Kimber Custom Eclipse II

[Gnote]

Do you kind folks have any comments on these as far as how good they are or if they are worth the money?

We were at Turners and saw one. Looked pretty good but not sure if it is a good buy. When I used to read the 1911Forum, seems like many folks there were having issues with their Kimbers to the point where they would not trust their lives to them...

It has an external extractor also and that seems like something to avoid according to the 1911Forum Kimber members.

If you could get 1911 for around $1100, what would you buy?

Thanks!

[RogerP220]

I have an Eclipse Target II and haven't had any problems at all after 2500 rounds or so. It feeds everything I've given it and extracts it. If you want it because you like the finish, or that it's all stainless, that's fine. The only quip I have with the finish is that the polished flats get scratched quite easily, but that should be expected. However, if someone told you that the Eclipse models are better shooters than the plain-jane Custom II, they are lying. The only real differences are the finish (of course), a checkered front strap and the stainless frame/slide (for the Eclipse).

I've also read the numerous complaints about the series II Kimber's on 1911Forum. I guess if I had to do it over I wouldn't have bought a Kimber. But since mine is reliable and shoots great, I'm a happy camper.

Hope that helps.

[KrazyKevy]

I have a Kimber Eclipse with a external extractor. I love it! It is my favorite shooter, Ive owned 7 hand guns. Several of my friends have shot my Kimber and now they all own one(6 of them), CDP, 2 Tacticals, 2 TLEs, Pro Carry....a couple of my other friends plan to buy Kimbers in the future as well. I know thats kinda hard to believe but it is true. Ive had zero problems with my Kimber(+2000rds), it eats everything..none of my friends have had problems as well. Ive owned some SA 1911s and IMO Kimbers fit and finish is better. My friends Colt XSE IMO wassint close to the quality and they cost the same price...Kimber felt alot tighter and more solid, and cycled smoother. Well it is how I felt about it and it is my opinion, others may see it differently. And I certainly wouldnt say Kimber is the top tier 1911, I'd love to get a Les Baer, Wilson, STi, NightHawk or even a Rock River...just dont have the $ right now to take that big a plunge. If I was to do it all over again the first gun I'd buy would be a Kimber.

A lot of people always argue the point of "would you trust your life with them". The thing is, a lot of highly accurate guns are unreliable in life and death situations. Highly reliable usually means loose tolerances, which equals inaccurate. Accuracy calls for tighter tolerances, which means reliablity goes down...this usually accounts for most guns, BUT higher quality guns are extremely reliable and that is why you pay that extra $1-2k. I myself wouldnt use my Kimber for home defense it is strictly for target.

[M1A Rifleman]

I have a TLE II, bought new this year. After three returns to Kimber, it now seems to function fine.

[GTKrockeTT]

I have a TLE II, bought new this year. After three returns to Kimber, it now seems to function fine.

nothing like reliability out of the box.

[M1A Rifleman]

nothing like reliability out of the box.

I also can't say much for their barrels - these are the roughest looking things, full of tool marks and gouges - and after 3 different barrels, I found they all look about the same - some worse, but non better.

[Ratters]

I have one of the Custom Shop ones from a few years ago. Love the thing, has internal extractor though. Been stone reliable and very accurate. After shooting mine three other people liked it so much they bought themselves one.

Though, I think you would be just as well served with a TLE and a bunch of ammo. BTW, if you are in the bay area, Irvington Arms in Fremont has good prices on Kimbers and can order what you want. I almost bit on a TLE they had in their case a few months ago.

[s281c]

I've got 7, never had a problem with any of them, and I tend to prefer them over any of my other factory 1911's.

Pro Carry SLE
Stainless Covert
Stainless Ultra Carry
Super Match II
Ultra 10 II
Ultra Elite
Ultra Shadow LE II

Although I must say I'm impressed by the S&W 1911's the one's I've got have been reliable and are well made.

[ohsmily]

Get a Springfield TRP or simply a loaded model if you want to save some money.

I have many 1911's and find my Springfields to be the most solid. Kimbers are OK too, but NEVER shoot +P loads in a Kimber, they are not designed for it (apparently) and have many failures of various parts from them. About 2 years ago, SDPD approved almost every 1911 on the CA DOJ list for duty carry. Months later they removed Kimbers from the list because they were seeing ones that locked backed during firing (when not empty) and a few cracked frames (I SAW THEM PERSONALLY). Now SDPD still allows their officers to carry Kimbers, but they assess this on a gun by gun basis.
Anyway, get a Springfield loaded model or the TRP if you want to spend the 1100 you mentioned.

[NwG]

Own 2 1911's.. Both Kimbers.. One is a old Custom Calssic with 10,000+ rounds.. maybe 3-4 FTFire/feed in those 10k.. My other is a Eclipse Target II, really love the looks and has had no FTF in 3,000+ rounds.. I would put my life on eather one..

I couldn't tell you why so many people bad mouth Kimbers.. Misuse of any handgun can cause it to fail.. 1911's espicaly high-end tight ones, take a certin "1911 knowhow" to preform flawlesly.. Just as anyother pistol does..

LAPD swat uses Kimber, US Special Forces use Kimber, and best of all.. I use Kimber ....

I can tell you that my old loose Custom Classic is VERY fast.. It shoots like a race gun.. But it will shoot a 2" group vs. a 1"...

[Equalizer]

Kimber TLE

I have read the posts and I am dismayed, I have no loyalty to Kimber however I just keep shooting my TLE and it has never hiccuped. Its my pillow gun and it wouldn't be if I didn't trust it.
Bill