So, what is wrong with a Kimber?

[Tango3]

I own Kimbers, I own Wessons. Like both manufacturers; Wessons trump Kimbers, and wouldn't sell any of them.

E.

[DaFadda]

Here's my take:
Purists do not like MIM parts. Ever.

there are dozens up dozens of anecdotal experiences of MIM parts failing. But I haven't seen any.

Most, if not all the major manufacturers have gone to MIM parts for non stress / low stress parts. Some have even gone to MIM for some higher stress parts.

It's metal injection molded. It's been around a long time. It works. Until it doesn't. If there is a bad batch made, its going to affect the guns that use that batch of parts. Doesn't happen with bar stock. Strength? Got to say that from what I've read, mim is as strong as machined parts. But I WILL catch flak for this opinion.

Kimber? I'd go SIG 1911 before I went Kimber. But that's just me. KImber DOES sell a whole bunch of guns... so someone likes them. I do like my DW CCO a whole lot tho. And the Sigs are beautifulugly in their own way. You love em or you hate em... Personally... I love them.

Just my 2 cents.

[BlackKnight]

I've come to the conclusion that discussing calibers and manufacturers is akin to the old Ford vs GM vs Mopar or Harley vs others. People are just going to stick to their favorites.
I'm a big Kimber fan. I own two, but also a fan of Glock.
To that end, my first duty was a Sig (229) and loved it. On the contrary I hear Sig quality control has tanked these past few years. While I do know if this is true or not I do not like their latest model of pistols they have been putting out. Although, I have no experience with their 1911 line.

[Boats]

Originally Posted by BlackKnight

I've come to the conclusion that discussing calibers and manufacturers is akin to the old Ford vs GM vs Mopar or Harley vs others. People are just going to stick to their favorites.

I agree.

And I think someone else said it in this thread. Buy what you're comfortable with and don't let anyone tell you different.

Lacking real, verifiable evidence for one against another, it comes down to personal preference.

But don't come crying when your MIM part breaks!

Sorry, just a joke. Couldn't resist

[Zilmo]

I've only owned one Kimber, but it was a really nice pistol.

[dwsmithjr]

I've owned a number of Kimbers; a Custom II was my first, then a Stainless Target II 10mm, then a Tactical something and that was the last one. The Custom II was actually my first 1911.

I honestly never had a single issue with any of them. They were flawless out of the box, never failed a single time and were more accurate than I was at the time. The LGS here is big on Kimber although they are starting to branch out. Few or no Colts, more STIs now, some Ruger and Remington, virtually no Dan Wessons, which I just don't understands, the Springfields. Many of the 1911s they sell are easily as expensive as the Dan Wessons.

As for MIM, I just don't know. Cheaper, yes, less durable, don't know. That has been an argument going on for a very, very long time. I'm sure there are some cast and barstock parts that are lower quality than the MIM parts in many guns.

If you like them and they work for you, then go for it. I have only Dan Wesson right now, some pre-CZ Patriots, a CBOB and an early Valor. I also have two early SIG GSRs for which I have an unreasonable fondness. I really have not desire, for some reason, to own a Kimber. I look, but they just don't evoke any excitement. Springfiels somewhat more excitement.

[Sheepdog]

A thread about the name that shall not be mentioned! WOW! All joking aside my problem with Mimbers is they make 40,000 guns a year and quality control sometimes suffers. That is why you get people that love them and hate them. My other problem is they use mim for their sears. While mim may be good for some parts the sear is not one of them. IMHO

[Xbonz]

My only complaint about them was take down and reassembly. Launched too many dang springs into the atmosphere. Hated having to use the paperclip to keep things from going "sproing". But other than that it ran flawlessly and was extraordinarily accurate.

[BlackKnight]

Well, if the Marine Corps Special Ops guys are willing to carry it during missions...

[DrHenley]

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

they make 40,000 guns a year and quality control sometimes suffers. That is why you get people that love them and hate them.

Exactly.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump, Kimbers are like a box of chocolates...

A historical reason to bash Kimbers is how they totally screwed up on their external extractors and couldn't figure out that the problem was simply that they made them too short. So instead of correcting the problem, they ditched them. That legacy still lives on in their 22 Conversion slides...

S&W and Sig both screwed up on their first go at external extractors too, but they corrected them.