Any thoughts on Kimber. Kimber Custom 2 $750. At LGS. How do they rate against other 1911 makers in that price range. Thanks.

Get a Springfield loaded or a colt in that price range. The loaded may be a little bit more but it comes with night sights.

I've had 1 good one and 2 with issues. I won't buy anymore.

I woukd go with a Springfield loaded personally. Has night sights and a lifetime warranty unlike kimbers 1 year warranty.. As well as being a better gun and company to deal with.

Another vote for SA

Springfield loaded in that price range.

That sounds like a pretty good price for a new one. I paid $1,100.00 for my new Kimber Custom TLE/RL II in 10mm. Mine came with night sights, match trigger, match barrel, and beveled magazine well. I've owned various Colt Combat Commanders, a Colt Govt. model series 80, a Colt Delta Elite, and several Kimber Pro Carry models. I found that the Kimber models comparable to Colts came with more standard features out of the box like night sights, match trigger and match barrel. I've found all the Kimbers that I have owned to be as reliable as the Colts.

In one case, the Colt Delta Elite had a defect right out of the box. The thumb safety was jammed and I applied so much force trying to move the safety from off to on that the plunger tube broke off of the frame. I purchased the Delta Elite in 1989, new in the box and a friend accompanied me to the gun store and he purchased an identical NIB Delta Elite and he had the same defect. I had owned Colt 1911s for years prior to this and never had any defects or issues like this before. I've been collecting and shooting Kimbers for the last 6 years and never had any issues with any of them. I read that Colt was having money and labor issues at the time I purchased my Delta Elite and that their quality control had suffered terribly during that time period.

If I were you I'd get the Custom TLE II which costs MSRP $1,080.00, so, you should be able to get one for about $900.00. The Custom II includes match trigger, match barrel, and night sights. Night sights are a very important option to have on any pistol used for carry or defensive purposes. I like the option of the TLE/RL II ($1,100.00) because it adds the light rail which is another great option to have in a defensive pistol.

I have owned several Kimber and Springfield Armory 1911's over the years. No major problems with either brand. That said, I like the Springfield Armory 1911's way better.

I love my custom. It's a series one though. It has been fantastic.

I'm going to give a less popular answer...

#1, if you are just asking "is the Custom 2 a good gun?" the answer is "yeah, it's fine".  There is nothing magical about it, but there is also nothing inherently wrong that some basic knowledge can't assist with.

However, if you are asking "is there better stuff I should be considering?" I would answer "yes".  

Inside Kimber's own family, the TLE is a better option.  For not much more money you get night sights and a 25lpi checkered front strap.  Those options alone would cost you $300+ to add to a Custom 2, but the TLE is only $200 more expensive most places.
As others have mentioned, the SA Loaded has the same basic features of the Custom 2 without its drawbacks, and it only costs around $100 more.  A lifetime warranty and night sights are easily worth the difference in price.

So, if you have your heart set on the Custom 2 keep this in mind:

People might hate on it...fuck them.
You might want to change from the FLGR to a GI recoil system, something you would also do on a SA Loaded.
You might want to change the nylon MSH, something you would also do on a SA Loaded to get rid of ILS.
You might want to run Wilson Combat magazines, something you would also do on a SA Loaded.
You might want to change the grips, something you would also do on a SA Loaded.

The barrel is in the white, meaning it is un-finished steel.  Without proper cleaning and oil it will develop surface rust.  Keep it cleaned and oiled between uses.  Also, having the barrel finished can help.
Kimber's has pretty thin parkerizing compared 1911s like the Loaded, which can mean the finish will wear off easier and require more upkeep.  Consider a good holster, proper finish upkeep, or having the gun re-finished in a Kote finish.
Kimber has the Swartz safety...it can be disabled if you are concerned about it, just like SA's ILS.
Kimber has been flagged for questionable MIM small parts.  Shoot the shit out of the gun and replace anything that breaks.
Kimber uses a proprietary sight cut, not Novak.  That limits your options should you want to run different sights.

Now, for some good news...
The frames and slides are usually fit very well on Kimbers.
The barrel and barrel bushing are usually fit very well on Kimbers.
The barrel bushing to slide is usually fit very well on Kimbers.
Triggers are decent stock on Kimbers.
Anything you find wrong on your Kimber can be fixed, and usually for a nominal price.  The only expensive stuff would be if you needed a new fire control group.

In conclusion...
If you are looking for a worry-free firearm experience, you might want to look at something else like the SA Loaded.  If you are worried about bang-for buck and you aren't married to the Custom 2, you might want to consider something else.  If you have your heart set on a Custom 2 (which I had many years ago), get it and be conscious of what you can do to improve your experience.

Very good, honest breakdown and discussion of the Kimbers. I've read complaints that the Kimbers supposedly rust easily. Mine is a Custom TLE/RL II that I wear everyday and put on the bathroom counter when I take my hot showers. Over 2 years so far and I have not seen any signs of rust. I did notice a little rust on my Tripp Research Cobra 10rd magazine. But, that's about it.  

The Custom II I used to own developed very minor surface rust on the wear points because I used a kydex holster.  Some rust solvent on a rag would take it right off, and some oil rubbed on the gun would protect it.  

I was never that concerned about it, had I decided it was too much upkeep I would have sent the Custom 2 to SA Custom Shop for either Kote, BlackT, or melonite.

Some people are ridiculously anal about firearms care. For me if it rusts and the rust does not inhibit function rub it off with a rag and oil and continue to march. Worn enough carried enough shot enough sooner or later all finishes break down. At that point I call that wear and crust a badge of honor and continue to march. I have never and will never refinish a gun and from my presepective it seems senseless to do so.

I'll vote no on the Kimber and suggest Springfield Armory as well.

Seen too many warranty issues on Kimbers first hand that were poorly handled by the manufacturer.  Whereas with Springfield I've seen them bend over backwards to fix things that we're even their problem.

Plus One on the TLE:

I have one with less than 500 rounds thru it. Flawless pistol with a great trigger. One hole groups at 7 yards.....absolutely love it.

I've never been a kimber fan. Ive had 2 SA 1911s that got shot and carried A LOT with zero problems. SA is my reflexive choice.

The range I work at has A LOT if kimber fans. Ive seen a lot of failures in their guns too. All of them were easy to get running with new spring, mags, and more oil. Im not sure why these kimber owners are so avoidant to oil lol. But as of yet I haven't had one with a chronic, unfixable problem.

A coworker just bought a TLE(i think, the one with front strap checkering and night sights) and the 2 of us put 250 rounds through it to test it out. It was phenomenal. Great trigger, zero malfs, very...very...very accurate. I was impressed. Ive recently shot another coworkers dan wesson's(yes plural) and I like the kimber more. It was an effin  lazer and just felt great.

I always keep my pistols oiled. I have to agree about the magazine. If there is one complaint I have is the cheap Kimber magazine. That is the one thing that I immediate replace with either Wilson Combat magazines or Tripp Research Cobra magazines.

+1 for the SA Loaded

CDP gun, never fails.

Team Match II and RL-II (bushing barrel) owner here.

Lots of rounds through them and they just run.

Ex has an Ultra Carry. Ditto.

YMMV.

Had or have Colts, Springfields, Dan Wesson, Kimbers, STI (2011), Smith and Wesson, Sig 1911s.  The only one didn't need something was the STI in order to run ALL ammo.  The SW E series is a POS and the worst of the lot. The Colts, including a new Competition gun (bought for friends retirement as he wants one so bad) is a joke in fit, finish, trigger pull and quality and bouncing thumb safety.

Of about 30 production single stacks owned over the last 35 or so years I would only buy Kimber or Dan Wesson (though the specialist was a mess, the ECO has been great).  People are still passing on shit they heard about that occurred prior to their births.

All makers fail to do something so each have their flaws. As far as the Kimbers, finish ream and increase the leade in the chamber and tune the extractor while increasing the breech face to inner hook to .750" and never look back.

Seen way too many SA cracked frames and slides. broken barrel links etc on guns at work. fit and finish is poor.  They learned from Colt on how to make a slide and extractor hang out the back!

Had or have Colts, Springfields, Dan Wesson, Kimbers, STI (2011), Smith and Wesson, Sig 1911s.  The only one didn't need something was the STI in order to run ALL ammo.  The SW E series is a POS and the worst of the lot. The Colts, including a new Competition gun (bought for friends retirement as he wants one so bad) is a joke in fit, finish, trigger pull and quality and bouncing thumb safety.

Of about 30 production single stacks owned over the last 35 or so years I would only buy Kimber or Dan Wesson (though the specialist was a mess, the ECO has been great).  People are still passing on shit they heard about that occurred prior to their births.

All makers fail to do something so each have their flaws. As far as the Kimbers, finish ream and increase the leade in the chamber and tune the extractor while increasing the breech face to inner hook to .750" and never look back.

Seen way too many SA cracked frames and slides. broken barrel links etc on guns at work. fit and finish is poor.  They learned from Colt on how to make a slide and extractor hang out the back!

Here's my take on Kimber:

I bought a pro CDP II back when they first came out with the external extractor. The pistol would not fire more than two rounds without experiencing malfunctions. I called Kimber expecting to get good customer service however what I got instead was attitude. After them telling me several times to try different mags and different ammunition excetera, excetera I decided to sell the gun.

After selling it to my friend he decided that he didn't want to deal with that either. So he ended up showing it to another friend of ours who then put the screws to Kimber to make it right. I don't know exactly what was said or how it was said but he ended up getting the top end of the gun replaced free of charge and this was several years later but before they decided to ditch the external extractor. End result is that he's happy and loves the gun.

I on the other hand after spending that kind of money, to get that terrible customer service and a gun that didn't work my money is better spent elsewhere. I do have Sig and Springfield Armory 1911's that I am completely happy with and wouldn't change a thing. My experience with Springfield Armory customer service has been nothing short of exemplary. I have not had to contact Sig yet, so I hope the experience with them if I ever have to is the same.

Good luck with your choice I'll leave a picture of my Kimber here that is still one beautiful gun, but I will never own another again.

I always here this song. Its Going Down. I'm yellin' Kimber.
Timber

I wouldn't own one unless it was too cheap to pass up, and I own a Taurus.

How many times have we done this here?