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Pistol comparisons

JimmyJackJimmyJack Member Posts: 5,506 ✭✭✭✭
edited March 2013 in General Discussion
Why no discussion and comparison with Kimbers? They seem as smooth as a she mouses belly to me. What are the negatives?

Comments

  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • Leeroy JenkinsLeeroy Jenkins Member Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shoff14
    over priced


    + eleventy billion
  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,681 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is anecdotal evidence all over the web as to a quality problem Kimber had a few years back.

    I have a couple, a Pro-Carry and an Ultra-Carry, and have had zero problems with them. I trust them both fully and each gets to ride in the small of back on occasion.

    Don't understand the over-priced thinking myself. It has been a number of years, but the basic stainless models were comparable in price to anything else.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I happen to love my Kimber Ultra TLE II 45ACP!

    89A71DEF-07A5-40A8-A63A-8D3C2F9CB1D1-3790-0000055B35957A27_zpsfdc8e0fb.jpg
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This would be a very DULL world if everyone liked the exact same kind of Pistol ,Rifle,Shotgun, car ,truck, If you like what you have great and BLESS YOUR HEART[:p]

    EDITForgemonkey I resemble that remark.[}:)]However I don't have all colts I have one Crown City under a Kart conversion and one GSP 22 pistol. OH wait a minute I also have a Browning 1911-22 [}:)][}:)][}:)][;)][;)][;)][:X][:X][:X][:0][:0][:0][:I][:I][:I]

    Colt1911GROUP2_zps137a1ece.jpg

    and some people call me a Turkey But Woody knows I am really a Turkey hunter
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Kimbers have shot great for me. This one and a Pro Carry SLE

    SAM_3723.jpg
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The closer tolerances that lead to greater accuracy potential...
    ALSO tend to 'NOT Like' dirt... Meaning that the slightest amount of anything can and will bind mating surfaces.

    Closer tolerances also demand greater machine time and experienced machinists...
    But with that said... Final finishing has a lot to do with how much dirt will collect and adhere to mating surfaces.

    So IMO... The quality issues that plagued Kimber probably resulted from too tight of tolerances.
    AND final finishing wasn't quite up to par.

    The good news is that tight tolerances wear into themselves resulting in a very smooth fit...
    This wearing action with a controlled lubrication and cleaning regimen can be affected by the end user fairly easily and quickly.
    The result is a fine piece of machinery that can be depended upon.

    But be aware... AGAIN... Tightly fitting surfaces (close toleranced parts) DO NOT LIKE DIRT...
    So don't expect to shoot it hundreds of times without issue... Unless you clean it correctly.

    The gov't issue 1911 had 'open' tolerances that allowed it to shoot regardless of condition, dirt, cleaning protocols, etc...
    This also allowed parts to be assembled together from different manufacturers.
    You point it, pull the trigger... It WILL go *BANG*... But it's accuracy potential likely was hindered...
    And the shooter could most often shoot better than the gun would allow.
    This resulted in the "Match Grade" builds we now see.
    Kimber and other high end builders work at tolerances even tighter than "Match Grade"...

    But still don't get tight tolerances confused with finely finished surfaces... The two are not synonymous...
    And can work together to provide a very good working condition...
    Or work against each other to cause problems.
  • catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
    edited November -1
    I had full payment down on a Kimber for a year with no update from the factory. I got a refund and bought a Witness. Been happy ever since.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,491 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had two.. a 9mm Target and a .45 Not impressed with the malfunctions.
  • William81William81 Member Posts: 25,408 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have two Kimbers...the first one I bought 14+ years ago, a Kimber
    Gold Match I. It has been flawless function wise. It is very accurate and a dream to shoot.

    Last year I bought a Kimber Ultra+ CDP II. It has also proven completely reliable, very accurate and a great shooter.

    I like my Colts and Springfields also.
  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    2 words "Schwartz safety"

    Kimber made a name for themselves with their first gen of 1911's, then came the kimber II, they removed the life time warranty added the safety, and made it one year warranty , added mim parts, and aluminium, increased production to 5, 000 a week, yes I said five thousand per week, those that come back in one year will be repaired, those tht dont make it in a year, to bad so sad, hang around a range and gun shop enough, and you wont want a kimber II

    Safety breaks, as well as their cast aluminum main spring housing, their factory mags will chew up their aluminium receivers
  • MMOMEQ-55MMOMEQ-55 Member Posts: 13,134
    edited November -1
    Bought one 5 years ago. Love the fit and finish. Having said that, my $500.00 XD45 will out shoot it. Pretty but way over priced.
  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    Ex-Overpriced Ultra Carry owner here. Had to send it back to Kimberly twice for feeding issues. Sold it and got an xd45 compact. Love it! Also own a Springfield loaded 1911 that is a beautiful piece.
  • wiplashwiplash Member Posts: 7,145 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
    I happen to love my Kimber Ultra TLE II 45ACP!

    89A71DEF-07A5-40A8-A63A-8D3C2F9CB1D1-3790-0000055B35957A27_zpsfdc8e0fb.jpg


    It looks like you treat that thing like a Super Model!

    My God Man... Have you ever shot it? How many times have you taken it out of the Safe?

    Its kind of like a new Truck, taking it out 4 wheeling for the first time...after the first scatch, the fun begins! [:D]
    There is no such thing as Liberal Men, only Liberal Women with Penises.'
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by wiplash
    quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
    I happen to love my Kimber Ultra TLE II 45ACP!

    89A71DEF-07A5-40A8-A63A-8D3C2F9CB1D1-3790-0000055B35957A27_zpsfdc8e0fb.jpg


    It looks like you treat that thing like a Super Model!

    My God Man... Have you ever shot it? How many times have you taken it out of the Safe?

    Its kind of like a new Truck, taking it out 4 wheeling for the first time...after the first scatch, the fun begins! [:D]
    Yep... [;)]
  • CapnMidnightCapnMidnight Member Posts: 8,038 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you want fit & finish, buy a Wilson, there is no subsitute.
    That said, I have shot about every mid priced 1911 built in the last five years, from $400 whatevers to $1,200-$1,400 Kimbers. Dollar for dollar I think the Ruger is the best deal out there right now. $600 and change for a realy nice 1911. I've shot 3 of them, new out of the box, I've been impressed with every one.
    Now, I know I'll take some grief for this, but, I have a Taurus 1911 in 38 Super, bought it when they first came out in 38 Super. I am nothing but happy with it, been my mid caliber bowling pin gun since I got it. Lots of rounds through it, had to replace the firing pin last year, the only problem I've had.
    Another member of our club bought one 2 years after I did, got tired of me winning all the time. He had nothing but problems with his, I realy don't know if it was the gun, or the Bomar rib he put on it, but he wasn't happy and sold it. My point is, I think the first issue Taurus's are pretty good, but once they get them out on the market, it's iffy.
    I have an old Springfield that is as good a shooting 1911 45ACP as I've ever owned,including the Wilson, but it's not a out of the box gun.
    Kimbers are over priced for what they really are, in my humble opinion.
    My glass is empty, so I'll shut up.
    W.D.
  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    it's been shot, ran maybe a dozen mag fulls through it! It lives in this holster and is carried quite often, this holster and the size of the gun makes carrying it sweet and I can hide it under a t-shirt [:D]

    The finish is durable as heck but it is showing signs of holster wear. And yes, I do take good care of it, it's the most expensive handgun I own [:D]

    E5F43BA0-5A70-41B3-B70D-AAF98CD376EA-4601-00000672660FDCB5_zps7f2721f3.jpg

    E4F58282-94C4-4973-A074-9BB0039E0D7B-4601-000006738D959698_zpsc73821f3.jpg
  • TRAP55TRAP55 Member Posts: 8,292 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Big Sky Redneck
    I happen to love my Kimber Ultra TLE II 45ACP!

    89A71DEF-07A5-40A8-A63A-8D3C2F9CB1D1-3790-0000055B35957A27_zpsfdc8e0fb.jpg

    Is that rust in there behind the slide release?[:)]
  • 17tobyracing17tobyracing Member Posts: 3,429 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just hope that you don't have to deal with their Customer Service Department[V]. Would never buy another Kimber again...
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