Kimber Quality ??

T

tonyz

New member
My wife purchased a Custom Eclipes II September 08 2001.
When we got home we noticed that the kimber Logo on the slide which is suppose to be all black oxide, had some small chips in the finish, (Remember that custom shop is stamped on the slide, Giving my wife the feeling that it was completly gone over and customized by a factory trained competent person.) YA Right. Anyway the next day we went shooting, I could not Adj. the sights to compensate for the pistol shooting high, the sights were screwed as far down as the would go. Monday I called kimbers customer service? (YA Right) They reluctantly sent out a call tag to UPS so ups would pick up the gun and I would not have to pay for shipping. One week later the pistol came back. The slide was redone, fixing the logo finish but there were 5 new scratches on the frame and slide. But the worst part was it still shot the same 3" high with the sight screwed all the way down. They had replaced the sight because it was not screwed all the way down when it got to them. I had screwed it back up, Also it seems no one tested the gun by firing it to see if it had been fixed. Well Back to kimber it went. This time they replaced the barrel sanded out some of the scractes and added a few more.
And hey I got all this for $900.00 ;-0,
It does shoot like a dream. And I took out most of the scratches, but it will need to go back at least one more time for apperance repairs.
Who else has a horror story like this. Cause I know were not the only one.

Tony Z
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Here's my horror story. I used to not like 1911's, thinking that they were antique and unsafe. Then I spied a Kimber Pro
CDP in the case at my local sporting goods store. I asked the clerk if I could take a look at it. Big mistake. As soon as I gripped it, I fell in love. The gun fits my hand perfectly, looks great, and is tighter than any gun I have held or owned. I gave it back to the clerk and asked to see the Pro carry, thinking if this one feels this good, then I can get the more economical model and save $400. Needless to say I bought the Pro CDP. I took it to the range to test it, all the while thinking it's gonna jam, it's gonna break, I won't be able to hit squat etc. The gun worked flawlessly, I was able to hit anything I aimed at, and it looks pretty. So that's my horror story with Kimber products. ;) Now I am a 1911 fan, though I don't know if I'll get another one, as this one has everything I want.:cool:
 
Well, I wouldn't call this a horror story,

but I am a little ticked. Bought an Eclipse II as well, thinking it would be a very limited production item from the custom shop. Demand has been great enough that Kimber re-thought their stance, and will continue to produce for the forseeable future. Oh well, not the biggest of deals.

Was unhappy that the front night sight went dark after 360 rounds. One of these days have to send back so they can replace. Also was not really happy that after only 7 or 8 times of using the slide lock to release the slide to chamber round one of a fresh mag, the rear edge of the slide stop slot has rounded and has a burr on it. :( On the plus side, I haven't gotten around to sending the slide back for the new sight because I'm still having too much fun shooting this gun! :)
 
"Fred"
I wish I could find the post about the Kimber Meprolights front sight problem. It seems that Kimber had might still have quite a problem with the front night sight going dead. I heard one person had to have 5 replaced in 1 year, they would go dark at about 200 rounds.
Yep I am also a little tick that production was not stop.
You are right about shooting. The pistols are fun to shoot, I am down to one ragged hole at 50'.
And my wife is shooting better then she ever has with a 1911 45acp.

Tony
 
Well I am completely satisfied with my Kimber Custom Combat Carry Model, it has everything on it that folks used to send their 1911s off to high dollar pistol smiths and spend big bucks on. Kimber had a good idea and they seem to be executing it very well. I will buy anothe one when I find a good deal on another one.

7th
 
tonyz

Yes, I've heard the same thing about multiple replacement of the sights. that's another reason I've been waiting to send the slide in to Kimber. Glad to read that your wife is shooting so well with the Eclipse. It is a really nice gun! :)
 
I can't keep the finish on my Custom Eclipse either. The black paint just seems to scrape off, of course with a little effort. My Blade Tech holster seems to be wearing one spot in particular. The slide stop pin has basically no paint on it and neither does the left saftey. I've put approx 600 rounds through it. Its the greatest shooting gun I've ever owned. Guess I'll just send it in before the warranty is up.
 
Bullitt

I beleve that they are having a problem with the Black Oxide finish.
When you call them let them know that you have heard of many other people with an apperacance problem. They already know about it, but make sure you let them know you know. If you catch my meaning.

Tony
 
Thanks Tony, I will definitely let them know more people are experiencing this. I would have thought that this finish to be tougher. Is the Kim coat this weak?
 
The finish on my Kimber Custom classic was wearing off after only a few days out of the box. After 2 years it's rubbed off so much that the frame is almost completely in the white. The metal used in the production of the frame, slide, and parts looks like it was made at a toy factory in China. My barrel is all dinged up, pitted on the outside with a well worn link after only a few thousand rounds (cleaned and taken care of regularly). The "custom" parts are anything but. Needless to say I'm not impressed with Kimber products. In their quest for a tight fit and best out of the box trigger they lost the essence and beauty of the 1911.
 
blades67

You are correct. Quality and shooting are more than expected.


Maybe we should all think about having a finish done some where else. If several of us do it maybe they'll give TFLer's discounts. Just an idea. I'm going to let Kimber have another chance first.
 
blades67

It about more then that. For one, there customer service peoples demeanor was very poor. Also there workmanship was very poor. I had stated that the pistol was shooting high and could not be adjusted to correct this. there solution the first time there was to replace the rear adjustable sight, but not check to see if this repair had fixed the problem.

Tony
 
Tonyz

That is terrible. I have been through a similar problem with my Kahr pistol, but I expected so much more from Kimber. I really hate hearing that. I hope they do the right thing. I think I'll call them to complain about my Eclipse. Maybe it will help some. Sorry.
 
I hate Kimbers they really piss me off. Everytime I see one I feel the sudden need to buy. I am a college student so at the moment money is an issue and I can't afford that beautiful custom target I want so much.
 
Kimber fell into the same trap Eagle Snacks and Sears and Roebuck fell into. They all positioned their company's at the high end of their respective markets, the primary means of doing so is a high price. Once established the expectations fed on themselves. All three companies failed to have in position business systems that allowed them to retain the performance the customer base expected.

Eagle Snacks kept its image too high and could not bring on more customers willing to pay their high prices. Eagle Snacks is not out of business as a separate brand. Sears and Roebuck opted to drop down the quality ladder but tried to maintain the high end price structure. S&R is still paying he price for that folley. That decision was made by financial types.

Kimber's future? They better get the technical (gun finishes, fit and finish, performance) quality up to snuff and improve administrative quality (customer service reps that don't p*ss off customers, etc.) quality or they can kiss their price structure good bye. Customers will not purchase a product...any product....when perceived quality is out of lines with pricing. In my view, Kimber's high prices will not hold much longer.
 
Waitone, You make a good point, no question, But a handful of internet gunners with problems doesn't equate to the demise of Kimber in my opinion. They claim to be the largest manufacturer of 1911's, if indeed that is true, a problem or 2 is going to show up, I don't think the problem is to the degree you speak of. Maybe I'm wrong......But I would imagine there are tons of happy customers or they wouldn't sell.
 
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