Kimber - The Firearms Forum

dons2346 · 09-01-2009, 08:19 PM

I have the opportunity to purchase a Kimber, model unknown, I just know that someone wants to sell. I have read that some models do not feed well and that work is needed. I don't mind having work done but would like to know which are the ones that need a little assistance as this might help in the bargaining process

Insulation Tim · 09-01-2009, 09:19 PM

Geez...this is a pretty vague question. I think that any 1911 needs work and some feed better than others. I have a Kimber Custom II that was pretty finicky to begin, but after 300 or 400 rounds, it pretty much eats anything that I feed it....primarily my different reloads.

I have a Rock Island 1911 that pretty much will only feed factory round ball ammo.

Hammerslagger · 09-01-2009, 09:41 PM

Kimbers are usually regarded as one of the best production 1911 type pistols.

dons2346 · 09-01-2009, 10:07 PM

Ok, thanks. It looks like any Kimber is a good deal, so if the price is right, I'll take it.

glocknut · 09-01-2009, 11:48 PM

I think maybe what you have heard is that the smaller 1911s are a little less reliable than the full size 1911s. The recoil springs wear out faster and cause reliability issues.
If you are looking for reliability...get the full size one.

mike
gn

dons2346 · 09-03-2009, 01:02 PM

Ok, thanks.

USMARINE1884 · 09-05-2009, 11:10 AM

Well a good deal on any 1911 can be a great investment with a little TLC. I picked up a Kimber gold match II from someone who had it and just didnt know much about 1911 pistols. It was filthy and was being used with inferior magazines and the user was having many issues. After some cleaning and slapping a wilson combat magazine in there it was shooting like a champ. I spent 775 in the pistol that they spent almost 1200 on. I consider that a great investment. Let us know the model and condition and share a few pics when you get a chance. I only own 5 1911's and 4 are Kimber my favorite is my Desert Warrior.

navis128 · 09-15-2009, 01:27 PM

Well, it's time for me to break down and buy a pistol. They are not foreign to me, but I've just never owned one. My research has lead me to favor the Kimber Compact CDP II .45 ACP.

I did take the time to try out a 9mm, but the recoil of a .45 isn't that much greater...and I pretty much respect the size of the hole a little more...and God forbid, the situation ever arose, I would need the incident to be concluded quickly.

The only issue I have is the wide magazine well. I realize .45 cal ammunition is larger than 9mm, but my thumb does not reach the slide release. I think I might have small hands.

I'm wondering if there are any negative characteristics of this pistol that may dissuade me because I have not had the opportunity to fire this paticular make. It sure is sweet looking though.

312shooter · 09-17-2009, 12:17 AM

Maybe it was a fluke but my factory new kimber utra carry 2 was a reliability nightmare. I brought it back to the shop I bought it from and the shop owner could not believe it! He fired 100 rounds and the gun would not fire a full mag without misfeeding, stovepiping or the round not going fully into battery. Covered 5 brands of ammo and 500 rds break in with deep cleanings and a ramp polish. Sold it the next week, what a bad taste I have for Kimber!

glocknut · 09-17-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 312shooter

Maybe it was a fluke but my factory new kimber utra carry 2 was a reliability nightmare. I brought it back to the shop I bought it from and the shop owner could not believe it! He fired 100 rounds and the gun would not fire a full mag without misfeeding, stovepiping or the round not going fully into battery. Covered 5 brands of ammo and 500 rds break in with deep cleanings and a ramp polish. Sold it the next week, what a bad taste I have for Kimber!

I had an old Colt Series 80 officers model 45acp that was like that. It was horrible! I got rid of it...

I now have 2 Colt Commanders. Both are very reliable and the lightweight commander if my favorite of everything in my safe.

I do like the grips on the kimbers. That front checkering or whatever its called really aids in keeping a good grip on the gun.

mike
gn

Alpo · 09-17-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 312shooter

Maybe it was a fluke but my factory new kimber utra carry 2 was a reliability nightmare. I brought it back to the shop I bought it from and the shop owner could not believe it! He fired 100 rounds and the gun would not fire a full mag without misfeeding, stovepiping or the round not going fully into battery. Covered 5 brands of ammo and 500 rds break in with deep cleanings and a ramp polish. Sold it the next week, what a bad taste I have for Kimber!

I've never understood that.

Buy a gun. It doesn't work. Try everything you are supposed to with a new gun. Clean it. Shoot hundreds of rounds to "break it in". Replace the magazine. Still doesn't work. "So I sold it." Hell with that. Box it up, ship it back. "Hey, Kimber, fix this piece of junk".

No matter how good you are, or what you make, eventually a piece of crap is going to make it through QA. Companies want to take care of that. I've got a Kimber. Great gun. Shoot it and enjoy it. Never tell people what a great gun Kimber is, though. I've got a Charter Arms (it came used, as part of a multi-gun deal). Piece of junk. I tell people what a piece of garbage it is. If Charter would fix it, on their dime, instead of my telling folks what a piece of junk it is, I'd be tellin' folks what a great company Charter is, taking care of their "oops" like that.

If you had sent it back, they would have fixed it. Then, instead of you telling people about your bad luck with Kimber, you'd be telling them about how great Kimber is.

dons2346 · 09-17-2009, 09:51 PM

The guy I was going to get the Kimber from came into an influx of cash so now he doesn't need to sell. Bummer. I'll keep looking, one day I'll get a 45.

09-01-2009, 08:19 PM	#1
dons2346 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Move between WA and points south Contributor Posts: 1,432	Kimber I have the opportunity to purchase a Kimber, model unknown, I just know that someone wants to sell. I have read that some models do not feed well and that work is needed. I don't mind having work done but would like to know which are the ones that need a little assistance as this might help in the bargaining process -->

09-01-2009, 09:19 PM	#2
Insulation Tim Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,316	Re: Kimber Geez...this is a pretty vague question. I think that any 1911 needs work and some feed better than others. I have a Kimber Custom II that was pretty finicky to begin, but after 300 or 400 rounds, it pretty much eats anything that I feed it....primarily my different reloads. I have a Rock Island 1911 that pretty much will only feed factory round ball ammo. __________________ Tim *"Remember the Ark was built by amateurs....Professionals built the Titanic"*

09-01-2009, 09:41 PM	#3
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Kimber Kimbers are usually regarded as one of the best production 1911 type pistols.

09-01-2009, 10:07 PM	#4
dons2346 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Move between WA and points south Contributor Posts: 1,432	Re: Kimber Ok, thanks. It looks like any Kimber is a good deal, so if the price is right, I'll take it.

09-01-2009, 11:48 PM	#5
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: Kimber I think maybe what you have heard is that the smaller 1911s are a little less reliable than the full size 1911s. The recoil springs wear out faster and cause reliability issues. If you are looking for reliability...get the full size one. mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

09-03-2009, 01:02 PM	#6
dons2346 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Move between WA and points south Contributor Posts: 1,432	Re: Kimber Ok, thanks.

09-05-2009, 11:10 AM	#7
USMARINE1884 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 35	Re: Kimber Well a good deal on any 1911 can be a great investment with a little TLC. I picked up a Kimber gold match II from someone who had it and just didnt know much about 1911 pistols. It was filthy and was being used with inferior magazines and the user was having many issues. After some cleaning and slapping a wilson combat magazine in there it was shooting like a champ. I spent 775 in the pistol that they spent almost 1200 on. I consider that a great investment. Let us know the model and condition and share a few pics when you get a chance. I only own 5 1911's and 4 are Kimber my favorite is my Desert Warrior. __________________ Andrew R. Ingram (USMCR) WIA Operation Iraqi Freedom Fallujah Iraq

09-15-2009, 01:27 PM	#8
navis128 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,392	Re: Kimber Well, it's time for me to break down and buy a pistol. They are not foreign to me, but I've just never owned one. My research has lead me to favor the Kimber Compact CDP II .45 ACP. I did take the time to try out a 9mm, but the recoil of a .45 isn't that much greater...and I pretty much respect the size of the hole a little more...and God forbid, the situation ever arose, I would need the incident to be concluded quickly. The only issue I have is the wide magazine well. I realize .45 cal ammunition is larger than 9mm, but my thumb does not reach the slide release. I think I might have small hands. I'm wondering if there are any negative characteristics of this pistol that may dissuade me because I have not had the opportunity to fire this paticular make. It sure is sweet looking though.

09-17-2009, 12:17 AM	#9
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,160	Re: Kimber Maybe it was a fluke but my factory new kimber utra carry 2 was a reliability nightmare. I brought it back to the shop I bought it from and the shop owner could not believe it! He fired 100 rounds and the gun would not fire a full mag without misfeeding, stovepiping or the round not going fully into battery. Covered 5 brands of ammo and 500 rds break in with deep cleanings and a ramp polish. Sold it the next week, what a bad taste I have for Kimber! __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

09-17-2009, 09:51 PM	#12
dons2346 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Move between WA and points south Contributor Posts: 1,432	Re: Kimber The guy I was going to get the Kimber from came into an influx of cash so now he doesn't need to sell. Bummer. I'll keep looking, one day I'll get a 45.