Kimber Custom II (Sights/Trigger) Question

[MSY89]

Really not enjoying the 5.5# trigger pull on my new Custom II so I'll most likely be getting a trigger job. I also find it quite hard to aim perfectly with the flat back combat sights that come with the Custom II so I'll be opting for a set of Meprolights(hopefull the wedge version!). My question for guys is:

Should I just have Kimber do the trigger and sights all at once?
The pricing would be:
$175 - Trigger Job (guaranteed 3#-3.75#)
$122(142) - Regular Night Sight (Wedge Night Sight)
$35 - Installation fee for Night Sight
$27.50(S&H)

Total: $360($380 w/ wedge sights)

Or should I just purchase the Night Sights and have them installed by local gunsmith who could also do a nice trigger job? I'm between San Diego, L.A., and Ventura all the time so if anyone can recommend another gunsmith in one of those areas who is trustworthy and can beat those prices by a good amount...I'm interested.


Thanks for looking guys.

[DArBad]

I would let Kimber Inc. do the sights, the trigger job will be farmed out elsewhere.

Kimber's sights are well known to be really hard to remove since they were installed using a hydraulic press (from what I've read) at the factory.

[Can't buy anything here]

If you don't carry it and really don't need night sights, you may want to consider having kimber put a set of adjustable targets on it...that's my plan after my night sights die...

[Maltese Falcon]

Check out this guy for sights...He might offer insight on the Kimbers.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=393331

.

[jeffrice6]

Kimber's sights are well known to be really hard to remove since they were installed using a hydraulic press (from what I've read) at the factory.

+1000 ~ Couldn't drift my rear, just managed to ding the hell out of it

[Aldemar]

I had a set of Dawson Precision fiber-optic (adjustable rear) put on mine.

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/

How many rounds do you have thru the pistol? You may want to wait a bit before having any trigger work done. They tend to smooth out after 1,000 or so rounds.

I've got a TLE/RL II as well as a Target II and went thru the trigger deal with both of them.

If you are looking for an excellent 1911 smith, try Jim Hoag in Canoga Park. Old school and reasonable. Ask to see his longslide 1911!!

Edit: if you are going to have Kimber do the work, look at the tritium sights that come on the TLE/RL II. (have the front done as well). Excellent in my opinion although the rear is non-adjustable.

[MSY89]

I had a set of Dawson Precision fiber-optic (adjustable rear) put on mine.

http://www.dawsonprecision.com/

How many rounds do you have thru the pistol? You may want to wait a bit before having any trigger work done. They tend to smooth out after 1,000 or so rounds.

I've got a TLE/RL II as well as a Target II and went thru the trigger deal with both of them.

If you are looking for an excellent 1911 smith, try Jim Hoag in Canoga Park. Old school and reasonable. Ask to see his longslide 1911!!

Edit: if you are going to have Kimber do the work, look at the tritium sights that come on the TLE/RL II. (have the front done as well). Excellent in my opinion although the rear is non-adjustable.

I only have about 100 rds through it(still in the shop at the moment), but I've gotten mixed feedback as to whether or not 1000+ rounds down the barrel would help the trigger out at all. Some guys swear the break-in helps the trigger while others say to ship it to Kimber as soon as possible...

Do the target sights with the Tritium front piece work really well(adjustable rear)? I always though they were somewhat less aesthetically pleasing than the regular or even wedged Meprolight sights... But if they work significantly better I would definitely consider them.

Has Jim Hoag worked on your Kimbers? He's actually pretty local to me and I've heard alot of good things about him.

[MSY89]

Also, does anyone have Jim Hoag's contact information by any chance? I don't believe he has a website...

[Aldemar]

I only have about 100 rds through it(still in the shop at the moment), but I've gotten mixed feedback as to whether or not 1000+ rounds down the barrel would help the trigger out at all. Some guys swear the break-in helps the trigger while others say to ship it to Kimber as soon as possible...

Do the target sights with the Tritium front piece work really well(adjustable rear)? I always though they were somewhat less aesthetically pleasing than the regular or even wedged Meprolight sights... But if they work significantly better I would definitely consider them.

Has Jim Hoag worked on your Kimbers? He's actually pretty local to me and I've heard alot of good things about him.

The Triitium sights on my TLE/RL do not have an adjustable rear, but they were dead on from the factory. The ones I had installed on my Target were the fiber-optic ones with the adjustable rear. The TLE is my HD gun so that's why the Tritium. The Target is a 9mm and I fire it more than anything else. My eyes are not as good as they used to be hence the fiber optics. I went with the red rear and green front; you can specify any combination you want.

What sights you get would depend on your primary use. Personally, I care more about function than aesthetics but everybody is different.

Jim did the installation of the sights and I highly recommend him. He has a "reliability package" where he goes thru the entire gun and makes any necessary adjustments/polishing. The last time I checked, the price was $75.00 - quite a bargain. Drop off the gun, have him install the sights and do the reliability package and you will have your gun back in a week or less.

Here is contact info.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hoag-gun-works-canoga-park

[MSY89]

Edit: Asked a question you guys already answered. Whoops...

Thanks for your replies everybody, appreciate all the help.

Aldemar, when I finally get my Kimber out of the shop we should shoot sometime, I think we're somewhat local.

[b_k]

I recently had Alan Tanaka at AT Custom Works put in my Heinie Ledge rear and Novak fronts. It was $80 to put in both front and rear sights. He did a good job, turn around time was a day or two and quickly responded to my emails.

http://www.americanpistol.com/guild_member.php?mbrid=66

[Aldemar]

Edit: Asked a question you guys already answered. Whoops...

Thanks for your replies everybody, appreciate all the help.

Aldemar, when I finally get my Kimber out of the shop we should shoot sometime, I think we're somewhat local.

No problem. I live very close to the Northridge Firing Line. Send me a PM when you are in the area.

[Newshooter]

Which sights do you recommend? I am stuck between two Kimbers. One had night sights and the other has a target sight. Which one do you prefer and why? Any help is much appreciated.

[Aldemar]

Which sights do you recommend? I am stuck between two Kimbers. One had night sights and the other has a target sight. Which one do you prefer and why? Any help is much appreciated.

I think it depends on what you will use the pistol for the majority of the time.

If it's going to be your primary HD gun, I would get the TLE/Rl II that comes with the night sights; the rail also lets you mount a light - I use a Surefire x300. One word of caution though: activating the light makes the tritium 'disappear' for a short period of time.

For target or competitive shooting, get the adjustable target sights. If you don't care for the black ones, just replace them as I did.

If it's going to be your only gun for awhile, I'd get the TLE/RL II, better safe at home than a little better at the range. Ad the target gun(s) later.

[Newshooter]

Thanks for the input!

It will mostly be a range gun.

I am between the Stainless TLE II, Stainless Target II and the Tactical Custom II. I am also on the fence for $100.00 more for the Eclipse Target.