my wifes first 1911

[ulloa79]

So my wife and i went looking for a handgun and we both wanted something in a 45 caliber well she chose the kimber stainless ii i never shot a kimber before but hear nothing but good things anybody have a kimber and maybe a review on yours?

[fmunk]

Kimber's customer service isn't so great. On the bright side the guns rarely have problems.

[newguy83]

i never shot a kimber before but hear nothing but good things anybody have a kimber and maybe a review on yours?

have you been living in a cave? i dont even go on 1911 forums and i still hear TONS of negative **** about kimber.

[negolien]

/sigh take your 59 posts back to off topic...Nice pick that's a good looking weapon. Now pick what VZs your gonna slap on her lol. Wonder how Zebra would look on a SS. I use Chips shooting star 8 rounders and no issues so there's your which mags to use advice. The Safariland 568 paddle is what I run and the 572 double magazine paddle. As for ammo...I use whatever is cheapest for plinking and Hornaday Critical Defense with some gold dots mixed in halfway thru the mag for defense.

[trigger945]

OP, my wife's gun is a Kimber Tactical Custom II. Shoots very well. I cam imagine the Stainless II is very similar. I also own another Kimber myself and have not had any issues with either of them.

Any advice? Yes, sure. My Kimbers tend to like the stock mags and the Kimpro tac mags so that's another option besides the suggestion above. Shoot good quality ball ammo for the first 500 rounds and clean before first outing and every 100-150 rounds during that time. This is factory recommended. The stock grips actually do the job well. But, they are not pretty. I would recommend checkered wood grips - darker shade is better. My personal choice? Kimber silver/black wood grips. These are the ones on the Tactical Custom. I had a Stainless II in 9mm before and this was the set up. I would not recommend the Kimber carbon fiber grips.

One other thing. Don't change any parts yet. Shoot until after break in and assess. I don't think you will need to change any part.

Cleaning - use standard stuff. I use frog lube and use brushes and bore snakes. Easy to clean. But don't press the grip safety when putting it back or a latch pops up from the frame preventing you from putting the slide properly. If that happens push that latch down, and put the slide back without pressing the grip safety.

PM me if I can be of further help.

And yeah, don't believe those who haven't owned a Kimber and talk crap about it. They read something and take that as the truth. Worse part is they pick and choose what to retain and relay. Listen to CURRENT and FORMER Kimber owners for tips.

[trigger945]

By the way, I forgot to tell you... I love both of our Kimbers. They will stay with the family... I have 3 other 1911's and they do NOT replace the Kimbers. They always have a good spot.

I hope yours will, too

[trigger945]

OP, here are some pics of the grips I mentioned earlier so you have an idea.

The first two show the silver/black wood grips Kimber puts on the Tactical Custom II as standard grips.

The last pic shows the carbon fiber grips that I don't recommend. But it's totally up to you of course. VZ grips would work as well.

[wayno21]

I own a Kimber Warrior, I did have FTF, FTE issues with it right out of box, sent it back 3 times, I replaced the kimber mags with Wilson 47DE, (11) total, 18.5 pound recoil spring replaced by Kimber factory and replaced the factory grips with G10 aggressive checkering panels. Kimber did do some polishing of chamber and ramp. It will run any ball ammp with out issues and Ranger SXT. Kimber indicated a tight chamber and barrel lockup was most likely the cause. I have received great customer care regarding my first issues, however, now I just dont have a need for service. It runs with out issue.

[glockman19]

I owned 5 Kimbers, regret selling my Custom II. Still have a pro carry II and the Raptor, Pro and Ultra II's.
First, Kimber produces more 1911's than ALL others combined, so, yes you will likely hear of more issues because more of them are out there. The QC is comparable to any other firearms manufacturer. Years ago there were issues with Swartz safety, MIM, parts and external extractors but they are in the past.
Kimber makes a great affordable, entry level 1911 in the Custom II, blued or stainless.
The only issue I ever had was with my Pro Carry II, I sent it back and it has shot thousands of rounds flawlessly ever since.
Dennis is also a kick to talk with.

[Simi-Surfer]

Sorry, no Kimber for me, but have a couple Springfield's and have had no problems what so ever. They have the best customer service and great warranty on all the firearms.

[skosh69]

To the OP, buy the Kimber and don't look back. The reason you hear so much hatred about Kimber is because they out sell any other manufacturer out there. Kimber sells in the neighborhood of 70K pistols a year, give or take.

Ya, with that many units you are bound to have issues. Kimber is like the Vizio brand of the 1911 world.

Hell, even Nighthawk, Wilson Combat and other top makes have guns that have issues.

To those that say their customer service sucks, have you ever used them? I myself and plenty of others have had nothing but positive results with their customer service.

Bottom line, you can't believe all the hatred you hear/read on the internet.

[Bsandoc40]

Never had a problem with my Kimber. Everyone has their favorite 1911 maker. There is no such thing as a "perfect" 1911.

Be it.. Kimber, Springfield Armory, RIA or the higher end makers... Nighthawk, Ed brown, Wilson Comabt, Dan Wesson.

All have fans and critics.... get something you and your wife likes and then...

SHOOT IT!!!

[ewarmour]

My Kimber Stainless Raptor II has been flawless so far (about 400 rounds or so) and is single ragged hole accurate with premium HP ammo, and very accurate with bulk ball ammo.

[ulloa79]

Thanks for all the replies !

[trigger945]

So...... What's the decision? Or you already put it ib jail and just need thoughts from people?