Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Kimber Custom II .45acp

Gentlemen,
What are your thoughts on the Kimber Custom II .45acp?
Does it have an adjustable trigger? Are they accurate?
What's the pros vs cons?
Thank you.
Soup

My EDC is a Kimber Ultra Carry II. Would be one of the last pistols I ever sold. Accurate and eats everything.

I've got the regular Kimber Custom. No complaints, reliable, accurate enough for its intended purpose.

Only ever had three Kimbers. I no longer have any. There's a reason.

I had one of the original Kimber Custom 5" steel frame .45's that was a very good gun. I monkeyed around and traded it on something or other. Since then I have tried Kimber two more times and had poor luck with both of those guns. One was a stainless 5" and the other a 4" Lwt. Commander style Tactical Pro II. I had trouble with both, the 4" gun was a disaster and I'm happy to not have another one and don't see any new Kimber 1911's in my future.

Had a custom II, the slide stop it came with would routinely engage mid-magazine. I replaced it with a GI slide stop and it behaved after that. It was reliable, accurate enough, and a decent entry level 1911. That said, I sold it for better guns, because after experience with Kimbers customer service, I’ll never own another one. The trigger was not adjustable, but it’s a 1911 trigger. It could be made into an outstanding one easily. The one I had was about 5 pounds with a little creep and mild grittiness that smoothed out over time.

Old70

I’d look at Springfield or Dan Wesson.

Over travel is adjustable.

Kimber makes a good 1911. I have a couple and I'm happy.

Be careful listening to the tiny-brained high post count Kimber haters.

I've not had a single problem with any of the Kimbers I have...

Have Kimber 1911's been the only brand that has ever given any trouble?
Just curious is all.
I like 1911's.

I've owned a pair of Kimbers and several Colts.

No real issue with the Kimbers but one was a pre-II designation and that was pretty good. The other was average in every way and sold later. Nothing bad, nothing great. Just "there".

IMO - when Kimber started, they were a great value. You got a lot of extras without custom smith prices and there weren't as many options those days outside of Colt/Kimber/Custom.

Now - there's a pile of good 1911 companies offering what Kimber was for the same/less money and with as good/better results.

Springfield Ronnin/Garrison line
Ruger
Heck even Tisas/Rock Island offer a 1911 that will go bang and give the shooter the beavertail grip, nice sights, bobbed MSH etc.

So for me - there are others I'd spend money on rather than Kimber because, IMO Kimber doesn't give me a compelling reason to shop with them vs Springfield/Ruger for a basic 1911. Heck, I paid Kimber prices for my most recent Colt (used but barely a box through it).

I see no reason to buy a Kimber, specifically - they'd be a purchase of opportunity/price and not because of how well they execute the 1911 design.

Plus 1.

Kimber made its name offering the extras and “melted look” before it was widely available. Today most of the options that Kimber made it’s name on are a dime a dozen and Springfield or Dan Wesson among others are a better buy IMO.

I’ve an Eclipse Target II.
It shoots great and thus far has out shot my new to me Dan Wesson Specialist (still trying to figure out what it likes).
The only thing I’d avoid completely are any of the external extractor models (made circa ‘05-‘08). Mine is external and it’s the one thing there’s no real way to fix. Mine ejects reliably, but it’s pretty random in terms of direction and distance.

I’d buy any of the other models on a deal, but I’d not put new/big money into one.

I have a commander sized tactical pro II and an ultra CDP officer’s sized. Both have been very reliable but I haven’t put huge numbers of rounds through them. For the money there’s better guns out there. For factory guns I’d look at Colt and Dan Wesson simply because they aren’t using as many MIM parts if any, especially in the fire control group, safeties, slide lock.

They look good.

Good post.

I have 2 Kimber's right now out of 12 or 13 total 1911's & they are fine, but all said in the above post is pretty much on target & there's just no compelling reason for anyone buying a 1911 to buy a Kimber right now.

I've never seen a Kimber with an internal extractor that couldn't be made to run............Kimber really got a bad rep when they changed from the original's to an external extractor & had lots of real problems. Since they went back to internal extractors & added the Schwatrz firing pin block system, they've been more or less OK.

My 2 Kimber's have the FPS made inoperative.

Kimber probably sells more 1911's than anyone else.

MM

Kimber owns the California market.

That's not the flex you think it is.

I have a Custom Carry II. My two complaints are the firing pin (series 80 type) safety and the full length guide rod bushing less barrel. I've sold many Kimbers out of the shop and have had few complaints but they are #2 or 3 on my list, after Colt (old 70s) and Baer.
First gen were not good. II are better but they've had some isdues.

BS, pre II 1997 pro carry. ~16000 rounds. Went back to the custom shop at 10,000 for a tune up. The II’s with Schwartz trigger and external extractor were junk. Pre II’s were series 70 and very nice.