Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Should I accept a Kimber Montana 8400 instead of a 84L???

Ordered a gun over the phone yesterday. Asked for a Kimber Montana in 270 Win. The owner said, yes we have one. I told her I would be having a friend pop by and pick it up for me. Sent him a text saying Kimber 84L in 270 Win. He never bothered to check. I get home and it's an 8400. I phone the owner back and said this isn't what I wanted. Owner said you asked for a Montana and that's what I gave you. Some back and forth took place and I said if a customer asks for a new rifle, they likely aren't expecting a four yr old model. We ended with the owner ordering me an 84L from the distributor.

My question to you folks who have had Montanas is, would you have settled for the 8400? If so, why?

No. I wouldn't. They are different.

You did the right thing insisting on the 84L IMHO.I would have done the same,myself FWIW.

If ya'll don't mind me asking, What's the difference between the two?

JM: The 8400 has a great big old action large enough for a 375 H&H,and a shad belly shaped stock that makes it even bigger looking and heavier.Sorta clunky for a 270.

OTOH the 84L is a lengthened version of the 84M action;smaller and trimmer,and the stock is smaller and nicer handling as well....trimmer rifle.

A potential issue with the 8400's and a 30-06 length cartridge...

The mag box is overly long with standard hunting bullets. I know of several guys that experienced feeding issues. The rounds slide forward in the box, jam against the front of the magazine and the bolt can't pick them up to chamber.

SAS did not know that but the action is damned big for a wee little 270, so makes sense.

I too think you did the right thing. That old pig belly just looks ugly. Correct me guys if I am wrong, but wasn't the 8400 for WSM calibers?

G2

Same thing happened to me with a 7wsm instead of the 7-08 I asked for. Dealer took it back but screwed me out of the 3% credit card charge. This was a mislabeled firearm in their system and no fault of my own. Pissed to no end and they'll never get my money and I will always steer folks away from the store.

Can't understand why companies/businesses can't grasp the concept of its survival tied to good customer service. ESPECIALLY gun stores!

I'm glad you took it back, hope you get your 84L, and not have to wait til next year.

I agree completely on not accepting the 8400. The 84L is a much better fit for an '06 case.

But I think the 84M and 84L have people pretty spoiled, and I wonder why so many happily accept the Winchester M70 obesity that results from that "great big old action large enough for a 375 H&H"

I would much prefer the 84L. Lesson is never let someone else buy something for you. I hope you get the 84L in a timely fashion.

Because they "work"...and have since 1937. The M70 is an icon...the Kimber is a M70 clone

Besides the OD of a M70 receiver is not all that much bigger than a small ring Mauser.....I don't have dimensions in front of me but someone can research it and call me a liar if they want.

The pre 64's were made to take 30/06 based cartridges....H&H actions required extra machining.

With the Classics, at least they blocked the magazines so shorter 06 cartridges were not swimming around in there like a guy whose legs were too short for his pants.They did not do that with an 8400.Like I said, the M70 "works" with 06 cases....see SAS's post above.

Back in topic....the OP did the right thing grabbing he 84L, which is how I would roll...if I wanted a 270.....Kimber.....if...

Yea, like M70 done light Them icons is heavy!




So the 270 and '06 actions are heavier than the 375

Nope....

If you prefer a light, trim rifle and stock then the 84L is your huckleberry for sho. I had an 84M Montana in 7-08 that I sold in a fit of stupidity, then looked at an 8400 Mt in both 30-06 and 300wsm and did not like the stock fit on me at all compared with the 84M. Waited a long time until the 84L Montanas showed up and had most of the Kimber roulette worked out before buying one. Actuall Whelenaway hooked me up with a deal on one recently in 270 win (I know, I know). Went through it following SASs post and only had to shorten the mag box a tiny bit (probably didn't even need to do that but didn't shoot it first to check). Even the bedding is pretty good so I didn't re bed it...yet. DBC in the bore (first rifle I tried it in) and out to the range it went. Shot both fed blue box 130s and fed fusion 150s into groups just under an inch, no barrel break in, no cleaning, so it definitely shows promise for some handloads when our local range opens back up. To me the 84L is just right. Good feel, slightly better balance to me than my 84M, good trigger, and reasonably accurate. I think you'll be very happy with your choice.

Good luck...and thanks again Whelenaway for the hookup

Craig

I personally would not take an 8400 over, or in lieu of, an 84L. Totally different feel.

No way on the 8400. It violates every good feature a Montana is supposed to have.

Fixed it for you, Bob

well....Jordan...Uuhhh....


YUP!

Seemed like the female knew more than she let on. A good way to clear out some old inventory.
Also I wonder how a friend can "pop by" and pick it up for you? The answer to that first question on Form 4473 might be a little iffy........especially when she knew a friend was coming over to get it for you. Just saying...be careful out there people.

I was thinking the same thing as whoop.

Good way to loose ones FFL