Kimber?

[red364]

What do you guys know about Kimber?  I saw a Sapphire Ultra II' Of course, it's beautiful!  But I don't have any Kimbers, nor do I know much about them. Anybody know if it's a worthwhile gun to have or not?

[Timothy]

I can't buy there here so I hate 'em!  Kidding...but it's true I can't buy them in MA!

Heard both sides of the story, some good, some bad but for the money, it'd better work!  The other downside is they're made in Yonkers, NY so most of the people that build them can't carry them!

[bjtraz]

They are upper shelf firearms, as far as cost goes, but are no better quality than mid shelf firearms (S&W, Ruger, Springfield, etc.). They are quality firearms, that they are too proud of. IMHO.

[Ichiban]

Gotta agree with bjtraz.  Although, that is one pretty BBQ gun.   


FWIW  the Ultra has proven to be problematic for some folks, the 3" barrel are historically more finicky than the longer ones.  As a personal note, when I pick up just about any 1911 I seem to feel like I am picking up a fine instrument.  With a Kimber it feels like I am picking up a tool, like a hammer or something.  Maybe it's that plastic MSH that does it.

[RTFM]

bjtraz speaks the truth.

[Sponsor]

[JoeG]

They are upper shelf firearms, as far as cost goes, but are no better quality than mid shelf firearms (S&W, Ruger, Springfield, etc.). They are quality firearms, that they are too proud of. IMHO.

I have to disagree. I love mine. It shoots great has a much better trigger than the equal priced Springfield I had planned to buy, fit and finish are excellent. Since i bought my full sized guvernmint model there have been several come on the market (Remington, Ruger, etc.) have not got to shoot them. If you want an $800 1911 there are good choices. If you want a little more refinement I think you get more at the $1200 price point. IMO money well spent.

I think they are better characterized as lower cost versions of Ed Brown, Wilson, etc. Sort of a semi custom gun. I keep looking for a bob tailed commander lightweight and the Kimber is quite a bit cheaper than the others I listed. If you are looking a small 1911 I don't think Ruger of the others are making anything quite like the Kimber Ultras. I personally don't have much interest in one with a 3" barrel and small grip frame, but they are very nice guns.

[devzal]

I have an older, basic custom II 5" and it's dead on accurate, it was better than my friend's wilson. I've heard the quality has slipped a bit over the years, but mine has proven it's worth.

[MLC]

I have a Kimber Custom II I bought about 6 years ago.  It's never failed me once, and it's more accurate than I am.  I've read a few horror stories on Al Gore's Intertron, but I've never had an issue with mine.  One dude's experience, FWIW.

[TAB]

I have also heard that quality has sliped over the years.  I own a kimber, nothing worng with it, nothing out standing either.  My les baer was only $100 more and its in a diffrent league.  Yet I still carry my colt commader( 1st 1911) and my delta elites.

[Ping]

Accurate and expensive. I can buy two Glocks for the price of one Kimber.