Posted: 4/29/2005 5:15:30 AM EDT
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I'm the proud owner of a series 1 classic custom. I got it on a trade yesterday. Though I've owned countless 1911s, this is my first Kimber. Kimbers, when you can find them used out here, are always almost as much as a new one. Anyway, it's bone stock, but will be my next project. It will be getting the following: -AO 24/7 sights -Wilson barstock hammer -Wilson barstock extractor -Kings ejector -Kings ss oversized bushing -Cylinder and Slide ambi safety -Greider solid trigger -Kings beavertail -VZ grips -Les Baer mainspring housing -STI sear -Briley diconnector -Colt slide stop -trigger job -reliability package -carry bevel -checkered frontstrap, 20lpi -rear of slide serrated 40lpi -all new Wolff springs -Ed Brown standard rod and plug -finish undecided on Here's a before pic: 
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It's definitely a carbon steel gun top and bottom. Thanks for the info comp1911, though. I had to check it. It blued real quick using some cold blue in a couple inconspicous spots. A member here recommended Tripp research, and his turn around time for 2 guns was only 2.5 weeks. I'm seriously considering hard chrome, though I prefer black guns. Otherwise, it's going to be good old parkerizing. It may not be as rust resistant as a good coating, but it's durable and cheap, and plain looks good. I'll post pics when I'm done. It should be pretty quick once I get a chance to get started. The beavertail will only require minor frame blending, and the checkering will hopefully go quick. The sights should be interesting, since every Kimber I've ever done sights on required some serious effort to get the sights off. |
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I used AP&W years ago, and have yet to find anyone to top their finish. However, I like the fact that Tripp has such a quick turn around time, not to mention that I'm a huge fan of Virgil Tripp. So, I went over the gun today while my son took a nap. I detail stripped and cleaned it, and was admiring most of the details (I'll never get used to the ugly Kimber script, nor the beavertail). While doing some function tests, I noticed that the hammer hooks were rubbing the sear. No biggie, as I went ahead and fitted a Greider trigger I had lying around. I left the overtravel screw out, and it still rubbed. I went to check the other usual suspects (first the finger on the beavertail, then the relief cut on the stud of the thumb safety). Both were fine. That's when I remembered how Kimbers have some truly crappy disconnectors. The disconnector sear pin hole was so undersized, the disconnector would only barely allow the trigger to move far enough back to just trip the sear. Anyway, I had a Briley barstock disconnector in a Caspian project gun, and I took that one out. Unfortunately, the Kimber one will not even fit into the Caspian. So now the Kimber has a Wilson barstock hammer and a solid aluminum trigger in it. I could definitely live with it just the way it is. Every factory 1911 has their week points, and I have not worked on a Kimber in a year or so. I'm still very pleased with the gun, but I can't wait until the rest of my parts arrive from Brownells. This gun will become my new carry piece whenever I travel out of state. I think it's going to be quite nice. I've also noticed you Kimber folk are fond of VZ and Gunner grips. I ordered some green and black VZ grips for this one, which is another first for me. By the way SGB, that thing we discussed before is definitely a possibility. I think I will be done with the Les Baer project in the next couple weekends. As long as my wife doesn't plan anymore out of town trips for us, I'll have some free time. |
Haven't had time to do much, but now there's the Greider solid trigger, Wilson barstock hammer, Wilson barstock extractor, Wolff springs throughout, VZ grips, Briley barstock disconnetor, trigger job, and AO tritium sights. It;s qquite the capable gun now, and when I get time, I'll add the rest. 
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