Kimber?

[03Lightningrocks]

A whole lot of Kimber 1911 fans here. You folks are a bad influence because you have me looking at them. I am thinking I want one of the compact variations...3" for carry. The eclipse has my eye for now.

Could some of you make some recommendations in this area? pros...and cons. maybe tell me about any "issues" with them?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[gemini]

I have a couple of Kimbers and love them. Had issues with 1, worked out and 100% now.
The Ultra SS II has been perfect straight from the box. I think you'll find Kimber owners
split...either love them or hate them. It's a shame because a gun that's a grand ought to
work right from the box. That said, 1911's can be finicky. If you're not into regular
maintenance, and have no patience (you'll need it IF you have any issues), I would
probably suggest you get another platform.
Here's the up side: My Kimbers are extremely accurate. Even with the 3" bbl.
I like the look of most of their models. I like the fit & feel. Not overjoyed with
the use of some MIM parts, but I also never had a MIM part fail under use. So
that's a non-issue with me. I have factory installed night sights on both.
They eat whatever ammo I happen to feed them. I have different 1911's in a carry
rotation, various sizes. I have no problem concealing with any of them.
If you have a friend that has one, I'm sure they'd be happy to let you run a few mags
through it for a test run. The Eclipse is nice. Go for it!

[asleepatthereel]

No problems with my Kimber Ultra Stainless II. I have heard of problems using the full size magazines in them, but I have no first hand knowledge. Next time Im out shooting, I plan on trying out a couple Chip Mc full size mags in it to see.

Either get the model with night sights, or plan on having them installed. Mine came with plain black sights.

[WEC]

About five years ago, there was much discussion about series I versus series II, the Schwartz safety therein, and the internal versus the external extractors. I own three Kimbers, two of which are Eclipses (one custom 5" and one pro 4"). Another is a Classic Stainless Gold Match, courtesy of another Texas CHL Forum user (thanks, Tom!). I love every one of my Kimbers. One of the Eclipses had some issues, all because of the external extractor. I sent the gun to Kimber, who replaced the entire slide with an internal extractor free of charge. The other Eclipse had an internal extractor and worked 100% out of the box from the get go. I think Kimber learned their lesson trying to cut a few corners (cost-wise) with the external extractors. Nowadays, if you see a Kimber that is recently manufactured, it will have the internal extractor. I'm sure they had their hands full with replacing those externals.

There is much hubbub about the Kimber "break-in period" but from my experience, all of my guns have operated flawlessly with a wide variety of ammunition. I echo gemini's sentiments in that the 1911 class, as a whole, is very finicky, and Kimbers are absolutely no exception. YMMV, of course, but I've had nothing but good experiences with them. My next Kimber will probably be a CDP of some sort, perhaps a pro or a carry.

Shameless pic of my twin Eclipses:

[03Lightningrocks]

Wow...great info so far. The eclipse has the night sights...I believe it does....I need to make sure. I looked at one at the gun shop and it felt real good in my hand. It seemed to want to point where i wanted it to. That may sound weird but I have held guns that felt like I was forcing them to go where i wanted. this darned thing seemed and felt real natural.

I have a bucket I have been saving change in for almost 15 years. The darned thing has over 700 bucks in it in coins.... I plan to sell a couple things on ebay to make up the difference. I am budgeted for about 1200 bucks. A year ago I would have just bought the thing and not worried about it...now I am having to pinch my pennies. This is like getting a free gun since I am not taking money out of the bank for it... .

Any FTF issues or what not with these? What would the break in period be? My Kahr PM9 took about 300 rounds before it started to run flawlessly.

[03Lightningrocks]

About five years ago, there was much discussion about series I versus series II, the Schwartz safety therein, and the internal versus the external extractors. I own three Kimbers, two of which are Eclipses (one custom 5" and one pro 4"). Another is a Classic Stainless Gold Match, courtesy of another Texas CHL Forum user (thanks, Tom!). I love every one of my Kimbers. One of the Eclipses had some issues, all because of the external extractor. I sent the gun to Kimber, who replaced the entire slide with an internal extractor free of charge. The other Eclipse had an internal extractor and worked 100% out of the box from the get go. I think Kimber learned their lesson trying to cut a few corners (cost-wise) with the external extractors. Nowadays, if you see a Kimber that is recently manufactured, it will have the internal extractor. I'm sure they had their hands full with replacing those externals.

There is much hubbub about the Kimber "break-in period" but from my experience, all of my guns have operated flawlessly with a wide variety of ammunition. I echo gemini's sentiments in that the 1911 class, as a whole, is very finicky, and Kimbers are absolutely no exception. YMMV, of course, but I've had nothing but good experiences with them. My next Kimber will probably be a CDP of some sort, perhaps a pro or a carry.

Shameless pic of my twin Eclipses:

Holly Cow....those look sweet. I am about 99% on the eclipse. I need to check the model of the one I looked at but I know it had the 3" barrel.

[03Lightningrocks]

Here is the one I am slobbering over. Eclipse Ultra II

Model: Eclipse Ultra II™ .45 ACP
Caliber: .45 ACP
Features:

* Stainless steel slide and frame are finished in a tough matte black oxide then all flat surfaces are brush polished to create a stunning look.
* Eclipse pistols have three dot night sights, bar dot adjustable on target models.
* Premium Aluminum Trigger and 30 lines-per-inch front strap checkering are constant on the all steel Eclipse pistols.

Specifications: Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 4.75
Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 31
Length (inches): 6.8
Magazine capacity: 7
Recoil spring (pounds): 18.0
Full length guide rod
Frame: Material: Stainless steel
Finish: Brush polished (flats)
Width (inches): 1.28
Frontstrap checkering
Slide: Material: Stainless steel
Finish: Brush polished (flats)
Barrel: Length (inches): 3
Steel, match grade
Twist rate (left hand): 16
Ramped
Sights: Meprolight Tritium 3-dot night sight, fixed
Radius (inches): 4.8
Grips: Laminated
Double diamond
Trigger: Premium Aluminum Match Grade
Factory setting (approx. pounds): 4.0 - 5.0
Suggested
Retail Price: $1236.00 Eclipse Ultra II™ .45 ACP

[Carrots]

Now there is a picture worth posting. Looks great, although I'd be a bag of nerves doing anything with it over and above framing it for the mantle.

[fickman]

I've got a full size Kimber Custom II that I love. It's my wife's favorite gun that we own, too. It is accurate, absorbs the recoil, and has never malfunctioned. The trigger is smooth and I love those .45 caliber holes. I'd like to get some night sites for it. Even the full length barrels are slim enough to be comfortable for IWB if you have the room in your waistline. I don't carry mine b/c I'm a chump and haven't dove into good holsters yet. It's the backup home defense firearm that my wife will take to the closet while I get the Mossberg. It also travels with me in my backpack a lot.

My uncle just got the Crimson Trace Kimber Ultra Carry 3" with the laser grips. He loves it. He's planning on adding night sites and getting his CHL. He's already holster hunting.

I took a buddy to the range who had a Colt .45 1911 and he got frustrated that he shot tighter groups with more control with my gun - his first time to shoot it - than he did with his gun - which he'd owned for almost ten years. When we got back to work, another buddy called it "smoking the Kimber crack". Once you get some, you'll be hooked.

[familyman]

I've got a full size Kimber Custom II that I love. It's my wife's favorite gun that we own, too. It is accurate, absorbs the recoil, and has never malfunctioned. The trigger is smooth and I love those .45 caliber holes. I'd like to get some night sites for it. Even the full length barrels are slim enough to be comfortable for IWB if you have the room in your waistline. I don't carry mine b/c I'm a chump and haven't dove into good holsters yet. It's the backup home defense firearm that my wife will take to the closet while I get the Mossberg. It also travels with me in my backpack a lot.

My uncle just got the Crimson Trace Kimber Ultra Carry 3" with the laser grips. He loves it. He's planning on adding night sites and getting his CHL. He's already holster hunting.

I took a buddy to the range who had a Colt .45 1911 and he got frustrated that he shot tighter groups with more control with my gun - his first time to shoot it - than he did with his gun - which he'd owned for almost ten years. When we got back to work, another buddy called it "smoking the Kimber crack". Once you get some, you'll be hooked.

I would as well like to add night sights to my Kimber trace. Please let us know who he finds to do the work.

[Nicolai]

Our good pest control guy told us on his last visit that he absolutely loved his Kimber and had bought one of their .22 conversion kits. He was really sold on the combination and thought practicing with the .22 conversion kit improved his shooting with the .45. Any of you have similar experiences? The combination makes sense to me and it features two of my favorites--.22 and .45. If you have comments on the .45 and .22 conversion combo, don't be too positive or I may have to go shopping.

[WEC]

Our good pest control guy told us on his last visit that he absolutely loved his Kimber and had bought one of their .22 conversion kits. He was really sold on the combination and thought practicing with the .22 conversion kit improved his shooting with the .45. Any of you have similar experiences? The combination makes sense to me and it features two of my favorites--.22 and .45. If you have comments on the .45 and .22 conversion combo, don't be too positive or I may have to go shopping.

I shot a friend's .22 conversion kit on his full size Gold Combat. It was fun, but the spent casings ejected in rather random directions. One of them actually found its way into the inside of my elbow (I shot with a Weaver stance back then) and caused a pretty annoying burn. Could have been that just his kit was a bit squirrely...

As far as practicing with the .22 and helping with shooting a .45, I wouldn't say the conversion gives any more benefit than, say, buying another .22 pistol and practicing with that one. Perhaps just having the frame in your hands gives an extra edge. If I could find a used kit in the $150 - 175 range, I'd go for it. Kimber lists theirs at a whopping $330, and most new ones can be found in the area of $275. Just a tad rich for my blood; for that money, I'd rather buy a Sig Mosquito or a Walther P22. Just my 2c.

[WEC]

Another thing I'd like to mention - not necessarily about Kimbers, but rather about 1911's in general - magazines make a huge difference, in my experience. A buddy of mine had some Shooting Star mags for his 1911. He told me they're more effective if he just threw the magazines at the perp than using them in his gun. Personally, I only use KimPro Tac-Mags. Others will swear by Wilson Combat. I haven't had first-hand experience with them, but I'm sure they must be great to develop such a reputation. The Armory, an online shop, sells KimPro Tac-Mags for as little as $16.79 (for the 8 rounders) if you order 5+. Check them out: http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/s ... 0full.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fickman]

I've got a full size Kimber Custom II that I love. It's my wife's favorite gun that we own, too. It is accurate, absorbs the recoil, and has never malfunctioned. The trigger is smooth and I love those .45 caliber holes. I'd like to get some night sites for it. Even the full length barrels are slim enough to be comfortable for IWB if you have the room in your waistline. I don't carry mine b/c I'm a chump and haven't dove into good holsters yet. It's the backup home defense firearm that my wife will take to the closet while I get the Mossberg. It also travels with me in my backpack a lot.

My uncle just got the Crimson Trace Kimber Ultra Carry 3" with the laser grips. He loves it. He's planning on adding night sites and getting his CHL. He's already holster hunting.

I took a buddy to the range who had a Colt .45 1911 and he got frustrated that he shot tighter groups with more control with my gun - his first time to shoot it - than he did with his gun - which he'd owned for almost ten years. When we got back to work, another buddy called it "smoking the Kimber crack". Once you get some, you'll be hooked.

I would as well like to add night sights to my Kimber trace. Please let us know who he finds to do the work.

I promise I meant "night sights". That's what I get for typing at 2:00 am while avoiding building a Powerpoint presentation for work about a technology upgrade at all of our sites.

I'll let you know what he finds.

Others will swear by Wilson Combat.

[Furyataurus]

The 1911 guys I know agree that the 1911's are a "finnicky" bunch, plus, most of them are retired/semi-retired and enjoy "tinkering" with them. I have shot a couple 1911's and like them but that first part is kind of a bummer. The HK45 and HK45C operate the same in principality, but of course look different. I'm thinking about a 45 but which one?







Couldn't find a decent lager pic of the Desert Warrior.....