New Kimber: Is this a problem?

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zxcv

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Just picked up a new Kimber Adirondack. So far really like the rifle, but noticed a sizeable chunk missing out of the bottom of my barrel tenon [I think that's the right name] right above the front action screw. Was wondering if this is normal for Kimbers? Is this going to be a problem?

Have a look at the photo, it's the pretty obvious dark space inline with the feed ramp. It's a least a five or so millimetres deep.

Thanks,

-B

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UPDATE: Called the folks at Kimber. Contrary to reputation, they were quite pleasant to deal with.

Apparently the cut is common to all of their bolt-action rifles and they assured me it should have no effect on performance. Interestingly, the gentleman I spoke with said that he receives several calls a month about this finding.

I plan on doing a little review on this rifle at a later date, but so far I'm fairly pleased with my purchase. It's light; it looks nice in a stubby sorta way; the trigger is decent; and oh, did I mention it's light. Carries like a 22.

And thanks Sun_and_steel for the picture, confirmed my suspicion that it was an artifact of the manufacturing process.
 
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I think that's "the flat". I read somewhere they mill a little flat spot in the tenon to clear the action screw tip.

When the kids get up and out, I'll look for that on my kimbers.
 
That sucks but not a surprise from Kimber....the really are pieces of crap. I thought I would give them a try again, big mistake, ordered up a new Montana. It arrived took it of the box, handled it, worked the action and put it right back into the box and sent it back. Action was rough to work and would bind. Yes they are light but that's all they have going for them. For the workmanship in them, they should be about a $499 rifle....
 
What your looking at is exactly what you suspected it was...a relief-cut for the front action screw. Mine is a little more tidy looking than yours, but it will cause you no issues...call Kimber to confirm and if it bothers you that much see if Korth will clean it up for you or PM me and I just might consider trading you straight across for my new Hunter ;)
Congrats on the Adirondack BTW...and let us know how she shoots.


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harv3589 said:
That sucks but not a surprise from Kimber....the really are pieces of crap. I thought I would give them a try again, big mistake, ordered up a new Montana. It arrived took it of the box, handled it, worked the action and put it right back into the box and sent it back. Action was rough to work and would bind. Yes they are light but that's all they have going for them. For the workmanship in them, they should be about a $499 rifle....
Click to expand...

Add accurate to the list of things they have going for them. Oh and the carbon/kevlar stock would cost twice what you think they should charge for the rifle.
 
harv3589 said:
That sucks but not a surprise from Kimber....the really are pieces of crap. I thought I would give them a try again, big mistake, ordered up a new Montana. It arrived took it of the box, handled it, worked the action and put it right back into the box and sent it back. Action was rough to work and would bind. Yes they are light but that's all they have going for them. For the workmanship in them, they should be about a $499 rifle....
Click to expand...

As I'm reading your post I'm picturing you frothing at the mouth and scowling in disdain.
Put down the pitchfork and take a deep breath!
 
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cdn shooter said:
Add accurate to the list of things they have going for them. Oh and the carbon/kevlar stock would cost twice what you think they should charge for the rifle.
Click to expand...

If your lucky enough to get one that shoots...lots dont and require new barrels.

Add is feeding issues people report, bad customer service....really makes it not worth it when there are better options. Kimbers always been a game of roulette, yet people still buy them so they aren't going to fix the issues. A tikka is a far superior rifle to any Kimber and won't give u the grief. Put a McMillan on a tikka and for about the same price you won't have the regrets and headaches.

Not my first run around with Kimber just thought maybe they had fixed their issues since my last one...I was wrong.

I would take a McMillan stock over a Kimber stock any day as well. You can get a somewhat custom stock vs paying for a custom stock that's isn't.
 
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UPDATE: Called the folks at Kimber. Contrary to reputation, they were quite pleasant to deal with.

Apparently the cut is common to all of their bolt-action rifles and they assured me it should have no effect on performance. Interestingly, the gentleman I spoke with said that he receives several calls a month about this finding.

I plan on doing a little review on this rifle at a later date, but so far I'm fairly pleased with my purchase. It's light; it looks nice in a stubby sorta way; the trigger is decent; and oh, did I mention it's light. Carries like a 22.

And thanks Sun_and_steel for the picture, confirmed my suspicion that it was an artifact of the manufacturing process.
 
I have bought 2 kimber's. One is the 8400 Montana and the other is an 84L classic select. I love them both, the Montana is fussy with factory ammo. That is the only "complaint" I have, it's not a real complaint and I handload anyway. This Montana was made before they started the MOA guarantee and it shoots well with in MOA. The 84L is very easy to handload for and far more accurate than I am. Tikka's are good, I don't think they compare to a kimber. I have shot bunch of tikka's and sold the one I had that was also less than MOA shooter. Proper barrel length vs. Everything cut at 22 or 24 inches. Choice of walnut, french walnut, AAA walnut, laminate vs tikka walnut or laminate stock. Plastic stock for the hunter model or carbon/kevlar vs tikka tupperware. Proper action sizing vs cookie cutter actions. Proper magazine sizes in blind mag, hinged drop plate, box mag vs overpriced plastic 3 shot or fugly five shot magazines. Sure a kimber costs more up front, there is more offered. You will spend more $$ to make a tikka come close but still not have a comparable rifle. They are both accurate rifles, I liked the tikka I had but prefer a kimber as it's basically a fine tuned lighter M70. Some people on here obviously got butt-hurt by a product. To each their own, I think you made a good purchase.
 
I've had one bad experience each with Remington (out of a dozen or so), Ruger (out of roughly 25) and Savage (out of 9 or 10). Each of these was fixed or replaced quickly and apologetically.

I've had several Kimbers, but never a good one, and never one on which they were able to rectify the problem. "Butt-hurt"? Yes.

I still find myself reading the fan-boy threads and thinking "maybe one more time..." but periodically a thread like this pops up and #####-slaps me back to reality. :)
 
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