People have started several threads about what handgun they should purchase, and eventually somebody will make the claim that Kimber's are junk. So the other night I had mine apart for a quick wipe down after putting a few (50ish) through it. I have over 10,000 rounds through mine, and thought it still looked like it was in great shape. So here's some pics to counter the argument, and a challenge to others. Lets see how well your handgun has held up after that kind of use.

For the record, I break my gun down after every time I shoot it and give it a "wipe down" which usually takes less than 30 min or so. After every 300-500 rounds I do a complete detail and usually takes over an hour. I use plain old Hoppe's No. 9 and Hoppe's gun oil.

Assembled

 

Top, Disassembled.... Some bluing wear.



Left Side



Right Side



Down the Barrel

 

people can say what they want i have never owned a kimber but i have shot some freinds guns and i must say i liked them as far as handgunsgo all i currently own is a ruger super redhawk stainless 44mag its a sweet gun but im lookin for an auto any suggetions preff under 6 bills thanks in advance


Don

 

For some reason, pics dont show up when im on my work computer. But i can say this. I have had zero problems with my kimber, it is a great gun. I dont regret buying it at all. A friend of mine also has one that he used in competitions and such and he has had no problems with it either. I told a guy once that I had a kimber and he said, "Uh, should have bought a colt." I just dont see how people are trash talking them these days.

 

I've always heard Kimbers are good guns

i bought a Glock 19, and I would reccommend it for under $600

Every time I shoot it I do a full detail....i just like playing with my guns

 

I am looking at the Kimber ultra carry II when I turn 21. We will see though that is a long time away

 

I also love my Kimber. I have a CDP Pro and it is a beautiful gun that is accurate and has given me 0 problems.

 

I wouldn't say that they're junk, I would say that most 1911s regardless of manufacturer are kinda hit or miss. Either you get a good one out the box (not often), one that has to be tweaked a little, like an extractor adjustment, or finding the right mags (most times), or one that has to go back to the manufacturer (sometimes).

I've owned one Kimber, two Springfields and a Colt, and they all needed a little adjusting to get working decently, and even then I didn't trust them 100% to carry. I like 1911s, and I'm gonna give them another try but I'm going a little higher up in the price/quality segment.

Conversely, the Sigs and Glocks I've owned, I've taken them straight from the cash register after paying for them to the range without nary a glitch.

 

Kimbers problems started when their CPA walked off with $10,000,000 of their dollars. After that, their quality went in the toilet. If you get a Kimber out of the box that shoots good and has no issues, you are in the top 58% of the buyers. The other 42% will have issues out of the box per a poll at 1911.org. Some of the issues can be fixed by a reasonably intelligent person. But the issues that requires the gun be sent back are miserable. YOU have to pay the freight to send it back. From my house that's $80.00 and no they don't refund the freight. Then you might wait for 6-8 weeks for your new gun to come back. Maybe and maybe not, it might be fixed as their customer service is by far the worst in the industry. The best day at Kimber will be when they fire Dennis. What a moron! If you think buying a top of the line Kimber gets you something extra, you'd be wrong. I have the top of the line Kimber and it was a mess. No, Kimber didn't fix it but my smitty said an idiot could see what was wrong with it. Including freight and smitty, I spent an additional $130.00 on a Custom Shop pistol that should have run out of the box. After a little inquiry, I have found out that Kimber doesn't actually have a Custom Shop. Every one of their guns are mass produced and a pound of hope goes in every box. All things considered, they are grossly over priced. If the guns were a premium gun there wouldn't be a breakin period of 500 rounds. You won't find a breakin period on a quality 1911 as the parts fit like they should or they don't ship them. Like I said, if you get a good one, congratulations. I won't ever waste my money on anther one.