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Sidearms & Scatterguns Life after my Kimber full size 1911?

P

Pester

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 20, 2012
651
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Northern CA
My 10 yr old full size Kimber is showing its age and mileage. It seems like I have a few options:

1. Send it back in for work
2. Get something similar in todays market ($800-$1,200)
3. Step up ($1,200-$3,500)

No target or defense work here....just time at the range and enjoying a nice rig. Normally I would only consider option 1 or maybe 2 but I am in the process of selling a AR that I bought before the run up and then decided I really am not enjoying as much as I thought. I should net out enough to get up to the $3,500 range if the guy at the local gun shop is correct.

Never having owned such a nice 1911 I thought it might be nice to try one even if my groups dont improve. If I went with the higher end there seems to be a lot of options (Wilson, Baer, the one on the group buy{dont recall the name just now} and others) so if I was willing to wait for a couple of months what would you/did you choose in option 2 and 3?

Thanks folks....
 
The only reason I was checking regarding other options is that I did have a chance to shoot a higher end Springfield and it felt smoother all the way around. It might be a function of it being newer. Not sure.

I certainly have gotten my money out of the Kimber and I like it. I would be happy to take that route but before I plunked down the money I was hoping to get input from others that have used the other options.
 
If you really like the Kimber, as mentioned, just get it cleaned up...barrel, sights, repair slide to frame fit etc. If you don't want to go with that option, don't sell it. Those older Kimbers run and keep running.

If I had the money, I'd go with a Caspian matched frame and slide, match bull barrel, Bomar sights, Ed Brown beaver tail. The rest I'd have to see who's making now. If I was going off the shelf, probably Les Bear.
 
thanks Gildoom. I will look at the Nighthawks.

Seanh, I was thinking I might sell the Kimber but after your comments maybe I will keep it if I decide to go with something else. Tough call as its treated me right so far. Also, at the risk of highjacking my own post I just spoke with Chad Dixon and, after finishing the set up on his new machinary today he is going to get started on my 700 action and barrel. I should have it in a week or so. Pretty excited to see how it shoots compared to a stock Rem 700 sps v.

Thanks....
 
I've got one of the 1st generation Kimbers...actually I gave it to a buddy of mine, but he'll never sell and if he does, it goes back to me. That thing has several thousand rounds through it and still just as good as day one. It's simple, accurate and reliable...hated to give it away but the buddy of mine that has it deserves a fine weapon.

Dixon...another smart choice. I should have gone with him a couple years ago...then I'd have had time to really enjoy my rifle. Unfortunately due to work, lack of ammo, and poor weather conditions, I haven't had a chance to really push the accuracy. All I have on mine is sub moa in crap conditions. Give4-n the shots my wife and I could group, it's a 1/4-1/3 MOA rifle.
 
I've got a Les Baer and a Wilson and both are great guns. I had lots of Kimbers and the old ones ran great but wasn't real pleased with the newer ones. Everyone has a different opinion on what is the best way to go for a quality 1911 but, for the money, I'd say a Les Baer or a Dan Wesson Valor (both in the same price range) is the way to go. Go to the 1911 forum and read the shootout with different 1911s and you'll want a Les or Dan Wesson. No pistol fits your hand like a 1911.
 
Im kind of in the same boat you are right now. Ive got a Warrior that I will never sell its been completely reliable, even with no cleaning on dirty Russian ammo. Its so loose it rattles when shaken but still delivers better accuracy than any other pistol I've ever owned. Its starting to get ugly though and i think it really needs a checkered front strap. I need to find a good smith to give it a good checker and make it look nice again, give it a tune up.
 
A smith can tighten up and smooth the gun out. A new barrel and bushing will bring that back to life, have them add your choice of ignition components, add the features you want and done.

If you liked the Springfield keep an eye out for a SACS gun- Springfield Custom are some of the best in the game.
 
Thanks folks.

I got a chance to try a Dan Wesson at the range the other day and liked it also. (To be honest it wasnt the gun that I noticed first. After I got done evaluating her 'shooting form' I noticed what she was using and she was kind enough to let me shoot a few rounds).

Maybe the best course of action is to talk to the folks at Kimber and see what the options are and associated costs. At least then I can do a better comparison.

Thanks for all the help.
 
NOT THROUGH KIMBER!!! They have no actual custom shop. Call SACS, Colt Custom, Alchemy Custom, Combat Precision and there's many others as well.

Dan Wesson's are very nice guns for the money!
 
chakup said:
NOT THROUGH KIMBER!!! They have no actual custom shop. Call SACS, Colt Custom, Alchemy Custom, Combat Precision and there's many others as well.

Dan Wesson's are very nice guns for the money!
Click to expand...

And you would know because you work at the facility in Yonkers right? I could have sworn that when I was there about a week ago that I was in their custom shop...must have been some other custom shop that works and repairs 1911's... OP: They do and can front strap checker to whatever LPI you want. There is not much that the custom shop can't do, call and ask.
 
That doesn't make them a custom shop, and if the OP wants to search will take about 2 minutes to find and verify this. Colt has a custom shop, Springfield has a custom shop. Kimber has the custom shop dies.
 
If you want a real piece of functional art, go to ron phillips and get a full house custom. If going off the rack, a Wilson, Nighthawk, Ed Brown is hard to beat. Good luck and post pics :)
 
Regarding Kimber "custom shop"...do not do this, you'll be disappointed. What comes out of what is called "custom" is crap and will likely need to be re-worked to make function and may require new parts to be properly fit. This isn't just an internet opinion, this comes directly from the gunsmith I used to build guns with...who worked at Kimber for a few years. The "don't by our guns" was said when he worked there, not after he left.

If you want to get your Kimber brought back into spec, just have a reputable smith take care of you. Most likely, barrel/bushing is all it will take...trigger, hammer, sear can likely be cleaned up- you'll want new springs though.
 
I choose option #3. You might look at an STI. I have and older Kimber that I love, bought a used STI Trojan last summer, not even in the same league. I could not believe how much better the machining was, the finish work was, and how much "smoother" the pistol was. At least the Kimber script on the slide of my old 45 is appealing.

Mike
 
Gotta agree with seanh on this. I have seen a lot of bad "customs" come out of kimber in the past. This is coming from a guy who owns a full house custom colt, dan wesson pm7, and a '43 Ithaca and there is a huge difference. Not just internet banter here, its coming from experience.
 
After a long time of reading and reviewing 1911s I found the Springfield TRP 1911 to be the best for the money. It is by far my favorite pistol and I have shot all the elite customs 1911s. Really for the money the TRP is the best. I reload and it takes everything I give it! I even loaded down some loads to see if the TRP would still function and it did at 550~ fps 230grn RN. If I was interdependently wealthy I would have a Nightforce T3 as that is one sexy CCW. However I am cheap SOB and the the TRP shoots as good or better than alot of the big custom names.
 
So edpus has your question been answered yet or do you need more on this?

seanh said:
Regarding Kimber "custom shop"...do not do this, you'll be disappointed. What comes out of what is called "custom" is crap and will likely need to be re-worked to make function and may require new parts to be properly fit. This isn't just an internet opinion, this comes directly from the gunsmith I used to build guns with...who worked at Kimber for a few years. The "don't by our guns" was said when he worked there, not after he left.

If you want to get your Kimber brought back into spec, just have a reputable smith take care of you. Most likely, barrel/bushing is all it will take...trigger, hammer, sear can likely be cleaned up- you'll want new springs though.
Click to expand...
 
No it does not. I asked what your definition of a custom shop was. I would like to know the name of so called reputed "gun smith" who worked at Kimber feel free to pm it or lay out it there. A lot has changed in that company, what once was acceptable is no longer the case and the majority of guns that do make there way to the custom/repair shop leave in better condition than they left the factory in the first place. Once again hersay from the internet of "heard this" or "so called" that, and "my buddys this". If none of you have been to the shop, or worked in the shop personally then its all speculation. Your's or who's ever personal opinion shouldn't be the basis for taking away a viable option to the op. Call up ask what it would cost to bring your gun to the way you want if its not that much then do both bring your gun you like back up and get the other 1911.
 
Ed, you do bring up good points so I'd like to ask, what kind of guns do you build?
 
Sean- With out thread jacking I have built my fair share of glocks, 1911's,AR's and precision rifles. That being said just because I have done those builds doesnt make me a gunsmith...Also to clarify all Kimbers are marketed as "customs" or sold as "kimber customs" those are production guns, and yes with production guns we all know a lemon makes it out once in awhile. The actual custom shop however is not associated with that, strictly repairs and custom modifications as they are requested by customers, that may have been where the misunderstanding regarding the custom shop started. Pester- let us know what you decide with.
 
I still have not decided yet but I am leaning towards getting a new one. Being in communist CA my choices are more limited.

I have called around most my local shops (within 100 miles) and only one had a high end 1911 in stock. I went to look at the Nighthawk Talon they had and really liked it. My sense is that, in the near future, I am not going to get to really try any so the best I can do is hold one and get feedback.

Sending my Kimber to a good smith was on the table however I am thinking of doing something different. A buddy of mine (former Marine) likes to shoot but does not have much money and the job front has been a challenge. I was going to send the Kimber in for a gentle rebuild and then see if I can engrave USMC on the slide for him.

As soon as I make a decision I will post pics of what I went with.

Thanks for all the help folks...
 
Pester said:
I still have not decided yet but I am leaning towards getting a new one. Being in communist CA my choices are more limited.

I have called around most my local shops (within 100 miles) and only one had a high end 1911 in stock. I went to look at the Nighthawk Talon they had and really liked it. My sense is that, in the near future, I am not going to get to really try any so the best I can do is hold one and get feedback.

Sending my Kimber to a good smith was on the table however I am thinking of doing something different. A buddy of mine (former Marine) likes to shoot but does not have much money and the job front has been a challenge. I was going to send the Kimber in for a gentle rebuild and then see if I can engrave USMC on the slide for him.

As soon as I make a decision I will post pics of what I went with.

Thanks for all the help folks...
Click to expand...

Pester,

Sounds like a good plan. I like the idea of helping out your buddy with that. I know nothing about Kimber's actual custom shop, but have vowed to never waste money on their 1911's again. I had consistent reliability issues with mine, and their CS was crap. They try to make you feel like it's your fault it doesn't work. Have heard much better reports about other factory guns, and if you have the money for a custom, you probably will be happy with Les Baer, Nighthawk, or a semi-custom Dan Wesson even.

Good luck!
 
I would agree with those who suggested Les Baer. I love mine. I looked at Wilson and Nighthawk's and they were very nice pistols but the Baer seemed like a better buy to me. I have been very pleased with it and it's very accurate. They are all great guns and if you choose any one of them you wont be sorry!
 
I bought a Les Baer Premier w/ 1.5 package, overall nice work. However, I had a few FTF the first couple hundred rounds, plus it was too tight...I preferred to shoot the TRP I had compared to the Les Baer. I picked up a Springfield Pro recently, and although it was tight, it wasn't as tight as the Premier. The Pro has around 5-600 rounds through it without a glitch.
However, the best sidearm I have used is a Wilson CQB Elite and a Tactical Elite. Wilson makes the finest pistols around. Plus, they have a strong network. Wilson Combat would get my vote.
 
I'll sell ya a like new Dan Wesson Specialist for a decent price. I would go with DW, STI or Baer as I think they offer the most for your $$$$. Go with a forged STI as well.
 
Showing its age and mileage.....well, we sure wouldn't want a 10 year old sidearm to show any age and mileage.
Save your $$$ for a move out of California.
 
just send it off and have it redone. You'll be happier getting a gun what's exactly what you want instead of something just off the line.

On another note, if it still shoots well why worry about it? Some of mine are all kinds of beat up
 
Take it to a smith:

-Upgrade the sights (I like 10-8 performance)
- have the slide to frame fit tightened.
- hard fit a new barrel bushing
- refinish all metal parts

Like a new gun! I am constantly upgrading my 1911's, but I have access to the tools to do it myself under the watchful eye of a skilled gunsmith.
 
First build:
e7y8emyp.jpg
 
I like to buy them ready to rock.
 

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Actually not a big 1911 guy at all. The Dan Wesson was my first and like I said I'd be willing to part with it. Is it just a TRP with VZ grips? I have no idea. It does shoot very well with Missouri Bullet 225 grain flat heads and w231. That, I do know.
 
green338 2.0 said:
I bought a Les Baer Premier w/ 1.5 package, overall nice work. However, I had a few FTF the first couple hundred rounds, plus it was too tight...I preferred to shoot the TRP I had compared to the Les Baer. I picked up a Springfield Pro recently, and although it was tight, it wasn't as tight as the Premier. The Pro has around 5-600 rounds through it without a glitch.
However, the best sidearm I have used is a Wilson CQB Elite and a Tactical Elite. Wilson makes the finest pistols around. Plus, they have a strong network. Wilson Combat would get my vote.
Click to expand...

For a 1911, it has to be tight as hell to shoot 1.5". You absolutely have to put a minimum of 500 rounds to break it in before you can judge it.
 
17874 said:
For a 1911, it has to be tight as hell to shoot 1.5". You absolutely have to put a minimum of 500 rounds to break it in before you can judge it.
Click to expand...


Tight as hell...not necessarily. What's needed is proper lock-time and lockup but if certain areas are too tight, the gun will have failures in unlocking and returning to battery.

500 rounds to break in? Not true. 500 rounds to "break in" means that it wasn't finished being built...basically it's 95-98% complete. It's a lot easier to tell a customer "just shoot it in" than it is to do the job right...that last 2% or so can be a bitch
 
Well that's just my opinion, and I am no master pistol smith. I have only built 4 1911's.
 
Ok. the AR sold and the cash came through. I only was able to shoot the Dan Wesson and the Wilson while getting to hold the Nighthawk and a bunch of Springfields, Kimbers and Rock Islands, etc.

With limited access to any real time spent with them I decided it was going to be a roll of the dice regardless so I went with the Nighthawk Talon. All Black with wood grips and very plain looking. I think any of them would have been real great to shoot but the Nighthawk just felt better (yea...I know...I never shot it) so I went that way. And, when I called them, they had the best customer service of all those I called.

On another note....Thanks for all the PM's. There are some really quality people here and some of the offers folks made are unbelievable. I am humbled and not sure I am worthy.... thanks nonetheless. I am honored. Even the advice here to move out of CA is appreciated :^)

While I am waiting for the paperwork and waiting period to be completed I am headed off to think about what I can do with the Kimber for my buddy. Ideally I can get new sights on it, have it reworked a little and then I can try to engrave the slide. If I can swing it I think I will try for USMC on one side and Semper Fi on the other. Once that is done I need to see if I can make something out of tape that looks like its engraved 'Nancy Pelosi fan club' before I hand it over to my buddy.

Thanks again for all the guidance, help and offers. Very much appreciated.
 
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