Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Thoughts on Kimber 1911's

Have a buddy who has shot a few Kimbers and read A LOT about them... He rates personal experience (his and mine) way below what he reads on the internet.


So, as many people as possible PLEASE tell me simply if you LIKE or DISLIKE Kimber 1911's based on PERSONAL EXPERIENCE not what you have read. Please let me know either way.

Have only had one, a Custom Target which is their lowest rung model but with adjustable sights.

Trigger was excellent, it broke clean at about 3 1/2 pounds. The very first two shots out of it with Winchester white box 230 FMJ were a couple of inches low of the target, which was a 1 1/2" square at 25 yards. I adjusted the rear sight up and the next 5 rounds chewed the center out of that 1 1/2" square.

Probably only shot it 300-400 rounds as I'm just not into semi-autos but I can't recall a malfunction of any kind.

So based on my sample of one I was extremely impressed.

I have had firsthand experience with five of them. Two had issues and I would not choose them for a defensive weapon, as they were.

I do also still own a 10mm Kimber which has been reliable, and for a hunting/target/fun gun it works very well.

"Dislike" is too strong a word, it's just that other brands have a better batting average for me.

I have never had a problem with my Royal II. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it concealed , very reliable and accurate.

I like...

Good 1911's. I put ~25K rounds through mine - runs great. Pretty good customer service. Good price point. A decade ago they were THE 1911, today they are still a good value as lots of competition has cropped up.

The 1911 is an old design and Kimber does all the basics right. If you like 1911's, then you learn the quirks of the design and all is well.

I've had four of them and had minor troubles with one of the four. Three of the four ran perfectly, shot accurately and to point of aim, and did exactly what you want from a good quality carry type 1911. Even the one I had the minor trouble with run's perfectly. It however, did not shoot to point of aim because it came from the factory with the wrong height front sight. Kimber replaced that after I sent the slide to them. The MIM magazine catch broke and I replaced that with a heat treated tool steel Ed Brown part. I still have this gun, it has the external extractor so many squawk about, but it runs 100% and has now for many thousands of rounds. I've had minor issues with a Colt's Gold Cup also and a Springfield 1911 too. So it can happen with any of them, overall I think Kimber is as good as the better major factory 1911's on the market.

I bought one a couple years ago. A Custom II. It has digested ball and hollow points without a problem. At ten yards I was able to notch a wooden fence and then shot the wood between the notches making hits 70% of the time. Better than normal as I am not the best pistol shot. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

i like them i have an older custom polymer which never had any problems and is accurate and shot a friends also no issues forget which model he has

I've shot lots of 1911's for over 50 yrs. Old WWII, sloppy fitted ones, a 1911 pre A1 from the 20's, etc. I've also played with several from quality makers.
I currently own one Kimber and one Colt. Mine is also the basic Stainless Custom Target. Shoots everything fine except a rare beat up, much reloaded reload with a wadcutter lead bullet. Two inches at 25 yds are common with some that go 1.5 inches or even less. I've only fired one 1911 with a better trigger and that was a custom trigger job on a new S&W.
As far as I'm concerned, if they have a checkered or groved front strap, either the Kimbers or the S&W's are as good as it gets. E

My opinion from owning a few Kimbers I say they're not on par with Baer or Wilson customs but definately better than Taurus, Springfield and many other factory 1911s.

I had a Custom II that had the external extractor that the internet told me was a POS. The gun must have not have gotten the memo, it shot lights out and was utterly reliable after its factory stated 500 round break in.(I think I had 2 FTF out of the first 150 rnds) I sold it for funds to get my Kimber Montana .308. I have missed that gun ever since I sold it, so when I came across a very lightly used series I Custom Stainless a couple weeks ago, I traded my Sig 228 and some boot twords it. I have only put 200 rounds through it thus far, but it shoots as good as my old one and hasnt bobbled.








25 rounds @ 7 yards off hand

What grade of Kimber are you comparing?

I own a number of Kimbers, and have no reason to complain.
Models range from basic ProCarry to Super Match.

The Super Match is the dreaded external extractor, and functions flawlessly.

IMHO, the Super Match and Grand Raptor do rank above Taurus, Springfield and comparable lines, but they should if cost is considered! I would just as soon have a Smith M&P as a ProCarry.

I've run more than a few.

Superb.

My Custom II TLE Pro shoots and functions at the same level as my Glock 30.

About 10 yrs ago the old man and I treated ourselves to a pair of Ultra CDP's.
Don't think he ever fired his, but mine has gobled up beaucoups rounds without a hiccup. But it won't cycle with CCI shot shells.

Pete

Very, very few semi-autos will.

My son has one and he loves it...

I have shot and have to admit it is as good as it gets


T (soon to be Snake)

I liked mine and would buy another.