considered reliable enough to bet my life on. That used to be my rationale for EDCing only revolvers. Then I got talked into buying a Glock 26. One thing led to another & now the G-26 is pretty much my EDC. It's been flawless right out of the box. I won't bash Kimber because they are beautiful guns. But I refuse to trust my life to one. You could consider a G-30sf if you need a concealable .45 that I would also bet my life on.
There's got to be a reason so many police depts. use Glocks as their service weapon. It sure ain't the looks.
I feel your pain. For years I have been toying with buying a higher end gun. I don't need another safe queen so I'd like one reliable enough to EDC. For my money & peace of mind, I wouldn't trust any gun that needs a break-in period to be considered reliable enough to bet my life on. That used to be my rationale for EDCing only revolvers. Then I got talked into buying a Glock 26. One thing led to another & now the G-26 is pretty much my EDC. It's been flawless right out of the box. I won't bash Kimber because they are beautiful guns. But I refuse to trust my life to one. You could consider a G-30sf if you need a concealable .45 that I would also bet my life on.
There's got to be a reason so many police depts. use Glocks as their service weapon. It sure ain't the looks.
The reason that cops carry Glocks is because that is the best prices they get for buying multiple guns for their departments.Most departments are not going to spring for a hundred Wilsons.
Never a guarantee that the gun you buy long gun or pistol will work flawlessly. A good warranty is what I look for.
Had a smith 1076 go back to the factory 5 times before they got it right.
Baby eagle blew apart in my hand with factory ammo
Kimber and any 1911 for that matter that gives you a jam problem is probably caused by the ramp on the bbl. These are fixable problems as well as extractors needing profiling. Fixable problems. Only way to know is to buy one and have a good company stand behind their product.
Now the only thing I will say about Kimber is that I have found my 1911 in stainless got some surface rust when I was hunting and it got damp in the rain. Kimber stainless is not the same as say the stainless on a sw686.
My Kimber has a great trigger and is accurate and dependable. Just got to keep it oiled in the Louisiana humidity.
Stock magazine size for a full-size 1911 is 7 rounds, and for the Officer's size gun is 6 rounds. Most aftermarket magazines, by changing the shape of the follower, are 8-round and 7-round, instead.
So, yes. The Kimber Pro is their version of a Commander. It has a full-size grip and takes a full-size magazine. Seven or eight rounds, depending on who made the magazine.
While I have Kimber, Springfield and Colt magazines (since they came with the Kimber, Springfields and Colts), all the aftermarket magazines I own are Shooting Stars.
The nice thing about this is that while I have ONE Officer's size gun
it accepts standard magazines, so on the RARE occasion when I carry it, I have a six-rounder in the gun (for concealment purposes), but I have eight-rounders in the mag pouch.
I find that curious, having never served in the military (the draft expired right after my birthday during the Vietnam thing...). Is that because Officers are assumed to be better shots, and needing fewer rounds? Or are they considered expendable, so why waste too much ammo on them?
Personally, you just bought a Kimber, might be that there is nothing left for any one else to do. It might be just right for you. Usually lightening up the trigger pull involves smoothing out some metal in the trigger, by removing some metal, usually with a whet stone, or a file. This can be done by most folks with a little knowledge, it's not that hard. The problem is knowing when to stop, and how fast to go! Your new pistol probably already has a sweet trigger on it, but then again, I have never shot it, and don't know how it feels. I bought a stock pistol, 30 years ago. I took it to a gun smith, one of the best in the country at that time, and asked him what to do. Following his recommendations, and adding in some BoMar Target sights I got my pistol the way I wanted it. To day for the same money you can buy a customized pistol right off the shelf. But does it have all the things done to it that you would want on a custom pistol?
Show Low,
My best friend has a Kimber Ultra Carry II. The first 50 rounds had 2 maybe 3 feed problems, but since then there have been no problems at all. He has 700 - 800 rounds through it now, and it is getting very smooth now. I told him to expect 1000 - 1200 rounds to break it in, but it seems as though it's about as perfect as it could be. What a nice little pistol. Don't be afraid of all the crap on the internet. Kimber makes high quality products, no BS. I have three, ALL function FLAWLESSLY.
George, did you get to shoot that new beautiful 1911 of yours yet? Just curious how it performed. I shot another 100 rounds today on mine (now totaling just over 400) and had no issues. I hope I'm out of the woods.
Colt makes three basic 1911 sizes. There is the Government model, which has a full-size grip (seven round magazine) and a five-inch barrel. The Commander model, which has the full-size grip and a 4 1/2-inch barrel, and the Officer's Model, which has a shortened grip (six-round magazine) and a 3 1/2-inch barrel.
I believe the "officers" are supposed to be POLICE officers, in this instance, not MILITARY officers.
Kinda like the Walther Police Pistol Criminal is not for crooks, but for plainclothesmen.
WW2. Navy Lieutenant (j.g.), pilot, is kinda drafted into this Marine mission because he was raised in Japan so speaks the language. When they are issuing him his equipment for the mission, the guy in supply starts to hand him a Garand, then stops himself and says, "No, wait. You're an officer. You don't get a real gun", and gives him a carbine.
What's with all the 8 round magazines for the 1911, if they are designed for 7?
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