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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
Forget Rick Cambell,
Just call Melvin Forbes himself, I did with a 24B that was shooting 3" groups. The magazine was binding the action up.
Melvin fixed it free of charge and sent it back to me no charge. All within two weeks. Remarkable time, I think.
I asked if I could pay him. He said he would be sending the bill to Forbes Rifles.
As far as quality of the Kimber and the Forbes. In regards to actions and stocks. The Forbes rifle is far superior to the Kimber. The stock on the Kimber is junk compared to the Forbes.
Forbes action is also much better. The barrels are probably equal...not good. How so my friend? Please give as many details as possible. I'm interested if you are speaking from a technical viewpoint or from personal feel and preference. Either is fine but I would like to know more than it's just better. Exactly how is it better?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,459
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,459 |
I had a 84L for awhile of which I sent down the road. It failed to impress me. The action was very basic. The stock was thin and in my opinion not high quality as some here have said, even comparing them to Mcmillan. My opinion from owning both.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
I know with what I went through, I wouldn't trust ANYTHING coming from Rick Campbell.
Laughably bad communication, QC and CS.
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
I look at them every week and for the life of me can't see $1500 of rifle there. They remind me more of a Savage than anything else. Butt ugly to boot. Gritty actions and I don't care for the muzzle tilt balance.
After Rancho's experience I would never buy one. Rather take a 700 MR and drop it in a McMillan Edge,and would rather have a Kimber any day.
Wasn't it Mel Forbes who taught Kimber how to make synthetic stocks? At least that's what I recall.
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 24,369
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 24,369 |
The action was very basic. The stock was thin To be honest, this is why I like mine. Wasn't it Mel Forbes who taught Kimber how to make synthetic stocks? I thought the same thing. Is this not true?
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
The action was very basic. The stock was thin To be honest, this is why I like mine. Wasn't it Mel Forbes who taught Kimber how to make synthetic stocks? I thought the same thing. Is this not true? I like the thin stock but I don't get the basic part. What about the Kimber is more "basic" than the Forbes?
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,854 |
The action was very basic. The stock was thin To be honest, this is why I like mine. Wasn't it Mel Forbes who taught Kimber how to make synthetic stocks? I thought the same thing. Is this not true? I like the thin stock but I don't get the basic part. What about the Kimber is more "basic" than the Forbes? I think basic is better. A Kimber 84 action in my eyes is almost the same as a pre-64 Win 70. Kimber is smaller in dimension, I know. If somebody will point out the differences, I'll definitely and gladly listen and learn. Great trigger as well....on the Kimber. And I love the stock on the Montana. Seems to be as stiff as it needs to be. All it needs is bedding in the lug area and I'd compare it to any out there of similar weight. Would I rather have an Edge? Yes. But I see NO need to add $600 or so to the cost of a Montana just to get a slightly better stock. But to each his own. That's why different rifle manufacturers sell rifles.
Last edited by 257heaven; 12/21/14.
Sent from my Dingleberry Handheld Wireless
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
I handled 2 forbes down at the pawnshop a couple of weeks ago, yes, in a pawnshop, and I still prefer the forbes stock to the montana.
I walked away still smiling though, to have washed my hands of that whole goat rope..
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,972 |
Rancho I've never handled a Forbes or Nula. I won't buy a Forbes until they get their act together, if they make it that long. Can you explain exactly what it is about the stock that you like over a Kimber 84M?
I have the Kimber and like it fine. I've killed 3 whitetails with it this year shooting standing offhand and I haven't missed yet.
If there is something special about the Forbes, I may have to start saving for a NULA to try out.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
Shorter grip on the forbes..
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257 |
Wasn't it Mel Forbes who taught Kimber how to make synthetic stocks? I thought the same thing. Is this not true? Internet mythology.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257 |
The action was very basic. The stock was thin To be honest, this is why I like mine. Agreed. The action is deceptively simple. Fulfills everything I want in a Mountain Rifle. Ditto the stock, it's dimensions are spot-on perfect for me, but I'm not very big at 5'10", 155lbs. The Forbes stock doesn't fit me as well as the Kimber, and I don't like the tighter grip... choices are great, but handling several Forbes rifles I was completely underwhelmed by the fit and finish.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,891
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,891 |
I've owned five Kimbers and two ULAs.
I vastly prefer the Kimber stock design to the ULA/NULA/Forbes, and would rate the Kimber quite a bit above a Mcmillan Hunters Edge in ergos.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,459
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,459 |
I know with what I went through, I wouldn't trust ANYTHING coming from Rick Campbell.
Laughably bad communication, QC and CS. I would agree with that. What ever fits you, I like The Forbes stock, and when I call thin on the Kimber, I'm referring to its construction. No way it comes close to Mcmillan or Forbes quality.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,327
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,327 |
I found Rick Campbell to be uninformed and difficult to do business with. He promised that I would get my LH Forbes by last Spring, then late Spring, then early Summer, then late Summer, then early Fall etc.
When I brought the multiple wrong data to his attention, he got annoyed, and I also found out that he does not know very much about his product.
It appears that he has a thick head and a thin skin. Would not do business with him again.
Steve
Last edited by 7x57STEVE; 12/21/14.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
To add to the discussion, I just finger banged a Howa Alpine at the local Whorehouse, and at $999, I think forbes has something to worry about besides their crappy CS and QC..
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,077
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,077 |
To add to the discussion, I just finger banged a Howa Alpine at the local Whorehouse, and at $999, I think forbes has something to worry about besides their crappy CS and QC.. Any chance you weighed it?
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 20,379 |
Don't usually carry a postal scale around..
Howa lists it at 5-11.. and I bet it is. (snark intentional)
I replace valve cover gaskets every 50K, if they don't need them sooner...
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257 |
when I call thin on the Kimber, I'm referring to its construction.
No way it comes close to Mcmillan or Forbes quality.
IMO, that's absolutely not the case. I've got a cross section of a Montana stock, and it's quite thick. It's laid glass cloth and plenty tough. Certainly on the order of a McMillan or Bansner.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,077
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,077 |
Slacker.
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