Kimbers: Why So Much Hate?

[Merc1138]

Also, here's a recent example of Kimber's superb customer service.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=610286

Since when is blatant negligence on the part of the owner, a reflection of the manufacturer's customer service?

I don't like kimber because of plastic parts on steel guns that cost $900. Not that I have a problem with plastic on my guns, but if I'm going to pay that much for a 1911, it shouldn't have plastic where metal should be. But hey, if I go up another tier to kimber's $1300 guns, I get a proper MSH

Then there is the matter of some of their barrels having a lack of finish. I don't have any experience with it first hand, but it's something you see repeated constantly.

[glockman19]

I purchased a Kimber Stainless Target in the late 90's. It was my second 1911 but not my first Auto (the first being a Colt Gold Cup 80's series) which didn't even come close as far as accuracy and fit and finish.

My Kimber is a 70's series weapon which is slightly different than the current series available from Kimber. I've found the Kimber to be a very accurate and well made weapon. It is one of my most accurate, if not, the most accurate auto I own. Without getting into to many details, I'm very experienced when it comes to handguns in most every aspect and over 30 years of varying knowledge in connection to small arms weapons.

So my question is, how come I've heard so many negative comments regarding Kimbers?
Has something changed with Kimbers since I purchased mine back in the late 90's? Or is it like anything else, some people just hate the brand and some people love them.

A well made gun is just that. I'm having trouble understanding that if current Kimbers are as well made and accurate as the Kimber I have, it would be very hard for any gun enthusiast to not love this gun, even if you don't like the 1911 platform.

Let the argument begins!

Triple

Because Kimber produces more handguns than the next three combined you will have more people with issues. As a persentage of production they all are prety close but the raw numbers of Kimber are larger.

I have 4 kimbers and regret selling the 5th a Custom II.

IMHO kimber makes great 1911's. entry level or custom shop they stand behind their product 100%

[drkphibr]

I've read they come rusted from factory. I don't own one but rented a custom and it was prone to jam.

- 1 ^

Read about them...
Don't own one...
Rented one that I'd be wiling to bet was used, abused and hadn't seen any CLP in a long time
Exactly the kind of perspective that gives any mfg a bad name/rep

So I own 'em
I clean and lube them (just like any other 1911)
Have no issues with rust
No FTF, FTE or any types of jam
Would say out of the box the most accurate moderate end 1911's I've shot
I quite frankly don't get the Kimber bashing at all.

[TripleThreat]

Kimbers started off as custom guns, and then went mass-production, hence the two conflicting stories.

There has been some really good information posted here. The hope is that some potential owners have gained some insight.

But the post above answers the basic question. Kimber started off as custom guns. I know when I purchased mine and for at least a few years afterwords they were all the rave. Mine is very accurate. I did a back to back accuracy test and it nudged out the Sig P220, but is was ever so slight. It is my most accurate big bore Auto.

After finding Calguns I became interested in guns again, so to be quite frank it's been years since I've kept of with the latest and greatest in connection to handguns and hadn't purchased a handgun in 10 years or so. Can't say the same thing for this year though. I discovered CZ, wanted to get this and that, it would've been cheaper to of become a crack addict.

Thanks everyone for the great replies,

Triple

[sholling]

I've got a Kimber I bought in the 90s and it's been a good little pistol. The problem is that in my opinion they've gone down hill a bit. They make really-really pretty products with what in my opinion is marginal engineering and iffy build quality and poor support. What I mean by marginal engineering is their rather light duty implementation of a Swartz firing pin safety. It's so light duty that it's excluded from the short warranty.

By iffy build quality I refer to their put 500-1000 ($200-400) worth of break-in rounds through it and call us back after the stupid short 1yr warranty has expired policy for repairs. There is no reason in the world that a properly setup 1911 needs a 500rd break-in to work reliably and if a 1911 does need 500rds to become reliable it's because something was left too tight or too rough or both when it left the factory. They got away with this for a long time because a lot of the yuppies that bought them loaded them and tossed them in a drawer and then went back to their 60-80hr work weeks and never got around to shooting them until after they were out of warranty. And because a lot of newbie customers that do shoot them didn't know that a 1911 is supposed to work as soon as it's cleaned, lubed, and properly fed. A 100-200rd break-in/reliability test is a good idea but 500rds shouldn't be required before they make their product work. Finally there's the 1 year warranty. Nearly everyone else warrantys their 1911s for the life of the original purchaser. A 1 year warranty just tells me that they have little to no confidence in their products. Other than those few things they're great and really-really pretty.

The bottom line for me is that I only buy their products when it's the only choice on the list that meets my requirements and I avoid recommending them because of the break-in nonsense and short warranty. Once they fix the above issues I'll start recommending them. FWIW my last $1100 Kimber came with a way too tight extractor - fortunately anything shy of a major defect or catastrophic failure I can fix myself.

[XVIga_Rob]

I have a TLE that just hit the 500 round "break in" and no issues. In the last 25yrs, I've had other 1911's that were nothing more than glorified POS's.
The MIM parts really don't bother me too much. If they did, I'd change them out just like I did with the FLGR & grips.
As for the warranty period. Sure, I'd love to see them make it lifetime.

Would I buy another? Yes, I will.

[robx007]

I rented a custom II - no issues with 50 rds - first 1911 I ever shot and loved it

My friend has a Raptor II - awesome gun, great looking and no hiccups through "break in" and beyond

Sometimes I think the love for the SA warranty blinds people into not even considering Kimbers...

[InGrAM]

Plastic MSHings. That is about the only thing I don't like about Kimber 1911's.
Who wants to pay $1500+ for a 1911 that comes with a plastic MSHing?

[JMP]

With guns, ou usualy get what you pay for. Kimbers offer great value. My shooting ability isn't quite up to the level of a custom 1911, so the Kimber is just fine for me--no malfunctions.

[INFAMOUS762X39]

No regrets on my first 1911: Kimber TLE II, she is a keeper. Next on the list: Les Baer, Colt, Springer Custom.


Here is a interesting 1911 Video from Pete from the Armory Channel. You guys should check it out in relation to this thread. "Don't know how to embed sorry."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkXu1ZkJexY&list=UU_yFwaCnvs9fM_-1o35lTFA&index=2&feature=plcp

[FLAWLS1]

Here's my personal experience with my Kimber TLE/RL II. I bought it almost 2 years ago brand new and I have NEVER and I mean NEVER had any kind of problems whatsoever. No FTE, FTF, etc.! It has been flawless and If I had to choose one of my pistols to take with me it would be the Kimber. My TRP and G19 has never had issues either, but I have more rounds through the Kimber, hence my decision. Now, my Sig Scorpion 1911 has had a few FTF.

[Cuda440]

My Raptor II has been great to me, no problems ever. As far as Kimber CS- I wouldn't know, never needed it.

Some others seem to have received good service from kimber recently though.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=525761

[08GTCS]

I've got a Kimber Super Carry Custom that I love. No FTFs, no FTEs, very accurate, probably had close to 1k rounds through it in the 10 months that I've had it. I clean and lubricate it after every trip to the range and I'd have no problem trusting my life with it and carrying it. I'd have no problem buying another Kimber.

[STR]

My Custom II has been great, over 3000 rds and no issues.

I keep it clean and lubed. As a kid in Ohio I learned how important it is to keep guns from rusting, humidity there is ridiculous compared to most of CA. If I ever have rust issues here I'd have to think I'm doing something very wrong.

Mine has fed all kinds of factory ammo and over 300 rds of my newb reloads, all using Win 231. I installed an ambi safety from Kimber over 1500 rds ago, and it's running great.

[Capybara]

Because they are made in NY? People hate New York. ;-)