I've owned, and own, several 1911s but never a Kimber. My experiences have been very positive with the platform, not having had many malfunctions at all. At least none that weren't easily explained by poor quality ammo, user error, etc. My 1911s have been at least as reliable as any other modern handgun I've owned.
I became enamored with the Kimber Pro Carry II recently and just had to have one. Lo-and-behold, the LGS took in a used one just a few days later and I got it for just under $700 OTD.
First impressions: not good. I couldn't get the first round in the magazine because the follower would cant forward and hang up on the front of the magazine. I finally figured out how to load it and put in 4 rounds of Hornady 185 gr. FTX. Shooting at 15 yds. offhand, my first group was 7-8 inches and I had a failure to feed. The slide locked back with a live round just sitting on top of the magazine. The second magazine was 7 rounds of Aluminum cased Federal 230 gr. ball. This time, the slide failed to lock back on the empty magazine and the group was no better. When I tried to eject the magazine, it wouldn't budge. As it turns out, the follower had moved forward and hung up just below the feed ramp. I did succeed in moving it back into position with a pencil and freeing the magazine. This was no easy task since I had to hold the slide open with my other hand.
Second try: Loaded up a G.I. magazine from CMP, chambered a round, and then topped it off. Again with the Federal aluminum. This time I shot a 3 inch group at 10 yds, reloaded and put 8 more in the group.
I realize that 27 rounds isn't enough to form much of an opinion but... I am very happy so far. The accuracy is good. I'm sure I can work the group size smaller as I get used to the trigger and the recoil on the 4" aluminum-framed gun. It ran flawlessly with decent mags so I'm expecting good things with the Wilson magazines I ordered. I've read often about Kimbers needing a break-in period and the OEM magazines being junk. Mine certainly is. Are the magazines not hurting brand reputation? Do they just not care?
I became enamored with the Kimber Pro Carry II recently and just had to have one. Lo-and-behold, the LGS took in a used one just a few days later and I got it for just under $700 OTD.
First impressions: not good. I couldn't get the first round in the magazine because the follower would cant forward and hang up on the front of the magazine. I finally figured out how to load it and put in 4 rounds of Hornady 185 gr. FTX. Shooting at 15 yds. offhand, my first group was 7-8 inches and I had a failure to feed. The slide locked back with a live round just sitting on top of the magazine. The second magazine was 7 rounds of Aluminum cased Federal 230 gr. ball. This time, the slide failed to lock back on the empty magazine and the group was no better. When I tried to eject the magazine, it wouldn't budge. As it turns out, the follower had moved forward and hung up just below the feed ramp. I did succeed in moving it back into position with a pencil and freeing the magazine. This was no easy task since I had to hold the slide open with my other hand.
Second try: Loaded up a G.I. magazine from CMP, chambered a round, and then topped it off. Again with the Federal aluminum. This time I shot a 3 inch group at 10 yds, reloaded and put 8 more in the group.
I realize that 27 rounds isn't enough to form much of an opinion but... I am very happy so far. The accuracy is good. I'm sure I can work the group size smaller as I get used to the trigger and the recoil on the 4" aluminum-framed gun. It ran flawlessly with decent mags so I'm expecting good things with the Wilson magazines I ordered. I've read often about Kimbers needing a break-in period and the OEM magazines being junk. Mine certainly is. Are the magazines not hurting brand reputation? Do they just not care?
The picture was taken with some 230 grain FMJ and I have no idea what ammunition I used in the photo. The pictured magazine is also something which came with the gun like the holster and magazine pouch. 