These look like nice 1911s. MSRP is around $1600, +/-. I would prefer a .45 caliber. I had an ATI 1911, full size, and for <$400 it was a nice shooter. I gave that one to my son, as I didn't really need it and he wanted it if I ever decided to sell it. RIGHT! I'm gonna sell my own son an inexpensive (cheap) gun for $325, hardly ever shot. When I did shoot it, it was remarkably accurate, even with me shooting it. The rare problem was when I had defensive hollow points in it, I had to rack it it with authority to get the first one in the chamber. Anyhow, I'd like to have a new one and one of the NRA magazines did a review on the Kimbers. I like the looks of these Rapide Black Ice they have out, in 3 calibers, but I'll stick to .45. Nice-looking guns. Are any of you familiar with them? The price isn't over the top, and I've heard the 1911 is a popular platform . Any body have any experience, good, bad, or ugly? Should I save my money for a nice wheel gun instead? (I know...that's for me to decide.) Any valuable info yinz have would be appreciated.
Thanks, Jeff T. Pittsburgh Citizen, New Brighton Native, PA Lifer

I would avoid Kimber. In that price range I would probably be looking at a Dan Wesson.

Exactly! Made the mistake many years of buying a kimber with the external extractor. Never did work. Sold it to a friend who knew the history of the gun. He mounted it in a display on his wall.

For that kind of money, I'd pick a Dan Wesson too. If you want a more reasonably priced, quality 1911 type pistol, look at Ruger and Springfield Armory.

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I don’t think I’ve ever paid retail for a gun and probably won’t. I have quite a few Kimbers and bought most of them at Smoky Mountain Guns and Ammo in Sevierville TN. I know times are different but they generally have a good inventory of Kimbers at good discounts.

I would not choose the Kimber....that said, I only have one 1911, a Colt Gold Cup....I love it..old friend has a Remington 1911, it shoots good also...lots of 1911 choices!

While I don't really have a strong opinion on Kimber, if I were in your shoes, for that price I'd rather get a Colt, Dan Wesson, or Springfield Armory.

Just my opinion.

For that price find a Springfield Armory TRP or Loaded. Their Ronin has a bit more style but no front strap checkering. Many custom builders like the good bones of a SA, not so much Kimber. More meat and potatoes, less flash.
My first 1911 was a SA and I freely admit to becoming a fanboi.

Dan Wesson... A few years ago they owned their niche but the company has made recent changes and I'm hearing of issues lately.

Rugers are solid but not quite in class that money can buy.

Colt? Their modern trademark is inconsistency and they are starting a huge transition having been sold to CZ. Custom builders start with Colt more for the name than the quality. Is the name worth it?

You'll Go a long ways to get better than a series 70 Colt. If You can find one.

I think if you like it you should give it a try. Every one of these kimber thread's seem to always be filled with postings " for that kind of money buy this brand instead " . All of the other suggested brand's combined cant come close to Kimber's annual sales. For a brand that generates so much internet negativity ,they sure have dominated the market since day one in 1997.

They had a good business model, and poor product.

You initially release a good product at a good price.

Pump a bunch of money into getting the back cover of National Rifleman, Guns and Ammo etc.

Send fluffed and buffed worked over models to writers to garner high praise and reviews.

Market like a "lifestyle" brand. Kimber is "the" choice for a premium 1911.

Release tons of variants with cosmetic finishes and flourishes, and cool names like "raptor" . Appeal on a personal aesthetic basis.

Once these are in place you raise the price, and lower the quality. If your one of the suckers that buys a current Kimber and gets a turn you are either to embarrassed you wasted that money, or get shouted down by early Kimber owners who refuse to believe that many of there products belong in a toilet now.

It's been long enough that there price to quality ration was good, that they have lost many of there original defenders, as more and more people are exposed to there current stuff.

That's ok though, the leadership went to Sig and ran the same play and just about ruined there rep.

My Kimber's have all been pre series II ,except two early series II. At least I have actually owned and shot Kimber's before commenting like a great majority of people have on the web. The majority of actual Kimber owners have at least two in their possession. It is not possible to be the biggest seller of 1911's at their high price point if they were a poor product. And to think the majority of sportsman who do buy them regularly are drunk on Kool aid is insulting to them. Kimber's problem was a massive demand for their product early on. they were only set to make 10.000 guns a year. but demands quickly reached 90k. Any company would suffer in those early years of adjustment like Kimber had.

Not going to argue, but after having owned several Kimber guns and dealing with them directly all I can say is that there are much better choices in guns and companies out there.

OP, if you like it, buy it. It’s your money after all.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I couldn’t agree more. Besides being very well made, it contains no MIM parts, they’re all forged or tool steel. That’s a claim SA can’t make about their TRP or Professional.

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213th FBINA

I would stay away from Kimber , had 3 that needed sent back , a full size CDP . hammer would follow slide down . a Cus tac 2 that was a jammer from day one , and Eclipse that the hammer broke , they look nice but I just move on . only one I ever had that always worked was a 1 st production Warrior and still have only one that did not need sent back .

The SA Pro passed the grueling FBI-HRT 1911 tests no other manufacturer's gun could, MIM and all. Some big names tried and failed.
It's time to accept new technology. MIM would have not gotten it's bad, outdated reputation if Kimber had not chosen cheap, low quality, low bidder MIM components way back when.

Can definitely tell where all the Kimber haters are-at one time or another every manufacturer puts out a product that malfunctions-even your dearest Smiths.
I have 5 Kimbers and have not had to send a single one back yet-
I would be willing to bet most people bad mouthing them have never owned or shot one-but maybe Uncle Buck on the in-laws side has-so must be complete truth in their statement's.
The OP asked if anyone has shot or seen a Black Ice-not your non professional opinions of Kimber in general.
This is exactly why the S&W Forum is generally visited by Smithy's only.

No need to get butthurt. I was a Kimber fanboy myself. Dan Wesson is light years ahead of Kimber as far as quality. That is not only my opinion but also my experience owning and selling Kimber guns as well as Dan Wesson.

The best Kimber 1911 guns were made in Oregon many years ago. Since then their advertising blitz has enabled them to sell more 1911’s than any other manufacturer.

That doesn’t mean they make the best guns. If you want a bling gun, buy a Kimber. If you want a serious 1911, buy a Dan Wesson.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I literally sold guns in several high volume gun shops, went to a fair share of industry range days and events. Kimbers where a consistent problem I assure you. Kimber and Taurus had more issues than any other major brand.

There is a reason they have so much negativity around them these day.

Dan Wesson's are very nice guns. I would not say they are in the same price point as most Kimber's though. If you can afford a DW go for it. You won't be disappointed. If not well...I love my Kimber. It shoots great, it feels great and it looks good too. YMMV

Funny how a company plagued with poor quality control as pointed out , has a turn around time of only one week when you send a gun in for repairs.That would indicate the service center has a pretty light case load.But of course this information is only discussed with real kimber owners on their many forums.What’s the turn around time at Smith & Wesson for service work , anyone know ?

I love the smell of butthurt in the morning.

Smells almost as good as brand bashing in the morning.

Yep, they’re definitely good guns, all I am saying is they still use mim parts; not a big deal to some, but it is to others in the 1911 and S&W world.

Kimber definitely hurt mim’s reputation in the firearm world.

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213th FBINA

Well, I posted the question about them, and the cons seem to outweigh the pros. Good or bad, I expected the truth; hopefully I got it!
I never thought to look at Dan Wesson, and I own a couple Rugers...if nothing else they will have your gun back inside 2 weeks if you have an issue with it. Good CS, poor QC.

I note the Kimber website still says the lightened slide of the Rapide makes a faster lock time. Mistakes of this sort in marketing doesn't inspire confidence in the company by letting it stand.

I was not in a hurry to buy one, and I think holding off & waiting until I get more info and maybe try a few out!
Thanks guys.
Jeff

Yes and it's criminal. Spacecraft, aircraft, vehicles, medical equipment and so forth make use of MIM with good results.
Powdered metal super steels aren't MIM but are another example of new metal technology that delivers.

After good quality basics look for sights you like. They are expensive to replace and the old military style sights are okay for young eyes, not so much for the rest of us. Even if you are a pup I expect you plan on living a while.

It's funny how things go 'round in the gun business... I can remember when Kimber was the premium production 1911, and Dan Wessons were considered cheap and junky. LOL

The truth is any mass marketed product can have problems.

I've owned a number of Kimbers, and still own a CDP Pro that is a regular carry piece, as well as an SIS Pro. I only had problems with one, a TLE RL Pro back when they first introduced their firing pin safety. It was an easy fix. Otherwise, all of my Kimbers have been excellent and problem free.

All that said, at the $1500 price point, I'd be looking at a Springfield TRP.

Guy at work has one of the Black Ice guns. Stood outside Cabela’s for a couple hours to get one on sale last year. He loves it, but at $300 off, he wasn’t gonna get hurt either.

I own a few Kimbers, not as terrible as some here would have you believe.

But, if you can find a deal on a DW....they make a better gun. My pointman has impressively tight lockup and slide fit.