Kimber questions.

[CSACANNONEER]

You meant Mimber? They only have a one year warranty and the service is hit or miss according to some. I do have a Mimber and it has gone back once for faulty adjustable rear sights.

Funny, After well ovewr 25000 rounds and seven years of ownership, I sent mine in due to a broken hammer. They did all the tune up and repairs that I asked for, changed the night sites (on their own) and sent it back to me within a week. The only thing I paid for was shipping it there. They knew full well that I had been shooting reloads since, I had spoken to Winslow about this gun in person and he asked to see the broken hammer. It wasn't reloads that broke anything though. If anything it was from shooting hot factory ammo or it was just a case of Scat Happens. Either way, their customer service can't be beat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[L-2]

I've got a "Custom TLE II" as I see some of the others here have, too.

I could recommend it, but it's not my only Kimber and there are so many models and features available from that brand.

You'll have to decide on a few things:
3" Ultra
4" Pro or
5" Custom

Finish/material: blued/stainless/oxide/Kimpro II (painted)/steel/aluminum alloy?
Picatinny rails?
Sights: adjustable/night/fixed only
Caliber: there are some non-.45ACP calibers available
Frontstrap Checkering: yes/no?

Otherwise, if used, I'll recommend ensuring getting an internal extractor (current type) model; steel or stainless steel frame; 5" barrel (to minimize any other potential problems, not necessarily Kimber-related)

[bigcalidave]

You meant Mimber? They only have a one year warranty and the service is hit or miss according to some. I do have a Mimber and it has gone back once for faulty adjustable rear sights.

And out of the woodwork, just on cue, a kimber hater who doesn't actually have a clue!

Just like CSA, after having my pro CDP2 for 10 years, I had cleaned the barrel a while back and forgot to oil it and it got some surface discoloration, and the night sights had gone dim. I sent it back to them, only paid for shipping there, and received a completely refinished slide and barrel back! Looked brand new.

[Rhatical]

Having both a full size and carry, I have to chalk it up to "Kimber envy" on their part. My favorite gun to shoot is the Kimber Custom Eclipse II, and it looks hot! Has performed perfectly since changing out the crummy Kimber OEM magazines for Wilson Combat magazines.

I recommend a model that has front strap checkering for a great hold, and personally prefer their fixed night sights. The carry version is much tougher to shoot accurately for me, but has never had a single hiccup in feeding/ejecting.

The only other 1911 that I have liked shooting as much as my Kimber is the Dan Wesson commander classic bobtail (4" barrel). Have been super happy with 2 different models/sizes of Kimber 1911's, and would buy another without any hesitation at all

[Shenaniguns]

There's really nothing wrong with Kimber. Their reputation went to the dumpster when they were using their proprietary external extractor, which simply put, was a piece of crap. They have now gone back to internal extractors. Some also prefer 1911s without a firing pin safety, Kimber uses a Swartz safety activated by the grip safety. Issues with the Swartz safety can be that it isn't timed correctly, or once you field strip it, the pushrod protudes too far from the frame that you cannot put the slide back on.

Otherwise, people just like to hate on Kimber. They use a lot of MIM parts, "Dennis" is seen a lot in quotes from their CS, and their basic black oxide finish wears really easily. I'm guilty of poking fun at Kimber a lot of times, but I'm a Kimber owner and enjoy shooting mine.

However, if you're looking for a "commander" size 1911, I would look for a true commander length 1911, such as a Colt, Smith & Wesson or Dan Wesson. Not only that, the Tactical model has a alloy frame, so you're limited in magazines that don't chew up your feed ramp.

Of course, everything I've mentioned is on a YMMV basis. Just some thoughts to consider.

Those are my problems with them...

[CSDGuy]

Kimbers, on the whole, seem to be pretty good guns for the money. While I don't have one, it's on my list of 1911 pistols to acquire when I can. Yes, I have shot some and I find them very pleasant. My 1911A-1 is a Springfield. While it's good, Kimbers are just smoother feeling when you shoot them.

And when you buy one, take it home, and clean/lube it properly. Then go break it in for 500 rounds. If you get a malfunction or two (typically fail to feed) during that time, don't worry about it. Just don't forget to clean/lube when you're done shooting. You should have zero problems after that and you'll have a very reliable companion. Just change the springs after every 2500 rounds or so and it'll last a LONG time.

Or so I hear.

[SixtyDashOne]

I have two Kimbers, a Grand Raptor II and an Ultra Crimson Carry II. Never had an issue with either. My Springfield TRP is still my favorite but the Kimbers are great guns as well.

[zman]

And out of the woodwork, just on cue, a kimber hater who doesn't actually have a clue!

Just like CSA, after having my pro CDP2 for 10 years, I had cleaned the barrel a while back and forgot to oil it and it got some surface discoloration, and the night sights had gone dim. I sent it back to them, only paid for shipping there, and received a completely refinished slide and barrel back! Looked brand new.

Did you see the emoticons on my post??? I AM A KIMBER OWNER and it's not going to leave my small collection. I just happen to state the "usual" comments about Kimbers.

Now, if you are saying that Kimbers do have Lifetime Warranties, then that's good for me too, except the literature on my gun says 1 year.

[sirnonz]

irvington arms has a selections of kimbers last time i was there

[POLICESTATE]

I've got a "Custom TLE II" as I see some of the others here have, too.

That's my exact gun, finish, grips everything. Kind of wish the hammer, barrel, FLGR and trigger were blacked out too, then it would be an EBP like my Sig

[POLICESTATE]

Ahhhh the beauty...


Should have wiped it down better before I took a pic of it.

[ocspeedracer]

i had a Kimber TLE II and it blew chunks, internal extractor. every problem in the book but when it shot, great accuracy.
I recoment a Springfield as they are still pretty much like Colt's series 70, no firing pin bs.

[randy]

Kimbers are great guns but have no soul. Kind of like rice burner may go fast just don't have any soul.

[jaymz]

My 10mm Custom Eclipse II has been flawless. All the haters can pound sand. Can't buy a better 1911 for the money.

[pklin1297]

Kimbers are great guns but have no soul. Kind of like rice burner may go fast just don't have any soul.

Interesting take on it...

A Kimber full size stainless series I was the very first firearm I've ever owned. Saved the money and bought it for myself a couple of days after turning 21 many moons ago. Eventually sold it to try some other platforms but eventually got another one years later... Have had much fun with mine and after 9 years it is still shooting true, only things I have done are replacing the MIM and plastic parts (mainspring housing), and having Chuck Rogers of Rogers Precision break all the sharp edges and do his reliability package. Alan Tanaka in Gardena checkered the front strap for me.

This is what it looks like today: