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Good Afternoon. Anyone who has experience with a Kimber tle/rl 4, I’d like to hear their opinion on it. I’ve never seen one in person, but I have an opportunity to purchase one. I’m wondering why they aren’t made anymore. I’d appreciate any information. Thanks in advance.

I can't help you with personal experience, but Kimber pistols in general are good to go. If the price is reasonable I would buy it.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/kimber-pro-tle-rl-ii-45-acp-3200116.html

You hear mixed things about Kimbers, if I were you, I'd inspect it in person before paying money for it.

If he's asking for opinions on Kimber, what would he know to inspect?

Owned Kimber in the past, new in 1999. Generally good to go and at the time, a lot of pistol for the price.

I don't have experience specifically with this model tho. I would say, for me, I don't really have any inclination to go sub Commander length in a 1911. What's your intended use of the pistol? Carry, range fun, boondocking etc. ?

Thank you for the replies. It would be for CCW

If ya' want it, buy it. While not that particular gun model, I've owned a number of Kimbers with nary a problem.

I wouldn't be skeered of 'er.

Don’t understand the terminology but if you are speaking 4” barrel, then it is still around. Guessing it’s a II as they didn’t have that model earlier that I recall. Have had a Pro Carry pre II since 97. One of the keepers.

Thank you all for the opinions and information.

I have had three Kimbers (two 1911s and one bolt action rifle) and didn't have luck with any of them. The two 1911s (pre-external extractor) were super sensitive to spring weight, and became unreliable after just a few hundred rounds fired (basically, after their springs wore in). The bolt action rifle (compact .308) was beautiful, but couldn't get through a single mag full without flubbing the feed at least once, jettisoning the round into the air instead of feeding it into the chamber. The gun store owner agreed with me after trying to get through one mag full in the store, and gave me a new one, sending back the one I had bought from him. Same problem. Again, he agreed after trying to feed a mag full through the action, and gave me a full refund. After those experiences, I swore Kimber off completely. I've also heard of problems specifically concerning the TLE models. Those with experience with them tend to find fault with them.

A good rule of thumb for 1911s. It's one that I go by as well, based on experience.

Once again, utter BS. Seriously, you're like a gossipy old woman.

The TLE was a frame change that provided a rail and grip checkering. IMO it was an improvement to the already pretty good "Pro Carry" series. I like the 4" bull barrel for carry and shootability, but I wish they had made the TLE available with an aluminum frame. I have a Stainless Pro carry and feel it is about the best carry size & weight for a 1911.

I think the 1911 craze is about over as most man-boys and girly-men want a 15rnd micro-compact in 9mm. So Kimber, by far the largest producer of 1911s, is seeing a business drop off (then trimming product lines). Interestingly, they've launched a line of restyled 1911s, priced above $1500, that is selling quite well.