Why S&W and the boycotting of the Kimber 1911

G.T. Smith · Sep 4, 2016

What?

[ You no longer have to send a Colt to Wilson to get it right.[/QUOTE]

I bought a new Colt O1991 Government 5" .45 a couple of years ago and it is right. I didn't send it anywhere. Never knew I should have sent it somewhere to make it more accurate or dependable. It has been 100% flawless through more than a thousand rounds and shoots anything I have put in it. I have no trouble hitting where I aim with it. Factory Checkmate mags and all. And I don't think it looks too bad either. I did replace the plastic MSH with a Smith Alexander flat checked steel but that wasn't for any reason other than personal preference. I've never shot a Kimber, but I've heard that they are alright.

Peace,
Gordon

Dennis · Sep 5, 2016

I currently own a Stainless Target II in 9mm, and a Custom Target II, and Compact CDP II- both in 45 ACP. Bought the Tac-Pro Mags for the Compact when I bought it to keep the feed-ramp (aluminum frame) from getting chewed-up. The 9 mm mag from Kimber has a standard follower that kisses the feed ramp on the ramped bbl. The Wilson with plastic anti-tilt is the way to go.
During the last 4 years I have purchased these as well as an RIA GI 38 Super, @ 5" Colts in 45 and one Colt 5" in 38 Super. Also 2 Dan Wessons. One a 38 Super Guardian and a C-Bob in 45 ACP. I shoot the hell out of em. My Kimbers and Colts have never given me any problems whatsoever. I watch for improper wear and fitting everytime I clean them.
The "problem pistols" were the RIA (which extracted only 3 of it's first 40 rounds) and the C-Bob, which has an improperly fitted barrel and will be going back next week. But it still shoots extremely well.
I have gone over all of my 1911s with a jeweler's loop after learning of improper lower bbl. lug and link- fitting with the Kimbers. No problems on my 3 .
I don't like the looks of the machining marks in the slide of the OP's pistol, either. Back to the store and let them handle it.
So I rambled a bit, but no problems with my Kimbers. Oh, traded my short 38 Super Kimber to my shootin buddy for a nicely refinished SFPD M58. It's a nice little Kimber, too.

Laketime · Sep 5, 2016

G.T. Smith said:
[ You no longer have to send a Colt to Wilson to get it right.

I bought a new Colt O1991 Government 5" .45 a couple of years ago and it is right. I didn't send it anywhere. Never knew I should have sent it somewhere to make it more accurate or dependable. It has been 100% flawless through more than a thousand rounds and shoots anything I have put in it. I have no trouble hitting where I aim with it. Factory Checkmate mags and all. And I don't think it looks too bad either. I did replace the plastic MSH with a Smith Alexander flat checked steel but that wasn't for any reason other than personal preference. I've never shot a Kimber, but I've heard that they are alright.

Peace,
Gordon[/QUOTE]

Well you wouldn't have to send in a current Colt to get it right.Kimber set the bar for new standards for everyone to reach back in 1996. Everyone makes a better 1911 now to compete with kimber.

BobbyV · Sep 5, 2016

Response to comments

I appreciate all the feedback. Let me clarify on some things that were asked of me.

One- I receive my actual refund approval from Kimber. The procedure consisted of the master dealer (Euro Optics) to proceed with refund once kimber sent new micro9 to them.

Two- When I received the firearm from my FFL, I had told them to note that the firearm was unusually dirty (for a new firearm). It wasn't until I started to clean the firearm (as I always do when I receive a new firearm from anybody) that I then noticed how much damage was present.

Three- I purchased a Kimber Solo over four years ago (3rd new firearm ever purchased).
I sent it back to Kimber! They condemned the firearm and sent me a new one. Thinking it was a unusual situation, I accepted the NEW replacement.
1 month into that one and I had problems with the Right side thumb safety falling out after firing it about 50 rounds.

My thought then was to run and not look back.

Kimber let me upgrade the Solo (for a fee) to the HD 1911. -I Love the rounded heel on it!

I sent that back after a year of sitting in my safe. The the Kim Pro Finish deteriorated in my safe ( with proper dehumidification ). No other firearm was effected. I send it back and they refinished it within a 3 week period period.
Thinking that Kimber (at the time ) took care of the problems (that I have had to point out ), I settled for the micro 9.

I provided close up pictures for those thinking only cosmetic damage.

Why did I try to purchase Kimber again someone asked... because they do have the best looking firearms next to Wilson, Ed Brown or Nighthawk.
My attempts to save some money going with Kimber has past.

I'm looking to purchase a Nighthawk 9 mm within the next 6 months. Until then, I'm going to get a Springfield Armory rangeofficer 9 mm for my primary CCW for now.

FYI...I have 12 pistols from 5 different manufacturers in 22,25,32,9mm,45 and 357 sig.
This does not include rifles, shotguns or AR. Only FOUR of my many firearms were acquired used...all the rest were LGS or online.

Not my first rodeo peeps.

If my firearms were tattoos ...I would have both arms covered by now! ; -)

Again, a shout out to S&W on upholding there outstanding reputation!

Thanks for responding to my World Class QC issue.

BobbyV · Sep 5, 2016

Response to comments

I appreciate all the feedback. Let me clarify on some things that were asked of me.

One- I receive my actual refund approval from Kimber. The procedure consisted of the master dealer (Euro Optics) to proceed with refund once kimber sent new micro9 to them.

Two- When I received the firearm from my FFL, I had told them to note that the firearm was unusually dirty (for a new firearm). It wasn't until I started to clean the firearm (as I always do when I receive a new firearm from anybody) that I then noticed how much damage was present.

Three- I purchased a Kimber Solo over four years ago (3rd new firearm ever purchased).
I sent it back and Kimber! They condemned the firearm and sent me a new one. Thinking it was a unusual situation, I accepted the NEW replacement.
1 month into that one and I had problems with the Right side thumb safety falling out after firing it about 50 rounds.

My thought then was to run and not look back.

Kimber let me upgrade the Solo (for a fee) to the HD 1911. -I Love the rounded heel on it!

I sent that back after a year of sitting in my safe. The the Kim Pro Finish deteriorated in my safe ( with proper dehumidification ). No other firearm was effected. I send it back and they refinished it within a 3 week period period.
Thinking that Kimber (at the time ) took care of the problems (that I have had to point out ), I settled for the micro 9.

I provided close up pictures for those thinking only cosmetic damage.

Why did I try to purchase Kimber again someone asked... because they do have the best looking firearms next to Wilson, Ed Brown or Nighthawk.
My attempts to save some money going with Kimber has past.

I'm looking to purchase a Nighthawk 9 mm within the next 6 months. Until then, I'm going to get a Springfield Armory rangeofficer 9 mm for my primary CCW for now.

FYI...I have 12 pistols from 5 different manufacturers in 22,25,32,9mm,45 and 357 sig.
This does not include rifles, shotguns or AR. Only FOUR of my many firearms were acquired used...all the rest were LGS or online.

Not my first rodeo peeps.

If my firearms were tattoos ...I would have both arms covered by now! ; -)

Again, a shout out to S&W on upholding there outstanding reputation!

Thanks for responding to my World Class QC issue.

Kanewpadle · Sep 5, 2016

BobbyV said:
I appreciate all the feedback. Let me clarify on some things that were asked of me.

One- I receive my actual refund approval from Kimber. The procedure consisted of the master dealer (Euro Optics) to proceed with refund once kimber sent new micro9 to them.

Two- When I received the firearm from my FFL, I had told them to note that the firearm was unusually dirty (for a new firearm). It wasn't until I started to clean the firearm (as I always do when I receive a new firearm from anybody) that I then noticed how much damage was present.

Three- I purchased a Kimber Solo over four years ago (3rd new firearm ever purchased).
I sent it back and Kimber! They condemned the firearm and sent me a new one. Thinking it was a unusual situation, I accepted the NEW replacement.
1 month into that one and I had problems with the Right side thumb safety falling out after firing it about 50 rounds.

My thought then was to run and not look back.

Kimber let me upgrade the Solo (for a fee) to the HD 1911. -I Love the rounded heel on it!

I sent that back after a year of sitting in my safe. The the Kim Pro Finish deteriorated in my safe ( with proper dehumidification ). No other firearm was effected. I send it back and they refinished it within a 3 week period period.
Thinking that Kimber (at the time ) took care of the problems (that I have had to point out ), I settled for the micro 9.

I provided close up pictures for those thinking only cosmetic damage.

Why did I try to purchase Kimber again someone asked... because they do have the best looking firearms next to Wilson, Ed Brown or Nighthawk.
My attempts to save some money going with Kimber has past.

I'm looking to purchase a Nighthawk 9 mm within the next 6 months. Until then, I'm going to get a Springfield Armory rangeofficer 9 mm for my primary CCW for now.

FYI...I have 12 pistols from 5 different manufacturers in 22,25,32,9mm,45 and 357 sig.
This does not include rifles, shotguns or AR. Only FOUR of my many firearms were acquired used...all the rest were LGS or online.

Not my first rodeo peeps.

If my firearms were tattoos ...I would have both arms covered by now! ; -)

Again, a shout out to S&W on upholding there outstanding reputation!

Thanks for responding to my World Class QC issue.

Nighthawk is a huge step up. But I urge you to take a look at Dan Wesson. It's as close to a custom gun as you can get without spending $3000 or more. The Dan Wesson Valor is an outstanding gun. A about $1000 less, you could buy a lot of 9MM ammo.

BE Mike · Sep 6, 2016

I really don't know why anyone would choose a Kimber these days, when there are so many better options out there, i.e. Springfield Armory and S&W.

Why S&W and the boycotting of the Kimber 1911

G.T. Smith

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Dennis

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Laketime

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BobbyV

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BobbyV

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Kanewpadle

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BE Mike

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