Why S&W and the boycotting of the Kimber 1911

[BobbyV]

Purchased micro9 from kimber 6weeks ago. Sent it back to kimber because of the condition it was in. kimber took the position that this was normal wear on kimber firearms. I let them know that I sent them a new in the box firearm back to them. After 3 weeks (had to wait for decision from New York office), kimber told me the would replace the slides stop, barrel and refinish the firearm as a courtesy. I threw a fit and demanded a refund. kimber told me that (New York) stated they could only repair it. After I told kimber management that I was going to exploit there decision, management had the capability to overriding the decision (New York) and just replacement firearm (a month later).
I refused there offer after 2 months of BS. Even with a holster and extra clip I requested a full refund.
In the past 4 years...
Kimber refinished & repaired my solo, and 1911 HD Master Carry because of the poor kim-pro finish and poor quality assurance. WORLD Class Quality...not from my experiance.

I sent firearm back to S&W last week (only time I sent back a firearm to S&W) . The service I received was top notch! The customer service was friendly and precise. The quality of work was unquestionable. Thank you S&W for providing me with world class quality.

Pictures from kimber provided.

 

[American1776]

I know personally people who had problems, much like the problems you had, with Kimber and their products.

How that company stays in business is beyond me.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've owned several Kimber 1911's. I only had a problem with one of them. I don't think they have any more or less problems than any other major gun maker.

Having said that, I don't like the company or their guns and won't own another unless it was really cheap. Most of their line of 1911's are ugly. It seems they focus on looks rather than quality. And their corporate attitude is that of the bully that lives down the street.

Two Kimber sales reps walked into my friends pawn shop several years ago. They were incredulous when he told them no. They simply could not understand why he didn't want the best made 1911's on the market. That was after they told him that the buy in was something like $5000, that he had to sell so many a month to be a "Master" dealer, and he wouldn't always have the choice of which guns he kept in stock but he had to keep some in stock anyway. If you're not a "Master" dealer you can still order from Kimber but it will take close to a year before you see the gun.

Of the many guns shops in the area, only one stocks Kimber products. They're not putting up with the BS any more.

For your next 1911, buy a Dan Wesson. There isn't anything Kimber makes that can compare in quality. Of course that's my opinion. But take a close look and see for yourself.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

We have had several here. I have never seen one that was reliable. I had the top of the line Stainless 9mm, NEVER worked. I spent a good bit of money on Wilson magazines to give it the benefit of the doubt, nothing worked. I believe to this day that there were things completely out of tolerance. I am also amazed how owners of these guns can come up with an excuse everytime they malfunction. If you like it , buy it, own it, just don't give excuses for it not working. They are not the company now that built their reputation so far as QC.

 

[MetalMan]

Wow! I am terribly sorry to hear what is happening to Kimber and your experiences in dealing with HQ concerning the Micro 9.

Personally, I own two Kimbers - a Classic Custom and an Ultra Carry. Both of these are Series I (Yonkers manufacture), very basic models and were purchased in the 1999-2000 time frame.

Both of these guns have been virtually flawless over the years with thousands of rounds sent downrange. Neither gun has ever been sent back to the mothership for repairs.

Needless to say, I trust these guns implicitly and alternate both as my cool weather EDC.

All of this being said, I believe I would now think long and hard before considering a current production model....very sad....

 

[Alpo]

I'm very puzzled by this.

You buy a new gun, and it is defective. So you send it back to the factory?

If your new washing machine had a dented lid, would you complain to Maytag, or Home Depot?

If your new computer did not work, would you send it back to Toshiba, or take it back to Best Buy?

And wanting a refund? How can Kimber "refund" your money? They didn't sell you the gun. They sold it to Davidsons, who sold it to Sports South, who sold it to Joe's Gun Shoppe, who sold it to you.

Me - I'd have been pounding on Joe's counter. "You sold me defective merchandise. I want my money back."

Let Joe go back to the wholesaler, who can fight with the distributor, who can argue with Kimber.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Wow! I am terribly sorry to hear what is happening to Kimber and your experiences in dealing with HQ concerning the Micro 9.

Personally, I own two Kimbers - a Classic Custom and an Ultra Carry. Both of these are Series I (Yonkers manufacture), very basic models and were purchased in the 1999-2000 time frame.

Both of these guns have been virtually flawless over the years with thousands of rounds sent downrange. Neither gun has ever been sent back to the mothership for repairs.

Needless to say, I trust these guns implicitly and alternate both as my cool weather EDC.

All of this being said, I believe I would now think long and hard before considering a current production model....very sad....

Your experience with series one Kimbers is typical. They were great. I had two of them and foolishly sold them.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Acquired my first Kimber (Pro Carry II) used in a trade back in 2004. Very impressed with the pistol. Added a Custom CDP about 10 years ago, followed by a new Custom TLE, all in .45ACP. Every one has been 100% reliable and extremely accurate right out of the box.

One small issue about 8 years ago necessitated sending a pistol back to Kimber. Received a call two days later from the man assigned to the work, explaining exactly what was needed and why. Pistol was repaired and back to me in a total of 9 days (complete with new night sights installed because they thought the originals were "getting a little dim", no charge).

I own Colts, Remington-UMC, Ithaca, US&S, Remington Rands, and others dating from 1914 through both world wars and up to recent years. None are more reliable or accurate than the Kimber Custom CDP that has been my daily carry piece for the past 10 years.

 

[Warren Sear]

I know personally people who had problems, much like the problems you had, with Kimber and their products.

How that company stays in business is beyond me.

One word: bling.

 

[GKC]

I've owned three Kimber 1911s, all three of which were not the base models. They were all over $1K, and they were beautiful pistols...BUT they would not run 50 rounds (or even less) without malfunctioning. Kimber's response in every case: shoot 500 rounds and call us back. (I had already shot over 200 rounds, which should be sufficient for a break in period.)

I sold them at a loss, with full disclosure, and I will never own another Kimber. They are great to look at, and if that's all you want, buy one. If you want a pistol to shoot, buy something else.

 

[GKC]

I forgot to mention another thing that really irks me about Kimber. When I purchased the expensive 1911s, what came in the box? ONE crappy magazine. Now, Kimber makes a good magazine, the KimPro TacMag. Is that what they provide? No. Instead, they put the cheapest mag possible in the box with their top of the line pistols. S&W, on the other hand, provides two good quality mags with their budget ($300) SDVE pistols. Not to mention that S&W provides excellent customer service.

 

[SilentKnight]

My Ruger 1911 performs as well as a Kimber 1911 at about $500 less. In total I have owned five Ruger firearms and never had a breakage or question about quality. I don't know if this is a common thing with Kimber 1911s but two I have fired ejected the rounds backward hitting me in the head, one almost down the shirt. IMHO no better accuracy than my Ruger; however, I never shot either from a bench rest. Ruger may not have the bling but it has the bang for the buck.

 

[SLT223]

I have a Classic Custom Eclipse II purchased in 2001 or 2002. It's seen about 2000 and is yet to choke. Apparenlty they are not making them like they used to.

That being said I immediately noticed some peaning on the slide stop notch after initial use of the gun. I worked in a gun shop at the time and noticed it on other used Kimbers. I figure that area was not hardened properly. In the same store we had original 1911's from WWI that had no such peaning.........

 

[M29since14]

Why do people buy "new" guns when even a casual inspection would have revealed the "defects" that they later object to, and then harp about the manufacturer? Obviously, the company has NO control of the product once it leaves their facility. I am no great admirer of Kimber quality/service, or anyone else's, for that matter, but who can really say where the defects/damage occurred?

As for Kimber, I've had three of their 1911s, and still have a TLEII. All have been good, solid guns and caused me no trouble. I don't care much for the shape of the Kimber grip safety, but other than that (a minor thing) the guns functioned and shot just fine. I do agree Kimber is guilty as charged on the bling thing, but that must appeal to some buyers and if that is their chosen market, so be it.

 

[Engineer1911]

BobbyV,

Perfection is difficult to manufacture, and almost impossible to sell at an affordable price.

Buy an all stainless gun (with just a few cheap plastic parts), a couple of Scotch Brite pads, replace the plastic parts, buff with Scotch Brite, and you will have the perfection you seek.

Been there, done that, and listened to "perfectionist" friends complaints for years about new guns-- who don't do an adequate inspection before accepting their gun.

Do we ever learn?

 

[Warren Sear]

^^^^ Where have all the flowers gone?

 

[old&slow]

I only have two Kimber 1911's, and they were purchased several years ago. I have no idea how many hundreds of rounds I have shot thru both of them.
The Stainless Target II has worked flawlessly since I got it. The Tactical Ultra II , from the start, would jam / failure to feed the last round with the one cheap magazine Kimber supplied.. I figured it was the mag. and I purchased 4 new Wilson mags for it. Same thing, FTF on the last round.
I called Kimber and told them the problem and asked them to give me someplace to look to fix the problem.. They said, Why ? Sent it back to the factory it's under warranty. In about 4 or 5 week I got my firearm back and it hasn't missed a lick since.

From the pictures you showed , I guess I don't understand,, or I'm not seeing what you are referring too.
If the firearms had those wear marks on it when you purchased it.. And those wear marks are so important to you . Then why did you purchase it ?

 

[Rock185]

Having owned a half dozen Kimbers over the last 15 years or so, have to say I've never seen milling marks like those in the ejection port area of the slide. I'd be disappointed too. As to the Kim Pro finish. It has been my observation that any of these "Hi Tec", basically painted on finishes by whatever process or name, will show wear wherever metal moves against metal and on impact surfaces, firing pin stops, breech faces,etc. Perhaps I have just been unusually fortunate, but my Kimbers have been good guns, well worth the purchase price to me....ymmv

 

[Fishinfool]

If I listened to every complaint on the internet about how a certain brand or model of gun was "junk", then I guess I would have to take up golf, because obviously none of the guns I own, or are available to us mere mortals, are fit to buy.

Amazingly, all my guns seem to work though. Hummmm?

Just lucky I guess...

Larry

 

[Cyrano]

I paid a little less than $500 for this RIA Compact about four years ago. It's had about 300 rounds through it, including a lot of SWC which the instruction book says may not feed. Never had a bobble. Doesn't have the tool marks on the inside either. Inexpensive doesn't always mean cheap.