how good is the Kimber Custom 45.
- Thread starter DUDE
- Start date
shooter.45
New member
I have a Kimber Custom Classic and that gun is great no problems at all. I have about 400 rounds so far thru it. It is a tight gun I also have a Kimber Pro-Carry SLE and like that one too no problems either. 
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shooter.batcave.net
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shooter.batcave.net
Kimber,
The Good-
Great trigger, great barrel, great frame to slide fit, CNC machining is pretty darn good, accurate (that is if you got one sighted in properly).
The Bad-
Poor finish, not so great sights, MMC parts (hammer, slide stop, ect), uncomfortable grip safety (for me at least, I'm not a fan of Chip McCormick), plastic mainspring housing, overall the ugliest production 1911 ever.
If I were purchasing a new 1911, I would either get the Springfield Loaded model and get the barrel/trigger replaced eventually. Or I would step up to the Gold Match/Trophy Match.
The Good-
Great trigger, great barrel, great frame to slide fit, CNC machining is pretty darn good, accurate (that is if you got one sighted in properly).
The Bad-
Poor finish, not so great sights, MMC parts (hammer, slide stop, ect), uncomfortable grip safety (for me at least, I'm not a fan of Chip McCormick), plastic mainspring housing, overall the ugliest production 1911 ever.
If I were purchasing a new 1911, I would either get the Springfield Loaded model and get the barrel/trigger replaced eventually. Or I would step up to the Gold Match/Trophy Match.
>>The Bad-
Poor finish, not so great sights, MMC parts (hammer, slide stop, ect), uncomfortable grip safety (for me at least, I'm not a fan of Chip McCormick), plastic mainspring housing, overall the ugliest production 1911 ever.<<
I agree the finish could be better, but the MIM (not MMC) parts have never broken for me or anyone I know, the sights are fine for me, the grip safety is a very subjective thing and fits my hand perfectly, the plastic mainspring housing is a total non-issue (and Colt and Para Ordnance do the same thing BTW) and it is indeed NOT ugly---I think it is very classy looking. But that is subjective as well, of course.
Poor finish, not so great sights, MMC parts (hammer, slide stop, ect), uncomfortable grip safety (for me at least, I'm not a fan of Chip McCormick), plastic mainspring housing, overall the ugliest production 1911 ever.<<
I agree the finish could be better, but the MIM (not MMC) parts have never broken for me or anyone I know, the sights are fine for me, the grip safety is a very subjective thing and fits my hand perfectly, the plastic mainspring housing is a total non-issue (and Colt and Para Ordnance do the same thing BTW) and it is indeed NOT ugly---I think it is very classy looking. But that is subjective as well, of course.
If I might offer an idea...
Why not purchase the Springfield Mil-spec and have it fitted by a good smith? This will save you a lot of money because you won't be replacing things you don't like but have paid for, i.e. fancy grips and black sights.
I deeply regret buying my "loaded" for just this reason. While it is a great gun, it could use work.
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When Reason Fails.....
Why not purchase the Springfield Mil-spec and have it fitted by a good smith? This will save you a lot of money because you won't be replacing things you don't like but have paid for, i.e. fancy grips and black sights.
I deeply regret buying my "loaded" for just this reason. While it is a great gun, it could use work.
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When Reason Fails.....
Bill Daniel
New member
Dude:
I have had no problems with my Gold Match or Custom Compact. Reliable and accurate with ball, JHP, and SWC in my target reloads.
All the best,
Bill Daniel
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Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
I have had no problems with my Gold Match or Custom Compact. Reliable and accurate with ball, JHP, and SWC in my target reloads.
All the best,
Bill Daniel
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Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
I've gone both ways on Kimber. Had a real dog with the Stainles Polymer. Custom Target and Combat Carry have been pretty good. Bun none of them come close to the reliablility and accuracy of my Baer Thunder Ranch Special. I know many of you don't really believe there is that much additional value in the Baers and other high end 1911s. I can tell you that I DO shoot the Baer much better than I did any of the Kimbers. That is NOT to say there was anything wrong with the Kimbers. The Baer is just tighter and more accurate ... FOR ME. Then again, I shoot somewhere around 10,000 rounds a year. Not everyone needs a 1911 that will do what I expect of mine.
I'll have a couple of Kimbers for sale in a few weeks. I am replacing the Combat Carry with a Commander or Officer sized Baer; probably the Concept VII or maybe the Stinger. Just for those times when clothing will not let me hide the full size quite so easily.
Bubba
I'll have a couple of Kimbers for sale in a few weeks. I am replacing the Combat Carry with a Commander or Officer sized Baer; probably the Concept VII or maybe the Stinger. Just for those times when clothing will not let me hide the full size quite so easily.
Bubba
I own a Wilson Combat Protector, but I just purchased a Kimber Pro-Carry Stainless Limited Edition this Saturday. I wanted a more compact 1911 for concealed carry, and I just can't stomach the thought of carrying a $1,600 weapon on a daily basis. I wanted an all-steel frame, and wanted a stainless .45 for some time now. I had a selection of five guns to choose from, and had a blast making my selection. All of the Kimbers had a tight barrel/slide lockup, and I found one that had a trigger pull just a tad under 4lbs. The trigger was crisp, with no creep whatsoever. I took the gun to the range the next day, and was absolutely astounded with the accuracy and functioning of this gun. To begin with, the coned bull barrel puts a lot of weight up front, so the recoil is actually less in my opinion, than my Wilson! This is the softest shooting pistol I've ever fired in .45 ACP. The trigger is just as crisp, and the accuracy is just as good, if not more so, than a gun costing one thousand dollars more. This gun is not for sale at any price--it's a keeper. The fit and finish of this particular piece is as good as any 1911 I've seen. Don't like the plastic mainspring housing, but it doesn't affect functioning and at least it's "checkered". I'm not going to let a 'smith touch this pistol--it's perfect for it's designated use. I find that I can shoot it more accurately and QUICKLY than any other pistol that I have currently. How's that for a testimonial?
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NRA Life Member
GOA
GSSF
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NRA Life Member
GOA
GSSF
Sorry Rik, they tried to make a 1911 look tactical and it just ruined it. The grips are lame, the tactical matte finish is bad, the front and back slide serrations are awful, the sights are too thick and don't line up well past 15 yards, the drilled out trigger ect. Kimber is responsible for all other major 1911 manufacturer's going to forward slide serrations and that is just, well, unforgivable. Extremely bad taste on what is undeniably the classiest gun design ever. They should of just left it alone or at least offer a basic gun without all the gimmicky b.s. . Believe or not, some of us don't like duotone guns with carbon fiber grips and laser sights, just like some of us don't like driving teal green cars with orange pinstripes. Kimber makes a fine gun I just wish I didn't have to pay extra for the orange pinstripes.
>>Sorry Rik, they tried to make a 1911 look tactical and it just ruined it.<<
That's your opinion of course. The vast majority of people I have talked to disagree with you, and judging by sales, the vast majority of 1911 buyers disagree with you.
>>The grips are lame, the tactical matte finish is bad, the front and back slide serrations are awful, the sights are too thick and don't line up well past 15 yards, the drilled out trigger ect.<<
Well, no. The grips are standard for base 1911s and like all 1911 grips can be easily changed. The finish could be better, as I said. The slide serrations are a matter of taste and I like them. The sights are fine and work very well. The trigger is excellent--best trigger I have ever felt on a stock, base 1911.
>>Kimber is responsible for all other major 1911 manufacturer's going to forward slide serrations and that is just, well, unforgivable.<<
No, wrong. CONSUMERS BUYING KIMBERS are responsible for other manufacturers imitating them.
>>Extremely bad taste on what is undeniably the classiest gun design ever.<<
No, sorry, "Taste different from yours"!="bad taste."
>>They should of just left it alone or at least offer a basic gun without all the gimmicky b.s.<<
Many manufacturers already offered base guns. Kimber is in business to sell guns, not to pander to your prejudices.
>>Believe or not, some of us don't like duotone guns with carbon fiber grips and laser sights, just like some of us don't like driving teal green cars with orange pinstripes.<<
Laser sights? I think you've drifted into some fantasy world now.
>>Kimber makes a fine gun I just wish I didn't have to pay extra for the orange pinstripes.<<
Don't buy it then. No one's holding a gun to your head.
That's your opinion of course. The vast majority of people I have talked to disagree with you, and judging by sales, the vast majority of 1911 buyers disagree with you.
>>The grips are lame, the tactical matte finish is bad, the front and back slide serrations are awful, the sights are too thick and don't line up well past 15 yards, the drilled out trigger ect.<<
Well, no. The grips are standard for base 1911s and like all 1911 grips can be easily changed. The finish could be better, as I said. The slide serrations are a matter of taste and I like them. The sights are fine and work very well. The trigger is excellent--best trigger I have ever felt on a stock, base 1911.
>>Kimber is responsible for all other major 1911 manufacturer's going to forward slide serrations and that is just, well, unforgivable.<<
No, wrong. CONSUMERS BUYING KIMBERS are responsible for other manufacturers imitating them.
>>Extremely bad taste on what is undeniably the classiest gun design ever.<<
No, sorry, "Taste different from yours"!="bad taste."
>>They should of just left it alone or at least offer a basic gun without all the gimmicky b.s.<<
Many manufacturers already offered base guns. Kimber is in business to sell guns, not to pander to your prejudices.
>>Believe or not, some of us don't like duotone guns with carbon fiber grips and laser sights, just like some of us don't like driving teal green cars with orange pinstripes.<<
Laser sights? I think you've drifted into some fantasy world now.
>>Kimber makes a fine gun I just wish I didn't have to pay extra for the orange pinstripes.<<
Don't buy it then. No one's holding a gun to your head.
No, sorry, "Taste different from yours"!="bad taste."
Your right Rik, you win. Next time I go to a gun show (or car show) and stick out like a sore thumb because I'm not wearing a monster truck shirt, with Real Tree fatigue camo pants tucked into suede boots, with Oakley "Bassmaster Series" sunglasses, I'll remember it's because my taste is unusual and the vast majority of gunowners know where it's at. If you happen to be there, give me a holler so I can distinguish you from the others.
Hey "Dude", can you hear Rik Writer calling you to the darkside ?
Your forefathers made a fine firearm, and now the same nimrods who brought us "New Coke" and "New Country" are at it again, destroying a great product by appealing to the plebian aesthetic of Middle America. The 1911 is a work of art Dude, not some piece of plastic meant to be dragged through the mud, for yourself and your country Dude, buy a 1911 the way God intended.
Your right Rik, you win
. Next time I go to a gun show (or car show) and stick out like a sore thumb because I'm not wearing a monster truck shirt, with Real Tree fatigue camo pants tucked into suede boots, with Oakley "Bassmaster Series" sunglasses, I'll remember it's because my taste is unusual and the vast majority of gunowners know where it's at. If you happen to be there, give me a holler so I can distinguish you from the others. Hey "Dude", can you hear Rik Writer calling you to the darkside ?
Your forefathers made a fine firearm, and now the same nimrods who brought us "New Coke" and "New Country" are at it again, destroying a great product by appealing to the plebian aesthetic of Middle America. The 1911 is a work of art Dude, not some piece of plastic meant to be dragged through the mud, for yourself and your country Dude, buy a 1911 the way God intended.
>>Your forefathers made a fine firearm, and now the same nimrods who brought us "New Coke" and "New Country" are at it again, destroying a great product by appealing to the plebian aesthetic of Middle America. The 1911 is a work of art Dude, not some piece of plastic meant to be dragged through the mud, for yourself and your country Dude, buy a 1911 the way God intended.<<
This is patently absurd and I can only hope you're joking. The 1911 was EXPRESSLY designed to be dragged through the mud for "yourself and your country, dude." The concept that ANYTHING is so perfect it can't be improved is ludicrous.
You must be putting me on, because I just can't believe anyone could actually buy such a line of bull.
This is patently absurd and I can only hope you're joking. The 1911 was EXPRESSLY designed to be dragged through the mud for "yourself and your country, dude." The concept that ANYTHING is so perfect it can't be improved is ludicrous.
You must be putting me on, because I just can't believe anyone could actually buy such a line of bull.
Some of us prefer Kimbers because Colts don't work for us (I get nasty hammerbite with stock Colts) and SAs are even more "gussified" than Kimbers, and blockier to boot. I guess I should stop thanking Kimber for building an out-of-the-box 1911 that works well, doesn't require much of anything except holsters and ammo to get going, and suits my hand. Come to think of it, Kimber must be responsible for all the social ills that have arisen since it came out, simply because it dared take the 1911 to the next level.
Hey, MTAA, I suppose you hate the 1911A1 as well. After all, it's not the original.
Hey, MTAA, I suppose you hate the 1911A1 as well. After all, it's not the original.
Mike Spight
New member
Maybe this thread is the continuation of an earlier peeing contest, but what's the significance of the picture...what response is it supposed to elicit?
Just wondering!!
Mike
Just wondering!!
Mike