Posted: 5/18/2026 9:01:33 AM EDT
| Seems to be some varied opinions on Kimber 1911s, as much as I like 1911s I never have owned or even shot a Kimber, a local shop/shooting range puts some of there range rentals up for sale once or twice a year, this year they have a couple Kimber Custom ll up for sale, two tone models, are these generally descent quality guns?? They have both 9MM and 45, they want $479-499 for them, thought it might be a good way to get into another 1911 at a good price, just wanted to be sure what I was getting though. TIA. |
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My Custom II has been flawless since the first round fired through it. I bought it new during COVID at Academy for $699 IIRC. I have tried a variety of mags and everything works including Promags. The only issue is that the factory 8-round that came with it will not lock in place with one in the pipe. I guess there's just not enough slack in it but that's the mag, not the gun. There's a lot of internet hate for Kimber but the two I own (this and a Micro-9) have worked great. ETA Attached File |
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Kimber has a wild reputation. My read on it is they were really good, then a new ceo came in and fucked it all up, and that guy is at sig now and Kimber has been pretty good lately and people are starting to treat them fairly again. I kind of think the customer service is what got it the worst during Kimbers downfall. It seems to be much better now from what I hear. If the guns survived a rental range, and seem reasonably good still, I wouldn't hesitate. If theres any issue, it'll likely just be a worn out spring and those are easy to replace. |
| I have 5 or 6 Kimbers, various models and barrel lengths, mostly.45’s and a 9MM. I don’t recall any issues with them or any of my 1911’s. I like the carry profile, rounded butt and Kimber makes a few of them, although my daily CCW is a Tactical Ultra II, 3.5” 45. It has the extended mag well which I could do without. I’ve heard the trashing over the years but I haven’t experienced it. |
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Originally Posted By Smallmouth: Seems to be some varied opinions on Kimber 1911s, as much as I like 1911s I never have owned or even shot a Kimber, a local shop/shooting range puts some of there range rentals up for sale once or twice a year, this year they have a couple Kimber Custom ll up for sale, two tone models, are these generally descent quality guns?? They have both 9MM and 45, they want $479-499 for them, thought it might be a good way to get into another 1911 at a good price, just wanted to be sure what I was getting though. TIA. If you are set on a Kimber I think $500 sounds high for it used |
I was never really a 1911 dude in all my years, and never had much interest in em and the whole cocked and locked thing. And then recently my dad gave me his Kimber Custom Crimson Carry. So here as an older dude I'm finally beginning to build an appreciation for what they are. Anyhoo I'm now pretty smitten with this particular 1911, and it ran flawlessly in its first range trip, shooting both full jacket and HPs. In my mind this one's now vetted and I'd trust my life to it.  
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Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
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I'd be wary of buying any gun that was used as a rental. I'd be especially wary of buying a Kimber II that was a rental. FWIW, my 1990s Kimbers have been great, but there was a long span of time after the 90s where QC took a nose dive. In the last few years, Kimber has been trying to rebuild it's brand. I recently bought a CDS9 that has been great so far, although I still have less than 1k through the gun. Reports from others seem to be very positive about newer Kimbers. If I was buying a Kimber today, it would be either a very old one (pre-II) or a very new one made in the last few years. Regardless, I would not buy a rental gun of any brand unless the price was very, very low. This is especially true for an aluminum frame model. If I wanted to buy a $500 1911, I'd be looking at Tisas. Just my $0.02. |
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Originally Posted By Butternut: I was never really a 1911 dude in all my years, and never had much interest in em and the whole cocked and locked thing. And then recently my dad gave me his Kimber Custom Crimson Carry. So here as an older dude I'm finally beginning to build an appreciation for what they are. Anyhoo I'm now pretty smitten with this particular 1911, and it ran flawlessly in its first range trip, shooting both full jacket and HPs. In my mind this one's now vetted and I'd trust my life to it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/88366/74c5ea55-5953-4f80-8862-4f079c1dea3d-3778369.jpg What grips are those? |
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Originally Posted By Cav-Gunner: What grips are those? https://www.crimsontrace.com/products/laser-sights/lasergrips/lg-901g-green-master-series-lasergrips-rosewood-for-1911-full-size/01-6530-1.html#start=1 |
Joined:
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MO, USA
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Originally Posted By Smallmouth: Seems to be some varied opinions on Kimber 1911s, as much as I like 1911s I never have owned or even shot a Kimber, a local shop/shooting range puts some of there range rentals up for sale once or twice a year, this year they have a couple Kimber Custom ll up for sale, two tone models, are these generally descent quality guns?? They have both 9MM and 45, they want $479-499 for them, thought it might be a good way to get into another 1911 at a good price, just wanted to be sure what I was getting though. TIA. At those prices I would buy them both. |
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Originally Posted By Bravo_Six: I'd be wary of buying any gun that was used as a rental. I'd be especially wary of buying a Kimber II that was a rental. FWIW, my 1990s Kimbers have been great, but there was a long span of time after the 90s where QC took a nose dive. In the last few years, Kimber has been trying to rebuild it's brand. I recently bought a CDS9 that has been great so far, although I still have less than 1k through the gun. Reports from others seem to be very positive about newer Kimbers. If I was buying a Kimber today, it would be either a very old one (pre-II) or a very new one made in the last few years. Regardless, I would not buy a rental gun of any brand unless the price was very, very low. This is especially true for an aluminum frame model. If I wanted to buy a $500 1911, I'd be looking at Tisas. Just my $0.02. I have bought rental guns from them before and some of them appear like new, but I get your point. |
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I have an ultra Carry II. Bought it used from original owner. It has performed well. Can’t think of ever having problems with HP or Ball. My daughter liked it so much , I bought her one for a graduation gift. Attached File Attached File |