Kimber Aluminum frames reliable???

F

funinsun

New member
Before I shell out a hard earned 900+ for a Kimber CDP: I cannot shake the comment made in one gun rag were the author says that with the aluminum frames it is a gun you carry alot and shoot little, and not a gun for heavy and often shooting.
SInce I will carry this pistol I will obviously be taking it to the range OFTEN!! SO what use is a $900+ pistol if I can only shoot it "selectivly".

Please give me your personal experience with the aluminim Kimber frames-would it be in my best interest to stick with the all steel frame for longevity??? Please help!!!!!!
 
funinsun,

I carry a Kimber Pro Elite daily. It has a 4 inch barrel with a full-size aluminum frame. I prefer the light weight aluminum frame for a carry pistol. I am willing to deal with the extra felt recoil in return for the lighter weight on my hip. If I were buying a pistol for competition I would probably but a steel-framed 1911.

I've only had the Kimber for about 4 months so I can't speak personally to its long-term durability. I have read that the Kimber aluminum frame is machined from a very tough aluminum alloy.

I have also read a column by Chuck Taylor in which he states that the aluminum frame in his Colt Lightweight Commander was as durable as a steel frame based on his personal experience.

You pay your money and you take your choice!
 
Alloy (aluminum) frames are not as durable in the long haul as a good steel frame. I have seen how aluminum tooling holds up in a tool and die environment as compared to steel tooling - steel is better. We used aluminum as a cheap alternative on short run jobs because it was easier to machine.
 
Today's aluminum alloys aren't what they used to be. Aluminum has come a long way's in the past several years. Today's alloys like 7075, similar to fortal are more resistant to dents than mild steel because they have a slightly elastic quality to them. In addition aluminum can be surface hardened to a fairly high RC (I forget the specifics but I think they can get it up into the 60's). I frequently had parts made out of aluminum when I was designing jigs & fixtures and even used it in a few die sets for special purposes. It's true that it doesn't stand up as well as steel does in the long haul; however, it is sufficient for many purposes and desirable as well. If you plan on putting several thousand rounds through your pistol, than I would go with a steel frame. If all you plan on doing is carrying the gun and shooting it often enough to keep in practice with it, aluminum will do fine.
 
Based on the testing Kimber has done on their aluminum frame pistols, the frame will will probably out live you; but like anything else, abuse anything and pay the piper. I do not think I would put a steady diet of +p rounds through it, but using standard loads for practice and putting enough +p's to check reliabilty and accuracy for defensive purposes should pose no real problems.
 
If Kimber has one thing good going for it, it's their T7 aluminum frames. They have not yet received a single aluminum frame back for stress fatigue. It helps that they're the only ones in the industry using the best aluminum money can buy and machining out of solid bar stock and not cast alloys. Personally, I've shot tens of thousands of rounds through various Kimber aluminum frame models and never had or heard of the typical alloy issues associated with other lightweight frame manufacturers. Kinda like glocks in that way ;)
Best,
Joe

------------------
SKD Tactical Accessories
www.skdtac.com
Your source for hard-core, no-bs gear.
 
I agree that Kimber aluminum frames are likely very reliable. But, if it's going to cause you concern, why not just go ahead and buy steel? You'll have one less thing to worry about.

Mine is steel. I seldom carry for more than four hours at a time and I can't say I've every really been bothered by the weight.

I made me decisiion for two reasons: One is that the added weight will buffer recoil somewhat and I want mine to be a shooter not just at waist-hanger. Secondly, with the way politics are moving in this country IF Kimber--or any other manufacturer--is proven wrong about their frames' durability and a frame cracks decades up the road, will that company still be around to stand behind their product?

The latter is why I've not bought a Glock polymer (yet).
 
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