Want to hear your thoughts and comments

[SJPrice]

I have two Kimber Ultra CDP's.  One is an original and the other is a CDP II.  I have added XS big dot sights to the CDP II and am carrying it with Hornady TAP 200 Grain factory loads.  Two questions.  What are the differences between the CDP and the CDP II.  Second what do you think of the Ultra CDP II as a self defense carry gun?

[SwoopSJ]

I am not familiar with either model of the CDP, however, I was able to find info. on one of the 1911 forums, hope it answers your question.

The Kimber Series-I ignition systems are identical to the highly sought after Colt Series 70's, Ed Browns, Springfield Armory, Les Baers, Wilsons, STI's...you get the point. The Kimber Series-II can most closely be compared to the newly recalled S&W 1911's FPS (firing pin safety).

So, basically, I guess he CDP has no firing pin safety, but the CDP II does.  As far as the Ultra CDP II is concerned, its a .45 made by Kimber... how bad of a self defense piece could it be?

Swoop

[Timothy]

The older gun, the CDP, may have an external extractor which Kimber did have some trouble with.  Other than that, they should be pretty close to the same gun.   As too whether I'd carry one?  That's what the dehorning is for and the subcompact frame and barrel, it was made for concealed carry.

With any 1911 style pistol, make sure your comfortable with it and that the gun runs well, reliably and goes bang when you want it too.  If the gun is problematic in function, I'd leave it home in favor of a gun that works, EVERY TIME!

Be safe....

[MikeBjerum]

I have two Kimber Ultra CDP's.  One is an original and the other is a CDP II.  I have added XS big dot sights to the CDP II and am carrying it with Hornady TAP 200 Grain factory loads.  Two questions.  What are the differences between the CDP and the CDP II.  Second what do you think of the Ultra CDP II as a self defense carry gun?

I'm not a Kimber expert, and I find myself having a hard time coming up with an intelligent answer, so ...

Send them both to me, I'll play with them, shoot them, carry them, fondle them, clean and lube them, and then I will send them back to you with a full explanation ... in about ten months 

[Pathfinder]

I'm not a Kimber expert, and I find myself having a hard time coming up with an intelligent answer, so ...

Send them both to me, I'll play with them, shoot them, carry them, fondle them, clean and lube them, and then I will send them back to you with a full explanation ... in about ten months 

You have that much ammo? I'm coming for a visit . . . 

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

You have that much ammo? I'm coming for a visit . . . 

Fondle and massage ... I'm a firm believer in foreplay 

[bunkeru2k]

As for the Series II safety.....hypothetically speaking, if one were to break their firing pin and ordered a replacement, lets say the Ed Brown 824 for example, then one's pistol would be bypassing the Series II safety.

That particular safety is only what they refer to as a "drop safety". It's only function is to prevent the firing pin from going forward if the pistol is dropped from a high enough level that inertia moves the firing pin against the spring and is able to hit the primer with enough force to fire. As long as you have good firing pin springs, this safety is pretty much worthless and CAN fail. If it fails, your gun will not fire (which is why so many people have such great disdain for it).

[mmszbi]

I do not have the Ultra, but I carry the CDP II in the compact.  I would not carry any other weapon as mine has been ultra (no pun intended) dependable, eats anything,  I shoot it in IDPA in addition to carry, has many many thousands of rounds thru it and I know it better than the back of my hand.  Kimber all the way!

[tombogan03884]

Something to keep in mind, a post by Rob Pincus in another thread

http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=6132.msg74198#msg74198
(Off topic: Public Service Announcement)

You guys can imagine how bored I was this morning to even check out this thread.... when I did, I saw this:
Quote
for something like a Kimber Ultra Carry II because I love the 1911 format better

And I was instantly nauseous.  Seriously, Peg, and anyone else considering that gun, I had about 8 of them in classes last year. One guy brought a matched pair. NOT ONE of them made it to lunch on day 1 without problems. Most of them were choking within the first hour. These guns are dangerously unreliable. One of them actually fell to pieces on the range in Georgia. I tease the 1911 guys a lot, but the fact is that some guns do occasionally perform well... this model is not one of them. The only reason I point it out is that the model is, because of size, price, hype and style, very popular.

(back to the originally scheduled thread)

Nice Pics!

-RJP

[Ping]

I remember reading that. Rob cured me of my desire for a Kimber. I went ahead an bought a couple of more Glocks instead.