Kimber Pro Carry 2 vs. Kimber Custom 2

[dewalt-2]

This thread has taken a turn...cigarman, you are correct-stock sucks.
Here's my '90 Colt Combat Commader that has been modded in a similar way as the Kimber, still on the fence about changing sights...

[synergy]

I just stumbled across this thread, which details what I was talking about when I said to avoid Kimber.

http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads...0&page=5#76086

[LightningMcQueen784]

It's interesting reading that thread, because I've never had any of those problems at all. Even more interesting, is that my CDPII never had any problems, while my SIS (series I) was the one that needed a little tuning.

Yes, I have heard about Kimber's problems with their models with the external extractors, but as far as I know, 1) new Kimbers all have internal extractors now, and 2) you can always send the slide with EE back to Kimber, and they will replace it with a slide with an internal extractor free of charge.

[LisaA]

I had to return my Pro Carry to Kimber to have the grip safety replaced/fixed. It started to have excessive play/wobble. Then, at a certain point I felt something hitting and clicking. Not an overall smooth feeing.

I will be getting my sister's Eclipse Target soon. Also, looking at the Colt Defender .45ACP.

[synergy]

Originally Posted by LightningMcQueen784

It's interesting reading that thread, because I've never had any of those problems at all. Even more interesting, is that my CDPII never had any problems, while my SIS (series I) was the one that needed a little tuning.

Yes, I have heard about Kimber's problems with their models with the external extractors, but as far as I know, 1) new Kimbers all have internal extractors now, and 2) you can always send the slide with EE back to Kimber, and they will replace it with a slide with an internal extractor free of charge.

True, however the EE is only 1 of the known problems kimbers are known for. Even the Warrior which is kimbers "hard use" model with no FP safety, and an IE still is known to be problematic.

[LightningMcQueen784]

Yeah, I understand, the EE was just one example I talked about...

There were a lot of complaints I read about that I was like WOW! I must've gotten really lucky... because both of my Kimbers I love, and they both function great. By no means do I imply that I run them hard. I do not. I've put a couple thousand rounds through the Custom CDPII, and about 1500 rds through the Pro SIS. The hardest I've run them, is in the pistol I took with Giles Stock through FIRE. Other than that, I shoot them at the range (max of 5 boxes usually, more like 2-3 boxes on average). And on top of that, I clean them every time I shoot them.

I just hope Kimber gets their act together, and put out more consistently good pistols.

[synergy]

Originally Posted by LightningMcQueen784

I just hope Kimber gets their act together, and put out more consistently good pistols.

Me too. They make some attractive models, but until they step up the QC, I don't think they're worth looking at.

If people have Kimbers that run, that's great. I don't hate them because they ARE a Kimber...I just don't think it's a safe bet to recommend them, unless you can be assured that future purchases will be trustworthy. If Kimber can change that, that'd be great.

[LightningMcQueen784]

Make me wonder though: How many of these complaints are just the same old ONES being perpetuated?

Like one distinguished member reporting it multiple time, leading people to believe it's multiple sources from different places, but in fact, it's the same guy about the same pistol?

How many of them are due to one specific batch (well, more so a time period than a small batch.. say "the ones they made from 2002-2006") that got out? Maybe there are bad ones circulating out there, but the ones they produce more recently (say after 2007?) have been good?

My CDPII was bought new in summer of '07, and the SIS later, I think end of '08.

I'm not saying you guys are wrong... it's just that it made me think of the possibilities.... (the above happen all the time, actually, in a lot of different subjects, and many places.)

[synergy]

Originally Posted by LightningMcQueen784

Make me wonder though: How many of these complaints are just the same old ONES being perpetuated?

Like one distinguished member reporting it multiple time, leading people to believe it's multiple sources from different places, but in fact, it's the same guy about the same pistol?

How many of them are due to one specific batch (well, more so a time period than a small batch.. say "the ones they made from 2002-2006") that got out? Maybe there are bad ones circulating out there, but the ones they produce more recently (say after 2007?) have been good?

My CDPII was bought new in summer of '07, and the SIS later, I think end of '08.

I'm not saying you guys are wrong... it's just that it made me think of the possibilities.... (the above happen all the time, actually, in a lot of different subjects, and many places.)

Note who is speaking on the subject.....
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads...=&fpart=1&vc=1

I agree with what is being said here - Ken Hackathorn and I have seen the same exact issues that Tim is mentioning - the Warrior has fleas straight from the box

The worst one I have seen to date was a gun that Ned Christiansen and I both worked on at different times and was still a jamamatic - when that happens to you that gun needs to go away

In addition I always felt the Warrior was way overpriced for what it is; combine that with some obvious problems and it screams stay away

Cheers

Larry Vickers

www.vickerstactical.com

You have Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn, Hilton Yam, Tim Lau, and Ned Christiansen all observing the same things. These guys know the difference between 1 bad "friday gun", and large scale problems.

Here are some recent examples of Kimber QC.
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=74945
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=74544
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=74231
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=73765

[kpw]

I've owned a series 1 Compact Stainless and an Eclipse Pro II. The Compact Stainless was a good pistol as long as I stuck to the ammo it liked. I broke the TS after 6 months or so and replaced it with a Wilson's.
The Eclipse needed a long break-in period but turned out to be a reliable feeder with Wilson 47Ds, even with 185 SWC. At about the 2k mark, the TS broke. I replaced it with a Wilson's. A few weeks later, the slide stop developed a crack. I replaced it with a Wilson's. My Kimbers made Wilson and my 'smith a little money.
The good points? They were two of the most accurate carry pistols I've owned or shot and they did function well with Wilson mags. If I found a decent used one at a good price, I'd be tempted to buy another and swap the MIM away....or sell a kidney and buy a CQB.