[SPEEDYCQB3G]

I’ve owned about 5-6 kimbers and always have been good guns in my book. From 900-2300 dollar kimbers. I just don’t understand why they get such hate, I’ve had better kimbers than colts and springfields, is it really just a brand bashing or has some of y’all experienced real issues with owning one.

I was going to get a Kimber 2 tone 45 back in 2006… bought a Springfield 45 mil spec instead.. no particular reason.. I just like the springer better at that time. All the hate stuff is kinda dumb.. kinda like Ford / Chevy.. haters… I say,, “It’s your money… buy what you want..” 👍🇺🇸😉

 

[switchback]

I owned a couple early classic custom gov't sized 45 ( one a clack marked pistol ) and like a fool either sold or traded both away, also a couple carbon pre2 compacts. All were great pistols but as I developed a taste for finer guns, they all went away.
I usually say " the TLE is one of the best values in the 1911 world" and I still believe that to be true. Anything above that level is lipstick on a pig.
Their rusted barrels suck, I've seen their broken mim parts and their over tight chambers near legendary. But early on they DID change the game, and I'm thankful they did. I no longer own a kimber, but if a nice pre2 showed up at a decent price, and it checked out, I would own one again

 

[WAA]

I own three Kimbers, all from the Stainless II lineup. I enjoy all three. They look good and feel good. No sharp edges or rough roll marks like my Colts have. None of the frame cuts and gold and black paint like other Kimbers. But I‘ll grant someone is buying the Rapides, Big Box can’t keep them in the case.

I’ve seen social media where a guy called a Les Baer “a fail…” and I’ve seen people on social media try to run a new Kimber with their dog **** reloads and curse Kimber and everything else that begins with the letter K when the pistol wouldn’t cycle. People posting on YouTube or wherever are looking for likes and runtime so they can get a check to cash. If the truth happens to pay, then you might get the truth.

45ACP, 10mm, 45ACP

 

[Smith_586]

This was my pride and joy. Was going to order a dan wesson specialist when they still made the distressed finish and saw this in the case at my local shop and took the gold combat 2 home. I was very pleased with it when I owned it, since then it’s been about 5-6 other peoples hands on a local forum in on. Would like to own another one some day.

 

[DevilDog61]

I have my "Custom" TLE II out for some dry fire practice today, so far she's been a winner.
This is the only Kimber I've owned.
* Next day range trip... Kimber "Custom" TLE II - Range Trip

 

[Sevens]

I guess it's like anything else.... Experiences vary. There was a scratch on my Custom II grip that i didn't notice until i got home. CS was very nice and good to me. I had a new set of grips in5 days. They even sent me a kimber mouse pad, and t-shirt that was way too big for me so i gave it to my Brother. And called later to make sure i got them..

Lisa, when you contacted Kimber CS, was your avatar picture included in the communication?! Haha, I kid! 🤣

🤔 no wait, they would have sent the t-shirt one size too small.

Anyway, to the subject-- I would like to hope that anyone who had NO IDEA why the Kimber hate exists or how it started has some idea now. It truly doesn't have to mean that all Kimber pistols are bad or any Kimber that you have or love is just shots away from breaking down.

What it is -- is gathered history as we have witnessed it. We aren't making it up. And lots and lots of different gunmakers have suffered it also, but the higher volume sales and the high advertising budget gunslingers suffer it harshly.

 

[Bradd_D]

Kimbers have seen some military and LE use.

 

[FranklinBullitt]

I’ve owned about 5-6 kimbers and always have been good guns in my book. From 900-2300 dollar kimbers. I just don’t understand why they get such hate, I’ve had better kimbers than colts and springfields, is it really just a brand bashing or has some of y’all experienced real issues with owning one.

LOVE my Kimbers. Great manufacturer.
It's just haters.

 

[FranklinBullitt]

Brand spanking new Kimber Custom II's on GB for 799-999 all day long. There isn't a better value anywhere for a 1911.

 

[Bradd_D]

If they do away with the firing pin safety, I'll buy a Kimber in a heart beat.

 

[Bradd_D]

If anyone is looking for a pre-series II...

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/955522917

 

[SwampYankee99]

Kimber earned some of the anger. The original pistols were of high quality and made with good materiel. Then Ron Cohen took over the company, and customers started having issues. Things I have personally seen include rusted barrels upon receipt of shipment at the FFL from Kimber, the external extractors that did not extract, Swartz firing pin safety timing issues, and guns shorter than five inches that did not run. Add Dennis in Customer Service, and people's blood pressure spiked.

The pistol in my holster right now has a Kimber frame, slide, and barrel. The rest of the parts were replaced. That pretty much sums up my opinion of Kimber.

I have 5 Kimbers now. Some were purchased about 15 years ago, and the others more recently. The external extractors were discontinued by that time. Two went back to the factory right after purchase with an accompanying letter from me describing the problems carefully. One was an Ultra CDP II, and the other was a Team Match II. The Team Match II was supposed to be their top tier product. Dennis Madonia, who has passed away in 2013 at 59, dealt with rework and also had several other gunsmith/design roles. In my case, Dennis actually called me and apologized for the quality control for the Team Match and the Ultra CDP II, and promised that any issues they had would be addressed. When they came back in a little over a week, both ran very well - and still do. I will say that I never met Dennis and have no personal connections to anyone there.

Should the pistols have run right out of the box? Yes, they should have, but Kimber did address the problems promptly. I have other 1911 brands, some cheaper and some more expensive, and Kimber isn't the only one that has lapses in QC on occasion. I found their customer service to be very good. When a thumb safety wore out, they sent me another one free of charge. After years of shooting the Team Match II, I've replaced only the springs and the extractor.

 

[Tenzoxed]

I’ve shot a couple older Kimbers. And they seem fine. Fed it all kinds of ammo also.

 

[soverystout]

You can buy a new Kimber LW government 45acp for like $650 brand new right now. That is the most I would ever pay for any Kimber because when you throw a fancy coating on it and call it something different, it’s still a $650 gun. Can’t believe annyone ever paid more than $1000 for any Kimber. The best thing they do is advertising on the back cover of the gun magazines. That’s why people think Kimbers are special.

They are a price point gun, plain and simple. Just a production gun with a bit glossier advertising.

 

[ako]

I’ve owned about 5-6 kimbers and always have been good guns in my book. From 900-2300 dollar kimbers. I just don’t understand why they get such hate, I’ve had better kimbers than colts and springfields, is it really just a brand bashing or has some of y’all experienced real issues with owning one.

My first 1911 was kimber pro cdp 2, which was recommended by my friend who is a kimber fan boy. Man that Kimber actually hurt my hand every recoils. Sold it and brought a sw 1911 e series, man does it open up my eyes what a better build 1911 is. Then wc came along, so on...
Never gone back to kimber ever since! First impression is important!

 

[Bradd_D]

My first 1911 was kimber pro cdp 2, which was recommended by my friend who is a kimber fan boy. Man that Kimber actually hurt my hand every recoils. Sold it and brought a sw 1911 e series, man does it open up my eyes what a better build 1911 is. Then wc came along, so on...
Never gone back to kimber ever since! First impression is important!

What about the build of the Kimber hurt your hand?

 

[Dino11]

I am down to just two Kimbers now, Both were purchased in Dec of 2020, and both were NOS unfired series 1 pistols.

The Target Eclips was built in 2000 and came in the case with the seal still intact, it had never been opened. I had another one years ago and sold it and immediately regretted it. Took me a couple years to find another series 1 that was a suitable replacement. And I paid dearly for it, not to much but fair upper end market price, I will never sell this one it's a shooter, dead nuts accurate although I have only put 200 flawless rounds down the pipe.

The second one is a limited production Compact Custom, it was built in 1998. It has only been factory fired and is in absolutely flawless condition.

These guns were built in the Bill Wilson designed slide and the Chip McCormick trigger when these folks worked for Kimber. These are two fine examples of the Kimber line.

 

[wtxsmoker]

I was in Cabella's last week just looking at guns, The young man at the counter seemed knowledgeable he came right out and said do not buy a Kimber. I laughed and gave a thumbs up.

 

[gun_fan111]

Hate for Kimber? Last time I browsed 1911s in the larger local store one of the staffers pointed me in the direction of 1-2 custom shop Kimbers they had, explaining that they are hand fit one at a time unlike production Kimbers and represent a real value. It was hard not to bust out laughing

 

[G26S239]

I like my Kimbers. I probably should have gotten the Ultra CDP II in 9mm rather than 45 since a 10.2 ounce slide is a bit light for 45 but it hasn't given me any heartburn.