Kimber 1911

[LePetomane]

Does anyone out there own a Kimber handgun and if so, what do you think of it? I'd like to buy a 1911 and subscribe to the "one and done" concept. I want a semi compact .45 ACP and that limits my choices to Kimber and Para. Thoughts?

[westhope]

I have several Kimbers. One had a terrible trigger that I was not able to improve without replacing the hammer. I knew it had a bad trigger when I bought it and thought I could fix it easily. I couldn't and needed to buy a new hammer. Now it is a crisp 4 pounds like all my 1911's.

Other than that, the other Kimbers I have worked fine for me. I do not like 1911's with barrels shorter than 4 inches. I have one or two shorter barrels (other brands) and they are picky about ammo choices.

Other brands I have are Colt, Springfield, Sig and Wilson.

[Erud]

If you're a "one and done" kind of guy, I wouldn't go with a Kimber. I've had 4 of their pistols. 3 were riddled with problems, but the 4th was great. I've also owned one of their rifles, a Montana in .308 that had to be sent back to the factory twice because it would not shoot better than around 3 MOA with any ammo. I'm talking 3-shot groups, not 5, and I do know how to shoot a rifle. It still wasn't any better after the second trip back and the receipt said it was "within specs". This was a $1000 gun. I sold it at a deep loss as a project rifle. Did I mention that their CS was also terrible?

So, in my limited personal experience, 20% of kimber's firearms are great. No more for me.

Also, as above poster stated, short 1911's are prone to issues. If you want a small .45, I'd look at a different design entirely. A 1911 government model is a thing of pure beauty, anything shorter is an abomination.


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[cobb]

A Kimber PRO CDP is my primary carry and with thousands of 200 gr Speer Gold Dot +P through it, still zero problems. I have owned a few, back in the late 90's use to shoot IDPA with one and it ran just fine. With that said, I still have 2 Kimbers, both PRO CDP's, one shot a lot and carried all the time. But both of mine are the pre Series II, that may be the reason for zero problems.

If I was picking between a Kimber and a Para, I would definitely go with the Kimber. I have heard a lot more problem stories with a Para compared to a Kimber, but I am sure someone will step in and disagree.

[bstrawse]

I've owned several Kimbers. I have a Kimber SIS Pro that has been flawless along with a Kimber CDP Classic that has also been flawless.

I do not recommend their "ultra" sized 1911's as I've had too many issues with them - I've owned two.

I carried the SIS Pro for two years before switching to a Springfield TRP (in 5" size). I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.... but if I was going for the one and done approach, I'd probably buy the Springfield TRP or Loaded and be done
B

[Spartan]

I have two kimbers made in the 1990s and my buddy had 3 1990s kimbers and all them are fantastic.... I bought a brand new custom from Marv at frontiersman and the Ultra carry used from paul at frontiersman .... both have been incredible....also . the custom is the basic fullsize.... no real frills but not a GI model...... 3500 rounds no issues ... shot better than my colt right out of the box .... the ultra carry is an officer size ... its awesome ..2500 rounds no failures of any kind.... it was used ( barely) when I bought it... nice trigger... nice feel ... I carry it as one of two primary carry options
sig p938 in 9mm or the Ultra carry in 45.....

I know a guy who has the compact para .... three years now he is trying to make it work..... I have never seen it work correctly.... 6-7 times at the range ... if it was mine it would have been gone after the first couple trips and fixes...

[870TC]

I've owned 8 or 9 Kimber 5" guns, 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm, .45. All have been without fault and I would consider them better than alot of other name brands. The shorter 1911's often are finicky about ammo, of the 4 I have owned, 2 worked (1 colt 1 Springfield) and 2 did not (colts). My former boss was forever buying Springfield compact (less than 4") 1911's, never saw one that was reliable with factory hardball.

[westhope]

My former boss was forever buying Springfield compact (less than 4") 1911's, never saw one that was reliable with factory hardball.

I have a Springfield 3 inch compact. For me, the ONLY round it will function reliably with is 230 gr. hardball.

When I carry a 1911, it is a Officers grip Kimber CDP 4 inch barrel. Same as several others above have mentioned. (Actually the one I replaced the hammer on as I noted above.)

For me a 4 (or 4 1/4) inch 1911 is just as comfortable to carry as a shorter 3 or 3 1/2 inch barrel but easier to aim because of the longer sight radius. For me, a full size 5 inch barrel is just too long when I am seated. The shorter Officer's grip is also easier to carry and fits my smaller hand as well as a full size grip. I would like to try a "Bobtail" grip for carry since it holds one more round than the Officer's grip.

Don't overlook the new Ruger or Remington 1911's.

[mmcnx2]

Most folks here know my view on this, but to restate, I'm not a Kimber fan! I think for the quality they are over priced compared to other companies, the ones I've owned all had reliability issues, FTF and ejection. And while we are talking ejecting, an external ejector on a 1911 is a sin. I had 2 and neither worked out the box and in my house if a new in the box gun does not work form the factory it is gone.

If your in the $1000 range get a nice loaded Springfield. If your price range in more in the $2000 market that is a whole other class of pretty. And if you can go north of that then are get into art.

[cobb]

And while we are talking ejecting, an external ejector on a 1911 is a sin.

None of my Kimbers had external ejectors, that may be the difference in you experience and mine.
Mine have also been mostly series I, I did have a very minor issue with a early series II that was not related to reliability, but an easy fix for me.

[crbutler]

I have one. Its the Match Target II. The only problem I had with it was when I put it back together wrong and it started following. All my fault. I shot IDPA with it for 2-3 years.

That being said, anecdotally, the Kimber pistols have had a fall off in quality since around the mid 2000's. It used to be that they were the wonder guns, always worked, handled everything, great fit and finish, good triggers, etc. Now, it seems that a small percentage are not so good, and their customer service is less than stellar. At the handgun matches I have seen only the rare problem with the full and commander size guns- and those problems are usually mag related. I don't think they have a 20% problem rate, more like 5%, but that is still too high for the price, especially if they don't make the effort to get it right.

[LePetomane]

All good points. Thanks for the input.

[45Badger]

Have have owned a small pile of Kimbers in different sizes and ages. What I have now- three 5" series one Yonkers guns, a 5" Clackamas marked gun, a series one Gold Match, and a Novak customized 25 anniversary gun (also series one). They all run flawlessly and are more accurate than I am.

I have has a few series two guns. Triggers were not as nice as the series ones, so I sold them. Had two early ultra carry guns. One was a disaster, the other good. Sold them.

Guns I wish I still had- a pair of series one Kimber Compact models- 4" bull barrel on top of an officer size frame. Awesome guns that have become very hard to find on he used market- smart people know not to sell them

So, if you are looking for a compact 1911, I think you cannot go wrong with a series one Kimber Compact. I had still frame guns. They also made aluminum frame guns in that model- some had issues with feed ramps getting chewed up, so I would stick with steel. They show up for sale in the national forums, usually north of $800. If you can get one for less than $700, jump on it.

[mmcnx2]

Just a note on Badger, he trades guns more often than most of us change socks, so he may be confused on the guns he shot and the ones he has. He also lives in the fun state of IL, which in itself makes anything he says questionable.

[tman]

And while we are talking ejecting, an external ejector on a 1911 is a sin.

Ok. Then there should be NONE of the following, in no particular order.

Bobbed hammers
Extended beaver tail safeties
Adjustable sights / night sights
Ambidextrous safeties
Full length guide rods
Bushingless barrels
Checkered front straps


Should I go on?



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