I bought a Stainless Kimber Gold Match 3 days ago. The day I bought the pistol I went out and shot about 150 rounds through it. I then posted a shameless brag about how I loved the feel of wood and steel and how beautiful the pistol is. What I didn't post is the fact that the pistol failed to feed reliably.
Today I bought another magazine and a box of 230 grain Remington FMJ and a couple of boxes of Winchester 230 grain FMJ. I went back to the range and shot again this afternoon.
My new Kimber will not even strip the first round of Remington or USA (remanufactured) out of the magazine when I release the slide. The pistol also frequently jams with all of the makes of ammo I have tried, with both magazines. Hmmm...won't reliably feed Remington, Winchester, American Ammunition or American Eagle ball with Kimber or Colt magazines. Twenty years ago I would have gone ballistic over the deal. However, I have had many 1911 style pistols and I know that they often need to be ported and polished. I also know even the best manufacturers can have a lemon slip through.
I called Kimber and all I got was their answering machine. I left a message but they didn't return my call so I can't tell you how they will respond. I assume I will simply send the pistol in and they will port, polish, and tune and I'll be a happy customer.
Now for my question. I bought the Kimber for target use so I am not too worried about a malfunction leading to my demise in an unexpected serious social encounter. However, some folks might by a Gold Match for defensive use and I don't understand how a company like Kimber can let a pistol out of their factory if it won't feed ball ammo. Also, I have always settled on a load in each 1911 style pistol and stuck with it exclusively after the pistol was tuned for it. Still, I see people posting on TFL who claim to own several 1911 style pistols and they also claim to have never had a failure to feed with thousands of rounds of all bullet configurations. Are they just spoofing me or is it true? The only pistols I have ever owned that are 100 reliable with even the crappiest ammo are H&K P7M8s and Glocks. Enough rambling, anyone care to comment?
Today I bought another magazine and a box of 230 grain Remington FMJ and a couple of boxes of Winchester 230 grain FMJ. I went back to the range and shot again this afternoon.
My new Kimber will not even strip the first round of Remington or USA (remanufactured) out of the magazine when I release the slide. The pistol also frequently jams with all of the makes of ammo I have tried, with both magazines. Hmmm...won't reliably feed Remington, Winchester, American Ammunition or American Eagle ball with Kimber or Colt magazines. Twenty years ago I would have gone ballistic over the deal. However, I have had many 1911 style pistols and I know that they often need to be ported and polished. I also know even the best manufacturers can have a lemon slip through.
I called Kimber and all I got was their answering machine. I left a message but they didn't return my call so I can't tell you how they will respond. I assume I will simply send the pistol in and they will port, polish, and tune and I'll be a happy customer.
Now for my question. I bought the Kimber for target use so I am not too worried about a malfunction leading to my demise in an unexpected serious social encounter. However, some folks might by a Gold Match for defensive use and I don't understand how a company like Kimber can let a pistol out of their factory if it won't feed ball ammo. Also, I have always settled on a load in each 1911 style pistol and stuck with it exclusively after the pistol was tuned for it. Still, I see people posting on TFL who claim to own several 1911 style pistols and they also claim to have never had a failure to feed with thousands of rounds of all bullet configurations. Are they just spoofing me or is it true? The only pistols I have ever owned that are 100 reliable with even the crappiest ammo are H&K P7M8s and Glocks. Enough rambling, anyone care to comment?