Learn at least the basic things to look for when evaluating a new gun you want to purchase. Entry level Kimbers, and their slightly upgraded models are a steal in a quality American made 1911. Kimber Camp Guard 10 Few modern cartridges have generated a following quite like the 10mm. After spending so much quality time with this gun, here is my technical and empirical evaluation: I want one. Kimber 1911 for Sale – Buy Kimber 1911 Online at GunBroker … So, you get the size of 1911 you want. As with their other all-steel pistols, the Sig Sauer 1911 line is made with the utmost of precision for a factory gun. I have four Kimbers. They are available in 9mm and .45 ACP. Home Shop Handguns 1911. The sights – ah, a great improvement over the basic Kimber 1911. A carry gun? There’s a couple nice used ones (1911) near me and was wondering when did the manufacturing change? Part by part is well made and mostly nicely finished. Calling the Kimber Custom II a plain-Jane pistol is like calling a 1940 Packard, "just another car." and keep using the same stuff, unless something better comes out.. The entry-level models of each are good, if you didn't want to spend too much. Here’s the thing: If all Kimber 1911s cost around $600 - $700, that would be about right. However, finding quality 1911 magazines these days is easy; Kimber sells them, and you can find 8- and 9-round 10mm 1911 magazines everywhere (.40 S&W and 10mm 1911 mags are interchangeable). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I agree with the comment above on the trigger. No problems with it and like the build quality. Thing about the Kimber 1911 line is that Kimber pistols tend to have a serious dollop of class in their appearance. Non-railed? the plastic mainspring housing is a poor choice for an otherwise nicely finished pistol. Kimber, as one of the largest 1911 producers there is, is not in the business of making poor components, so this aspect may be overblown. Kimber has a wider and deeper product line, so more people are going to find a Kimber with the stuff they want rather than a Sig 1911. 2020 Alien Gear Holsters. We have a full-length recoil spring/guide – and I could do without it – easy enough to swap out if you want to, and it doesn’t need to be “fitted” to the gun – it is a drop-in affair. A little extra help never hurt. The basic Two Tone line is a very handsome lineup of pistols indeed, and that continues all the way through to their custom shop guns. The Colt sear spring brought it down to about 3-1/2#. I am a fan of the 1911 platform. Wow. The thing that in my mind, can make or break a stock pistol. Second is the available features. Chances are you will agree that the 1911 is a great design. Railed? Great pistol, aesthetically appealing. But, if you prefer the .45 ACP cartridge, the Kimber … Onto the other holster, let’s take a look at a few options that might fit your fancy for the Kimber 1911. However, they don't have an architecture the way Kimber's products do; they have individual models so you have to know what you're looking for. Home / Handguns / 1911. Since the inception of the Kimber 1911 series, Kimber has rapidly-and deservedly-developed a reputation for quality and reliability. That's the beauty of Kimber; they make a 1911 for just about anyone's tastes. Two I bought new and two I bought used. They are quality guns! Copyright © 1911. Great article Sir. It depends partially on which Sig or Kimber 1911 you mean. Kimber 1911's are bad? No comparison in terms of quality and reliability to Kimber. One thing about even the least expensive Kimber, you're not going to have to touch the trigger mechanism right away, if ever. However, pretty much all of them have either Novak-style slide cuts, so changing the sights is easy if you find you want a different set. Kimber only offers 10mm on select models, and .45 ACP or 9mm chambering for models of their 1911 pistol. Are you going to mount a red dot sight or will you be leaving the thing alone? Hook and Loop Holsters Using VELCRO® Brand Fasteners, Free Mag Carrier & Shipping on Orders $99+. The Kimber Artic would be an excellent carry for someone who likes the 1911 platform, who wants to carry something lighter than a full-weight 1911, and prefers the 9mm cartridge. There too, and so on and so forth. Try to shoot both if you can. There's no denying that Sig build quality is excellent, so a Sig 1911 - it stands to reason - will be pretty good too. Kimber 1911 Custom LW Nightstar Pistol features a satin stainless finish, gray Laminate grips, a match grade stainless barrel and a red fiber optic front sight. The Kimber 1911 5'' is a semi automatic pistol that is well constructed. "Since 2003 I have owned 7 other Kimber pistols in a wide variety of lengths (2 Ultra length, 3 Pro length, and 2 full-sized pistols) and have never had a moment of problem with them. Lots of other makes eschew it. Just jump on in, the water is fine! Having had my hands on a few of each brand, I'd say that they're very decent mid-shelf 1911 pistols. Most of them can be had in that chambering. You bet. Most Kimber pistols flash a list of standard features that would normally only be found on expensive custom guns. Nearly 100 Kimber models offer a wide variety of sizes, weights, calibers and features. That is one of the main things I look for when purchasing a handgun, is the trigger, and Kimbers' is one of the best, especially in length of pull. However, the people that want a Sig 1911 are interested in a specific Sig 1911. We certainly have never found any Sig 1911 that's been through the office to be lacking in build quality, materials, fit or finish. I love my ultra carry II. It came with no extractor tension, a walking slide stop that is also too long, one of the two mags was defective and I replaced the firing pin due to primer flow back with standard ammo. Other than that, it's the standard .45 ACP in almost all models, 9mm in only a few, and a couple in 10mm IF caliber is a consideration. I am unapologetic about the fact that the slick look of the pistol helped to convince me to drop the cash on a full-… Tolerances are tight as expected from a top notch manufacturer. Buy a Kimber, I don't think youll be disappointed. They have acquired a reputation as being some of the strongest 1911 pistols out there as Sig Sauer generally does their best to make hard-working guns that you can count on to save your bacon. I prefer a 230 grain bullet anytime to a 115-147. It was designed with a well balanced features that makes this pistol very reliable. My Kimbers have always shot round ball well without issues. But they sure as heck aren’t worth the prices that many of them cost, because Kimber uses cheaper parts and has spotty quality control, even on their pricy guns. For those who do not embrace the 1911 let me task them to simply share the passion with a 1911 man. 9mm rather than .45 caliber? That said, get out and handle both. I've owned several (Series 1 Custom Combat, Series 1 CDP, etc.) ~ John Adams. He resides in the great Inland Northwest, with his wife and child. The patina effect that Sig Sauer's finish produces is certainly interesting, and they have very modern grips. My most recent, a Stainless Target II in 9mm has been my favorite. It’s one of the best-selling Kimber pistols for a reason. My second 1911 was a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911… is not in any way affiliated with. But let's go over some minor differences. Until then, the Kimber Pro Carry II is a great carry gun, an exceptional 1911 and a plain old bargain. I have owned the Smith & Wesson E-series in 1911; and I have owned a Sig 1911, all were good. Kimber's sell for roughly $900 up to roughly $2000. Use "good" ammo. Kimbers are nicely finished, lots of features, and are priced reasonably. I called Kimber and TOLD THEM IT WAS MY FAULT. All you have to do is pick the features that go with it. though what looks good to Person A is different than what looks good to Person B. We liked the design from the Custom Shop the most. Kimber has more to offer more people, but if only a Sig 1911 will do...there's just not getting it anywhere else. If you're more of a walnut and steel kind of person, you'll probably find Kimbers more appealing in that way. Ergo, you'll find more Kimber pistols with certain features than you will Sig 1911s. I like my Dan Wesson Valor 1911. And if you like a Sig 1911, it's really the only thing for you. I wouldn't worry about getting a new one at all. Let's say you wanted a Commander for concealed carry. I have 9 kimbers and many other manufacturers guns such as Colt and Caspian. There are some great reasons to get a Sig 1911! The fps should not be there... and for that matter, neither should 80 series. Out in the desert troubleshooting OfficerJared's problematic Kimber TLE RL 1911. It seems the cheaper.the mag, the better it works for me sometimes. Had one issue, a slight bullet bump against the slide stop with some bullet profiles. Second Media Corp., 111 Peter Street, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada, is an independent enthusiast website owned and operated by Content on is generated by its users. Sometimes, an Ultra in 9mm, if I wearing less clothing. Top Choices for Kimber 1911. Shoots way better than I do, and that was proven by an instructor I have been working with. The Sig 1911 STX is a quality tool (yes, that's all a firearm is) built from quality components. The DeltaPoint Pro reflex sight alone would cost around 500 euros if bought separately. For me now in quality and price, I will buy the Metro Arms American Classic II; it shoots as well as a Less Bear, or Springfield Armory TRP, or any Kimber; and it comes in new for around $750 - 850. A tactical powerhouse? Kimber 1911 is a kind of gun that can be holstered in any holster. Truthfully, that's going to come down to you. There are the regular stainless and wood models, and others with crazy finishes. That means finding a Sig 1911 holster can take some doing! Both are known to be great pistols, but which exactly is going to be better? In a used Ultra CDPII 9mm, I had some feeding issues, took it to a local smith for a $90 action job and not another problem with a bonus of a 3 lb trigger. ( not to mention the pull pressure ). Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain. I just bought a Custom II Two Tone in November. Having owned several, they are nice, and were very accurate [9mm and .45acp]. There are a number of models that come with a red dot optic straight from the factory or milled for one and with raised-height sights, and at that, multiple models with these features. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. I mean love it. Kimber pistols come with Novak sight cuts, so sights are just as easy to change. Thanks. All he did was shoot it at indoor ranges, and he would also wipe it down a light coat of oil after cleaning it and stick it in a gun sock before putting it back in his safe. Result of the development of the firearm designers is the pistol which is popular among plenty of shooters in several countries. I had a Series 1 Gold Match, deep blue. The front has a red fiber optic sight, and the rear has two white dots, as opposed to the all-black rear sight. Then there's curb appeal, so to speak. Do you want a bobcut, or do you not care? Love the article, and the comments above. Entry level Kimbers, and their slightly upgraded models are a steal in a quality American made 1911. Appearance is part of what makes an object attractive to us (read "The Botany Of Desire"; it turns out plants have even evolved to look good so things ate them and thus propogated the species!) The company name, city, and state are in very small lettering on the right side. Just like any other manufacturer. Because of the tight tolerances on which they are built the Kimber 1911's require a … I have a Kimber Raptor ll Stainless bought it in 2018 it was my first 1911, also bought a Kimber Belair micro in 9mm and 3 additional kimber mags from midway to go with it and it is a poppy snappy kind of shooter but never jams not yet anywyas about 500rds threw it, I am just getting into them, I have always been a striker fired kind of guy but that is a story for a different day, anyways I have only … Unfortunately, the most-famous .357 Sig alternative (that being .38 Super) appears to be out of their production lineup. You will hear that a lot. I've recently purchased a limber Custom Ii Two Tone 45 ACP. And immediately some well known custom pistol smiths began espousing the idea that the guns were inferior due to MIM parts. I'm considering selling it and buying a Springfield range officer or loaded. Some people are just big fans of the Sig Sauer brand, which is certainly understandable. Railed? Also what are the parts most likely to fail with heavy use. I have found forum info to be extremely useful and beneficial. Kimber sells a zillion guns every year. It's a nice accurate gun, mine had a few problems. YOU have to know what YOU want in a pistol. However, I think which one is "best" will come down to which one you prefer. Learn how to evaluate a gun yourself. 10mm for hog hunting? Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!