Heard Kimbers suck now too.

When I got back into shooting, I was seriously intending to pick up a Kimber, because I'd heard for over a decade that was the brand to buy if you want better-than-normal quality in a 1911.  Supposedly, the tolerances and hand-fitting were on par with premium 1911s costing 2-3 times as much.

Then, when I was finally in the market to buy, I did some more research, read lots of reviews and did comparisons with other lines.  What I found out is the Kimber of the mid-90s and later are not the Kimbers of prior years.  Lots of articles expounding on the reasons why, so let's just say their manufacturing and quality control processes were not close to what they once were.

10 Lessons Learned from the Worst Gun I Ever Owned
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/10-lessons-learned-worst-gun-ever-owned/

Thanks guys. Saved me $1800.  She is leaning toward a 1911 in 9mm. She asked me what's the diff between 9 and 45.  Enter rabbit hole. =P

As Red Cap in The Unit would say "What would you rather be shot with?".

Maybe 1 that's around $700 then add in a $300 purple cerakote job.

A friend had a nice Kimber 1911. I think it was the original Eclipse or some other model. It was a nice shooting gun and was solid, at least from what I saw. That was before I bought my first handgun. Anyways, when I came around to considering a 1911 again, heard of the many changes in Kimbers.

It’s still a very popular handgun and lots of zealots that makes HK fanbois look mellow.

Thanks guys. Saved me $1800.  She is leaning toward a 1911 in 9mm. She asked me what's the diff between 9 and 45.  Enter rabbit hole. =P

As Red Cap in The Unit would say "What would you rather be shot with?".

Maybe 1 that's around $700 then add in a $300 purple cerakote job.

Function<<<Looks for the CMOs 

Function<<<Looks for the CMOs 

As Bill Murray would say "That's the fact jack"

What I've learned not to do is just tell her why I think it's rubbish. Instead I mention the forum and others who are old guys, who have more XP than me said they're rubbish.   

Wives typically don't listen to husbands. When we did a bodybuilding comp together, we had the same trainer.  He told her what exercises and rep counts to do.  I've been telling her the exact same thing for years and she no listen.  He explained the whole husband/wive/bf/gf listening thing to me.

As Bill Murray would say "That's the fact jack"

What I've learned not to do is just tell her why I think it's rubbish. Instead I mention the forum and others who are old guys, who have more XP than me said they're rubbish.   

Wives typically don't listen to husbands. When we did a bodybuilding comp together, we had the same trainer.  He told her what exercises and rep counts to do.  I've been telling her the exact same thing for years and she no listen.  He explained the whole husband/wive/bf/gf listening thing to me.

Eh, who you calling old?

There’s a reason why lots of firearms classes separate significant others. I’ve seen it many times where my buddy was like “I’ve been telling her that for years” after their gf/wife has a lightbulb moment in a class.

Friend of mine has that small kimber. I would not recommend it. Jam-o-matic. Smallest I would recommend is commander size

Watched 3 vids so far. 2 of 3 had multiple jams. She changed her mind.

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Watched 3 vids so far. 2 of 3 had multiple jams. She changed her mind.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Similar to Stang, I’ve seen a lot of Commander (4”) and smaller “pocket-size” 1911s malfunction often.  Could it be a matter of tuning or ammo?  Maybe, but whatever the owners were shooting, I’ve seen so many that have lots of problems. 

The other common complaint I’ve seen with Kimbers is when they switched to MIM parts.  I haven’t owned one so don’t know of there are “other factors”.  I also wondered if like any mechanical device, folks who like to tinker end up tinkering in the wrong areas.  I’ve seen that with Glocks as well. 

Similar to Stang, I’ve seen a lot of Commander (4”) and smaller “pocket-size” 1911s malfunction often.  Could it be a matter of tuning or ammo?  Maybe, but whatever the owners were shooting, I’ve seen so many that have lots of problems. 

The other common complaint I’ve seen with Kimbers is when they switched to MIM parts.  I haven’t owned one so don’t know of there are “other factors”.  I also wondered if like any mechanical device, folks who like to tinker end up tinkering in the wrong areas.  I’ve seen that with Glocks as well.

Causes of FTF malfunctions in 1911:

The 3 most common things are the magazine, extractor and the feed ramp. So if it's been flawless up to now, then I'd try different magazines or replace the mag springs.

Also look at the ammo, I've had problems with the Remington ammo where the bullet would push back into the case.

https://www.1911forum.com/threads/what-causes-ftf.274686/

Causes of FTF malfunctions in 1911

I recall a lot of discussion and trial/error of springs, bullet heads (FMJ, hollow points, etc), and feed ramps being main culprits.  Again, not sure how much of that is due to owners tweaking stuff (aka "customizing").  I've seen it a lot on Glocks and competition guns.  Can take a bit to get the right balance.  That said, not something I'd prefer for an SD gun.  Target/match or competition, I say go for it.  But just MO. 

I recall a lot of discussion and trial/error of springs, bullets heads (FMJ, hollow points, etc), and feed ramps being main culprits.  Again, not sure how much of that is due to owners tweaking stuff (aka "customizing").  I've seen it a lot on Glocks and competition guns.  Can take a bit to get the right balance.  That said, not something I'd prefer for an SD gun.  Target/match or competition, I say go for it.  But just MO.

 

Watched 3 vids so far. 2 of 3 had multiple jams. She changed her mind.

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Something for Mrs. Oil

Yeah, not showing her that.

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Yeah, not showing her that.

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Do it. Then you’ll get credit for a WC 1911, or something nicer. Like an Benelli M4 🤔

Do it. Then you’ll get credit for a WC 1911, or something nicer. Like an Benelli M4

I was looking at a M4 cause mrs.cmo has a shotty and i dont. The wife always 1 upping me.

But then i saw the price, and how much more i have to spend to make it run the way i expect, no thanks. Well, i mean i got other stuff of my list of things to buy 1st.

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I was looking at a M4 cause mrs.cmo has a shotty and i dont. The wife always 1 upping me.

But then i saw the price, and how much more i have to spend to make it run the way i expect, no thanks. Well, i mean i got other stuff of my list of things to buy 1st.

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Nobody said being married was cheap. . . 

Oh, you were referring to the shotty.  Mah bad 

What “other stuff” you got? 

Yeah, not showing her that.

Mr. Oil, look at this site for the Mrs.  Beautiful purple and multi-color things...........

https://www.facebook.com/Krano-Customs-101469048746417/

something for the Mrs. :  Ladyhawk 2.0
MSRP only $4799

https://www.nighthawkcustom.com/pistols/lady-hawk2

something for the Mrs. :  Ladyhawk 2.0
MSRP only $4799

SNIP

Not my style, but I bet Mrs. CMO would drool over that.  I am sure one could get the exact shade of purple wanted for that price range.   

Looking at upgrading the plates again, to lighter ones from DFNDR.  Currently front and rear total 16lbs (Spartan Armor lvl4). DFNDR would be from 8-10lbs.  Depending if I want to keep the same lvl4 or go to lvl3++ which is their proprietary made up, non NIIJ rating.  But YT shows they work.  Compared to AR500 Armor Systems (the company) who claims their lvl3 stops a M193, but seen YT vids of that passing thru.

The problem is, I only wear them at most once a month for like 5 hours.  So the price increase isn't justified, but I like what I like.

Or I could just upgrade my sides which are lvl3's to DFNDR lvl 3++ or lvl4. Will go from 6lbs to 2lbs.  And my current lvl3's no stop M193 anyways.  Which is the most common round used. Cost is still high, but way less than the front and rear plates.

If I didn't try my friends light weight kit on, then I wouldn't be in the market. But he did let me feel the weight, so here I am.