Just came home with the Kimber :)

F

Futo Inu

New member
After my analysis in the "Back to the Drawing Board" thread, it so happened that the Kimber rep was at the local gunshop/range today, allowing anyone to shoot a mag full of any Kimber for $3 (their ammo). I had shot an Ultra Elite once before, and after shooting another baby Kimber today, I was impressed and had to have one.

So I bought the Shadow Elite model, I think it's called. It's the same as the Ultra Elite, except no ambi safety, no full-meltdown job, and blued instead of stainless slide (which is what I wanted anyway), and $100 less than the Ultra Elite. It's a single stack, 7+1, short grip, very short bbl (3") - ideal for concealed carry, IMO. The pistol was $800 plus tax.

I didn't want to wait for either double stack baby from Wilson or Kimber (the Kimber rep explained why there's still a big holdup on the baby double stack Kimber's - could be MONTHS yet - email me if you want to know why). Plus neither one of these are tried and true like the single stack Kimbers.

So there you have it - I'm a Kimber man now I guess - my first 1911, and pretty fired up about the whole thing. :) Can't say I'm totally off plastic guns, cuz there's a wee bit o' plastic on the lower back of the grip (mainspring housing?). But the frame is aluminum alloy and the slide blued steel.

I opted against the Sig 245 mainly because I've heard that the low bore axis of the 1911s make them muzzle flip much less than the Sigs with a higher bore axis. I didn't go with the Para, because even though they're DA, they still DON'T have double strike capability, which is the main reason for a DA. Plus I wanted to be "cocked and locked". :D Also, they gave me a free range membership, and a free Kimber hat!

P.S. I think I'm gonna keep the G30 for those times I feel that I need more capacity. The Kimber is now "MaryAnn" - very pretty, so I suppose the G30 is now Ginger - more like Phyllis Diller really. :) The Wilson is prettier than either, but the wait and the price, etc.....
 
Congrats, Futo!

Hey I went to H&H today and saw the Kimber rep as well. Went in around 11:00 or so.

I was a little disappointed he didn't have more Kimbers for us to try but what the heck. I want one of their five inchers so bad I can't stand it but Uncle Sugar nicked us pretty hard on taxes this year.

Good Luck with your new pistol. I love the two Kimbers I have.
Jack
 
No reason...

...you can't own and like both. Congratulations on your new pistol. How about a pic?

I've got Glocks and 1911s; I keep seeing these "Celebrate Diversity!" bumper stickers, so I buy all different kinds of guns. :D
 
Hey Jack

I wonder if I might have talked to you today - I was in there about 12:15 - 12:50, then went back around 2:15-2:30! I was the small guy that came in with the *rotund* guy in the dress shirt/pants... "Will" was the one helpin me - cool coincidink. Email me...
 
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Ahh, a pic - of course

Celebrate Diversity...tee hee...so THAT's what they mean by that?

Gremlin, I didn't really investigate enough to give the Beretta Cougar a chance (8045?). Hope I don't kick myself when I finally shoot one. In any event, I'm sure I'll like my Kimber.

BTW, the model is the "Ultra Shadow LE II". On the other side of the slide is marked "Limited Edition", so I suppose not too many of these were made. ??

P.S. The sale box for the pistol has a sticker that reads "Not For Sale In Maryland and New York". For shame - now I know where NOT to move.

Also, can someone please tell what ammo is best for carry and practice with these short bbl-ed guns, for minimal muzzle flash, etc.? Thanks
 

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Very nice! Congratulations on your choice. Looks like you have a winner there. I think it's great that you were able to try out a few pistols with the rep there.

I'll have to see if I can find a rep coming in around this area. That would make my decision remarkably easier!

Let us know how it shoots for you.

Regards,
Cedric
 
I was doing OK until I looked at the picture.
Before the picture I said"Oh, that's nice."

After the picture I said "Damn, that's NICE!"
:D
 
If you get a chance to shoot it at 15 or 25 yards off a bench rest, I'd be curious at what your best 5 shot groups are.
 
nice pistol!
mine likes the speer 230gr.GD's
they stay within 3"@25yards(BTW,very impressive!)
didn't chronograph any of them
hope you like it.
clown
p.s.those night sites?
 
Thanks all for the compliments and well wishes

Yeah, it's one sweet shooter. I couldn't believe how well *I* shot with it, at least at first. The first 7 rounds I fired at 25 feet offhand semi-rapid all came within 2 inches; maybe 2.2", with the group dead center! Awesome! Now it kinda went to hell after that, but prolly cuz I was flinching. Anyway, I saw what the GUN could do right off the bat. Very controllable - not much more muzzle flip than the G30 - no FTFs, of course. All in all, I'm quite impressed - now just need a holster.

Yes, it came with tritium sights. Ya know, I'm sure I'm gonna love this pistol, but I'm still not totally sure why it's $200 more than the baby Para-ordnance - yeah it's got the night sights and 30 lpi frontstrap checkering, and you could prolly shave with at least one edge of the Para, but still. I imagine the tolerances might be less subject to deviation, since as I understand it, Kimber makes all theirs on brand new machines, so I'm sure it's worth it - anyone else have anything to offer on that subject?

K, I'll try the Gold Dots and a few others. Thanks. And next time I'll shoot off the bench in better light conditions to see what it can do. It's not "guaranteed to 1.5" at 25 yards" like the Wilson, but I'm sure it can hold it's own - we'll see.

As far as the limited edition goes, apparently Kimber makes a limited run every year of something a tad bit different, so either 750 or 1,000 of these were made, says Will.
 
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