Kimber Raptor II ?

[MROrens]

So I am not that familiar with 1911's. I was at the LGS checking out the full size Raptor II. The slide movement felt very nice and smooth. I liked it a lot. My question is, how does the Ultra Raptor compare? Is it as smooth? I imagine it may not be just for the shorter parts. Thanks guys.

[heidad01]

All Kimbers I have come across were fine 1911s that includes the Ultra. The question is, do you want a carry gun? The only use for an Ultra Raptor is if you need a carry piece.

[9mmepiphany]

how does the Ultra Raptor compare?

Due to it's shorter barrel/slide, it will have a smaller window of reliability

[MROrens]

I have this desire to only have handguns that I can carry, for some reason. However, I have plenty of those already. I am leaning toward a full size 1911 for my next weapon. Thanks for the replies guys. Much appreciated.

[kjv146]

who says you can't carry a full size 1911

[glockman19]

So I am not that familiar with 1911's. I was at the LGS checking out the full size Raptor II. The slide movement felt very nice and smooth. I liked it a lot. My question is, how does the Ultra Raptor compare? Is it as smooth? I imagine it may not be just for the shorter parts. Thanks guys.

I have all 3 Raptor II's and am looing to add the Micro Raptor in .380.

IMHO the Raptor Series from Kimber are some of the nicest well fit handguns they produce, a real Custom Shop gun.

The Ultra Raptor II is just as nice and smooth and tight fit as the full size I have. both are tac drivers and leave one ragged hole in the target. I would carry the Pro or Ultra Raptor's...I wouldn't carry the full size 5" one.

[DArBad]

So I am not that familiar with 1911's. I was at the LGS checking out the full size Raptor II. The slide movement felt very nice and smooth. I liked it a lot. My question is, how does the Ultra Raptor compare? Is it as smooth? I imagine it may not be just for the shorter parts. Thanks guys.

Most Kimber's that I've handled are smooth and nicely fitted. In the Kimber line up, the Raptors are some of the most finely crafted guns made outside a full blown custom and the semi-custom guns.

That said, the smaller 1911s from ALL MANUFACTURER's tend to be more pinicky than the full-sized model. There is a long explanation for this that I will not belabor here.

If you are enamored of the Ultra-Raptor, try renting one or even barrowing from some one before buying as the Raptor line tend to be a little bit pricey and you do not know yet if the recoil impulse is something that is acceptable to you.

Me, I always go for a full sized 1911, whatever the maker.

Good luck.

[jmaglipay]

I have the full size raptor in stainless steel and it has to be one of the best looking 1911 out there. I tried the ultra raptor and the recoil was unmanageable for me.

[GW]

I can tell you I am a very happy owner of a Raptor II
It is very reliable, well built and accurate.
Its in my top 10

[advocatusdiaboli]

who says you can't carry a full size 1911

Some of us aren't as big as Steven Segal and able to hide a full-size 1911 in concealed carry. But if it is true the small frame 1911s aren't as reliable, then I'll stick with my .357 SIG and 9mm Sigs for carry.

Question: do the Kimber Raptor IIs have a mag disconnect safety?
I really don't like that idea for an SD/HD (not concealed: car carry or home defense) gun: you combat reload and don't get the mag in perfectly and suddenly you've turned your already loaded pistol into a paperweight just when your life depends on it.

[LowThudd]

No mag disconnect on ANY 1911 that I have ever heard of. All Kimber II series do have a Swartz firing pin safety, which operates off the grip safety, rather than the trigger like series 80 Colts. My swartz worked fine, untill I was pressing out the rear sight, and the tool got cocked somehow. It deformed the dovetail a bit, and locked up the swartz plunger. I removed all the swartz parts, since I did not want to have a failure. I have a high power firing pin spring, so I am not to concerned about a drop discharge.

I had no fear of the swartz safety functioning fine before that. They seem to work just fine. As much as I love my Custom II, and ALL Kimbers in general, I really don't like the Swartz safety since that mishap(which is rare I am sure). But it also isn't something that would stop me from buying one.

Just my 2 cents.

[WWDHD?]

I have a Raptor 2. Great looking pistol. I just don't like to shoot it as much as my other 1911's.
First of all it had all kinds of problems right out of the box. Long story short; Kimber took it back (paid shipping both ways) and practically rebuilt the gun from the inside out. Kimber CS was good to deal with despite their reputation. Now at least it's reliable.
What I don't like about it now: the trigger is lighter and shorter than my other 1911's & the trigger feels sticky to me, especially on reset. I don't like it the way it is and others who have shot it agree. I might take it to a gunsmith someday to see if an expert can smooth it out.
Did I mention the Raptor is a great looking 1911?
For me the wanting was better than the having as far as the Raptor 2 goes.

[advocatusdiaboli]

I have a Raptor 2. Great looking pistol. I just don't like to shoot it as much as my other 1911's.
First of all it had all kinds of problems right out of the box. Long story short; Kimber took it back (paid shipping both ways) and practically rebuilt the gun from the inside out. Kimber CS was good to deal with despite their reputation. Now at least it's reliable.
What I don't like about it now: the trigger is lighter and shorter than my other 1911's & the trigger feels sticky to me, especially on reset. I don't like it the way it is and others who have shot it agree. I might take it to a gunsmith someday to see if an expert can smooth it out.
Did I mention the Raptor is a great looking 1911?
For me the wanting was better than the having as far as the Raptor 2 goes.

Sorry for the slight thread jack...just this one comment...
Sorry to hear this about Kimber. For me it's not worth the discount.
I've heard that, especially in less than full, length, you'll get the best reliability from the pricey folks like Les Baer and Wilson Combat for two examples. It sounds like I might want to consider those two for a full-length as well. I only want 2 (yeah I know that's how the addiction starts) a full size and a compact for EDC when I feel like one.