Thinking of a Kimber 1911, looking for some feedback..

Lojak

Lojak

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Hi all,

I'm seriously thinking of banking a few dollars toward a 1911 in the new year, and I've got some questions about the different manufacturers, and I'm also looking for a particular style of 1911. Years ago I used to shoot, and I owned a Springfield 1911. It was my favorite, and I'd like to pick up another. Since then, Kimber has shown up on the scene, and others are a lot more prominent thanks to the Internet. There is plenty of choice, and that's where I'm stuck..

I intend to use it for simple enjoyment and also competition at some point next year. I've read a fair bit about Kimber (on CGN as well as the 1911 forums, etc), but I want to keep my options open. I'm budgeting $1500 for the gun and a few extra Wilson mags, and I'd like to know what other folks use for competition up to that amount..

With regards to styling, I have a confession to make. When I saw Terminator 2, I loved the two-tone .45 that was used. Black slide, stainless frame. I promised myself that if I ever took up shooting again, I'd buy myself one in that style, or similar two-tone. Kimber has three models that I've found that fit that. The Tactical Custom II is nice, but its lighter than I like (~ 34oz IIRC). The Grand Raptor, but I don't like the "scaling" on the slide or the grip. The next one up is the Super Match II, which is beyond what I want to spend. So if I want to have a two-toned .45, Kimber doesn't seem to offer a .45 that I like..

Could you suggest alternatives?

-- L.
 
All three are great models. I have owned many Kimbers over the years and they are great guns. They all have had the usual 500 round break in period where the odd jam happened but after that break in period they have run flawlessly. All 1911s seem to have the same break in period. I currently still own 4 Kimbers so that says something about how much I like them. I also own Springfields, STIs, S&Ws and Rugers so I have good guns to compare against and I still would take a Kimber over the others.

If you watch closely on the EE, you will find a great deal from time to time and you should be able to get a Super Match for much less than your budget.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions on Kimbers. I have everything from their low end up sub $1000 to the Custom Shop $2000+ models.
 
What you are looking for is a Colt Combat Elite.

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Lojak said:
Could you suggest alternatives?
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If you're dead-set on a 1911 with a black slide and stainless frame, get a Doug Koenig edition SW1911 (you should be able to buy one for around $1500):

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14723&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15709&isFirearm=Y

I know that some Kimber fans will disagree, but IMO, S&W makes a much nicer 1911 than Kimber, both in terms of build quality and reliability. You also get a lifetime warranty with S&W (don't know what Kimber's warranty policy is like).
 
i have a kimber tle/rl and i love it ............but i also just got a sti spartan from armco and what a great trigger job gunner did i have to say the spartan at half the price is an amazing deal ,and if your dead set on a two tone get the new two tone from canam and send it to gunner hell take a 350 doller gun and make you a 1000 doller gun for o coule hundred bucks.
 
Kimber great

I have owned a Kimber Warrior for about a year and a half now. Since then all other pistols have become gunsafe paper weights. It digests any loads, factory or hand made without complaints. It has held up to IDPA type competitions without hicups. I have shot it in heavy rain and winter and it has never shown an once of rust. The tacpro finish is great. You can't go wrong with a Kimber.
 
Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I've given consideration to the STI Spartan as well, but mainly because the price difference would allow me to pick up a revolver as well.. the Kimber is winning at this point.

Has anyone used the Tactical Custom II in IDPA or IPSC? I'm curious whether the 5oz difference really makes a difference. I was also thinking of the Kimber Eclipse, which has a great finish, but I'm betting it would wear off after repeated holstering.

-- L.
 
I have shot my Gold Combat II and my Target II in IPSC and both worked great. You will be at a disadvantage going up against the double stack 2011s but they will work fine. Don't worry about the finish, it's tougher than you think.

Steve
 
Lojak said:
Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I've given consideration to the STI Spartan as well, but mainly because the price difference would allow me to pick up a revolver as well.. the Kimber is winning at this point.

Has anyone used the Tactical Custom II in IDPA or IPSC? I'm curious whether the 5oz difference really makes a difference. I was also thinking of the Kimber Eclipse, which has a great finish, but I'm betting it would wear off after repeated holstering.

-- L.
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I love my Eclipse. It looks stunning and is also a great shooter!!

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Sorry, I like to show it off every chance I get :D
 
Now buying a Kimber Eclipse Target II :)

Can anyone recommend a store with the Kimber Eclipse Target II *in stock*? I'm trying to avoid the inevitable price climb with the fluctuation in the dollar..

Thanks :)

-- Stephen

EDIT: PM me if you feel the naming the store would violate CGN's TOS.
 
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I love the look of most Kimbers but I have to say the small parts are terrible. All MIM to save on manufacturing costs. The mag catch is fitted poorly on every one I've ever seen and owned. Customer service is close to the "suck" point and the prices are high for the quality. Now don't get me wrong, I love the finishes and the different models Kimber make and I currently have three of them but all of them needed a trip to the Gunsmith to smooth out the action, clean the trigger, remove burs and fit better. One of them needed extensive work new out of the box. I had one with a broken MSH new in box and several other problems that you couldn't see until field stripped and beyond!!! Buyer beware for sure! Did I mention poorly fitted and bashed - here's some pics my gunsmith took at the time to show Kimber just after taking delivery of the gun. Kimber was not interested in receiving the parts back nor would they do anything above and beyond reluctantly sending replacement parts. I had to pay the gunsmith for all work performed on a brand new gun. Also, the replacement MSP as you can see in the last pic wouldn't fit into any 1911 (check the ridges) so I had to wait yet another 3 weeks for delivery. I was pissed.

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Lojak said:
Can anyone recommend a store with the Kimber Eclipse Target II *in stock*? I'm trying to avoid the inevitable price climb with the fluctuation in the dollar..

Thanks :)

-- Stephen

EDIT: PM me if you feel the naming the store would violate CGN's TOS.
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Good luck with that!! :(
Most places don't stock them. You get the odd time where a dealer brings *one* in just for fun but most of the time they are order only. I had to wait 6+ months for mine.
 
I really like my Gold Match II. My most accurate handgun. Fit and finish outside and INSIDE are excellent, unlike my Colt....

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Try contacting The Shooting Edge in Calgary and P&D Enterprises in Edmonton. They are both sponsors of this site and carry the Kimber line-up. TSE's website is not normally up to date so you may want to call them.
 
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