Current Kimber Quality?

Smoothbore

Smoothbore

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My head hurts.
I have been reading posts on various sites about
Kimber 1911 pistols. I am thinking of one in 9mm.

Two themes: Great--no problems. Nothing but problems, avoid.

Other recurring themes, MIM parts not good, or just fine. And older Kimbers are good, newer not so good.

What do you guys think of current Kimbers in terms of reliabilty and value for price? Any other brands you would suggest?

I need to hear from those that own Kimbers.
Thanks!
 
I am very very happy with my Kimbers! I have read the complaints about broken parts but I have never had an issue. I currently own four, and have owned 3 more in the past.

I am looking forward to getting another one soon
 
I just bought a Pro Carry II in 45. I put a 100 rounds through it the other day with nary a hiccup or fumble of any kind. I just took it out of the case and started shooting. But you won't know how your's works until you use it.
 
My SIS Custom took a fair bit of tuning to run reliably - a lot of polishing, and a very careful throating job. Extractor tuning, and lapping in the barrel lugs properly too.

I just got it where I wanted it, after almost 700 rounds, when my friggin' thumb safety (sh*tty MIM part) broke. Just broke. On the plunger-tube side, too - otherwise I could have just tossed the right side and not really cared.

It's a nice gun, but I don't think I'll buy Kimber again.

-M
 
You could do a bit of research on more 1911-specific forums as well...I do a fair bit of reading at http://www.10-8forums.com whenever I have 1911 questions. You will find people there who run their guns a lot harder than many people here, which from my perspective makes their opinions worth listening to. I would rather get car advice from a mechanic in charge of a fleet of 500 GM cars than a single guy who commutes in a Cavalier and hasn't had issues with it, if you take my meaning.

I would not personally buy a Kimber, myself.
 
Other than the cost, I never understood why you would want to buy a 1911 style handgun in a 9mm calibre...I liken it to buying a Ford Mustang GT with a Ford Focus engine under the hood :D
 
I bought a Kimber Pro Carry II SS in .45. I Love my Kimber but there are a few things I wasn't prepared for.

1) It is really stiff! I have only shot 100 rounds but there has been quite a few failure to feed problems (the slide only closes half way). I am told this goes away as the gun gets broken in.

2) My aluminum frame is so fricking light the recoil is that much worse, not absurd but tiring. I may use reloads instead of factory ammo.

3) Any gun over the $1,000 mark needs to come with more than one magazine. That to me was a big disappointment.

Otherwise the gun was so worth it. Very handsome gun.
 
Doc M said:
My SIS Custom took a fair bit of tuning to run reliably - a lot of polishing, and a very careful throating job. Extractor tuning, and lapping in the barrel lugs properly too.

I just got it where I wanted it, after almost 700 rounds, when my friggin' thumb safety (sh*tty MIM part) broke. Just broke. On the plunger-tube side, too - otherwise I could have just tossed the right side and not really cared.

It's a nice gun, but I don't think I'll buy Kimber again.

-M
Click to expand...

Weird- my SIS Custom /RL has been 100% reliable, without a single issue to date.
 
From everything I've seen, I'd say Kimber has QC issues. Everyone knocks S&W for QC on a $600 M&P - there is no excuse for QC issues on a supposedly premium 1911 costing $1200-$1500 or more. They look great, but like Para they have too many issues and not enough warranty service to be a "good buy".
 
I've owned two Kimbers. Both needed work to function properly. I've also owned 3 STI's, a Norinco and a Les Baer.
The only 1911s I've owned that worked properly out of the box were my 3 COLTs.
If it's not a COLT, it's only a COPY
 
I have a Pro Carry TLE/RL II and had issues during break in (as a lot of poeple report). I'd recommend anyone that has one and is running into issues with it to hang in there and tough it out. It now runs like a top and is on my list of 'keepers'.

Kimber2.jpg
 
Shooting 9mm out of a government model is great. I have a Colt 45 but hate chasing brass at the range. I bought a STI Legacy in 9mm and love it. When I saw Dan Wesson Pointman 9 I had to get one. I think my next one will be a Dan Wesson Gaurdian but I am unsure if I want an aluminum frame as we don't carry and that is the only real advantage to it. Tripp 9mm magazines are great for both guns.
 
The answer: buy used. I bought a kimber custom ii off the ee and it was great. Most nuts are honest folk and won't sell you a lemon if you ask the right questions. Plus you will save a few hundred bucks and a 1911 with 1000 rounds down the pipe is really no worse for wear.
 
For what its worth, my wife's "Kimber Stainless II" has worked flawlessly since it came out of the box years ago. Can't say the same for my Colt or Wilson. The latter guns are particular about what magazines are used with them. The Kimber isn't at all fickle.
 
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