Posted: 10/30/2009 8:03:54 AM EDT
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Hello all. It has been a while since I have been on AR15.com. The last time was when I bought my first AR.
Well now I just got a new Kimber Stainless II and have a question. I am quite sure this has been talked about before, but nothing in the last 30 days, so I figured I would just ask. Okay, as I said I just purchased a Kimber Stainless II 1911. I went with Kimber because I always thought they were the best 1911 in the $1000 price range, (paid $915 for mine). Well I got home with it, feild stripped it to wipe it down and re-oil, and noticed a tiny bit of surface rust on my barrel. Very minor and was easily corrected with some metal polish. Upon reading in to this issue through google search, I found that it is common with the Kimber barrels. That sucks balls, because I spent $1000 on a pistol and want it to be perfect. Sure small surface rust isn't the end of the world, but it annoys me to no end. I like my guns to be perfect (as we all do I am sure). Any other Kimber owners here that have experienced this issue? If so what is the best solution? Do you use Flitz polish for your barrel, or what? Kimber just told me to use WD-40 and a scotch-brite pad then re-oil and should be good to go. I just don't want to have to constantly be thinking about cleaning and lubing my barrel every couple days. Let me know if there is a long term way to prevent rust on the barrel. I am almost tempted to just buy a Ed Brown Stainless Steel drop-in. |
| Dont worry about it. I used some 600 then 800 grit sandpaper and polished mine up. Its been about 2 years since and have no signs of rust. Kimber makes some of the best barrels on the market, I wouldn't change it. Just keep a light coat of oil on everything (as you would do with any other barrel). |
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Their barrels are in the white. It's a joke from a carry standpoint. I was unable to keep mine from rusting no matter how much oil I put on it. I used a Wilson Combat stainless barrel for a while, then switched back to the original barrel after I e-nickel plated it. No more problems. I actually think the "finish" that Kimber uses on the other parts comes from a black Sharpie, it's about as durable and corrosion resistant... |
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thanks for the replies. Seems like, from more searching, that some Kimbers have this problem worse than others. I will just keep mine clean and oiled and see what happens going forward. I am going to be using this as my CCW so hopefully that won't increase the potential for rust.
I guess if it gets out of hand I'll just put in a stainless barrel. Also, the Wilson barrel that you used.....did it require much fitting? or did it drop right in? I was considering Ed Brown because of the way they make theirs (from bar stock not forgings). |
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Sorry man it's pretty normal. All of out Kimbers at the shop get it to some extent and even some straight from Kimber do. This. Been looking at some Kimbers this week, actually on accident, and noticed this. I was a bit surprised myself to see rust the front barrel area on a NIB Kimber. |
| It's either a feature or a bug depending on how you define things. Kimber uses a high quality carbon steel barrel. It's not a stainless barrel, it's good carbon steel. Thus it will rust or develop a patina. If you don't want it rusting you can rub it down with oil or get it blued or parkerised. |
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I remember SGB saying they machine them and then leave them in the white.
Take a wild guess what bare steel does when exposed to air.... Kimber for the win 
EDIT: Sorry, that came off like I'm a real ass. They just don't put any finish on their barrels so this typically results. |
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Thanks again everyone. I am a little releived no Kimber bashers have posted to freak me out. I have read some bashing posts on other sites...lol. They are haters.
Anyway, I am still very happy with my decision to go with Kimber. I also own a Taurus PT1911, which I don't care what anyone says, that sucker is a shooter. And a Springfield GI. The Springfield has an attrocious trigger and doesn't like to feed JHP. Even though I haven't shot my Kimber yet (until tomorrow) I can tell by the feel of racking one into the chamber (with ease) and the smooth as glass trigger, that I am going to love it. As far as the rust. I read a good review about a product called Corrosion X. Picked some up at my local gun store and used a tad on a scotchbrite pad. Rust came right off with no elbow grease needed. My barrel looks as smooth and clean as stainless now. Put a good even coat of Corrosion X on the whole barrel and a drop of Shooter Choice Lube in my action. I feel that this should prevent any future rusting. I am gong to rock with the Kimber barrel after all the releiving comments that you guys posted. Thanks again and good shooting to everyone. I will post after I shoot my Kimber this weekend. If it shoots as good as it feels (just playing with it) I will be convinced that I made the right purchase. |
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It's either a feature or a bug depending on how you define things. Kimber uses a high quality carbon steel barrel. It's not a stainless barrel, it's good carbon steel. Thus it will rust or develop a patina. If you don't want it rusting you can rub it down with oil or get it blued or parkerised. Kimber doesn't use carbon steel because it makes a better barrel or because it is good, they use it because it is cheap. |
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It's either a feature or a bug depending on how you define things. Kimber uses a high quality carbon steel barrel. It's not a stainless barrel, it's good carbon steel. Thus it will rust or develop a patina. If you don't want it rusting you can rub it down with oil or get it blued or parkerised. Kimber doesn't use carbon steel because it makes a better barrel or because it is good, they use it because it is cheap. I'll take a Kimber barrel over a POS two-piece Springfield barrel any day. Now those are cheap. |
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This is off topic, but on another note.............For $1000 you would think they could afford a steel mainspring housing. Oh Well, nothing $40 can't fix. That last post about using carbon steel because it is cheap is what brought it up.
At the same time, they still build their firearms here in the US and do not outsource to Brazil. Not that Brazil makes bad guns, I have three made there, just that Made in the U.S.A. means more expensive labor. You would also hope it means better quality. Anways.....Thanks again. I saw enough reassuring posts here to feel better. I was a little upset initially, but I guess it probably isn't a big deal. I take great care of my guns so hopefully rust will not be a future issue with my Stainless II. This is a good forum. On other sites I would have expected someone to have bashed this topic by now. Take care. |
| I'd put some sort of finish on it if I were you. Anything is better than bare steel. Even a few coatings of cold bluing will help. Also keep it constantly lubed. You'll have to wipe a drop onto the portion exposed by the ejection port daily as it will be wiped off by the holster. |
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TX is humid. I have had stainless guns rust in a few short weeks of storage when I lived in LA. I've had three kimbers at one point (down to one now). All of them easily got surface rust on the barrel if it was not kept clean and lubed. FWIW, routine cleaning and lubrication is a part of firearms ownership. It's just something you do regularly, particularly if you live in a humid climate. |
| For the surface rust issue. I use a product I first learned about on the AR15 forum. It is Strike Hold. It works as a CLP and leaves a dry film that prevents moisture from getting to the metal. So far I have found it to be very effective as a CLP. It does what it claims and has cut my cleaning time down to about 10% of what it used to be. I have been using the Strike Hold on my duty weapon which gets exposed to sweat and moisture and my backup which gets moisture and lint, and in my duty AR 15 which spends a lot of time in a bag behind the seat. So far no corrosion, or malfunctions or wear. |
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Try to sell it,if you were willing to spend a K shoulda got a Colt they are still the real one you should be able to pick up a used 70 or 80 for that amount. I have always been heart set on owning a Kimber. I don't regret my decision and have no intention to sell mine. I just thought that the rust issue was a drag. I think though I will be able to keep my barrel clean and lubed to prevent it from forming in the future. Talked to a lot of people since I started this thread and all seem to say the same thing. After Kimber manufactures the barrels they sit in a warehouse in the white until installed then shipped. All that time being exposed to the air with no protectant on them will cause rust. I am already over the issue. I got mine cleaned up and shining bright again, and it's all lubed up with shooters choice and some corrosion X. If for some reason the rust issue becomes a problem I will just buy a stainless barrel. I mean the rest of the gun is stainless....it isn't going to rust. Also, Colts are not $1000 where I live. sure I can get a used one or a stripped down base model 1911-A1 Colt for a G. But I don't want that. I want a match grade shooter that I don't have to pump an extra $300-400 in to just to get where I like it. Plus I have also heard that Colts come with their share of problems as well. |
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Quoted: Quoted: I mean the rest of the gun is stainless....it isn't going to rust. Stainless will rust as it's Stain less not Rust proof.  Just keep up on it's maintenance and you'll be fine. I have two Kimbers here in Florida and I have a rust problem with Neither. First day of carry, you've seen this pic before SGB   |
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I mean the rest of the gun is stainless....it isn't going to rust. Stainless will rust as it's Stain less not Rust proof.
Just keep up on it's maintenance and you'll be fine. I have two Kimbers here in Florida and I have a rust problem with Neither. 10/4 Thanks |
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I mean the rest of the gun is stainless....it isn't going to rust. Stainless will rust as it's Stain less not Rust proof.
Just keep up on it's maintenance and you'll be fine. I have two Kimbers here in Florida and I have a rust problem with Neither. First day of carry, you've seen this pic before SGB http://www.545ar.com/sig220rust.jpg This is crazy....I have never seen rust on stainless steel. Obviously that shows how much I know, but I really have never seen it before. I would think that Arizona would be dry enough to not cause rust like this so fast. Unless it is just so hot you sweat on your gun a lot throughout the day. I have owned stainless revolvers and hardly lubed them ever (except right after shooting) and never saw any signs of rust whatsoever. Then again I didn't carry them either. I sell electrical supplies, and we use stainless steel enclosures for outdoor and harsh environments (chemical plants, hose down areas, high vapor areas, etc.) and have never heard of them rusting even after years of being outdoors exposed to elements. (Could be a higher Chromium Alloy than used in guns though) Anyway. Thanks again for your very helpful information, and hints to maintaining my Kimber. |
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My experience with stainless guns is that they are MORE susceptible to rust than carbon steel guns with a finish. I've never even had blued guns show rust, but I have had a few stainless ones show spots of rust.
Oh - and SGB is right, put a thin coat of grease around the barrel. That's what I do to lube my 1911s and it's kept my barrels (including a Kimber) from developing any rust. |
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This is crazy....I have never seen rust on stainless steel. [/div] Its called stainLESS steel not stainFREE steel. LOL......when you put it that way I see your point. As I said before, in my own experience with stainless I have never had any rust, so I guess I just assumed it didn't rust. Hey I learned something new today. I am not too worried about it. As I said, i take good care of my firearms. They get cleaned and lubed thouroghly after shooting, and wiped down good after carry. I should be good. For really hot days in Texas I am probably going to invest in a smaller, finished, pistol. In fact I was hoping to get some advice from the forum about what to go with. It will be another 1911 for sure, but that will be a seperate thread. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE. |