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AR15.COM
9/26/2011 6:36:22 PM EDT
Why am I not seeing Kimbers, specifically the Custom II, on the short list of must have sub 1k $ 1911's? I have one, it's accurate, dependable and well made. Is it the MIM thing?
9/26/2011 6:39:14 PM EDT
[#1]
I think its due to the fact that Kimber has been hit or miss lately in regards to quality.
9/26/2011 6:56:50 PM EDT
[#2]
What are some of the misses?

9/26/2011 7:14:52 PM EDT
[#3]
I personally do not have any experience with Kimber.
Here are some issues that pop up in a quick search.

1
2
3
4
5

This is just a quick search......many on the forum seem to love them....or hate them.
9/26/2011 7:24:20 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Why am I not seeing Kimbers, specifically the Custom II, on the short list of must have sub 1k $ 1911's? I have one, it's accurate, dependable and well made. Is it the MIM thing?


The wait time for Kimber is too long right now.  I called up a bunch of dealers and they all said that they no longer carried Kimbers because Kimber wanted $20,000 or something to that effect.
9/26/2011 7:44:40 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Why am I not seeing Kimbers, specifically the Custom II, on the short list of must have sub 1k $ 1911's? I have one, it's accurate, dependable and well made. Is it the MIM thing?


The wait time for Kimber is too long right now.  I called up a bunch of dealers and they all said that they no longer carried Kimbers because Kimber wanted $20,000 or something to that effect.


Whaaaat? 20k for what, being a vendor?  Sounds like a shakedown to me or slipping a maitre d a $50.00 to get bumped to the front of the seating list.

9/26/2011 10:55:12 PM EDT
[#6]
A buddy of mine here in Shreveport is a gunsmith/dealer and he wishes in the worst kind of way he could sell kimber but to be a dealer with them you have to meet a sales quota in terms of volume and I forget how much exactly but its pretty high.  If your annual sales isn't a certain amount they wont even consider you.  But as far as their guns go I personally love them.  Not saying bad ones haven't left the factory but in my local area kimber is a populargun.  In fact clark customs uses them quite a bit for their meltdowns.
9/27/2011 4:58:51 AM EDT
[#7]
Don't know about everyone else, but their extra safety seems to be the least reliable of the bunch, so I don't recommend them.

I usually do recommend the Warrior, though.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
9/27/2011 5:18:44 AM EDT
[#8]
Dealers can still get Kimbers without spending 20,000.  Kimber has a distributor named Shooting Sports Wholesale in NC.  Dealers can easily get Kimbers through them.  Have your Dealer look them up.
9/27/2011 5:19:03 AM EDT
[#9]
i own a few custom ll they are great guns supply and demand is whats going on theres no safety issues theres work and very easy to remove if un wanted.
9/27/2011 5:29:10 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
i own a few custom ll they are great guns supply and demand is whats going on theres no safety issues theres work and very easy to remove if un wanted.


If you don't get the proper grip on the gun, and the safety isn't timed right, you can pull the trigger and drop the hammer, but the round will not go off because you didn't depress the grip safety enough to disengage the firing pin safety. If you like it, great. I avoid them.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
9/27/2011 6:05:40 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Dealers can still get Kimbers without spending 20,000.  Kimber has a distributor named Shooting Sports Wholesale in NC.  Dealers can easily get Kimbers through them.  Have your Dealer look them up.


What is the markup on the distributor?
9/27/2011 6:44:53 AM EDT
[#12]
With their current prices and quality issues I can honestly say that I will never be a customer.
9/27/2011 10:38:42 AM EDT
[#13]
I've bought 2 kimbers recently and both have been worth it. I did have a custom II years ago that wouldn't run but i've learned that if you want a good 1911 you have to either spend some money or take a chance that it may or may not run. I'll be buying more kimbers in the future.
9/27/2011 11:11:35 AM EDT
[#14]
Kimber is circleing the drain.

They send guns out without even test fireing them.   They repair guns without test fireing them.   They don't know how to troubleshoot or QC a 1911.   I don't think they know anything about 1911's anymore.   They're just letting the CNC mills drop out 1911's,  assemble them, throw a finish on, and box them up.   I see very little, if any attention to detail.    Springfield and SIG also  seem to be following the same business model.    

That being said.  They're CNC's do drop out nice frames, slides, and barrels.  Too bad about the Kimber billboard though.

My better local shops won't carry mid line 1911's anymore.  Thier spotty reliability upsets thier customers and makes them look bad.     They have a section of Colt, Dan Wesson, STI, and maybe a used Les Bear from time to time.    A couple left over SIG 1911's as well.    Then they have a case in the corner with the absolute cheap crap 1911's ($350-400) that noone expects to run well, just cheap range toys.     All the mid range $700 1911's are gone.    They try to only sell absolute quality reliable 1911's, or absolute cheap crappy toy ones.   That way everyone gets exactly what they expected.
9/27/2011 11:23:29 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
They have a section of Colt, Dan Wesson, STI, and maybe a used Les Bear from time to time.


Funny, I can't count the times I've listed those 3 or 4 as my top picks for 1911s.
9/27/2011 11:59:00 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
They have a section of Colt, Dan Wesson, STI, and maybe a used Les Bear from time to time.


Funny, I can't count the times I've listed those 3 or 4 as my top picks for 1911s.


Everyone has their favorites but Kimber isn't at the top of anyone's list anymore these days.