What would JMB say about my fancy new Kimber (pics)

[loutent]

I didn't need another 1911 - and the 4 I already had are all more or less mil-spec - but for some reason I wanted a fancy one. I don't think there is any room for another scallop (fish scale...whatever) or checker on this gun. Have to admit it shoots flawlessly and even with the alloy frame it handles recoil like a an all steel one (this weighs about 32oz.) Certainly my most expensive 1911 - I think they charge by the scallop - and it comes with just 1 mag!

What do you guys think?

 

[Muley Gil]

I like it!

I built a 5" aluminum 1911 back in 1981 and carried it as my duty gun until about 1999.

I've thought about getting a rounded mainspring housing and modifying it.

 

[Joe in SC]

That's a nice 1911 and the rounded msh is a feature I like. I've had several Kimbers and all ran just like they were intended to. I have the Pro version in a all steel gun and it is awesome!

 

[Stevie]

John Browning designed a lot of stuff and never looked back.

He would probably admire your Kimber for what it is..a nice 1911..and go back to work designing something far more advanced.

 

[tacreload]

Ordinarily I am not a fan of engraving or fancy,but I gotta say that this one is a real eye catcher and I wouldn't hesitate to grab one like that if I could.Really nice.Congrats.

 

[chellesdad]

Very nice. The one Kimber I have handled was a great shooter, so I think you will enjoy that one a lot.
C'sD

 

[sjmjax]

The question posed does make me wonder, what would JMB have dreamed up if he had access to today's materials and manufacturing technologies?

 

[bettis1]

I have a Super Carry Pro and agree that they are beautiful. The scales are very effective and they are unidirectional. I also like the cocking ledge on the rear sight. The rounding of the grip is very comfortable and it contributes to its concealibility.

This Kimber is the most accurate of any M 1911 I have ever had, including a 70 Series Gold Cup.

Bob

 

[Fishslayer]

The question posed does make me wonder, what would JMB have dreamed up if he had access to today's materials and manufacturing technologies?

He'd probably still go with a 7 round mag.

Then he'd wonder why anybody would rack a slide from the muzzle end...

That's a beautiful pistol. The grips are stunning.

 

[roundgunner]

I think John Browning would be very impressed! I know I am.

 

[sipowicz]

Looks even cooler than an Ed Brown Cobra carry...and that's a cool gun...

 

[M29since14]

He would probably admire your Kimber for what it is..a nice 1911..and go back to work designing something far more advanced.

This sounds about right to me. 100-years later, no one has done that yet - in any substantial way.

 

[JCS&W]

I like it! You did yourself proud on that one. Congrats on the find!

 

[guy22]

I didn't need another 1911 - and the 4 I already had are all more or less mil-spec - but for some reason I wanted a fancy one. I don't think there is any room for another scallop (fish scale...whatever) or checker on this gun. Have to admit it shoots flawlessly and even with the alloy frame it handles recoil like a an all steel one (this weighs about 32oz.) Certainly my most expensive 1911 - I think they charge by the scallop - and it comes with just 1 mag!

What do you guys think?

One of the best 1911's I have ever seen!!!
Guy22

 

[johngalt]

Does the fish scales help with the grip? If it does, I'm for it. Of the new features common on new 1911's, the only ones I don't really like are the ambi safety and the full length guide rod.

I think JMB would be in favor of taking advantage of the new manufacturing techniques that allow the much tighter tolerances now. The old ones were loose due to the manufacturing methods of the time, not because he wanted them loose. Or at least that is what I believe.

 

[mkk41]

Gotta remember that Colt engineers and Army brass have just as much to do with the final design of the 1911 and 1911A1 as he did. If ya look at the 1905 , 1907 and 1910 , you'll quickly notice that they had NO thumb safety! Which quickly dispells the notion that John Moses designed the 1911 to be carried cocked & locked. The thumb safety was added at the insistance of Army cavalry officers.

I'm not a fan of cocked & locked , and when I do carry one of my Colt Commanders , Gov't Models or Nat.Matchs , it's hammer down on a live round. The way it was intended to be carried.

The Polish VIS P-35 Radom has often been called the last cavalry pistol. It is a very close copy of a 1911 , and it has a decocker! Quite clearly , it was intended to be carried hammer down on a live round.

 

[MarineSgtjimh]

That is purty. You won't be ashamed taking her to the dance. My Kimber Pro CDP goes with me everywhere.

 

[Gasman1972]

He'd probably still go with a 7 round mag.

Then he'd wonder why anybody would rack a slide from the muzzle end...

That's a beautiful pistol. The grips are stunning.

No, he'd wonder why folks put full length guide rods in them so they couldn't rack them from the muzzle end like he intended.

 

[sipowicz]

I'm not a fan of cocked & locked , and when I do carry one of my Colt Commanders , Gov't Models or Nat.Matchs , it's hammer down on a live round. The way it was intended to be carried.

I'm a bit confused. If it was meant to be carried hammer down on a live round then why did they add the thumb safety? Seems to me it might have been intended to carry that way before the thumb safety was added. And didn't the US Army require an empty chamber carrying the 1911?

 

[mkk41]

I'm a bit confused. If it was meant to be carried hammer down on a live round then why did they add the thumb safety? Seems to me it might have been intended to carry that way before the thumb safety was added. And didn't the US Army require an empty chamber carrying the 1911?

If ya believe some of the old books about the 1911 , the thumb safety was added at the insistance of cavalry officers as a temporary safety , till the mounted troopers could stop and point it in a safe direction while lowering the hammer. Remember , the 1911 was initially meant for horse mounted cavalrymen! Their hands were holding the reigns. And they were used to thumb cocking their SAAs. Also why the old 1911 had the wide spur hammer, so you could get a more positive grip on the hammer while lowering it. The standard Army issue flap holster couldn't even be closed properly with the hammer back.

And yes , modern (post WWII) Army doctrine said to carry the 1911A1 with hammer down on an empty chamber. That's also the way the Navy said during my years.