Kimber-Are they that good?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Kimber-Are they that good?

Posted: 8/7/2005 3:21:09 AM EDT

Looking for a 1911(had one in the Marine Corps 1966-1972) would like to have something close to what ever that would have been. Don't know much about handguns and would like some direction on this subject. Any concerns on the finish on the Kimber? Is the finish durable? The model of Kimber I may want is "The Desert Warrior" or "Warrior". Or any other model. Some HELP please....

Posted: 8/7/2005 3:37:09 AM EDT

[#1]

If you want something like what you had when you were in the service, a Kimber isn't it. Kimbers are far better than a standard USGI 1911A1. However, if you want one of the best non-custom 1911s around, Kimber is an excellent choice. If the price is acceptable, The Desert Warrior is a fantastic model. It's well made, has a very nice finish that is quite durable. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with a Kimber.

Posted: 8/7/2005 4:15:00 AM EDT

[#2]

If you want Old USMC

.......you want a Colt 1911 WW/1 Replica

If you want the Current USMC

.........the Kimber Warrior is your closest bet.

Posted: 8/7/2005 4:53:59 AM EDT

[#3]

If you want the feel of a 1911 from that era, find a used Colt that's beat to shit, loose as a goose, but somehow some gunsmith kept it firing.

Since there were so many variences in Vietnam era .45s due to age, almost any fullzize .45 will give you the feel after you losen them up a tad.

As for Kimber, I have to say my Eclipse Pro II is one of the finest handguns I own.

Tj

Posted: 8/7/2005 4:51:53 PM EDT

[#4]

If you want the military type, look for an old Colt or check out the SA Mil-Spec.
As for Kimber, I have two, never had a problem with either one.
If you buy a Kimber, you won't be disappointed.

Posted: 8/7/2005 5:00:21 PM EDT

[#5]

To answer your question......

YES!!!

Travis

Posted: 8/7/2005 6:41:28 PM EDT

[#6]

I love my kimber BP Ten II. Its reliable and accurate.

Posted: 8/7/2005 10:36:39 PM EDT

[#7]

I think the $390 milspec SA 1911 is a good deal for those that want something like the original 1911. However, I would rather carry a Kimber Warrior (providing you can get a good holster to work with the front rail and/or light). So to answer your question, yes, Kimbers are worth owning, but not quite like what you were issued.

Posted: 8/7/2005 10:38:52 PM EDT

[#8]

Marine's just picked up a Kimber contract. It's new, and it's tradition. The only way you can go wrong with a 1911 is if it says Llama, or .38 super, anywhere on it.

Posted: 8/8/2005 4:23:22 PM EDT

[#9]

yes.

Posted: 8/8/2005 5:49:07 PM EDT

[#10]

I purchased a new Kimber Pro-Carry 2. On the first range trip, it choked fairly often on WWB 230gr FMJ. By the second range trip, it started choking once it got dirty - the first hundred or so rounds went alright. I am just shy of the 500 round break-in period, and am hoping that the reliability problems go away soon.

Posted: 8/9/2005 11:23:04 AM EDT

[#11]

IMO they're the best "mass produced semi-custom" 1911 on the market.

Posted: 8/9/2005 12:08:11 PM EDT

[#12]

I love my Kimber!

I have about 500 rounds through it so far, and not a single hiccup! It's taken a healthy dose of FMJ as well as HP's, and has never hesitated for a second. It even seems to like both my light and my heavy reloads of HP's.

Posted: 8/9/2005 12:13:06 PM EDT

[#13]

These guns are no fun when your in the class that's being held up by the temperamental Kimber. It's happened to me twice.

Posted: 8/9/2005 3:16:58 PM EDT

[#14]

I normally hold my tongue but....

I have seen a few Kimbers choke lately. Granted one of them is a 9mm.

This glorification of Kimber reminds me of "Glock perfection"

Shoot a lot and around a lot of people you will see representitives of all manufacturers fail. I have seen plenty of Glocks choke up.

What bummed me out was my buddy who has a brand new Raptor that chokes 3-4 times per hundred rounds. sent it back to be fixed.

I am not saying don't get a Kimber, they make great guns. Just have realistic expectations.

Posted: 8/10/2005 4:03:31 PM EDT

[#15]

Anyone who puts Kimber in the same sentance as a USGI 1911A1 deserves Flogging, especially if they are claiming the Kimber is somehow better.

The day a Kimber runs 60, 70 or 80 years, I will believe it. TOOL STEEL BABY, TOOL STEEL. The Kimber is much more up to date, is new with a warranty, some are so damn tight they need a case of ammo to "break in" are probably more accurate with a heck of a better trigger pull. [remember govt spec called for a pretty heavy trigger, 6 to 8 pounds was pretty normal] and better sights but actually better? NAAAAA, just newer.

.

If you want a GI one look for a GI one, you will probably end up with one anyways. Or will wish you did.

Posted: 8/10/2005 4:06:26 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
If you want Old USMC

.......you want a Colt 1911 WW/1 Replica
www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/images/1911WWI.jpg

If you want the Current USMC

.........the Kimber Warrior is your closest bet.
www.kimberamerica.com/images/pistols/special-eds/2005-Summer/medium/DesertWarrior_left.jpg

I second the WW1 Reissue also. Or a new S-70. They are sweet and close to a USGI but with better triggers, sights and throated for HPs.

Posted: 8/10/2005 6:03:17 PM EDT

[#17]

My single Kimber experience has been mixed. I carry a Ultra Carry II that has something like 3,500 rounds through it. Broke the ejector a while back, but had neglected a recoil spring change so that was probably my fault. Next time out the mag release broke. Both times Kimber fixed it no charge. Pretty darn good service, but MIM parts are not tool steel. I'd say they are a very good value for the money.

Posted: 8/11/2005 6:54:02 AM EDT

[#18]

I am not a rider on the Kimber Bandwagon by anyone's definition; I have experiences with only one Series II model, the Tactical Custom (alloy framed 5").

This gun has never failed to operate reliably. It is possibly the most accurate 1911 I own. I know I can hit what I point it at, something I can't always say about some of my others.

I will not be surprised in the least if I eventually experience parts breakage, in fact I'm kind of looking forward to it. But nothing's happened yet.

The only real complaints I have are that the thumb safety is too easily engaged and disengaged, and the bluing on the slide is a bit thin.

Posted: 8/12/2005 9:23:32 AM EDT

[#19]

Like anything else they can be a "mixed bag". I suggest finding a lightly used series I Kimber. I have owned an Eclipse Pro II that had problems through 1,000 rounds, I had a smith fix it & then I promptly sold it. I also have a series II stainless target in 9mm and it's been perfect since the first round fired. I have a series I Royal Custom that's a great firearm & I trust it in all situations. If you want perfection & are willing to pay for it cal Ted Yost, it's well worth the cost. However, if you're willing to "spin the wheel" buy a new Kimber.

Posted: 8/12/2005 9:43:23 AM EDT

[#20]

My two complaints about Kimber have always been the external extractor and the firing pin safety. The Warrior has neither of those. It looks like a good buy. I like the thumb safety better than the Springfield and the sights stand out better. There's still something that just doesn't seem right to me about Kimbers, but I can't put my finger on it so I've decided to just drop it and say its a good gun.

Posted: 8/12/2005 10:27:11 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
There's still something that just doesn't seem right to me about Kimbers, but I can't put my finger on it ...

Yeah, me too, though I don't know what ghey rollmark & FCS it could be.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Kimber-Are they that good?

Handguns » 1911 Discussions

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us