Kimber compact likes/dislikes

B

Bill Daniel

New member
I have been looking at a Kimber compact for CCW because I really have enjoyed my Gold Match but am too small framed to carry it comfortably. Any TFLers with Kimber compact experience pro or con? I also like that it is steel as I would like to practice with it alot maybe even try IDPA shooting.
Thanks,
Bill Daniel

------------------
Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
 
I have a Kimber Pro (CDP package). It was (is?) one of the most accurate handguns of it's type I've fired. 2 inches at 25 yards with my nearly 60 year old eyes.

It is now back for warranty work as it shot 4 or 5 inches low and about the same to the left. I know there are those who say that 1 inch at 10 feet (which this gun was certainly capable of) is great. Even if it was a shade low and to the left (which it would have been at 10 feet or less).

We'll see what the factory sends back.

I have two other Kimbers combat offerings - one the Compact that you are looking at - and I think the world of their output. Accurate (not quite up to the Pro, and reliable). Just not the Pro. Monday morning gun? Hope so, and hope that they don't have to trade out that very accurate barrel/slide combo in order to get it regulated.

I guess I'm saying I'd recommend you go for it. The odds are that you'll be well pleased. If it ain't just right - for the price be on the factory like white on rice.

------------------
Jim Fox

[This message has been edited by JimFox (edited August 04, 2000).]
 
My Kimber Custom Combat Carry Model is spot on with the factory installed night sights. Mine has the 4" barrel and is comparable to the Colt Commander, except 1/4" shorter in barrel length. Its a great off duty handgun and I carry mine a great deal, either it or my Glock 17.

7th


------------------
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.
 
I have a steel-framed Compact in stainless. The gun has been reliable and quite accurate. About 600 rounds through it thus far. There is nothing more I desire out of it. Nothing to be tweaked, smithed, repaired, etc.

It's accuracy is limited only by my own ability or lack of the same.

Dislike? Absolutely nothing. Well, if you're going to force me to offer a critique it would be that it's too bulky for me to conceal with my frame in hot weather. Then I switch to something smaller and lighter.

It's still my favorite gun in my collection.

RJ

------------------
"Never turn your back on the crew."
 
I have a steel-framed Compact in stainless. The gun has been reliable and quite accurate. About 600 rounds through it thus far. There is nothing more I desire out of it. Nothing to be tweaked, smithed, repaired, etc.

It's accuracy is limited only by my own ability or lack of the same.

Dislike? Absolutely nothing. Well, if you're going to force me to offer a critique it would be that it's too bulky for me to conceal with my frame in hot weather. Then I switch to something smaller and lighter.

It's still my favorite gun in my collection.

RJ

------------------
"Never turn your back on the crew."
 
I had one that I traded for a ultra carry that is a very accurate and reliable weapon,but I wish I had it back because of the added inch of barrel and little bit heavier barrel dampens recoil quite a bit.If anyone has one they want to trade for a ultra carry stainless light weight,let me know. sjones@ev1.net
 
I had looked at the compact, but didn't like the grip being 1/2" shorter. So I went with the pro carry. Same barrel length, but it feels like a full-size in my hands. It just seems to me that if the clothing worn doesn't print with the short grip, another 1/2" won't matter.

Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
 
Bill, while I am not a fan of Kimber at all, and I can't reccomend one of their guns, I will say that you may not "need" another gun. I have a friend who weighs 125 lbs. soaling wet, and he's about 5'5" tall. He can carry a full size just as easily as anyone else. I'm about 5'7" and 180, and I carry a SA Champion (ok, so it's not quite full sized, but I wish it were) all the time, and I have no problems. On the other hand, if you just "want" another gun, htne go for it!
 
I had a Kimber Compact Aluminum and while I only put about five hundred rounds through it, it never jammed and was fairly accurate for an alloy frame Officer's size 45. I only sold it because I made a conscious decision to carry my Gold Match, and didn't need an Officer's size gun.
But I can't reccommend Kimber highly enough, they are great guns, never had a bad one.
 
Since you already have a Gold Match, you know all the pros.

The only beef I can think of that would apply specifically to the compact is the tacky rubber stocks - you'll probably want to replace them with something nicer.
 
I have the Custom Compact Lt. Wt.. It's a great pistol but I wish I had gotten the steel frame instead as quick double taps are not quite as accurate due to the pistol not settling down as soon as a heavier one. If I slow down some they are better though.

I got the Lt. Wt. for lighter carry weight, but I think now I would rather have a little more steadiness.

Good Luck,

Dave
 
RikWriter,

Mentioned STI because of their slim single-stack 1911-pattern pistols.

Are they pricey? Should I care?

Kimbers are wonderful pistols, and always my first recommendation if one is looking for a '1911'.....

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
I,ve owned four Kimbers. Three of them had chronic reliability problems. The best of the four( no problems with this gun)was my first Kimber, a steel frame blue custom compact. I now carry a Springfield Compact.
Daddycat

------------------
"A rigid investment in flexability is but another closed system of thinking"
 
Fired a Kimber Ultra Carry yesterday, very nice gun, although I did have some complaints.

1. Spits brass in your face, this can be fixed, but I do not expect a $1000 gun to spit brass in your face. My Sig pushes brass well off to the side.

2. The magazine can be difficult to seat, and remove, and only 7 shots.

Other then that nice gun, soaks up the .45 round with hardly any recoil and is very accurate.
 
Thanks fellows! I appreciate your thoughts and experience. Especiallly Front Sight who though not a fan was gracious in his responce.
Good shooting

Bill Daniel

------------------
Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
 
I have a stainless Compact, & my experience mirrors Capt. Bligh's - more accurate than I am, thoroughly reliable, etc, but I have a few more rounds thru than he does. Mine has the wood grips (worth the $ & nice!), and personally, I'd like the aluminum frame version, but I got a deal on it and am basically really happy with it. I also have a Custom Royale, and an Ultra Carry, all have been very good, accurate, reliable guns (though the UC is sensitive to limp-wristing, which is an operator problem). I like my Kimbers. A lot.
Unfortunately, I can't help you much with the CC aspect (I'm 6'3", 260#, and can hide most anything), but I can say that the Compact hides marginally better than my USP45C, Cougar .45, or SIG 228. Generally, I would think a strong side IWB would serve you well, I have a shooting buddy who is 5-9, 150# who carries that way (jeans, untucked t-shirt) and is realy hard to spot. Good luck.
M2
 
I have the Kimber Ultra Carry and I have found it to be totally reliable with the defensive rounds that I use in it. In fact, it has proven very reliable with about everything I've stuffed through it and I've put a couple thousand rounds through it since I bought it. It shows no signs of wear, that I can see and it's more accurate than I am. It's harder to shoot than a full size 1911, but than again I'm not using it for match work, I've got acess to a custom Clark for that stuff. In short it's, while not easily concealed, better than a full size, reliable, and packs a punch, that's what it's supposed to be.

As for those who say that packing a full size 1911 is no problem, I must say that a lot of us don't work in positions that allow us to dress to accomidate such guns. You can conceal a full size pistol under a suit coat or jacket easily enough, but when your forced to follow a dress code that doesn't allow untucked shirts, that situation changes rapidly. At this point pocket carry or ankle carry become strongly attractive methods of concealement; either that, or the use of a belly band or Thunderwear, personally the smaller frame guns just make more since in these situations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top