Okay everyone, now I'm really scared. I finally broke down and decided to buy my first 1911 style autoloader and after already putting a beautiful Kimber Pro Elite in lay-a-way, NOW I read about all the problems. Am I forking over 1100.00 for a POS or not? I can't afford a Baer, Wilson, Brown custom pistol and thought Kimber was top notch. I've heard the same bad things about Springfields and intentionally stayed away from them. Kimber has been really good about replying to e-mails from me (they didn't know I didn't have the pistol yet). What's the low down? Is EVERYONE dissatisfied with them or just the minority being the loudest? HELP! I want a 1911 but don't want to fork over $800.00 for Colt just to send it off and spend another 400.00-500.00 to spruce it up and make it "good". Thanks guys, I'm new here and looking forward to the comments.
Frantic about Kimber
- Thread starter Danny45
- Start date
I haven't had the first problem with my CDP Kimber. From what I have read here on TFL, They have a great factory service team and they will stand behind their product.Every thing mechanical and man made has a chance of a malfunction .There isn't a brand name of pistol out there that doesn't have at least one person that is unhappy with them. If you get the Kimber, you can at least be confident that you have done your part in equipping yourself with a top notch brand of pistol.After you put 500 rounds thru it, you will know for sure. Good luck!
cplane. Thanks. With a few more replies like your's, I'm sure I'll feel much better. I really like everything about that pistol (so far). Otherwise I'd never drop that much eating money on one. Have had Glocks, Sigs, HKs, EAAs, and a host of others and I'm really looking forward to the 1911 style. Thanks again for your comments.
Danny, get the Kimber! I have two, a Gold Match and a Royal Carry. The Royal Carry did malfunction out of the box. It failed to always go into battery. I called Kimber, then sent it back to them. I got it back in less than one week! It has not malfunction onced during many many hundreds of rounds since. I couldn't be happier or imagine how it could be any more reliable. my opinion...Ron BTW, the Gold Match I own has never malfunctioned and I only shoot reloads.
Danny45,
First off Welcome to TFL.
Second, don't sweat it about the Kimber. I have a Custom Target and it's great. Kimber itself used to have a listserve discussion list a couple years back with a few hudred members. A lot of complaints about Kimber's minor problems were openly and fairly discussed with a representative of Kimber, I forget his name,sorry. Point being, Kimber didn't make a perfect product, but they were concerned enough to respond to feedback and improve what they make. Early complaints about rust, poor finish, and the lack of the Kimber to lock open after the last shot are pretty much gone these days due in large part to that list. Mine (Kimber) hasn't been 100%, but the problems I've had are really petty. In 3 years the list of bad things is this:
1.)Slide stop-Sometimes it doesn't loack after the last shot. Kimber will replace it for no charge.
2.) Two piece guide rod came unscrewed-Locktite.
3.)Factory magazine was defective out of the box, and wouldn't accept any rounds.-Dealer gave me 2 GI issue mags that have worked 100%, and 1 of them even "cured" the slide lock issue.
On the plus side:
1.) One hole groups are common place with the right ammo.
2.) See number 1.
3.) 1/2 inch groups with the Ciener .22 conversion unit are common place.
4.) See number 3.
5.) Try to find a used Kimber anywhere.
This by no means discounts the problems others have had, but you can get a lemon in anything. The most problematic guns I've bought in the last 3 years have been a Marlin , 2 Winchesters and 2 Brownings. Guns from makers that have a far longer history than Kimber. Enjoy your Kimber. If it has problems, contact Kimber to make it right.
As a side note, the Kimber sponsored list was eventually shut down due to the efforts of 1 determined and disgruntled customer contacting posters off line and *enlightening* them of Kimbers' poor service. Kimber publicly offered several times to refund the jerks money, and reimburse him for shipping charges he had sending his Kimber back to them. Kimber took the high road, and convinced me that another Kimber was in my future at some point.
First off Welcome to TFL.
Second, don't sweat it about the Kimber. I have a Custom Target and it's great. Kimber itself used to have a listserve discussion list a couple years back with a few hudred members. A lot of complaints about Kimber's minor problems were openly and fairly discussed with a representative of Kimber, I forget his name,sorry. Point being, Kimber didn't make a perfect product, but they were concerned enough to respond to feedback and improve what they make. Early complaints about rust, poor finish, and the lack of the Kimber to lock open after the last shot are pretty much gone these days due in large part to that list. Mine (Kimber) hasn't been 100%, but the problems I've had are really petty. In 3 years the list of bad things is this:
1.)Slide stop-Sometimes it doesn't loack after the last shot. Kimber will replace it for no charge.
2.) Two piece guide rod came unscrewed-Locktite.
3.)Factory magazine was defective out of the box, and wouldn't accept any rounds.-Dealer gave me 2 GI issue mags that have worked 100%, and 1 of them even "cured" the slide lock issue.
On the plus side:
1.) One hole groups are common place with the right ammo.
2.) See number 1.
3.) 1/2 inch groups with the Ciener .22 conversion unit are common place.
4.) See number 3.
5.) Try to find a used Kimber anywhere.
This by no means discounts the problems others have had, but you can get a lemon in anything. The most problematic guns I've bought in the last 3 years have been a Marlin , 2 Winchesters and 2 Brownings. Guns from makers that have a far longer history than Kimber. Enjoy your Kimber. If it has problems, contact Kimber to make it right.
As a side note, the Kimber sponsored list was eventually shut down due to the efforts of 1 determined and disgruntled customer contacting posters off line and *enlightening* them of Kimbers' poor service. Kimber publicly offered several times to refund the jerks money, and reimburse him for shipping charges he had sending his Kimber back to them. Kimber took the high road, and convinced me that another Kimber was in my future at some point.
shooter.45
New member
I have a Kimber Custom Classic and a Kimber Pro Carry SLE and haven't had any problems with either pistol. They both shoot great and very reliable. Good Luck 
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shooter.batcave.net
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shooter.batcave.net
Captain Bligh
New member
I have a Kimber Compact. It has 900 + rounds through it. The following is a list of the problems I've had with it:
1. None
RJ
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"Never turn your back on the crew."
1. None
RJ
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"Never turn your back on the crew."
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
The Kimber should serve you well.
But if you really want a Wilson - There is the KZ model that is under 1100. KZ? Is that the one? It's polymer framed with 10 round mags...
But if you really want a Wilson - There is the KZ model that is under 1100. KZ? Is that the one? It's polymer framed with 10 round mags...
Well... I know where a fella could buy a couple of used Kimbers...
Danny, here's the thing. Everybody has lemons from time to time. I had one with my Kimber Poylmer. I was not real happy with the service I got with the problem. It certainly was not the same level of service you get from SA, Wilson or Baer. But I put that frame under a Mech Tech CCU and it has been flawless after that. My Stainless Target and the Combat Carry have been pretty good. Not flawless, but nothing that was a major concern to get right. You have some of those issues in one of the posts above.
Accuracy and reliablility was pretty good on both of the steel guns. But no where near my Les Baer. And THAT'S the reason I will be selling them both, the get a compact Baer.
Good luck with your new Kimber. I hope it gives you many years of good service. I read in another thread that Kimber was on track to ship something like 20,000 units this year. No one else in the 1911 game will come close to that number. If they were all bad, I would think we would see a LOT more bad press.
DVC
Bubba
Danny, here's the thing. Everybody has lemons from time to time. I had one with my Kimber Poylmer. I was not real happy with the service I got with the problem. It certainly was not the same level of service you get from SA, Wilson or Baer. But I put that frame under a Mech Tech CCU and it has been flawless after that. My Stainless Target and the Combat Carry have been pretty good. Not flawless, but nothing that was a major concern to get right. You have some of those issues in one of the posts above.
Accuracy and reliablility was pretty good on both of the steel guns. But no where near my Les Baer. And THAT'S the reason I will be selling them both, the get a compact Baer.
Good luck with your new Kimber. I hope it gives you many years of good service. I read in another thread that Kimber was on track to ship something like 20,000 units this year. No one else in the 1911 game will come close to that number. If they were all bad, I would think we would see a LOT more bad press.
DVC
Bubba
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the comments. I feel a little better about it now after reading your comments. Funny this came up at this time, I have to drop another 300-400.00 on it today. LOL Oh well, I'll give it a shot. If it doesn't work, I'll send it back (ONCE). After that, I'll start buying Ed Brown parts for it. At least then I'll have the basic pistol to build from. Again, thanks for the info.
Danny--calm down, take a few deep breaths, count to 10...there now, feel better OK. Now, buy the Kimber! Every gun manufacturer sometimes puts out a lemon. And the old adage "you get what you pay for" usually applies. Also, everyone has their personal preference, that's why there is no answer to the question "which is the best gun." For example, you hear and read a lot of flames about Keltec guns yet they have a loyal owner base that is almost fanatical. I own a P-11 and for the price its a great little gun. Anyway, back to your concern. I own a Kimber Ultra CDP. It is the highest quality gun I own or have ever owned (which include Glock, H&K, Barretta, Colt, S&W, etc.) Of course, another consideration in buying any gun is warranty and service. I have spoken to the Kimber Custom Shop several times (ordering parts, not for any problems) and they are very responsive. Bottom-line, IMO you won't be disapointed with your Kimber.
Danny, just take a look through this and the other gun message boards and newsgroups and what is the common theme? "My X has X problem, can you help?"
This is the place people come when they have problems. Which means the vast majority of people who have no problems usually say nothing.
Rest assured that no one I know in real life has had a single problem with a Kimber.
This is the place people come when they have problems. Which means the vast majority of people who have no problems usually say nothing.
Rest assured that no one I know in real life has had a single problem with a Kimber.
Danny, this ought to make you feel better. I shoot everything: HK (USP and P7M8), Glock (17,27,30), Wilson Combat, etc. You get the picture. What is my FAVORITE pistol? A stainless steel Pro-Carry I picked up two weeks ago. The gun performs flawlessly, as do all the others, but it has a honey of a factory trigger, and the recoil is actually less (as perceived by me) than my Wilson. This CCW shoots like a race gun! I am overwhelmed by this gun. These statements may not be true of everyone else's Kimber, but are true of mine. It's a keeper. Not for sale.
Well put it this way Danny, I had a Super Match, Gold Match and Ultra Elite. The key word was had. All three had problems. All three problems were correctable. I was just very disappointed that their two high-end 1911's were not perfect from the get go.
My buddy just got a stainless Pro Carry. The thing is a jam-o-matic. We tried Wilson Combat mags, shooting stars, Mecgars, and Les Baer mags. Still had constant jams. Finally, he sent it to Kimber and fixed the problem. The Pro Carry functions flawlessly now.
I basically had too short a fuse with my 3 Kimbers. Should they have functioned perfectly? Yep. Maybe I got 3 bad ones. Maybe that's just my luck. Would I buy another Kimber? Yes because now I'm a bit wiser on whta to look for.
As a matter of fact, I decided on another Gold Match. At the price of $729 NIB blued, I couldn't resist. There will be customizations to it but in the end, it'll still be a Kimber.
Don't sweat the complaints. People that have problems tend to have bigger mouths then those that are content. That includes me :-x
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Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
My buddy just got a stainless Pro Carry. The thing is a jam-o-matic. We tried Wilson Combat mags, shooting stars, Mecgars, and Les Baer mags. Still had constant jams. Finally, he sent it to Kimber and fixed the problem. The Pro Carry functions flawlessly now.
I basically had too short a fuse with my 3 Kimbers. Should they have functioned perfectly? Yep. Maybe I got 3 bad ones. Maybe that's just my luck. Would I buy another Kimber? Yes because now I'm a bit wiser on whta to look for.
As a matter of fact, I decided on another Gold Match. At the price of $729 NIB blued, I couldn't resist. There will be customizations to it but in the end, it'll still be a Kimber.
Don't sweat the complaints. People that have problems tend to have bigger mouths then those that are content. That includes me :-x
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Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
WalterGAII
Moderator
For $1100, that Kimber ought to offer some form of sexual gratification!!! Hope you like it.
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
Rik - makes me wonder about Walt's experiances with the Mini-14 too.
Giz
Giz
Bill Daniel
New member
Danny45:
Just to add my .02. I have two Kimbers, a Gold Match and a Compact, and I also have had no real problems. A few failure to feeds during break in which resolved with a through clean and lubrication. Since then I have had zero problems. Accurate, fully reliable and a joy to shoot.
All the best,
Bill Daniel
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Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
Just to add my .02. I have two Kimbers, a Gold Match and a Compact, and I also have had no real problems. A few failure to feeds during break in which resolved with a through clean and lubrication. Since then I have had zero problems. Accurate, fully reliable and a joy to shoot.
All the best,
Bill Daniel
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Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="arial,helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WalterGAII:
For $1100, that Kimber ought to offer some form of sexual gratification!!! Hope you like it. [/quote]
So THATS why Kimber puts the MELT JOB on all them pistols!
For $1100, that Kimber ought to offer some form of sexual gratification!!! Hope you like it. [/quote]
So THATS why Kimber puts the MELT JOB on all them pistols!