Kid44
Member
Do any of you carry a Kimber, maybe the Ultra Carry or a variation of. I would opt for .45 ACP. I am considering getting one. Pros, cons???
Kimber Ultra Carry
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MetalMan
Member
I have a Series I Ultra Carry, 1999 vintage.
Had some FTF's a couple of years ago and traced it down to the OEM magazines...no idea of the round count and have never changed the springs.
Replaced these with better ones from Wilson and Chip McCormick and it now eats anything fed to it.
Carried for a while in a custom $0B holster but have long ago switched to the Milt Sparks VMII.
As "wyo-man" has suggested, keep it lubed and also keep the ramp cleaned and polished.
Had some FTF's a couple of years ago and traced it down to the OEM magazines...no idea of the round count and have never changed the springs.
Replaced these with better ones from Wilson and Chip McCormick and it now eats anything fed to it.
Carried for a while in a custom $0B holster but have long ago switched to the Milt Sparks VMII.
As "wyo-man" has suggested, keep it lubed and also keep the ramp cleaned and polished.
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I had a Kimber many years ago and while it looked well made, it was definitely NOT reliable. After several trips back to the Factory, I got rid of it and that experience pretty much turned me off to Kimber's. Hopefully they have improved since then as it was many years ago.
Loyaljeeper
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I had an Ultra Carry II produced around 2005. It actually ran well. It was a good deal so I bought it. I learned a lot about 1911s after buying it and bought a few more. With Kimber aluminum frame 45s there is a concern about hollow points and unskirted mags chewing up the frame’s feedramp. Most subcompact and compact 1911s are a pain to disassemble. The shorter the barrel on a 1911 the greater the chance of reliability issues. Mine was perfect though.
Murdock
Member
Mine's OK, gets carried often. Good sights; good trigger; reliable.
I like that I can carry a full size magazine as a spare. On the down side I don't care for having to use a paper clip to retain the recoil spring assembly for routine field stripping, but on the other hand I have larger 1911s to practice with that get shot and carried more frequently, so that's a wash.
As nifty as the little gun is, it really doesn't do anything for me that a commander-size 1911 won't do as well, and in some ways better, except carry OWB under a short jacket or pullover garment. Since I almost always carry IWB I actually find a 4- or 5-inch 1911 is a little more comfortable than a 3-inch as the shorter barrel prods me in more tender spot. I'm a big fan of the Milt Sparks VMII.
I like that I can carry a full size magazine as a spare. On the down side I don't care for having to use a paper clip to retain the recoil spring assembly for routine field stripping, but on the other hand I have larger 1911s to practice with that get shot and carried more frequently, so that's a wash.
As nifty as the little gun is, it really doesn't do anything for me that a commander-size 1911 won't do as well, and in some ways better, except carry OWB under a short jacket or pullover garment. Since I almost always carry IWB I actually find a 4- or 5-inch 1911 is a little more comfortable than a 3-inch as the shorter barrel prods me in more tender spot. I'm a big fan of the Milt Sparks VMII.
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I’ve got an original Kimber Pro CDP (Commander size). It’s got a great trigger and has been trouble free. Smaller guns seem to be more finicky and you’re not giving up much in the way of conceal-ability with a 4” barrel.
C Islander
Member
I carry an Ultra TLE everyday. It's accurate and reliable As has been mentioned, keep it clean and well lubed.
I had an original Ultra Carry - the gun worked well but single action .45 carry wasn't my thing.
The one recommendation I received when I had the gun that seemed to make sense was to change out the metal mag followers for polymer ones. The explanation was the metal follower hit the alloy frame when the last round was loaded in the chamber and could lead to wear on the frame. I never experienced a problem but swapped out the followers just in case.
The one recommendation I received when I had the gun that seemed to make sense was to change out the metal mag followers for polymer ones. The explanation was the metal follower hit the alloy frame when the last round was loaded in the chamber and could lead to wear on the frame. I never experienced a problem but swapped out the followers just in case.
.38SuperMan
Member
I have a 2 tone ultra II in 45 and an Aegis 9mm Ultra. I’ve owned and shot them for several years and both have been 100% reliable with both reloads and factory. I’ve not found anything that’s made either choke. I keep them clean and well lubed and think that plus good quality ammo is the secret to reliability.
Things I like and dislike. Basically I like both but given the opportunity to design my own gun, I’d checker the front strap on my 2 tone 45 and put the sight from my Aegis on it. I really like good sharp checkering on the front strap. Other than that, no changes. I really like the series 80 type firing pin safety on a carry gun. It adds one more layer of safety. In addition I like the size, reliability and accuracy. It is one seriously accurate gun.
For the Aegis, I like the reliability, accuracy, sights and checkering on the front strap. I don’t like the finish as much as on the 2 tone but it’s ok. If given a choice because I carry it I’d add a firing pin safety.
I’m actually very pleased with both and buy both again.
I carry it in a pancake, don’t remember the brand, and slip it in a carry pouch or Fanny pack sometimes.
I have 4 other Kimber’s and each have been 100%.
Things I like and dislike. Basically I like both but given the opportunity to design my own gun, I’d checker the front strap on my 2 tone 45 and put the sight from my Aegis on it. I really like good sharp checkering on the front strap. Other than that, no changes. I really like the series 80 type firing pin safety on a carry gun. It adds one more layer of safety. In addition I like the size, reliability and accuracy. It is one seriously accurate gun.
For the Aegis, I like the reliability, accuracy, sights and checkering on the front strap. I don’t like the finish as much as on the 2 tone but it’s ok. If given a choice because I carry it I’d add a firing pin safety.
I’m actually very pleased with both and buy both again.
I carry it in a pancake, don’t remember the brand, and slip it in a carry pouch or Fanny pack sometimes.
I have 4 other Kimber’s and each have been 100%.
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Fishinfool
Member
I own an Ultra Carry ll in .45 with the Crimson Trace laser grips. About 50 / 50 whether I carry it IWB or OWB. Carries well for me both ways. Maybe 600 rounds thru it now, not one failure to function properly. Very nice trigger, and an accurate gun.
Many of the reliability issues with these short barrel 1911's can be traced to a few areas. Recoil springs - It would seem dual, captured springs seem to work better than a traditional single spring set up. Magazine springs - A strong mag spring can make a major difference for the better. Because of the shorter cycle time time on these shorty 1911's, a weak mag spring may not present the next round in time to cycle properly. 3 - reliability can be increased by experimenting with bullet weight and velocity, with ammo giving slower slide speeds often being more reliable.
These are all issues short 1911's experience because of quicker, shorter action timing as compared to full size guns. Then there is the usual issues that all semi-autos are subject to, like rough feed ramps, poor magazine fit, ect.
Wanted to also add that a lot of feeding issues with the 1911's can be traced back to their extractors being to tight. 1911's feed by the slide coming forward, picking up the next round, with the rim of the cartridge sliding up under the extractor similar to the way a Mauser controlled feed rifle works. The extractor does not snap over the cartridge rim like many think. If the extractor is on the tight side, it causes a partial feed, with often a nudge of the slide needed to complete the cycle. The cure, adjusting the extractors tension, is easy, with several good videos on U-Tube.
Larry
DSC_0017 by Larry, on Flickr
Many of the reliability issues with these short barrel 1911's can be traced to a few areas. Recoil springs - It would seem dual, captured springs seem to work better than a traditional single spring set up. Magazine springs - A strong mag spring can make a major difference for the better. Because of the shorter cycle time time on these shorty 1911's, a weak mag spring may not present the next round in time to cycle properly. 3 - reliability can be increased by experimenting with bullet weight and velocity, with ammo giving slower slide speeds often being more reliable.
These are all issues short 1911's experience because of quicker, shorter action timing as compared to full size guns. Then there is the usual issues that all semi-autos are subject to, like rough feed ramps, poor magazine fit, ect.
Wanted to also add that a lot of feeding issues with the 1911's can be traced back to their extractors being to tight. 1911's feed by the slide coming forward, picking up the next round, with the rim of the cartridge sliding up under the extractor similar to the way a Mauser controlled feed rifle works. The extractor does not snap over the cartridge rim like many think. If the extractor is on the tight side, it causes a partial feed, with often a nudge of the slide needed to complete the cycle. The cure, adjusting the extractors tension, is easy, with several good videos on U-Tube.
Larry
DSC_0017 by Larry, on Flickr
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Bruce C
Member
I had a Ultra Carry Pro from the custom shop that I had ftf's from the time it was new. Didn't matter what I feed it for ammunition. Sold it and bought a Colt best thing I ever did. The Colt will feed anything I have put through it and has never had a ftf.
Kimber Ultra RCP II
I use to carry this Kimber Ultra RCP II. Refined Carry Pistol. It was designed for concealment, from ‘07 or ‘08.
Joe
I use to carry this Kimber Ultra RCP II. Refined Carry Pistol. It was designed for concealment, from ‘07 or ‘08.
Joe
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I've been carrying Kimber .45 Auto's for a fairly long time.
This is my Ultra CDP (3") that I purchased in 1999. I have carried this little gun more than any other and have complete confidence in it.
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My Kimber Super Carry Ultra (3") that I believe I purchased somewhere around 2014, but could be off a year or two.
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My Kimber Super Carry Ultra+ (3") that I purchased at the same time as the Super Carry Ultra.
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And my Kimber Pro CDP (4") that I purchased the day after I bought the Ultra CDP in 1999.
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These are all carried on a somewhat regular basis, and they all have one key feature in common; they do not have the Swartz Safety System. Some people like them, and I have no problem with that. The system just isn't for me on a gun I need to depend on at all times.
This is my Ultra CDP (3") that I purchased in 1999. I have carried this little gun more than any other and have complete confidence in it.
My Kimber Super Carry Ultra (3") that I believe I purchased somewhere around 2014, but could be off a year or two.
My Kimber Super Carry Ultra+ (3") that I purchased at the same time as the Super Carry Ultra.
And my Kimber Pro CDP (4") that I purchased the day after I bought the Ultra CDP in 1999.
These are all carried on a somewhat regular basis, and they all have one key feature in common; they do not have the Swartz Safety System. Some people like them, and I have no problem with that. The system just isn't for me on a gun I need to depend on at all times.
Currently carrying an ultra carry II, the basic version. Traded up from original version just for the ramped barrel. The original's mag upper lip was sharp edged, and dug into the soft feed ramp. Have only added thin checkered grips, carried in Theis IWB holster with off side mag. Run the meggar standard 6 rd mags. It is a pain to fieldstrip, compared to standard 1911s. Accurate and reliable so far, and used for warmer weather carry with plus p velocity 230 jhp.
Hey Joe, the sights fell off.
I shoot with my eyes closed, I don’t need them.
Actually it’s has a trough sight and shoots very well. I remember walking through Walmart, of all places, and saw this magazine with the pistol on the cover. Then it was off to my LGS to place my order. It took a few months to come in and they had told me that the price of the pistol had gone up and that I got a good deal. And another worker had said, a 1911 with no sights, why would you wanted something like that?
So here we are now. To each his own and I still enjoy owning the pistol just as much as I did when I first picked it up.
Joe
The magazine. I didn’t leave Walmart without it.
Joe
Joe
DJINCO
US Veteran
I purchased a Kimber CDP just after introduction. I wanted to love the gun, but it was just not reliable. I didn't want a safe queen, so I sold it and bought a 629 Stealth Hunter. Love the 629!
