Posted: 2/20/2007 7:35:20 AM EDT
| what's the difference between the classis customs and the custom 2s? found a couple of classics on gunbroker for about $700 a piece and was interested. |
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I'd take a hard look at one. My experience is that they are very good guns and aren't complicated by a FP safety system or an external extractor. Strangely enough, my (pre series-II) Classic Custom .45 came with a "series 80" type firing pin with the tell-tale relief cut. It is the original firing pin which came with the gun, from the factory. Possibly Kimber had run out of "series 70" firing pins and used whatever the vendor (McCormick, I believe) had available. Who knows? I bought the gun as a "beater" and instructional tool. I got a decent deal on it ($500) from the original owner (friend and co-worker) who had shot about 500 rounds through it (200 gr SWC target ammo) before falling on hard times. I figured after the MIM started falling apart I'd rebuild it as a custom carry gun or work gun. Well, that was several thousand rounds of hardball and full-power RNL (and ever some Wolf junk) and the gun is still ticking without any breakages. I've made a few minor changes to suit my needs. The changes are 1. Checkered cocobolo stocks 2. Heinie Slant Pro Straight-8 sights 3. Ditched the FLGR for an Ed Brown GI plug. 4. Checkered steel MSH The gun has loosened up a little bit and the finish is trashed, but it just keeps ticking. I had issues in the past with Kimber MIM breakage but this particular gun has gained my confidence as a fighting gun. I won't make some outrageous claim like it has never malfunctioned but malf's have been extremely rare. The malf rate would be far less than 1% if I kept track. I abuse this pistol and shoot dirty reloaded 230 gr RNL as my primary practice load. It rarely sees factory ammo since prices have gone through the roof. When training with it, the gun does not get lubed or cleaned until the day is over. Once again, it just keeps ticking. I'd give an original Classic Custom a serious look. Instead of tearing right into it, you may want to shoot it a bit to see what really needs done. While I'm not the least bit against customizing a pistol (obviously), I think shooting and training, not the internet, should tell you what needs changing. I think the best accessory you can buy for a relaible gun is practice ammo. |
My II has an internal extractor. Either way (firing pin safety or not), I think you'll love it if you get it. I have not heard good things about the external extractor, however I have no experience with one either. |
If the price was right, I wouldn't shy away from a Kimber with the EE. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, Kimber will very likely replace the slide with an IE version if you work with them. I've a EE Kimber and it has no problems. |
That is a very sharp Kimber you have there. How old is it? |
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Age: I'd guess about 6-7 years, maybe a little older. Haven't used it too much, but did have Dave Pruitt do some work on it..mainly Wilson trigger, STI hammer & sear. Changed grips and slide release, still has original barrel and it functions very nicely. Trigger turned out incredible! |
| I am not a huge fan of added firing pin safeties on 1911's. The less tiny parts to break, the better. Of course, if that sort of thing doesn't bother you the a series II Kimber might be worth looking at. If the added parts bother you, then you should keep looking for a pre series-II version or look for the Anniversary version made a few years back. Kimber left out the safety on that gun and added a really nice looking set of wood stocks. |