DU Kimber 1911

CAJUNLAWYER

CAJUNLAWYER

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Was at the sponsors banquet last night and they had a Kimber stainless 1911 as the DU handgun. Nice gun. Didn't make reserve which was $1000. Was told they paid $900 for it. Not as a collectable but as a shooter-is $900 a good price?? Don't need one but may bite if price is good as a gift for my son coming off if deployment. Not really up on prices on these-about all I know is that Kimber is in the top tier.
What say you 1911 fan boys :D
P.S. I did open for 650 hoping they did not know what they had ;)
 
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Serious can of worms, asking 1911 fan boys (like me) about Kimber, sometimes affectionately (or not) known as "MIMber". ;p

That aside, Kimber builds a perfectly fine 1911. I would not consider them top tier, but they are good.

If you were "sky's the limit" on price, there are many names I'd recommend. But at a strict $900 to $1000 range, I'd go Colt. Despite their current business troubles, they are building the best non-wartime 1911s they've ever built, the name is iconic, and the prices are quite low now.

If not Colt, a Springfield Armory for me; Kimber would be down the list, even at this specific price point.
 
As you say, it's a "nice gun", but other than the stocks, it looks like just another Kimber. $900 is probably an okay price if you got it for that out the door. I'm no 1911 "fanboy" (whatever that is), but if I were looking for a gift for my son, even just a shooter, I'd look for something a bit more special.
 
I would second Watchdog's notion that a gift for your son should be something else, namely a new Colt. I know that doesn't go along with your theme here but... ;)

Because of Colt's very poor CS at the time I swore never to buy another of their products. Some of their recent 1911 models are making me "reevaluate," but until now I have not weakened. :D
 
Thanks guys-that's what I needed to hear. I'm perfectly happy with my S&W 1911 but as far as knowing a lot about the various 1911 guns, my knowledge is sorely lacking. Thanks for the input. I learn a lot here, I equated the Kimber 45 with those beautiful rifles they made. Obviously not the same.
 
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I have / have had Kimbers. A few complaints, but CS worked them out for me. I do think $1000 is stiff for a full-sized.

That's about what I paid for a Dan Wesson (used).
 
Nothing wrong with an S&W 1911. I gave my daughter one for a Christmas gift. She had fired my gun and did well with it so I thought it best to get her one just like it. If she had said she just wanted "a 1911," I might have bought her a Colt instead. Whatever else they are, in the future a Colt will always be a Colt.
 
had a kimber pro carry II. HAD... customer svc. on a new gun was awful. they told me (kimber cust. svc) first complaint to get mags from Wilson, or Chip Mc Cormak. next up, they said to get a set of springs from Wilson, or Wolff. 3rd time the suggested i polish the feed ramp and chamber (still no offer to fix, or replace it...). fourth and final time they said, and i quote here, " it may be the way you're shooting it...). still no offer to fix it. when i told them that i own other 1911's that don't malfunction by the way i shoot them they said, (quote here again) "maybe kimber firearms aren't a good fit for you...". so no, and again i say NO don't buy anything kimber. you WILL regret it... unless you happen to be a 1911 smithy.
 
I do think we missed an opportunity to comment on the MOST important aspect of this thread.
The man's SON is coming home after deployment !!!

Pardon me for "drifting" off the stated question and,...oh wait, CAJ is a master at "drift" and was likely the first forum "thread drifter" of record !...........We luv ya man.
 
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To better put things into perspective,kimbers are not cheap to buy.Kimber dominates the 1911 sales market. The majority of Kimber owners own more than one Kimber.Kimer has gone through some growing pains trying to keep up with the insane demands for their pistols since 2001.Bottom line is that they have to be doing something right to be where they are,despite some negative internet comments.
 
Yea, I'll go against the grain here also. I own four Kimber 1911's, and all have performed very well indeed. More accurate, and better fit than my series 70 & 80 Colts. Reliable in the extreme. I wouldn't spend the money, and keep buying them if they didn't work.

If the Colt name is important, then, as been said, they have really increased quality in recent years, and are probably a fine choice.

The $900 price is really dependant on the model. The basic, fixed sight models are usually a few bucks less, the next step up, the "custom Target", with adjustable sights, usually a little more. From there, the sky is the limit, with many models in the $1200 / $1400 range, or more.

My Custom Target is the most accurate 1911 I have owned or shot, and has never jammed or malfunctioned. Not once in thousands of rounds. The only problem I ever had was on my 10mm Eclipse - a bad magazine. An easy fix.

Customer service? Years ago, I bought a used .22 conversion kit. Was never completely reliable. last year, on a whim, I sent it back to kimber asking if they could take a look at it. A couple weeks later, no questions asked, a new one showed up at my door, no charge. I own three of their rifles as well. I guess I am a bit of a fan boy, simply because they both look good, and work.

Larry
 
Thank you for the kind shout out for my son rog8732. Something I am very quietly proud of. :)
As far as the Kimber-it was the plain jane fixed sight model with some ducks on the grip panels. Last years's handgun was a Beretta 92-went for something north of $800 :eek: Ducks unlimited have always had a reserve on the guns and sometimes other special high ticket items, otherwise there might be some contusion regarding the bidding :D
I was over served enough last night that I'm surprised that I didn't get it (having my wife sitting next to me kinda "helped") Anyway I got to heft the new Browning A5 and it felt pretty nice but I've got an original so it didn't interest me. That went for $2,100. But I did get a nice wood duck decoy for $80 and the dinner was pretty good so all was not lost. Plus the sponsor shirt was a nice embroidered Columbia fishing shirt in light blue!
 
A year or so ago I saw a Kimber Pheasants Forever gun. It was a Kimber with a picture of a pheasant on the grips. I believe it was raffled off. I bought a chance, but no luck.
 
A couple things caje...

First and foremost a big debt of gratitude and thanks to your son for his service. Be proud.

I happen to be a Kimber fan. I believe they make a fine 1911 however, $900 without night sights, ambi safety, etc. is a tad steep (or certainly, no great deal).

As others have mentioned, your dollars might be better spent elsewhere. Even on a different model Kimber!
 
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