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I don't like Kimbers

4K views 60 replies 28 participants last post by  faawrenchbndr 
#1 ·
For some reason, I have never liked Kimber 1911's. I'm not sure why, but when I first learned about them I took an instant disliking to them. I realize there are many extremely loyal Kimber fans out there who love their Kimber guns. I'm just not one of them.

Today at the range, Kimber gave me a real reason to dislike them. A shooter there was going to shoot his son's brand new Kimber, but when he racked the slide back to chamber a round, he cut his thumb. The ejection port on the gun came with razor sharp edges. He showed me the area that cut him, and when I ran my fingers across it, I was quite surprised.

That 1911 probably cost his son around $1,000, maybe more. For that price, I think I would expect a good bit more attention to detail than that.
 
#6 · (Edited)
:crazy: It sounds to me like he was having trouble racking the slide, as in rookie mistake, cockpit error, bonehead maneuver, and lucky he didn't shoot himself or somebody near him. I'd be willing to bet he actually sliced his hand open on the slide, but lacked the awareness to realize it.

ditto1958 said:
I don't like Kimbers
That reminds me of some guy who was mouthing off at the range about how he, "didn't like Glocks." My group at 25 yards was about one sixteenth the size of his and he sent his girlfriend over to surreptitiously check me out, whereupon she screamed for everyone to hear, "He's shooting a Glock." :dancing:
 
#4 ·
I feel the same way about Springfield 1911's - Grips are too big and boxy, first 80 rounds the slide locked back and had to be hammered free with the heal of my hand... After the first 80 rounds it finally took off and ran well.

After the spring guide rod broke and the dust cover scratched in normal use (due to a burr on the frame!) I sent it back, got it all fixed up, and sold it.

Have 7 Kimbers, all Series 1, that run flawlessly... and the grips are a little slimmer than some 1911's, so they work for me.

I know that Kimber had some QC issues when they went to the Series 2... I have heard they fixed them issues, but your report says otherwise.

Businesses do the best they can with the information they have at the time. Feces Happens, especially in manufacturing...

Hope your buddie's son sends it in for tune up... Kimber needs to know about this sharp ejection port issue. Helps them to better hit the mark!
 
#14 ·
I feel the same way about Springfield 1911's - Grips are too big and boxy, first 80 rounds the slide locked back and had to be hammered free with the heal of my hand... After the first 80 rounds it finally took off and ran well.
I'm not quite sure I understand any of this either.

Springfield builds some of the best 1911s in the world, far better than Kimber ever did.
 
#5 ·
For some reason, I have never liked Kimber 1911's. I'm not sure why, but when I first learned about them I took an instant disliking to them. I realize there are many extremely loyal Kimber fans out there who love their Kimber guns. I'm just not one of them.

Today at the range, Kimber gave me a real reason to dislike them. A shooter there was going to shoot his son's brand new Kimber, but when he racked the slide back to chamber a round, he cut his thumb. The ejection port on the gun came with razor sharp edges. He showed me the area that cut him, and when I ran my fingers across it, I was quite surprised.

That 1911 probably cost his son around $1,000, maybe more. For that price, I think I would expect a good bit more attention to detail than that.
I had a few Kimbers with no issues. Parts quality is nothing to write home about.

The ejection port shouldn't have been sharp, but $1000 is not much for a 1911.
 
#8 ·
I have had 4 Kimbers in the past and was a big fan. Out of the 4 I had the only one I had problems with was one of the officer models. About 9 months ago a friend and I started a little gun shop. We wanted to have a few Kimbers on hand, its one of the more popular 1911's. so we called to see what it takes to become a Kimber dealer. We told one of the sales guys about our little shop and we would like to have a few of their guns in our inventory. He proceeded to tell us that to become a Kimber dealer our 1st order had to be a $20,000.00 minimum order. I could understand a $5,000.00 min. order but dang!!! We told him that was a quite a little too steep for us at the moment. He laughed and said "give us a call when your ready, we will be here". Maybe we took it the wrong way but I am not much of a Kimber fan anymore. You would think they would want to help out the little guys
 
#12 ·
I don't think I'd buy a Kimber today, but I bought three of them back in the day (before the move to Series II and the external extractor debacle) and they are good guns. Pair o' compacts:


There are plenty of guns I don't like, but I'm going to refrain from starting threads about them.:faint:
 
#15 · (Edited)
You can get a dud from Springfield, just as from any other maker. But I agree... I'd definitely take a new Springer over a new Kimber these days... if I couldn't have a Colt Wiley Clapp!:cowboy:

My first 1911, back around 1993, was a Springfield Stainless Loaded that I bought used. It was a jam-o-matic, probably why the first guy sold it. It gave me fits trying to get it to run, which can be exasperating for a 1911 newbie. Being brand new to 1911s at the time, I didn't know then what I came to learn well, later.

It could have been a dud, OR, perhaps it just needed an extractor adjustment! 1911s can be finnicky that way. Key to happy 1911 ownership is to become knowledgeable about their quirks and needs. Extractor adjusting and magazine tuning go a long way in solving common 1911 problems.
 
#16 ·
You can get a dud from Springfield, just as from any other maker. But I agree... I'd definitely take a new Springer over a new Kimber these days... if I couldn't have a Colt Wiley Clapp!
Yeah, I should have clarified. I was mostly talking about the Springfield Custom guns, like the Pro and TGO1.

Nothing from Colt or Kimber ever came close. In fact, I prefer them over my other semi customs from Brown, Wilson, and the like.

Having said that, is put Springfield's production guns over Kimber and Colt as well. I think the TRP beats the best from the other two, such as the Colt Special Combat or Kimber Super Match.

Just my opinion, of course.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I have had 9 Colts, 4 Kimbers, 2 Springfield Armory, 2 S&W1911's and 1 Norinco 1911's. I have had far more Friday, Monday and day before vacation with Colts' than any others. To me a Colt is a crap shoot for function, no problem with Kimbers, Norinco, nor SA or others. Still have 1 Colt that has no problems, others had dust cover rub, empty brass to face ( completely unacceptable in bedroom after dark) and broken recoil spring plug. While the dust cover run is a cosmetic issue, one would think that after 102 years of manufacturing 1911, they would not have that anymore.
 
#20 ·
I have had 4 Kimbers in the past and was a big fan. Out of the 4 I had the only one I had problems with was one of the officer models. About 9 months ago a friend and I started a little gun shop. We wanted to have a few Kimbers on hand, its one of the more popular 1911's. so we called to see what it takes to become a Kimber dealer. We told one of the sales guys about our little shop and we would like to have a few of their guns in our inventory. He proceeded to tell us that to become a Kimber dealer our 1st order had to be a $20,000.00 minimum order. I could understand a $5,000.00 min. order but dang!!! We told him that was a quite a little too steep for us at the moment. He laughed and said "give us a call when your ready, we will be here". Maybe we took it the wrong way but I am not much of a Kimber fan anymore. You would think they would want to help out the little guys
When your gun shop grows you might feel differently. I think it's good on Kimber for selling to dealers who invest in inventory. Otherwise, anyone with an FFL can get the same prices, and sell Kimbers at lower margins because they don't have the overhead. How would you like it if bought a few Kimbers, showed them to customers, and then had the customers buy them from their buddy who could order it at the same cost as yours and sell it to him for a few $'s markup?
And I'm not a fan of the brand.
 
#29 ·
We have an existing feed store (livestock feed) and a pretty big customer base. As we were putting the word out that we were going to start selling firearms, we had 5 different customers tell us that they wanted to buy a Kimber and would buy from us. When we found out about the minimum order we let the customer know that is was going to be a no go. Thankfully they understood and are still purchasing all their livestock need from us. I understand what your saying but none of our other wholesalers have had a minimum order even close to Kimber's. If we would have placed an order with Kimber that would have been a 3rd of our firearm inventory. Like I said in my original post, I could understand a $5,000.00 minimum but $20,000 and then laugh when we said it was a little to steep. Personally I will be buying Colt, Springfield, Dan Wesson ect before I buy another Kimber
 
#21 ·
I call bull****. Experienced with what? Damn sure not with 1911's.
With all due respect, the gentleman in question is in fact a very experienced shooter.

As for the 1911, the sharp edge was on the rear of the ejection port, the part nearest to the hammer. If you are holding the gun in your left hand, which the gentleman was, and rack the slide using your right hand, it is easy to catch your thumb there.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Today at the range, Kimber gave me a real reason to dislike them. A shooter there was going to shoot his son's brand new Kimber, but when he racked the slide back to chamber a round, he cut his thumb. The ejection port on the gun came with razor sharp edges. He showed me the area that cut him, and when I ran my fingers across it, I was quite surprised.
That 1911 probably cost his son around $1,000, maybe more. For that price, I think I would expect a good bit more attention to detail than that.
I never liked them either. Kimbers are hit-or-miss junk. :rolleyes:

Tell your range acquaintance to get rid of it. o_O

He needs to get the one with the Pony on it.



He can thank me later. :cool:
 
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#26 · (Edited)
I had a few Kimbers with no issues. Parts quality is nothing to write home about.

The ejection port shouldn't have been sharp, but $1000 is not much for a 1911.
Yeah that doesn't sound like your typical selection. ;)

:crazy: It sounds to me like he was having trouble racking the slide, as in rookie mistake, cockpit error, bonehead maneuver, and lucky he didn't shoot himself or somebody near him. I'd be willing to bet he actually sliced his hand open on the slide, but lacked the awareness to realize it.


That reminds me of some guy who was mouthing off at the range about how he, "didn't like Glocks." My group at 25 yards was about one sixteenth the size of his and he sent his girlfriend over to surreptitiously check me out, whereupon she screamed for everyone to hear, "He's shooting a Glock." :dancing:
Was she cute? Did you get her number?

I had to get a 1911 out to see how in the hell you would cut your hand on the ejection port. I've cocked it both handed, upside down, and sideways. Neither of my hands ever got close to the port, let alone lacerated.
Yeah I'm having trouble understanding this even after reading the OPs subsequent post.

I call bull****. Experienced with what? Damn sure not with 1911's.
I find it really odd as well, although I've never even had hammer bite.

I don't like canned peas
Best Choice ones are the worse.

Speaking of Colt... they've really stepped up their game in recent years. Excellent fit, finish, and quality. Finally updated some features on some models (sights and grip safeties) as well. And they continue, as they have for some time, to use better quality small parts than both Kimber & Springfield. Colt's Wiley Clapp models are among the best production 1911s you can buy and are priced very well at a bit over a grand, including front strap checkering by Pete Single, which I feel is a very important feature that is well done.

There will be haters and supporters of Kimber, Springfield, Colt, DW, Baer, Brown, whatever. You will find many excellent examples of fine pistols (and a few dogs) from all of these makers, at a variety of price points... so blanket pronouncements for or against any of these brands are irresponsible acts.
I have not had the pleasure to handle the higher end range 1911's, if it was between a Kimber and a Colt, I much prefer the Colt.

The Kimbers have never felt great in my hand. This is just me and my particular hand of course, and I'm not knocking Kimbers, but nothing has felt as good to me as an old Colt Commander. I could outshoot my buddy with his Kimber at 25 yards with an old beat to hell Colt with original sights. For some reason, they don't fit me right even though technically the difference should be minimal.

so blanket pronouncements for or against any of these brands are irresponsible acts.
 
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#25 ·
Speaking of Colt... they've really stepped up their game in recent years. Excellent fit, finish, and quality. Finally updated some features on some models (sights and grip safeties) as well. And they continue, as they have for some time, to use better quality small parts than both Kimber & Springfield. Colt's Wiley Clapp models are among the best production 1911s you can buy and are priced very well at a bit over a grand, including front strap checkering by Pete Single, which I feel is a very important feature that is well done.

There will be haters and supporters of Kimber, Springfield, Colt, DW, Baer, Brown, whatever. You will find many excellent examples of fine pistols (and a few dogs) from all of these makers, at a variety of price points... so blanket pronouncements for or against any of these brands are irresponsible acts.
 
#28 ·
I've had only good experiences with Kimber. My terrible, awful, 3rd class citizen Series 2 has been trouble free for a dozen years and tens of thousands of rounds - many in IDPA and steel competitions.

I did who had one friend that ended up with a lemon Kimber. He went on to buy a lemon Springer. They are out there. Buy what you like and prove it's worth on the range.
 
#34 ·
For some reason, I have never liked Kimber 1911's. I'm not sure why, but when I first learned about them I took an instant disliking to them. I realize there are many extremely loyal Kimber fans out there who love their Kimber guns. I'm just not one of them.
Ok. You don't like Kimbers; not everyone does. So, who exactly is forcing you to buy a gun you don't like? Just curious.
 
#36 ·
Actually, that's an excellent question. Recently, a salesman had me in his talons at a big box store. They had a good selection of 1911's and I asked to handle several of them. After I finished trying out the ones I was interested in, he grabbed another from a display around the corner. It was kinda tactical looking (not to my liking) but it felt REALLY good. Turned out it was.... a Kimber (boo... hiss...). Fortunately for my finances, I didn't have $1,000 in my pocket, or it might have followed me home. Guy was a good salesman. :)

I went back another day and snuck a look at the same gun without a salesman present. It still looked pretty nice, but I'm glad I didn't buy it.
 
#40 ·
OK...I'll play. :)

* I bought a Clackamas marked Kimber new many moons ago. It blew away any Colt I ever had. (All my Colts were Series 80's). This Kimber is incredibly accurate and feeds anything. I'd stake my life on this firearm.
* The absolute biggest piece of garbage in a 1911 I've ever bought was a Colt Combat Govt. I bought new in 1985. Wouldn't feed hardball. Broken collet bushing, broken extractor...you name it.
* Dan Wesson- Bought one last year. I have about 3000 rounds through it. Not impressed.

We all have our own experiences and often they are unique to us.

Side note: After my experience with this Dan Wesson, I will never buy another stainless 1911 again. Sadly, I was concerned about a stainless 1911 when I plunked down the money for this one.
 
#41 ·
OK...I'll play. :)

* I bought a Clackamas marked Kimber new many moons ago. It blew away any Colt I ever had. (All my Colts were Series 80's). This Kimber is incredibly accurate and feeds anything. I'd stake my life on this firearm.
* The absolute biggest piece of garbage in a 1911 I've ever bought was a Colt Combat Govt. I bought new in 1985. Wouldn't feed hardball. Broken collet bushing, broken extractor...you name it.
* Dan Wesson- Bought one last year. I have about 3000 rounds through it. Not impressed.

We all have our own experiences and often they are unique to us.

Side note: After my experience with this Dan Wesson, I will never buy another stainless 1911 again. Sadly, I was concerned about a stainless 1911 when I plunked down the money for this one.
Yeah... I had a stainless Dan Wesson Razorback 10mm for a time. Several trips back to DW failed to make it reliable. Experience with that soured my view of Dan Wesson 1911s. But I realize, too, that a bad experience with one gun really should not paint the entire brand as being bad.

I've had over a dozen Colt 1911s and not a single reliability issue with ANY of them. But certainly, every brand has manufactured a problem gun now and then! And if you happen to have been an owner of one of them, it does tend to have a souring effect. But not to discourage against an entire brand, in general.
 
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