Tested out another Kimber...jeez, its tempting! - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Brickboy240 · 12-20-2006, 09:11 AM

Talk about consistent! I got the chance last night, while test firing my Argentine Colt after replacing some springs, to shoot a Kimber Stainless TLE II.

This is the third Kimber I have ever shot. The other two being Custom IIs; one stailess and the other parkerized.

Again, this TLE shot as good or better than the two Custom IIs I shot months ago. No jams or bobbles at all. At 15yds, it was very easy to get off groups that had several rounds touching. This was with Winchester White Box FMJs from Wal Mart. Awesome accuracy. I ran six mags through the TLE and had to hand it back and was sad in doing so. It felt VERY good in the hand - like it was a part of me.

This is troubling...three Kimbers at different sessions and all owned by totally different people and they ALL shot amazingly well. I am now mulling over selling my Springer GI to put towards a Custom II or TLE Kimber. When you shoot something that feels that good and can shoot it well on three different occaisions...you HAVE to admit that it might be the 1911 for you...right?

I will keep my Argentine Colt and Series 70 Colt Combat Commander (they're classics I'd never part with), but the Springer GI might be replaced in the next month or so by a Custom II or TLE II...amazing....but true. The Springer GI shoots ok, but not nearly as well as the Kimbers I have handeld (and does not look nearly as handsome). With this kind of consistency, I think its safe to trust Kimber and take the plunge.

Next month cannot get here soon enough!

- Brickboy240

Bidah · 12-20-2006, 10:37 AM

I have a Kimber and a Springer Loaded, and my wife has her Kimber. They all shoot great, as I would expect.

You might want to take a look at the Springer Loaded, as it might fill the bill for what you are looking for. Of course if you WANT a Kimber, then go for it. My wife loves hers so much the dog got named Kimber..

-Bidah

**DanTheEldest** · 12-20-2006, 12:15 PM

What's the real scoop on Kimber? I remember the hoopla about the internal vs. external extractor, and people seem to be polarized about the brand--they either love them (accurate, run flawlessly), or hate them with a passion (malfunctioning lemons, bad customer service, etc.). Not to hijack the thread, brickboy, but I'd like to hear from some other owners what their experiences are. When I buy a 1911, it's a toss-up for me between Kimber, Colt, and SA, so this would help.

Brickboy240 · 12-20-2006, 12:28 PM

Kimber does not make the external extractor 1911s any more. I heard good and bad things about them, though. Hell, the Hi-Power works fine with an external extractor - why shouldn't the 1911 work as well with one? I believe the SIG Revolution and S&W 1911s have external extractors. I am not totally opposed to the idea. Alloy frames, frontstrap checkering I want to avoid but I have no reason to shun an external extractor. All the Kimbers I shot had internal extractors, though. All were 100%, too.

Its funny, when I am at the ranges around my area, if I ever see Springfield 1911s, they're usually GIs or Mil-Specs! Never seen a Loaded at our ranges. The most common 1911s I see at our ranges are Kimber Custom IIs and Springer GIs. There ARE others, but these are the most common 1911s by far. Probably why I have shot 3 Kimbers and no Springer Loaded. I'd also love to shoot the SIG Revolution, but again...I just don't see them at the range...sorry.

I noticed that the Loaded is about the same price as the Custom II. I'd try one if I had the chance, but shooting 3 Kimbers and having the same great results has got me leaning their direction.

- Brickboy240

**DanTheEldest** · 12-20-2006, 12:32 PM

Thanks, BB. Personal testimonials are often the truest advertising.

Bidah · 12-20-2006, 01:04 PM

Dan, you are correct.

My wife got the first Kimber, back in '97. When I went to get mine, I got a used one, same model (Compact), and the serial numbers are very close. Both of them have the internal extractors. I know that from reports, there are or were issues with how they did the external extrator. I don't know what is different, but you are correct, overall it should not matter. In a way, it should be better since the internal you have to set the tension and so on. I don't know anyone that has one that is external, so I have nothing to judge it by. I have heard that for most of their line they have gone back to internal extractors.

Other complaints are the MIM/plastic parts that they (and others) use. I have not had a single issue with either of ours.

I don't know anyone that has a Springer Loaded except me. A few have the GI or Mil-spec models. I bought this one when I came back from the sand box last year, and there was this sale on just after Christmas.. I was only there for brushes...

My only complaint, and an easy fix, was the 2 piece guide rod. Pain in the arse to take down, especially when I can 't find the allen wrench. Mine has been just as accurate as the Kimber, and just as reliable. I do have one Wilson magazine that it doesn't like, won't hold the slide open on the last shot. I will add that I bought that pistol for about $200 less than a comparable Kimber, and then I found out it had night sights when I got home. Even without the sights, it was a good deal.

Of course I am now shooting the XD more..

-Bidah

**DanTheEldest** · 12-20-2006, 01:06 PM

^^^Another good response. It's curious that yours doesn't like the Wilson mag. Most of the time I've been told that those are some of the best ones out there--probably just depends on the individual gun.

Bidah · 12-20-2006, 01:13 PM

Dan, the Wilsons are good mags. I use them exclusively in the Kimber Compacts. They certainly are easier loading. For the Springer I have the Springer mags, Kimber mags, Power mags, and of course a few Wilsons. Just that one. I believe that the follower is a bit worn compared to the others (plastic follower), and the slide stop has a contour that is just the right height/angle for that particular mag. I will be ordering a new follower/spring for it, but overall I am not particularly concerned. It is marked for now so I don't use it for that particular pistol.

-Bidah

bigun · 12-21-2006, 05:37 PM

Brickboy, Face it you are not going to be happy untill you get one. Bite the bullet and get what you want. I've had most of the off the shelf 1911's and the Kimber has been the best so far. The only one I like better in my personal collection is the 1945 Remington Rand and thats more for sentimental reasons then anything else. Beware however, now I'm lusting after a premium RRA 1911 but I'm saving for it so I dont have to liquidate any more of my collection.

vashooter · 12-21-2006, 06:29 PM

I have external extractors on my Armscor and on my smith and wesson and both have been SWEET.... no problems out of either but Kimbers Hmmmmmm....... I wonder after reading some horror stories on 1911.org. and about their customer service Floyd

12-20-2006, 09:11 AM	#1
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 8,988	Tested out another Kimber...jeez, its tempting! Talk about consistent! I got the chance last night, while test firing my Argentine Colt after replacing some springs, to shoot a Kimber Stainless TLE II. This is the third Kimber I have ever shot. The other two being Custom IIs; one stailess and the other parkerized. Again, this TLE shot as good or better than the two Custom IIs I shot months ago. No jams or bobbles at all. At 15yds, it was very easy to get off groups that had several rounds touching. This was with Winchester White Box FMJs from Wal Mart. Awesome accuracy. I ran six mags through the TLE and had to hand it back and was sad in doing so. It felt VERY good in the hand - like it was a part of me. This is troubling...three Kimbers at different sessions and all owned by totally different people and they ALL shot amazingly well. I am now mulling over selling my Springer GI to put towards a Custom II or TLE Kimber. When you shoot something that feels that good and can shoot it well on three different occaisions...you HAVE to admit that it might be the 1911 for you...right? I will keep my Argentine Colt and Series 70 Colt Combat Commander (they're classics I'd never part with), but the Springer GI might be replaced in the next month or so by a Custom II or TLE II...amazing....but true. The Springer GI shoots ok, but not nearly as well as the Kimbers I have handeld (and does not look nearly as handsome). With this kind of consistency, I think its safe to trust Kimber and take the plunge. Next month cannot get here soon enough! - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

12-20-2006, 10:37 AM	#2
Bidah XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Isolated, Montana Posts: 685	I have a Kimber and a Springer Loaded, and my wife has her Kimber. They all shoot great, as I would expect. You might want to take a look at the Springer Loaded, as it might fill the bill for what you are looking for. Of course if you WANT a Kimber, then go for it. My wife loves hers so much the dog got named Kimber.. -Bidah __________________ -Bidah “The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.” The Doctor

12-20-2006, 12:15 PM	#3
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,290	What's the real scoop on Kimber? I remember the hoopla about the internal vs. external extractor, and people seem to be polarized about the brand--they either love them (accurate, run flawlessly), or hate them with a passion (malfunctioning lemons, bad customer service, etc.). Not to hijack the thread, brickboy, but I'd like to hear from some other owners what their experiences are. When I buy a 1911, it's a toss-up for me between Kimber, Colt, and SA, so this would help. __________________ The AK-47: Designed to be field-stripped and used effectively by a half-drunk, half-frozen illiterate conscript who found it buried in Mother Russia's mud after last year's Regiment exercises. SOP: retrieve from ground, pee in action, cycle bolt, go back to work. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. --Martin Luther

12-20-2006, 12:28 PM	#4
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 8,988	Kimber does not make the external extractor 1911s any more. I heard good and bad things about them, though. Hell, the Hi-Power works fine with an external extractor - why shouldn't the 1911 work as well with one? I believe the SIG Revolution and S&W 1911s have external extractors. I am not totally opposed to the idea. Alloy frames, frontstrap checkering I want to avoid but I have no reason to shun an external extractor. All the Kimbers I shot had internal extractors, though. All were 100%, too. Its funny, when I am at the ranges around my area, if I ever see Springfield 1911s, they're usually GIs or Mil-Specs! Never seen a Loaded at our ranges. The most common 1911s I see at our ranges are Kimber Custom IIs and Springer GIs. There ARE others, but these are the most common 1911s by far. Probably why I have shot 3 Kimbers and no Springer Loaded. I'd also love to shoot the SIG Revolution, but again...I just don't see them at the range...sorry. I noticed that the Loaded is about the same price as the Custom II. I'd try one if I had the chance, but shooting 3 Kimbers and having the same great results has got me leaning their direction. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

12-20-2006, 12:32 PM	#5
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,290	Thanks, BB. Personal testimonials are often the truest advertising. __________________ The AK-47: Designed to be field-stripped and used effectively by a half-drunk, half-frozen illiterate conscript who found it buried in Mother Russia's mud after last year's Regiment exercises. SOP: retrieve from ground, pee in action, cycle bolt, go back to work. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. --Martin Luther

12-20-2006, 01:04 PM	#6
Bidah XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Isolated, Montana Posts: 685	Dan, you are correct. My wife got the first Kimber, back in '97. When I went to get mine, I got a used one, same model (Compact), and the serial numbers are very close. Both of them have the internal extractors. I know that from reports, there are or were issues with how they did the external extrator. I don't know what is different, but you are correct, overall it should not matter. In a way, it should be better since the internal you have to set the tension and so on. I don't know anyone that has one that is external, so I have nothing to judge it by. I have heard that for most of their line they have gone back to internal extractors. Other complaints are the MIM/plastic parts that they (and others) use. I have not had a single issue with either of ours. I don't know anyone that has a Springer Loaded except me. A few have the GI or Mil-spec models. I bought this one when I came back from the sand box last year, and there was this sale on just after Christmas.. I was only there for brushes... My only complaint, and an easy fix, was the 2 piece guide rod. Pain in the arse to take down, especially when I can 't find the allen wrench. Mine has been just as accurate as the Kimber, and just as reliable. I do have one Wilson magazine that it doesn't like, won't hold the slide open on the last shot. I will add that I bought that pistol for about $200 less than a comparable Kimber, and then I found out it had night sights when I got home. Even without the sights, it was a good deal. Of course I am now shooting the XD more.. -Bidah __________________ -Bidah “The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.” The Doctor Last edited by Bidah : 12-20-2006 at 01:08 PM.

12-20-2006, 01:06 PM	#7
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,290	^^^Another good response. It's curious that yours doesn't like the Wilson mag. Most of the time I've been told that those are some of the best ones out there--probably just depends on the individual gun. __________________ The AK-47: Designed to be field-stripped and used effectively by a half-drunk, half-frozen illiterate conscript who found it buried in Mother Russia's mud after last year's Regiment exercises. SOP: retrieve from ground, pee in action, cycle bolt, go back to work. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. --Martin Luther

12-20-2006, 01:13 PM	#8
Bidah XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Isolated, Montana Posts: 685	Dan, the Wilsons are good mags. I use them exclusively in the Kimber Compacts. They certainly are easier loading. For the Springer I have the Springer mags, Kimber mags, Power mags, and of course a few Wilsons. Just that one. I believe that the follower is a bit worn compared to the others (plastic follower), and the slide stop has a contour that is just the right height/angle for that particular mag. I will be ordering a new follower/spring for it, but overall I am not particularly concerned. It is marked for now so I don't use it for that particular pistol. -Bidah __________________ -Bidah “The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.” The Doctor

12-21-2006, 05:37 PM	#9
bigun XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 2,562	Brickboy, Face it you are not going to be happy untill you get one. Bite the bullet and get what you want. I've had most of the off the shelf 1911's and the Kimber has been the best so far. The only one I like better in my personal collection is the 1945 Remington Rand and thats more for sentimental reasons then anything else. Beware however, now I'm lusting after a premium RRA 1911 but I'm saving for it so I dont have to liquidate any more of my collection. __________________ Remington Rand 1911A1, Kimber Pro CDP 2, Kimber Custom Target, Ruger mark2 Govt model with Bushnell Holo site, Beretta 92D 9mm, Kahr K-40, Coming soon Kimber Warrior or Springfield Operator.

12-21-2006, 06:29 PM	#10
vashooter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Newport News. Virginia Posts: 236	I have external extractors on my Armscor and on my smith and wesson and both have been SWEET.... no problems out of either but Kimbers Hmmmmmm....... I wonder after reading some horror stories on 1911.org. and about their customer service Floyd __________________ \"there is nothing contrved by man by which so much happiness is produced by a good tavern or\"inn\"

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