Posted: 8/19/2007 7:25:17 PM EDT
| I have been looking into getting a 1911 and so far the niced (most expensive one that really felt great in my hand) was a Kimber Gold Combat Stainless II. I thought I would see what you gentlemen have to say, good or bad , about this particular model. Thanks for your input! |
In that price range I wouldn't consider the Kimber. Your getting close to (if not over) the $1500 range. There are MUCH better choices available. The LB Premier II can be had under $1500 for one. It is all tool steel and hand fit. Kimbers are decent when the price is $800ish, over that and your paying for looks and different finish. All Kimber use the same MIM internals, fitting etc. The GCS II looks great but it's not worth the money. |
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Kimber Series II pistols use the Swartz system fring pin safety that is activated by the grip safety - it is not connected to the trigger at all. Consequently you do not have the trigger pull issues that accompany the Colt Series 80 FPS. The only potential issue with the Swartz system is that a less than fully depressed grip safety could block the firing pin (in addition to the normal function of preventing the sear release) but this has been resolved with a small swell on the grip safety that ensures it is fully depressed. I have a Gold Match II and have no complaints with it at all. Fit and finish are both great and it has held up to a large number of rounds with no problems - and far better than the Gold Cup or any other Colt I have owned. |
This is a potential problem I have made a concious decision to avoid. The 1911 doesn't need the Swartz safety and the potential problems associated with it. I now either buy SA or go up to Baer and skip Kimber. Its just my choice and is the recommendation I make to anyone that asks me. I actually have less issue with the Series 80 style safety as a poor grip (which can happen in a bad situation) is not going to cause the gun not to fire. later, AJ |
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Change the Kimber firing pin to a series 70 style and it defeats the firing pin safety. It will fire just fine. Kimbers are excellent guns now that they went back to internal extractors. Diamondback A 45 may not expand but it will never be smaller than .45!!  NRA Member |
The traditional way of preventing problems with the gun failing to fire due to a less than fully depressed grip safety was to pin the grip safety in the depressed position, but then that made carrying the pistol in condition 1 much less safe. The current trend to use a swell in the grip safety is a much better way to address the potential for a less than fully depressed grip safety. It eliminates the potential for someone with large hands to fail to depress it while not defeating the purpose of the safety - to prevent the pistol from firing until it is in your hand and under control. Personally I am not a fan of the Series 80 firing pin safety due to what it does to the takeup and feel of the trigger and view the Swartz system as a much better approach. I agree the whole firing pin safety issues is mostly a solution in search of a problem, but if the solution causes no further problems, as is the case with the Swartz system,I am ok with it. |
Actually, you have it backwards. The Series 80 system does work off the trigger but any compentent 'smith can make the trigger pull excellent and you won't feel the Series 80 safety. The Kimber on the other hand is known to have timing issues. Doesn't matter is the grip safety is fully depressed or not, the little bar has to be perfect or else the plunger will interfere with the firing pin. While it may fire for awhile, once the firing pin gets beat up enough by the plunger you run into serious problems. There is a reason that most good 'smiths in the business won't work on Swartz safety equipped pistols but will work on Series 80 pistols all day long. My Custom II has the swartz internals removed and I know trust it enough to carry it. I'll never trust a stock Series II Kimber without this modification. I have personally (and have read many issues by top smiths) been able to get the hammer to drop and the firing pin not move. Not something you want to happen during a gun fight. |
Even doing this can cause issues with the firing pin riding the safety plunger and causing wear which leads to issues. The only good way to disable the system is to remove the components. |