Can Someone Explain Kimber 1911's to me?

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rkm456

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Specifically the Raptor. I love the look of them, but what exactly makes this an $1800 gun?

Obviously it's just the internet, but I regularly read complaints of Kimber's overall reliability, yet they seem to command top dollar. Anyone able to shed some light on this for me?
 
Sadly they have built a rather poor reliability reputation...having said that..I know a couple of guys whose run like clocks...quality control is everything...
 
I have a Custom Target II that was a great price and runs like a watch. Would I pay $2000 for a Kimber? No but $1050.00 was a good deal for the gun I own.
 
Kimber, like tons of other 1911 makers are only crafting what the market wants. Most cut corners, simply finishes, use MIM parts, assemble offshore parts, build offshore guns with their name on it, or a host of other manufacturing tricks.

The market for quality 1911 autos has exceeded the $1000.00 threshold, with many, many firms approaching $2000.00 for a better than average 1911. So many shooters are wedded to the 1911 platform that the evolution of semi-auto handguns is lost on them. Superior firearms like the CZ Shadow2 are ruled out since they are not 1911's, but offer outstanding features.
So too is the fact that the market has so influenced manufacturers, that they have abandoned their successful lines for the 1911.

John Browning's 1911 design is fabulous, but there are other designs that equal or surpass, or are superior to his turn of the century design.
 
Nothing wrong with a Kimber if you check it out first, just like you should do with any gun you buy. My first 1911 was a Kimber and it ran without issue. YMMV
 
Over the years, I've had a variety of 1911's. Included in that selection has been the likes of a number of Gold Cups and a couple of custom jobs. One of the latest custom jobs is one that was accurized by a gunsmith, gentleman and friend that I used to shoot with. This was his personal shooter.



And, this 1911 'wanna be', a S&W 4506 that belonged to another friend who like my gunsmith friend, has also passed away.



However, a while back, I thought I'd like to have one more REAL good 1911 example. I got the opportunity to acquire this Kimber Super Match II. A GREAT shooter and a trigger let off that's the best I've ever had, by far. I would say it's comparable to the single action let of a good S&W double action. Like, say, that of one of my 29's. Seems to be pretty good in the quality department and as for durability, only time will tell but so far so good.



 
Speaking for myself, fire both a Springfield Mil Spec and a Colt Gov 1911 both in 45 ACP and both are great. The Springfield has seen 1000 rounds already. Colt only 45.

I have a Colt Comp in 9mm which I've put over 1500 rounds through. Awesome again.

If you buy a new Colt, you can't go wrong.
 
Kimber is not the same company, or quality, it was 10-15 years ago.

Back then they were still a relatively small company trying to compete with the "big names" in the 1911 world. After their contract with the USMC Det-1 and LAPD SWAT, the demand went through the ceiling and in order to meet the demand, the quality dropped.

If you can get an older Kimber, you can't go wrong, but be cautious of the newer ones.

Just my experience....
 
Mac308 said:
Kimber is not the same company, or quality, it was 10-15 years ago.

Back then they were still a relatively small company trying to compete with the "big names" in the 1911 world. After their contract with the USMC Det-1 and LAPD SWAT, the demand went through the ceiling and in order to meet the demand, the quality dropped.

If you can get an older Kimber, you can't go wrong, but be cautious of the newer ones.

Just my experience....
Click to expand...

I think this pretty much summs up my thoughts and experience as well.
I have a couple of Kimber 1911s that are replacements for a couple of older Kimbers that were stolen. The older ones had a better fit and finish in my opinion.
 
Mac308 said:
Kimber is not the same company, or quality, it was 10-15 years ago.

Back then they were still a relatively small company trying to compete with the "big names" in the 1911 world. After their contract with the USMC Det-1 and LAPD SWAT, the demand went through the ceiling and in order to meet the demand, the quality dropped.

If you can get an older Kimber, you can't go wrong, but be cautious of the newer ones.

Just my experience....
Click to expand...

What was the "transition years" so to speak? From what year on should they be avoided?
 
When Kimber blow the lid off the 1911 market there were only Colts, Springfield A1, and few other entry level pistols plus the high end Ed Brown, Wilson, and a small group of other custom builders. Kimber's original Custom gave customers a pistol with all the bells and whistles. Soon the market was flooded with 1911's that were suppose to be a match for these early Kimber's. Some were good, some were crap. Some companies had really nicely done frames and slides full of original colt parts or cheap parts, thankfully they disappeared as fast as they showed up. Kimber is the largest builder of 1911 pistols, upwards of six times the yearly out put of other builders. Kimber tried to meet the demand and quality slide down hill. About 6 or7 years ago they smartened up and started to pull back production and step up quality.
If you're a regular reader of an assortment of firearm publications Kimber's are overall highly rated now. I've owned an assortment of mid-level 1911's, from various manufacturers over the years, and have 3 Kimber's now, never had a problem with them. Right now I don't believe that it matters who's name is on the pistol all mid range pistols are fairly equal in quality. Buy what you like, what catches your eye.
As to price all manufactures charge what the market will support.
 
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i can only speak for what i know and my Kimber is flawless.
finish is perfect and fit is tight as a drum.
my dad liked mine so much he picked up one as well and its the same with his, perfect little gun.

so we may have lucked out and gotten 2 good ones or internet stories are just that.... stories.
all i know is my Kimber is perfect and my favorite 1911 of the dozen i own.

i even made this years ago to put up in all the Kimber bashing threads.

kimber_zps1e319168.jpg
 
CGN's, I have a 2yr old Grand Raptor .45, it is by far the best fit/finished pistol I have ever fired. I have tried many in the last 12 yrs as a firearm owner/reloader. Last summer I had the opportunity to replace a Colt Delta Elite 10mm pistol with a new Kimber Target II in 10mm & it Rocks in accuracy, fit, finish & any other category U can think of (just like Gran Raptor!) Personally, I would be very skeptical about anyone slamming Kimber on any front unless U own one & then u have concrete evidence/experience with the said Company. SgtRock, out.
 
I started with a Custom II, then bought a TLE RL, then a Raptor Ultra Carry, then a Compact Custom

The Custom II shot way better than the TLE RL, so I sold the TLE RL. The Custom II shot as good as the Springfield Professional which upset the guys that get paid to carry them.

The Raptor Ultra Carry is my daily carry. I've used it to hunt hogs with great success also. It also shot better than the TLE RL.

I haven't shot the Compact Custom enough to make good judgement on it, but it is accurate enough.

I sold my Custom to my X brother in law because he wanted to give it to my Nephew as a graduation present.

If I got back into competing again, I would buy the King Raptor , but I usually shoot my carry/hunting handguns anymore.
 
wayupnorth said:
i can only speak for what i know and my Kimber is flawless.
finish is perfect and fit is tight as a drum.
Click to expand...

I have to say that this is my exact experience with my Kimber Custom II Two-tone as well. I handled Ruger, Remington, Kimber, and Sig 1911's before deciding on the Kimber and I'm glad I did. The fit and finish is perfect and a lot tighter than some of the other manufacturers. I did handle one kimber at Cabelas (All black model, don't remember the exact name of it) and it didn't seem as well done as the one I bought. Like any other gun you've just gotta inspect them before purchasing.
 
I really like my Tactical Custom HD II. It came with everything I wanted at a fair price, I thought - magwell, checkering on the front strap, ambidextrous safety, decent trigger. Almost 1000 rounds through it and I'd buy one again.
 
My Kimber Team Match II is excellent. Early on, after I bought it, it had a little hissy-fit with extracting the odd spent casing. A bit of time, over a cup of coffee or two and I had it solved. Oh, it is a 9mm. One other thing I have discovered is this .... when you run in to a problem, the best advice I can give is to ignore all the armchair experts, 95% couldn't boil water without burning it.
 
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