FranklinTN
Inactive
FRAME OF REFERENCE: Had only 1 experience w/ a 10mm 1911 before buying this pistol. Have previously owned a dozen or so 1911s-- all were of the typical respected name brands. All were $500+ guns. All were 45s, save one 9mm that I did not care for.
Got a Custom TLE II this week for $950. Of the name brands I have owned, the one I gravitate back to is Kimber. I have read many opinions on the inter web about Kimber's high quality that went downhill and may be coming back up that hill. Previously, I had owned 3 different Kimber models over a 15-year period and I have not been able to tell much difference between any of them. (This particular Kimber is my 4th Kimber). Whilst I have liked the other 1911's I have owned (save for the 9mm) I have liked the Kimbers the most.
After years of enjoying the venerable 45 ACP, I like the 10mm at least as much as any of the 45's I've had. From what I can tell, the recoil of these factory 10mm loads is not different than the 45 loads I have shot. It feels the same to me. I am 6’-1”, 180 lbs. of probably average strength for a 36 year old male. In fact, if I can be honest, I like this 10mm better than the other 45s I have owned. More power at the same perceived recoil/report level. If I shot them side-by-side I might be able to tell a difference?
The accuracy of this Custom TLE II is good. Freehand from 10 yards is impressive. 2” 5-shot groups are not hard to achieve. And freehand from 25 yards on an 8" gong with speed is also impressive. I have not shot it from a bench yet. The trigger is good. Just a touch of creep then breaks at a comfortable weight. Depending on break-in, I may do a trigger job in the future to try and clean up that bit of creep. But, we all know how Kimbers are--after a few hundred rounds, wrinkles can iron out. My Wheeler Trigger Pull Gauge says it breaks at an average of just under 4 lbs.
This gun came with 1 stainless mag. I bought another Kimber stainless mag. The mag that did not come with the gun had some FTF kinks at the outset. For whatever reason, after 100 rounds, the problem went away. Have since put 3 other types of ammo through it and I can’t get it to FTF. The disproportional relationship that mag had with this gun seems to have worked itself out. No other problems or inconsistencies to report at this point--212 rounds through the gun thus far.
Have put 4 types of ball ammo through it. Remington UMC and Sellier & Bellot were the most accurate. That surprised me. I would have thought the Double Tap and the Sig would have been better. The DT was terrible out of this gun—all over the place.
As usual, the Hornady Critical Duty was very accurate. 175 gr FlexLock supposedly going 1,160. I’ll carry these in the woods for deer and pigs.
This is my 4th Kimber and they are all consistent. They have had the same feel. They do feel different to me than the other $500-$1,200 1911 brands I have owned. I personally like the fact that they come tight and need a break in period—it’s just like getting a new puppy!
Got a Custom TLE II this week for $950. Of the name brands I have owned, the one I gravitate back to is Kimber. I have read many opinions on the inter web about Kimber's high quality that went downhill and may be coming back up that hill. Previously, I had owned 3 different Kimber models over a 15-year period and I have not been able to tell much difference between any of them. (This particular Kimber is my 4th Kimber). Whilst I have liked the other 1911's I have owned (save for the 9mm) I have liked the Kimbers the most.
After years of enjoying the venerable 45 ACP, I like the 10mm at least as much as any of the 45's I've had. From what I can tell, the recoil of these factory 10mm loads is not different than the 45 loads I have shot. It feels the same to me. I am 6’-1”, 180 lbs. of probably average strength for a 36 year old male. In fact, if I can be honest, I like this 10mm better than the other 45s I have owned. More power at the same perceived recoil/report level. If I shot them side-by-side I might be able to tell a difference?
The accuracy of this Custom TLE II is good. Freehand from 10 yards is impressive. 2” 5-shot groups are not hard to achieve. And freehand from 25 yards on an 8" gong with speed is also impressive. I have not shot it from a bench yet. The trigger is good. Just a touch of creep then breaks at a comfortable weight. Depending on break-in, I may do a trigger job in the future to try and clean up that bit of creep. But, we all know how Kimbers are--after a few hundred rounds, wrinkles can iron out. My Wheeler Trigger Pull Gauge says it breaks at an average of just under 4 lbs.
This gun came with 1 stainless mag. I bought another Kimber stainless mag. The mag that did not come with the gun had some FTF kinks at the outset. For whatever reason, after 100 rounds, the problem went away. Have since put 3 other types of ammo through it and I can’t get it to FTF. The disproportional relationship that mag had with this gun seems to have worked itself out. No other problems or inconsistencies to report at this point--212 rounds through the gun thus far.
Have put 4 types of ball ammo through it. Remington UMC and Sellier & Bellot were the most accurate. That surprised me. I would have thought the Double Tap and the Sig would have been better. The DT was terrible out of this gun—all over the place.
As usual, the Hornady Critical Duty was very accurate. 175 gr FlexLock supposedly going 1,160. I’ll carry these in the woods for deer and pigs.
This is my 4th Kimber and they are all consistent. They have had the same feel. They do feel different to me than the other $500-$1,200 1911 brands I have owned. I personally like the fact that they come tight and need a break in period—it’s just like getting a new puppy!