jonnyringo
US Veteran
Colt and customized Springfields for me. I have known of several unhappy Kimber customers. I m sure there are some good ones out there too. I did have one Springfield Compact that wouldn't detonate CCI primers.
kimber 1911 -Any good?
- Thread starter patrick james
- Start date
I own two kimbers (Tac Pro II, and Gold Combat)
the Tac Pro II has the dreaded external extractor and has performed 100%. Both guns have excellent fit and finish and have not failed once. I owned a Springfield before the Kimber and the fit and finish was not as good (sharp edges, looser slide to frame, etc). On this and every other gun forum you'll see people who say this gun or that is a piece of junk but in all honesty all manufactured products vary (some a little, some a lot) I know, I'm a quality manager. Kimbers usually are worth the money but as with any manufacturer you could have something go wrong. Some people will say "get a Glock" 100%, blah, blah but here in Portland our cops had two blow up. The bottom line is check it out play with it and if it floats your boat buy it. Gary
the Tac Pro II has the dreaded external extractor and has performed 100%. Both guns have excellent fit and finish and have not failed once. I owned a Springfield before the Kimber and the fit and finish was not as good (sharp edges, looser slide to frame, etc). On this and every other gun forum you'll see people who say this gun or that is a piece of junk but in all honesty all manufactured products vary (some a little, some a lot) I know, I'm a quality manager. Kimbers usually are worth the money but as with any manufacturer you could have something go wrong. Some people will say "get a Glock" 100%, blah, blah but here in Portland our cops had two blow up. The bottom line is check it out play with it and if it floats your boat buy it. Gary
7003006
Member
I've owned three,stainless gold match,ultra cdp and an eclipse in 10mm the first two were/are outstanding,the eclipse was terrible.
Gov
Member
Kimber Custom TLE II owner here.
Love it. No FTF/FTE in several thousand rounds. It is a daily carrier, and trusted arm.
The "II" means it has a schwartz (firing pin) safety ... AKA "Series 80" style pistol... not that it has an external extractor, as previously posted.
I do have a friend with a "horrible" Kimber... so they exist... Their particular model is an Eclipse II with an external extractor, and it has had some problems going into full battery (obviously a problem on the 1911!) Not sure if it is an ammo, maintenance or defect issue with theirs.
$850 for a used Target II sounds high. I'd suggest offering 60 to 70 percent of MSRP, depending on the amount of use /abuse (less for more use and / or having an external extractor.)
Love it. No FTF/FTE in several thousand rounds. It is a daily carrier, and trusted arm.
The "II" means it has a schwartz (firing pin) safety ... AKA "Series 80" style pistol... not that it has an external extractor, as previously posted.
I do have a friend with a "horrible" Kimber... so they exist... Their particular model is an Eclipse II with an external extractor, and it has had some problems going into full battery (obviously a problem on the 1911!) Not sure if it is an ammo, maintenance or defect issue with theirs.
$850 for a used Target II sounds high. I'd suggest offering 60 to 70 percent of MSRP, depending on the amount of use /abuse (less for more use and / or having an external extractor.)
beemerrider
Member
Between my two sons and I, we've got about 14 1911's; 2 in .38 Super and the rest in .45acp. and they range from a civilian Colt model made in about about 1927 to my Gold Cup, a Kimber Pro Carry, 3 Wilson's, a Springfield TRP, an Ed Brown Kobra Carry and several others. If I had it pick the top 5; it would be:
1. Ed Browm
2. Wilson CQB in .38 Super
3. Wilson CQB in .45 ACP
4. 70's Series Gold Cup
5. Springfield TRP
It's hard to pinpoint the reasons why my choices line up the way they do. I've shot thousands of rounds thru my Goldcup I had custom tuned by the legendary Jim Clark, now deceased and I've put lots of rounds through the others of as well. They are all reliable, accurate, and I think it comes down to "feel" and confidence. I would try some different guns, buy "the best one you can reasonably afford" and ask others' opinions like you are doing. I doubt you'll go wrong with any of my top five, or a Kimber, Nighthawk or a few others. Strongly consider a used model of any of these that is a "low mileage" pistol. You can easily save 20-40% if you shop well, and end up with a pistol that may have less than 500 rounds through it. Best of luck to you. Email in profile if I can help you. beemerrider.
1. Ed Browm
2. Wilson CQB in .38 Super
3. Wilson CQB in .45 ACP
4. 70's Series Gold Cup
5. Springfield TRP
It's hard to pinpoint the reasons why my choices line up the way they do. I've shot thousands of rounds thru my Goldcup I had custom tuned by the legendary Jim Clark, now deceased and I've put lots of rounds through the others of as well. They are all reliable, accurate, and I think it comes down to "feel" and confidence. I would try some different guns, buy "the best one you can reasonably afford" and ask others' opinions like you are doing. I doubt you'll go wrong with any of my top five, or a Kimber, Nighthawk or a few others. Strongly consider a used model of any of these that is a "low mileage" pistol. You can easily save 20-40% if you shop well, and end up with a pistol that may have less than 500 rounds through it. Best of luck to you. Email in profile if I can help you. beemerrider.
Bee, I realize it's a personal preference, but why do you like the Ed Brown more than your Wilsons? (And how come no Les Baers?)
crofoot629
Absent Comrade
Patrick,
I think if you read all of the replies you've gotten a very accurate answer to your question of are Kimbers "any good". They ore "ok".
They do have a poor reputation for customer service as well, which is too bad considering they are "ok" and not too infrequently need the attention of customer service.
My two cents? There is no free lunch and you get what you pay for. It takes the better part of $1500 and up to get a top drawer 1911. Wilson combat, Les Baer, Springfield Armory, and Ed Brown are some obvious choices that come to mind.
Myself, I really can't stand Kimbers. Some of my dislike is objective and some rather personal and completely subjective. Subjectively they've done more to uglify 1911's then all others combined. I loathe their melted models and different color scheme models. There was once a time when a blued slide and a hard chromed frame actually looked good. No more with all of Kimbers different colored beavertial/slidestop/thumb safety/slide/frame color configurations and way too melted lines of some of their "dehorned" pistols. I also find it hard to stomach the rube who thinks he has something special because it's a Kimber.
Objectively, Swartz safeties, external extractors, spotty quality control, guns that won't run and poor customer service are deal breakers.
Hope this helps.
Emory
I think if you read all of the replies you've gotten a very accurate answer to your question of are Kimbers "any good". They ore "ok".
They do have a poor reputation for customer service as well, which is too bad considering they are "ok" and not too infrequently need the attention of customer service.
My two cents? There is no free lunch and you get what you pay for. It takes the better part of $1500 and up to get a top drawer 1911. Wilson combat, Les Baer, Springfield Armory, and Ed Brown are some obvious choices that come to mind.
Myself, I really can't stand Kimbers. Some of my dislike is objective and some rather personal and completely subjective. Subjectively they've done more to uglify 1911's then all others combined. I loathe their melted models and different color scheme models. There was once a time when a blued slide and a hard chromed frame actually looked good. No more with all of Kimbers different colored beavertial/slidestop/thumb safety/slide/frame color configurations and way too melted lines of some of their "dehorned" pistols. I also find it hard to stomach the rube who thinks he has something special because it's a Kimber.
Objectively, Swartz safeties, external extractors, spotty quality control, guns that won't run and poor customer service are deal breakers.
Hope this helps.
Emory
beemerrider
Member
ONOMEA AND CROWFOOT629:
I like the Ed Brown because it's a Commander size (1" short slide; full-length grip) and it has Ed's proprieary "bob-tail", where he angle cuts the bottom of the mainspring housing, both of which make the pistol easier to coneal. I picked the two-tone with their stock wood grips, which are very attractive. I love the gun in every respect; lots of rounds downrange & no hitches. My son with the Springfield loves it and is getting one. This takes nothing away from Wilson. One of my Wilson's is a full-size CQB in .45 and has always done everything asked with no problems; oh, one time the Wilson medalion fell out of one of the grips and they offered to have me ship the grips to them for repair and I said no problem, I really appreciated the kind offer, but just tell me what kind of glue I should use and I'd save us both the time and effort. My other Wilson is an Officer's size, really nice, shoots great and I find I need to practice more often and work harder on my end to maintain my satisfactory level of accuracy from this pistol than I do from a Commander size 1911. This is due to the size of pistol, it's recoil characteristics and my level of discipline in practicing, so I've opted to practice a little less; not much, and shoot and carry the Brown. And in my opinion the Brown Kobra Carry looks "Cooler" and the same opinion would tell you the products and companies are equal; just different. I've read their catalogs, looked at their sites, talked to their people on the phone and spent considerable time with each at the Shot Show.
Les Bear, huh? You're really trying to get me in deep "you know" with Mrs. beemernon-rider aren't you? They make great 1911's right along with Brown and Wilson and I was doing great, had the model(s) all picked out and everything while eyeing their Shot Show specials, when my sons reminded me that should I consummate the sale, their mother would "consummate something akin to one or two levels beyond waterboarding on me, but that she might not stop to do any actual interogating; just hose me. Stay tuned; if I catch her in a weak moment, I might get one. I've had them apart; they are incredibly well done and you'll wonder how they even work when you feel how tight they are; but they do, and quite well. The "Big Three of 1911's"
Hope the humor and my experience help you out.
TO: Crowfoot629
You and I seem to be of a like mind on 1911's. That's Oregonians' for ya.
Take care,
Lynn
I like the Ed Brown because it's a Commander size (1" short slide; full-length grip) and it has Ed's proprieary "bob-tail", where he angle cuts the bottom of the mainspring housing, both of which make the pistol easier to coneal. I picked the two-tone with their stock wood grips, which are very attractive. I love the gun in every respect; lots of rounds downrange & no hitches. My son with the Springfield loves it and is getting one. This takes nothing away from Wilson. One of my Wilson's is a full-size CQB in .45 and has always done everything asked with no problems; oh, one time the Wilson medalion fell out of one of the grips and they offered to have me ship the grips to them for repair and I said no problem, I really appreciated the kind offer, but just tell me what kind of glue I should use and I'd save us both the time and effort. My other Wilson is an Officer's size, really nice, shoots great and I find I need to practice more often and work harder on my end to maintain my satisfactory level of accuracy from this pistol than I do from a Commander size 1911. This is due to the size of pistol, it's recoil characteristics and my level of discipline in practicing, so I've opted to practice a little less; not much, and shoot and carry the Brown. And in my opinion the Brown Kobra Carry looks "Cooler" and the same opinion would tell you the products and companies are equal; just different. I've read their catalogs, looked at their sites, talked to their people on the phone and spent considerable time with each at the Shot Show.
Les Bear, huh? You're really trying to get me in deep "you know" with Mrs. beemernon-rider aren't you? They make great 1911's right along with Brown and Wilson and I was doing great, had the model(s) all picked out and everything while eyeing their Shot Show specials, when my sons reminded me that should I consummate the sale, their mother would "consummate something akin to one or two levels beyond waterboarding on me, but that she might not stop to do any actual interogating; just hose me. Stay tuned; if I catch her in a weak moment, I might get one. I've had them apart; they are incredibly well done and you'll wonder how they even work when you feel how tight they are; but they do, and quite well. The "Big Three of 1911's"
Hope the humor and my experience help you out.
TO: Crowfoot629
You and I seem to be of a like mind on 1911's. That's Oregonians' for ya.
Take care,
Lynn
OP
patrick james
Member
Thanks to all for the reply.I went a head and bought the Kimber primarly because he's a good friend and his wife just lost her job.He said he's house payment was more important than his new pistol.As us Smith & Wesson owner know I'm not crazy about the internal saftey.Thats the reason I never owned a series 80 Colt.I have to say of the many gun and knife forum I visit you guys and gals are about the most knowledgeable group I've have ran across.I really don't have that many Smiths but every morning this the first forum I go to.Thanks again PJ
Thanks for the response, Beemer. Makes sense, what you say. I deliberated a long time on an Ed Brown, because I like the finish – very pretty, but I read he could be a bit crotchety re after sales service, and read ditto on Baer. (Also Brown wants you to fix the rear site with Locktite to match your own shooting eye, and I wasn't keen on doing that, either.) Now, they probably both just don't suffer fools gladly, but since I am a novice with the 1911, AKA a fool, I went with Wilson because they apparently do suffer fools gladly!
You can order that Ed Brown bobtail on Wilsons now, if you want it, by the way. Or, send it in to them and I am sure they could add it to one of their guns. The other thought for you on the Officer's Model is that you can add a nice mag well, somebody makes a very nice aftermarket one – I forget who -- which is supposed to make it feel more like a full-size grip. And Wilson is selling a commander slide and full grip model these days, too. "Pro" something or another, I think.
I think next 1911 I buy will be a Baer. After I get more confidence in my knowledge/skill with the platform via the two Wilsons I have now.
I'll also add that your point on buying the upper end guns used is a good one. There are some great deals out there.
You can order that Ed Brown bobtail on Wilsons now, if you want it, by the way. Or, send it in to them and I am sure they could add it to one of their guns. The other thought for you on the Officer's Model is that you can add a nice mag well, somebody makes a very nice aftermarket one – I forget who -- which is supposed to make it feel more like a full-size grip. And Wilson is selling a commander slide and full grip model these days, too. "Pro" something or another, I think.
I think next 1911 I buy will be a Baer. After I get more confidence in my knowledge/skill with the platform via the two Wilsons I have now.
I'll also add that your point on buying the upper end guns used is a good one. There are some great deals out there.
GatorFarmer
Member
The Schwartz style safety on Series II Kimbers is not the same, in terms of design, as a Series 80 type Colt safety. Sometimes the Series II Kimbers seem to have a problem with not going bang anymore owing to this part/design - or so owners have complained. I've had two Series II Kimbers (CDP and Raptor) and didn't have it happen. But not that I "had" - past tense - Kimbers. Finish wore, but they were otherwise well made - save for the not so good factory mags.
If the gun in question is a Series II gun, it will have an "internal safety" in it. If someone wants a gun without one, look for one of the revamped Colt Series 70 pistols I suppose.
If the gun in question is a Series II gun, it will have an "internal safety" in it. If someone wants a gun without one, look for one of the revamped Colt Series 70 pistols I suppose.
marine2541
Member
I had a cdp compact that was terrific, and a gold combat that jammed constantly. The price, however, for a used Kimber is too high.
Wheelgunner840
Member
There is a big difference between the original Kimber 1911s that were made in Clackamas, OR, and the ones that have been produced since they moved production to Yonkers, NY. I have a "Clackamas" Kimber Custom Royal that I bought when they first came out over 10 years ago. It has over 10,000 rds. through it. I have used it for Bullseye matches, Bowling pin shoots, IDPA, and IPSC, as well as Wild bunch matches in CAS.
I have never had a single problem with it that is worth mentioning. I do know of a local gunshop owner that refuses to carry the Kimber line anymore because of problems with the Yonkers guns. I don't know what they are doing differently now, but I am glad I got one of the older ones made in Oregon.
My suggestion is to find an older one marked Clackamas, OR on the side.
WG840
I have never had a single problem with it that is worth mentioning. I do know of a local gunshop owner that refuses to carry the Kimber line anymore because of problems with the Yonkers guns. I don't know what they are doing differently now, but I am glad I got one of the older ones made in Oregon.
My suggestion is to find an older one marked Clackamas, OR on the side.
WG840
Kimber Ultra CDP II
Nuff Said... and I'm a lousy shot
7yds,,
Nuff Said... and I'm a lousy shot
7yds,,
crofoot629
Absent Comrade
They are really two different manufactures. The Clackamas guns have a very good reputation.
Emory
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