Sent it back last week. They throated the barrel,gave me two replacement mags and had it back to me in a week. Took it to the range tonight. No improvement- probably worse! Shot four brands of ammo (Corbon HP. CCI Ball, Federal Hydrashocks and some truncated range ammo. I used four types of mags including Kimber, Wilson, McCormick and some cheapies I got at a gun show. I quit counting FTF's after ten or so, but I would guess that I had 30 out of 200. I hag FTF's with all ammo and all mags. The ball in the McCormick being the worst. I have to admit I'm pretty bummed right now. Maybe I'll give it a trip to B. Bilby for Christmas.
Please cure my Kimber part II
- Thread starter ATTICUS
- Start date
Sounds just like the Gold Match and Super Match I ditched. On the flipside, both of em functioned fine after a reliability job from a good smith. On the other hand, I had the case of the ass with their two "top of the line" pistols. So I sold all my Kimbers (which included an Ultra Elite that functioned fine).
Get a Wilson or Les Baer and you won't ever look back. I never did
Get a Wilson or Les Baer and you won't ever look back. I never did
Steve Smith
New member
I tried to emial this to you last time, but I'm having e-mail problems. Here's my point of view (please no commentary from the "Kimbers are next to Godliness group")
David,
I'm responding to your post on TFL. I notice that several folks have responded telling you that they have no problems with their Kimber. That really doesn't help you, does it? If the nose of the bullet is already in the chamber when the jam occurs, then it's a "throating" problem, where there's not enough room in the opening area of the chamber to allow the cartridge to go fully in. also, the extractor could possibly bee to tight, not allowing the round to slide all the way up the breechface. It could be several things, but that's not why I'm writing. I'm writing you to tell you to watch out. I have gone around and around with Kimber, and if Joe Seuk is still there, make sure not to mention my name, as I probably have quite a reputation there as the "unsatisfied customer of the decade." My problem was with slide lock, but I was halfway through the 1 year warrantee when I started pursuing reliability. too. I definitely got the idea that the work that Kimber did was not complete several times, perhaps in an effort to get me past my warrantee date. I cannot prove this, so don't quote me. My gun went back to them 3 times within a 3 month period, and they still couldn't fix the problem. I eventually got really mad at their constant and false accusations, and demanded a new gun. They finally agreed, but I had to threaten them with a letter to major magazines to get them to do it. (I had already typed the letter, including references to the 58+ e-mails that had been sent to and from Joe Seuk...I sent the letter to them for the shock value.) I received the new gun, one month before the warrantee on the old one ran out. I have since bought three Springfield Armory products, and have been delighted with the quality and service of their customer relations/repair dept.. This is not an ad for SA, but a warning about Kimber.
David,
I'm responding to your post on TFL. I notice that several folks have responded telling you that they have no problems with their Kimber. That really doesn't help you, does it? If the nose of the bullet is already in the chamber when the jam occurs, then it's a "throating" problem, where there's not enough room in the opening area of the chamber to allow the cartridge to go fully in. also, the extractor could possibly bee to tight, not allowing the round to slide all the way up the breechface. It could be several things, but that's not why I'm writing. I'm writing you to tell you to watch out. I have gone around and around with Kimber, and if Joe Seuk is still there, make sure not to mention my name, as I probably have quite a reputation there as the "unsatisfied customer of the decade." My problem was with slide lock, but I was halfway through the 1 year warrantee when I started pursuing reliability. too. I definitely got the idea that the work that Kimber did was not complete several times, perhaps in an effort to get me past my warrantee date. I cannot prove this, so don't quote me. My gun went back to them 3 times within a 3 month period, and they still couldn't fix the problem. I eventually got really mad at their constant and false accusations, and demanded a new gun. They finally agreed, but I had to threaten them with a letter to major magazines to get them to do it. (I had already typed the letter, including references to the 58+ e-mails that had been sent to and from Joe Seuk...I sent the letter to them for the shock value.) I received the new gun, one month before the warrantee on the old one ran out. I have since bought three Springfield Armory products, and have been delighted with the quality and service of their customer relations/repair dept.. This is not an ad for SA, but a warning about Kimber.
Gonzo: Anything is possible, but the guy shooting with me had a Kimber Custom that I borrowed and put two mags through a half dollar size hole at 30 feet W/O any FTF's. Another friend of mine also has one and I've shot it a few times with no FTF's.
I'm getting a little tired of hearing "it's you- it's your mags, it's the ammo, it's bad lubrication- no it's the weather. I also took my $119 Makarov with me and put 50 round of S&B through it without a hiccup. I would hope that a $700 pistol might tolerate a little imperfection in it's owner. Thanks for letting me rant a bit, it's been a long day. Thanks for the insight Frontsight.
Gonzo: Your in Columbus? I would gladly let you prove me wrong at a local shooting range - I'll buy the ammo of course. Drop me an email if your interested.
[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 26, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 26, 2000).]
I'm getting a little tired of hearing "it's you- it's your mags, it's the ammo, it's bad lubrication- no it's the weather. I also took my $119 Makarov with me and put 50 round of S&B through it without a hiccup. I would hope that a $700 pistol might tolerate a little imperfection in it's owner. Thanks for letting me rant a bit, it's been a long day. Thanks for the insight Frontsight.
Gonzo: Your in Columbus? I would gladly let you prove me wrong at a local shooting range - I'll buy the ammo of course. Drop me an email if your interested.
[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 26, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 26, 2000).]
Bennett Richards
New member
I have heard that one problem with the Kimbers is too tight a chamber. Check it out.
My Kimber compact stainless will shoot an inch at 25 yards and is very reliable.
I have also heard horror stories about SA 1911's. Get a good gun if you can and keep it!
Ben
My Kimber compact stainless will shoot an inch at 25 yards and is very reliable.
I have also heard horror stories about SA 1911's. Get a good gun if you can and keep it!
Ben
Frontsight:
I believe I am the one who "jinxed" your Kimber repair.
When you had your first repair, I think I posted a message about how My Kimber failed to feed hollowpoint ammo and had the now infamous failure-to-lock slide problem. Furthermore, despite one ($25) trip to the factory, the gun came back "fixed," only to behave the same way again.
You then checked your gun and it still malfunctioned, did it not? If this story does not ring a bell, please forgive me.
In any case, I have a SA "Loaded" now and it has been 100% reliable. What is more, unlike Kimber, SA fixes its lemons and takes care of its customers.
Skorzeny
------------------
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
I believe I am the one who "jinxed" your Kimber repair.
When you had your first repair, I think I posted a message about how My Kimber failed to feed hollowpoint ammo and had the now infamous failure-to-lock slide problem. Furthermore, despite one ($25) trip to the factory, the gun came back "fixed," only to behave the same way again.
You then checked your gun and it still malfunctioned, did it not? If this story does not ring a bell, please forgive me.
In any case, I have a SA "Loaded" now and it has been 100% reliable. What is more, unlike Kimber, SA fixes its lemons and takes care of its customers.
Skorzeny
------------------
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
John Forsyth
New member
I had the same problem with a Stainless Classic. I did not bother to send it back to Kimber. I sent it to Brian. Yes, it cost me a little more, but now I have a 100% reliable pistol that I can trust my life with.
------------------
John
------------------
John
straightShot
New member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Frontsight!:
if Joe Seuk is still there,
...My problem was with slide lock
...including references to the 58+ e-mails [/quote]
Frontsight!:
I believe that I sent my e-mails back and forth to this guy, and that he no longer works at Kimber.
The slide stop on my Ultra Carry held the slide open prematurely. I was told via email to send the gun back to them. I did. I had requested a price on night sites, and someone from Kimber called on this when they received my gun and then he asked me why I had sent the gun back and not just requested a new slide stop. I told him that I was told via e-mail to do so. He said that I didn't need to send them the gun and that all I needed was a new slide stop.
Yeah, right. I got my gun back two days later, but the problem still occurred 1 - 2% of the time and thus the problem was not fixed. This is NOT acceptable for a carry gun.
It looked like they tested the gun by only firing 3 or 4 rounds through it. I finally called them and they sent me a new slide stop. I've fired 500 more rounds with no problem, but the damn thing should have worked in the first place and I shouldn't have had to spend $25 to send it to them.
Their advertising is slick, but why can't their $700 guns have a slide stop that works correctly the first time? What's going on? I think for next year's new gun I'll try another .45 manufacturer.
------------------
NRA Life Member/Volunteer Recruiter
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
if Joe Seuk is still there,
...My problem was with slide lock
...including references to the 58+ e-mails [/quote]
Frontsight!:
I believe that I sent my e-mails back and forth to this guy, and that he no longer works at Kimber.
The slide stop on my Ultra Carry held the slide open prematurely. I was told via email to send the gun back to them. I did. I had requested a price on night sites, and someone from Kimber called on this when they received my gun and then he asked me why I had sent the gun back and not just requested a new slide stop. I told him that I was told via e-mail to do so. He said that I didn't need to send them the gun and that all I needed was a new slide stop.
Yeah, right. I got my gun back two days later, but the problem still occurred 1 - 2% of the time and thus the problem was not fixed. This is NOT acceptable for a carry gun.
It looked like they tested the gun by only firing 3 or 4 rounds through it. I finally called them and they sent me a new slide stop. I've fired 500 more rounds with no problem, but the damn thing should have worked in the first place and I shouldn't have had to spend $25 to send it to them.
Their advertising is slick, but why can't their $700 guns have a slide stop that works correctly the first time? What's going on? I think for next year's new gun I'll try another .45 manufacturer.
------------------
NRA Life Member/Volunteer Recruiter
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
Ron Ankeny
New member
Atticus:
Welcome to the "Lemon Kimber Club". I had similar problems with a Stainless Gold Match. After 3 trips to the factory, I finally sent it to Brian Bilby. Hell, even Brian had it twice before he got it to run.
After I finally got it fixed, I shot it a bunch and it ran great but the accuracy still sucked. Still it was good enough to take second in the First Annual High Country Steel Shootout. Alas, I had about $1600.00 in it and it was still just a Kimber. I sold it for about half what I had in it and bought a Baer. Don't get me wrong, the pistol now runs great, I just had it up to my eyeballs with Kimber and I'll never own another one.
It isn't you it's the pistol and don't let the Kimber pimps convince you otherwise. Take Son's advice and buy a real pistol.
Welcome to the "Lemon Kimber Club". I had similar problems with a Stainless Gold Match. After 3 trips to the factory, I finally sent it to Brian Bilby. Hell, even Brian had it twice before he got it to run.
After I finally got it fixed, I shot it a bunch and it ran great but the accuracy still sucked. Still it was good enough to take second in the First Annual High Country Steel Shootout. Alas, I had about $1600.00 in it and it was still just a Kimber. I sold it for about half what I had in it and bought a Baer. Don't get me wrong, the pistol now runs great, I just had it up to my eyeballs with Kimber and I'll never own another one.
It isn't you it's the pistol and don't let the Kimber pimps convince you otherwise. Take Son's advice and buy a real pistol.
F
faiello5
Guest
Atticus, I have to concur with a few of the other posters: send it to Brian Bilby. He will make it right. Sorry to say, but if it was me, I would ditch the gun. I would not be able to enjoy it having gone through all of that bull with Kimber, even if it eventually did run right. Take the money from the sale, save a little here/there and by a Baer. My Premier II is outstanding. You will not be disappointed with a Baer gun. Good luck with whatever route you choose.
Regards,
Frank
Regards,
Frank
You guys are making me nervous about the Kimbers I have, even though they function flawlessly with factory ammo. I bought one a year ago, and another two years ago. Is it possible that Kimber's quality and customer service has gone downhill in that time? These stories are making me nervous about buying another.
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.
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.
Monkeyleg,
Don't worry about yours if they are running. Even though there are quite a few problems with Kimbers, most run fine and most of the bad ones can be fixed quickly and easily (I've done several for friends).
Kimber is still a good platform. They are just trying to hold custom gun tolerances and fits in a factory gun. If everything goes together right you get a hell of a gun at a good price. If it doesn't, you get a turd of a gun at a high price. But at least it's a turd that can be polished!
I don't (and won't) own one - unless I found one for sale right that was already running. Otherwise I build my own 1911's for just a little more money.
ATTICUS,
Don't screw around with Kimber. Send it to Bilby and forget all about this up front crap. Don't sell a gun to someone when you know it's not right (unless you make sure they know it). When Brian gets done you'll have a nice tuned 1911. Who cares what name is on the side...
Mikey
Don't worry about yours if they are running. Even though there are quite a few problems with Kimbers, most run fine and most of the bad ones can be fixed quickly and easily (I've done several for friends).
Kimber is still a good platform. They are just trying to hold custom gun tolerances and fits in a factory gun. If everything goes together right you get a hell of a gun at a good price. If it doesn't, you get a turd of a gun at a high price. But at least it's a turd that can be polished!
I don't (and won't) own one - unless I found one for sale right that was already running. Otherwise I build my own 1911's for just a little more money.
ATTICUS,
Don't screw around with Kimber. Send it to Bilby and forget all about this up front crap. Don't sell a gun to someone when you know it's not right (unless you make sure they know it). When Brian gets done you'll have a nice tuned 1911. Who cares what name is on the side...
Mikey
Thanks for the helpful replies. I do like this pistol alot and will most likely keep it. It is a beautiful piece (royal blue finish) and more accurate than I am. It is too bad that Kimber has, or is getting, a bad reputation when stuff like this could be easily remedied. The other Kimbers that I've seen and fired were excellent. Luckily this is not my only pistol,and is definitely not my primary defensive pistol, so I can afford to have a little patience. Thanks again!
[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 27, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 27, 2000).]
Condition One
New member
ATTICUS....Have you got a Dremmil tool? If you do, try polishing the brech face, and the chamber. Also try taking some of the pressure of the extractor. Sounds like any or all of these could be your problem. I have a Kimber Custom that is almost 3 years old with only 2 or 3 FTF in the first 300 rounds. After that it's perfect. I have a Kimber Compact that had to have the chamber polished and the extractor tuned. Since then it has been 100% also. Don't give up! Everything is there to make one great pistol. Wilson uses the same parts, slides and frames on their guns. Shoot Safe.....CO
------------------
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." From the movie, " The Shootist"
------------------
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." From the movie, " The Shootist"
Hate to break the news to ya buddy but Wilsons share nothing with Kimbers. Yes the Wilsons frames and slides come from the same supplier Kimber uses but the Wilson componets are made to higher specs. Wilson makes their own parts and Kimber buys theirs from Chip McCormick. Also Wilson pistols are made by pistolsmiths and Kimbers aren't. Comparing a Kimber to a Wilson is like comparing a Corvette ZR-1 to a GEO Metro because they both have Goodyear tires.
straightShot
New member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AUG:
Comparing a Kimber to a Wilson is like comparing a Corvette ZR-1 to a GEO Metro because they both have Goodyear tires.[/quote]
Be nice, AUG.
------------------
NRA Life Member/Volunteer Recruiter
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
Comparing a Kimber to a Wilson is like comparing a Corvette ZR-1 to a GEO Metro because they both have Goodyear tires.[/quote]
Be nice, AUG.
------------------
NRA Life Member/Volunteer Recruiter
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
Hi, folks,
"the d--ned thing should have worked in the first place"
Truer words were never spoken. I really fail to understand how people buy a product (any product), return it for repair not once but many times, have it still not work as it should, and then praise it to the skies when it finally seems to be sort of fixed.
If a company has such poor QC that it can't make a pistol that works out of the box, at least with bottom line (ball) ammo, don't buy from them. The fact that every once in a while they get it right doesn't mean they are any good, just that some buyers are lucky.
Jim
"the d--ned thing should have worked in the first place"
Truer words were never spoken. I really fail to understand how people buy a product (any product), return it for repair not once but many times, have it still not work as it should, and then praise it to the skies when it finally seems to be sort of fixed.
If a company has such poor QC that it can't make a pistol that works out of the box, at least with bottom line (ball) ammo, don't buy from them. The fact that every once in a while they get it right doesn't mean they are any good, just that some buyers are lucky.
Jim