Thoughts on Kimber 1911s

[EdinCA]

I've been wanting to get a .45 and I'm currently looking at Kimber 1911. If you go to their website, they make it sound as if their 1911s are the best thing to come along since sliced bread. I'm wondering if Kimber owners actual experiences match up with the website. Right now I'm just trying to understand all the different models and features.

On their website, Kimber states that LAPD SWAT and US Marines assigned to SOCOM as well as LAPD SIS all use Kimber 1911s. Does anyone know which model these organizations use?

I'm looking for something military/LEO tactical in Parkerized black or blued, with Meprolite sights, ambidextrous safety and mag release plus checkered trigger guard and changeable backstrap to get a good fit. I may have to go to the Custom shop to have it made. The closest one I can find is the Tactical II but those are brown.

Any thoughts or advise from Kimber owners or those that have experience with them would be much appreciated.

[Dowjo]

Why kimber? Have you thought of others like Colt, Springfield or Para Ordnance?

[jeffrice6]

Kimber TLE!

[Jet Setter]

IMO, you just pay for the name more than anything else. They make nice handguns - but very overpriced.

[negolien]

yet again

Sigh how bout doing a search or are you just

[WWDHD?]

Don't know of any 1911's with changeable backstraps. I'm sure someone will correct me on that but as far as I know thats mostly a more recent polymer pistol feature.
A lot of the new cool Kimber models out now will have to be SSE'ed (If thats still allowed) because of "THE LIST".
I like the Raptor and the Eclipes models myself. They are pricey and only have a one or two year warranty. I like that they are US made however. Maybe someday (with Big Brothers permission, of course.)
Good luck to you.

[trigger945]

I've been wanting to get a .45 and I'm currently looking at Kimber 1911. If you go to their website, they make it sound as if their 1911s are the best thing to come along since sliced bread. I'm wondering if Kimber owners actual experiences match up with the website. Right now I'm just trying to understand all the different models and features.

On their website, Kimber states that LAPD SWAT and US Marines assigned to SOCOM as well as LAPD SIS all use Kimber 1911s. Does anyone know which model these organizations use?

I'm looking for something military/LEO tactical in Parkerized black or blued, with Meprolite sights, ambidextrous safety and mag release plus checkered trigger guard and changeable backstrap to get a good fit. I may have to go to the Custom shop to have it made. The closest one I can find is the Tactical II but those are brown.

Any thoughts or advise from Kimber owners or those that have experience with them would be much appreciated.

I am a Kimber owner and out of my 10 handguns (some other 1911's, Glocks, revolvers, etc.) my favorite is the Kimber Stainless Raptor II. I guess I can chime in on this thread.

The closest one to what you are looking for is the Kimber TLE II. That's the LAPD gun. Kimber also has the railed version of that, which is the TLE/RL II.

However, if you want a checkered trigger guard, you need to look at the Tactical Custom II. This is not brown, it's actually black. It has an alloy frame though, which is better for carry because of the lighter weight. I had one before. It has all the bells and whistles. If you can find the Tactical Custom HD II, I would say it is even better because it has a steel frame if you are not carrying anyways.

The Warrior II also has many followers, but I am not one of them. Maybe worth looking into.

The CDP II line is also nice, but all guns there have alloy frames.

Their holy grail is the Gold Combat line. I have seen one (the stainless one) and it is beautiful.

I'll add more as I think of more to share.

Good luck! If you are set on Kimber, you are in a good spot. However, don't overlook other brands as they can offer other things as well.

Lastly, it is worthwhile to note the any Kimber with "II" means they have the schwartz (sp?) safety, which is redundant. Not sure if that's a deal breaker.

[trigger945]

Oh yes, there is no such thing as changeable backstrap on Kimbers or other 1911 steel handguns. Grips can be changed to slim grips, but that's about it.

[Abenaki]

I own a Kimber Custome II. I like it alot! It's a great gun!

I would trade it in a heart beat for a Ruger 1911!

Take care
Abenaki

[Abenaki]

I own a Kimber Custome II. I like it alot! It's a great gun!

I would trade it in a heart beat for a Ruger 1911!

Take care
Abenaki

[theshoer]

Google

[Sactocal]

I own 3 Kimbers and I love them. Easy to shoot and maintain. I have an Ultra Covert II, a Stainless Ultra Carry II and a Tactical Custom II. I am planning on adding another 1911 to my safe soon, something with a rail, but every time I go to the shop and hold one of the less expensive Sigs and such, they just don't 'feel' like as much gun to me. Like the difference between a Timex and a Rolex. I am sure others will disagree and I am sure most are probably more experienced and knowledgable than I, but that's my opinion currently.

[mceod]

I own a Kimber and a Springfield. I'll provided my thoughts on each.

Springfield MC Operator
This is a great pistol. While it does have the rail, it is basically a Springfield Loaded model. Fit and finish is pretty good. My slide overhangs the frame on the rear, but it is less than 1/16th of an inch and has no effect on performance. The slide to frame fit has minimal slop and she shoot pretty much everything I have put through her. The pistol was originally equipped with an ambidextrous safety that is very positive. The only two changes I have (both personal preferences) are an extended slide release and an arched main spring housing. I would buy another one of these in a heartbeat, especially at the $1100 price point.

Kimber Custom II:
This is also a fine pistol. It does not have a rail and was originally sold for just shy of $900. Fit and finish were great. Everything lines up evenly and the slide to frame fit was as tight as the Springfield. I have only shot 230 gr, ball ammo, through it, but there has not been a fail to feed or any other issues. I have not made any changes to this pistol, mostly because I like to be able to make the comparison between the two pistols. There is only a single side safety and a flat mainspring housing.

Accuracy:
I have yet to notice any difference in the accuracy of the two pistols. However, with both pistols in basically the same price range, I wouldn't really expect there to be. One advantage the Springfield has over the Kimber is in the sites. The Springfield came from the factory with night sites, while there is not contrast in the site on the Kimber. Is this a personal preference thing, probably, but it is also something I won't have to upgrade later.

Final thoughts:
If I could only buy one more 1911 in this price point between these manufactures, my money would go back to Springfield. But as most around here like to say, I got both just to be sure

Happy Shooting

[Malthusian]

I bought a Kimber TLE/RLII used as; a beater for defensive handgun classes
I have run 4000 rounds through it with no FTF or FTE

I would happily purchase a Springfield loaded or operator if I could find one

Both make fine pistols in the mid 1911 price range

[redcliff]

Oh yes, there is no such thing as changeable backstrap on Kimbers or other 1911 steel handguns. Grips can be changed to slim grips, but that's about it.

I guess it depends upon your definition of backstrap.

On 1911's, the "backstrap" consists of the main spring housing and the grip safety imho.

You can opt for straight, arched or with modification round butt and bobbed mainspring housings. You can choose from a pretty wide selection of standard, ducktail and beavertail grip safeties, some of which will require modification and some which are "drop-in" albeit with a bit of fitting usually.

Additionally, beside thin or standard grips you can choose from short, medium and long triggers.