re: Thoughts on kimber 1911s

The quality of the gun isn't very good for what you pay, but the warranty is what really bothers me. You can get a better gun for less from a better company with a lifetime warranty and awesome customer service.

I have had the stainless TLE for about 6 years. I have cleaned it twice, and it doesn't have any rust or signs of corrosion. Now I don't shoot it as much as I should so take that for what it's worth. I don't think you can go wrong with a Kimber. I also don't think you can go wrong with any of the 1911s mentioned earlier in this thread.

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Colt, Sig, S&W, Nighthawk, Wilson, Ed Brown, Springfield

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Come on man. Some of these are not like the others. And you forgot Les Baer.

For that price range, I would look at the new Colt CCG, S&W E series, and SA RO. I've owned about 50 or so 1911s over the last 15 years, 5/6 being kimbers, the Full size ran great, but I had issues with their 4" guns.

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And Bapple, I get what you are saying about the tool being a pita, but I literally used a paperclip when I couldn't find the "tool." its much easier to find a paperclip than it is a bushing tool.

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But without that paperclip, you cannot capture the spring and take it down.

I can disassemble my 1911 without a bushing tool, or any tool for that matter. And if your 1911 has a full length guiderod with a plug that has a hole in it, you can use the base of a magazine to push it down. The spring is not captured so you're not screwed whereas with a bushingless barrel you are.

Again if the gun is recreational this doesn't really matter. But for a defensive gun I'd say it's pretty important.

I own a Kimber Super Carry Pro. It is one of the best shooting guns I've ever owned and was accurate right out of the box. It's almost 3 years old and I probably have close to 3k rounds through it and once I got rid of the Kimber magazine and bought some Chip McCormick's, I have never had a malfunction. (I was told before I bought that the Kimber mags aren't very good and they only give you 1. Both are true.) The fit is excellent and the finish is just okay. The slide on mine is black and has gotten scuffed shooting off of a barricade on both sides. I've shot a variety of ammo brands through it without an issue. Prices can vary on them, so shop before you buy. I bought mine at Jim's in BR and paid $100 less than Bass Pro wanted for theirs.

Lots of people in here commenting based on hearsay or old Kimber myths.

Yes, they went through a rough stretch of QC, but that was years ago.

Yes, they use MIM and plastic MSHs in their lower models, but nearly every 1911 in that price range does. A lot of their steel frame guns have steel MSHs

They are a tad overpriced because they have like 90% of the 1911 market. You wouldn't believe how many people come in the store that think all 1911s are Kimbers

They have some great models. The new TLE you posted in OP is one of them. They released it this year and it looks and functions great. I'd love one in 10mm. The Super Carry and Super Carry HD series, the Master Carry series, the Gold Cup series, and many of their custom shop guns are pretty nice. The finishes are fine, and the fitment on these is slightly better than the cheaper models. We found the best fitment on the aforementioned SC HD guns

Their customer service is dogshit

Do you have the ruger or the colt listed above? I have the kimber on hold with a deposit until my review comes back, but the finish discussion worries me.

Mine is a ridiculously accurate and aesthetically pleasing pistol. My only gripe with the gun at all is that occasionally, with several different shooters, the spent shell casing comes screaming right at the shooters face.



Shoots much tighter groups than my CZ 75 compact