Kimber fitting

[hivel37]

Being in downsize mode due to age,
I recently sold a Kimber Stainless Target II.
No problems with any ammo ran through it.
A nice and reliable gun.

 

[Rock185]

I don't know. I've only had a half dozen Kimbers over the last couple decades. None had a MSH fit like the one shown. Unlike with my Colts and some other manufacturer's guns, I've never needed to send a Kimber back for warranty work.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I doubt that Kimber makes their own MSHs. They probably buy them by the bucket!

In the 89s & 90s, when I was building 1911, The earlier guns were with surplus/used parts. A part was of very consistent width! As I had to buy more new/after-market parts, the tolerances were getting sloppy. My suppliers said it was, so they had "Universal Fit". Anything undersized was a "Drop In Part" anything oversized was "Requires Gunsmith Fitting". I really think it just sloppy QC!

Ivan

Since my personal 1911 is one I built, it has the appearance of a arsenal rebuild. Parkerized, WWI Beaver tail hammer, an Argentine 1927 flat MSH with lanyard loop. I wish I could find a Norwegian drop down slide release, instead of our current ugly extended slide releases! Not a BBQ gun, but one I bet my family's life on for around 30 years.
ITB

 

[Dwaine]

I only have a CDP Pro Series 1 in 45, my second. More reliable than any Colt I've ever owned and a better trigger too. A notch or two below the CQB but one third the price.

 

[hardluk1]

Heck if some guy looking for a slanted opinion thinks a Kimbers not up to par move on !! maybe brand x, y or z fill will your needs. Not like those of us with good reliable Kimber 1911's could care about how you feel or think . Maybe a DW or wilson or a tisas is more up to your likings. For many years Kimber sold far more 1911's than the next 2 brands
together .

 

[seasoldier85]

Bought my TLE II several years ago and have shot the snot out of it. Still tight as the day I bought it. Excellent fit and finish and a better trigger than my Colt Gold Cup.

 

[Narragansett]

Heck if some guy looking for a slanted opinion thinks a Kimbers not up to par move on !! maybe brand x, y or z fill will your needs. Not like those of use with good reliable Kimber 1911's could care about how you feel or think . Maybe a DW or wilson or a tisas is more up to your likings. For many years Kimber sold far more 1911's than the next 2 brands
together .

I'm not looking for a slanted opinion. As I said , I happened upon that picture, and made a comment based on my observation and recent research.

1st amendment comments that members choose to make based on there own experiences are exactly that, and are part of what makes for good conversation, both pro and con.

Nobody needs to insult anybody here for their comments or observations. We offer our comments and respect others in the spirit of continued cooperation and the sharing of information.

 

[BigBoku]

Seems to me you can start this thread and insert just about any current manufacturers name including our very own forums into it.

Many of the QA issues posted here such as the fit of the MSH in question can be identified with a simple inspection of whatever firearm you intend on purchasing “before” you take ownership of the weapon.


Just saying

 

[C Islander]

I have four Kimber 1911's, 2 45 and 2 9mm. They all run like sewing machines. I think if you do a little research, you'll find that Kimbers service is second to none. Most repairs are completed and returned in 10 days or less.

 

[bobsguns]

Kimber quality at its finest.

 

[Grayfox]

Kimbers are kinds like Glocks.
People either love them and think they're the greatest gun in the world OR they absolutely hate them and think they're over rated, over priced junk. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

Just for the record, I'm with the later group.

 

[sophie]

Well I bought this Kimber CDP ll in 2010 with Crimson Trace Laser grips. Right away I ordered a Smith and Alexander Stainless magwell and mainspring housing (one piece) and I’ve never had so much of a hiccup with this Kimber 3” Ultra. Shoots good.

I also own several 1911’s in Colt (70 Series), 3 Sig’s, one Super Target, one Nightmare Carry, and an Emperor Scorpion Carry. All my 45’s are 1911 design.

 

[hardluk1]

I'm not looking for a slanted opinion. As I said , I happened upon that picture, and made a comment based on my observation and recent research.

1st amendment comments that members choose to make based on there own experiences are exactly that, and are part of what makes for good conversation, both pro and con.

Nobody needs to insult anybody here for their comments or observations. We offer our comments and respect others in the spirit of continued cooperation and the sharing of information.

There is a heck of a lot of info available with out giving us your limited opinion too as you did .

You could ask- What is the opinion of Kimber 1911 owners with in there pistols price range !! To that I would say very good . At least as good as or better than many colt 1911's and some of springers models .

 

[stansdds]

Kimber quality at its finest.

That's an interesting failure. I've seen where dust covers, usually on aluminum receivers, would crack at the recoil abutment and eventually fall off, but that's got to be the first bent dust cover I've seen, or at least one that was bent while assembled as a complete pistol. I'd like to know the story on this one.

 

[Alk8944]

Kimber quality at its finest.

Posting this photo and using it as an example of Kimber quality is an extremely "cheap shot". If you don't know and describe the background of the photo it shouldn't ever have been posted!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm more of a revolver guy so won't comment on Kimber 1911's. But I did buy a new K6s 3"DAO. first trip to the range it couldn't get through a cylinder full of wadcutters without locking up. Or any other ammo that I had with me.

Sent it back, exactly one week later I got it back with a new cylinder. It's now a wonderful shooter and the service was outstanding. But how it ever left the factory is beyond me. In retrospect I'm really a K frame or J frame guy and should have stayed with my family.

 

[Narragansett]

There is a heck of a lot of info available with out giving us your limited opinion too as you did .

You could ask- What is the opinion of Kimber 1911 owners with in there pistols price range !! To that I would say very good . At least as good as or better than many colt 1911's and some of springers models .

Just give it a rest.

 

[TheTinMan]

Go to almost any gun shop. Look at the used 1911s. Then tell me which brand they have the most of.

My first 1911 was a Kimber CDP Pro bought late in 2008. I could not get through a magazine without a 3-point jam. When I called “Customer Service”, they told me I had to shoot 500 rounds through the gun before they would consider returning it for repair. Besides, I was probably holding the pistol wrong (limp wristing it ). That made me so mad I bought Kuhnhausen’s book. I scoured the 1911 forum. The extractor was clocking up to 20 degrees and the firing pin stop flopped around in the slide slot. I had never done any gunsmithing, but I replaced those two parts (plus the plastic mainspring housing) and got the gun running like a top. Sold it to a good friend’s son with full disclosure. He still has it and loves it.

I also had trouble with a Springfield Custom Shop 1911 that came fit so tight it didn’t always return to battery. They fixed the problem VERY quickly. It is my preferred EDC.

I bought a Les Baer and an STI 1911 new and both ran well. I did have to replace the extractor on the STI after more than 10 years. A BUL and Colt Mk IV bought used both run perfectly.

Conclusion: 1911s are not Glocks. The pistol was designed nearly 120 years ago. The internal extractor is a finicky thing that might require tuning. Even the tightly tuned, high end 1911s can have issues. How long ago did FN switch to an external extractor on the Hi Power?

 

[DR505]

I only have one Kimber, this Warrior I bought years ago. It has been very good and I have not had a single malfunction in all the rounds fired.

I also have Dan Wesson, Wilson Combat, and Colt 1911s. I like them all and shoot them all. One of the Colts has had parts break over the years such as the extractor and slide stop. I put a lot of rounds down range in that 1911 so had Wilson and Turnbull rebuild it. I really like it now.

The Dan Wesson took about 250 rounds before it settled down and became reliable enough for me to CCW. In fairness the manual does say it has a break-in period of about 300 rounds IIRC.

I have been CCW for decades and would take the Kimber as readily as any of the others.

 

[Rock185]

I haven't seen any manufacturer's 1911 type pistol break like the Kimber pictured. My Colt Commander did crack on both sides at the recoil abutment; didn't bend or fall off though. I have seen steel frame Government models cracked at the same place. Also saw one Colt Government model cracked at the disconnector tunnel at the top of the frame. Have seen a Colt Government slide cracked in more than one place, etc. Still like Colts; don't think they are trash..

I will alert the internet, complete with 8X10 glossy photos, as soon as my current Kimber cracks, breaks, bends, sags or crumbles