i looked at a Kimber today, and almost came home with it

[rukwikenuf]

one of the base model Custom II's in stainless steel. however, having heard a few negative remarks about Kimber's current quality compared to their even better quality in years gone, i need advice.
is this going to be a gun that will function right, or is it going to have issues outta the box that won't work themselves away? i was also thinking of grabbing a Para GI Expert in stainless (which is over $200 less) and work it over a little. with the GI i was thinking an extended beavertail, new trigger, and new MSH; all in stainless. and maybe new sights
that would probably put me at the same price as the kimber, assuming i don't need a smith to correct my mistakes.
the only real difference i see in the two guns is the magwell isn't flared as much on the GI as it is on the Kimber. yeah, i realize the kimber has an extended safety, beavertail grip safety, SS MSH, SS trigger and probably more. however, it comes with ONE seven round magazine, and it's a production Kimber, not anything from their Custom shop.

school me, folks

[bstrawse]

one of the base model Custom II's in stainless steel. however, having heard a few negative remarks about Kimber's current quality compared to their even better quality in years gone, i need advice.
is this going to be a gun that will function right, or is it going to have issues outta the box that won't work themselves away? i was also thinking of grabbing a Para GI Expert in stainless (which is over $200 less) and work it over a little. with the GI i was thinking an extended beavertail, new trigger, and new MSH; all in stainless. and maybe new sights
that would probably put me at the same price as the kimber, assuming i don't need a smith to correct my mistakes.
the only real difference i see in the two guns is the magwell isn't flared as much on the GI as it is on the Kimber. yeah, i realize the kimber has an extended safety, beavertail grip safety, SS MSH, SS trigger and probably more. however, it comes with ONE seven round magazine, and it's a production Kimber, not anything from their Custom shop.

school me, folks

All of my Kimbers have run fine after a break-in period - and lots of cleaning/lube... The Custom is a damn good 1911.
b

[monschman]

God for you for being strong

[SmoothAR]

I have two Kimbers and haven't had a spec of trouble with either one (not even during the "break in" period). One of the two is the Custom II Stainless, which I will never regret buying.

[Stradawhovious]

I carry an eclipse pro II daily.

I had minor issues through the first 1,000, but since then (SEVERAL thousand rounds) its been virtually flawless.

[rukwikenuf]

great! thanks gents. i'll be making a trek back to the shop on Tuesday, then (if all goes well)

[rugersol]

... from ... http://www.kimberamerica.com/warranty ...

This limited warranty has been drafted to comply with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, which is effective for goods manufactured on or after December 31, 1995.

Kimber Mfg., Inc. firearms are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for one year after the date of original new gun retail purchase

... from ... http://www.coltsmfg.com/CustomerServices/FAQ.aspx ...

Q7. Does Colt have a warranty?
Answer: Colt has a Limited Lifetime Service Agreement.

... from ... http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757818_-1_757814_757812_image ...

1. Lifetime Service Policy

We will repair any defect in material or workmanship without charge to the original purchaser for as long as you own the handgun.

Although Ruger has elected to not print any warranty, the couple times I've had to send guns in for "warranty" work, not only was it "no questions asked", it was also free, and turned around in about a week!

That is in extremely stark contrast to my "warranty" experience with Kimber.

Should you never have a problem, then I 'spose it's a "good" gun. If the problem's small 'nuff, they might even fix it ... possibly even fer free. If it's not a small 'nuff problem, welcome to my world!

Incidentally, the couple times I've dealt with Colt and S&W, it was also "no questions asked" ... and free!

[Snowgun]

God for you for being strong

+1!

Use that hard earned money and get yourself a real 1911....Springfield!

[mmcnx2]

I've never had a Kimber that ran 100%. So I don't have any Kimber any more. Buy a Springfield and never look back.

[onebohemian]

God for you for being strong

+1!

Use that hard earned money and get yourself a real 1911....Springfield!

I'm constantly on the lookout to buy my first Springfield, and even though they are very, very close to what "a real 1911" once was, the addition of that internal locking system takes her down a notch. I'm not completely sure, but I suspect the Colt 1911 70 series models available today are as close as one can get to the original, right?

[LarryFlew]

2 Kimbers. One never had a problem. Other had a feed problem. Sent it ti Kimber expecting a bill since I purchased it used. Fixed and returned free.

[PRS]

I have a kimber Custom ii tre/rl and love it! Mine is very reliable, never had any problems even with my old surplus mags. It's very accurate and trust my life on it. The only thing about getting a 1911 with a rail is it’s a bet of a search to find one that fits the rail. Find a tight one and shoot the piss out of it!!!

[Snowgun]

God for you for being strong

+1!

Use that hard earned money and get yourself a real 1911....Springfield!

I'm constantly on the lookout to buy my first Springfield, and even though they are very, very close to what "a real 1911" once was, the addition of that internal locking system takes her down a notch. I'm not completely sure, but I suspect the Colt 1911 70 series models available today are as close as one can get to the original, right?

The locking system is all in the mainspring housing, which can be

A. Taken out and replaced with whatever mainspring strikes your fancy for about $70

B. Ignored, since it doesn't do anything if you don't lock it with the little spanner key. I still have the mainspring in mine, and I forgot it had the locking thing until just now.

[rugersol]

+1!

Use that hard earned money and get yourself a real 1911....Springfield!

I'm constantly on the lookout to buy my first Springfield, and even though they are very, very close to what "a real 1911" once was, the addition of that internal locking system takes her down a notch. I'm not completely sure, but I suspect the Colt 1911 70 series models available today are as close as one can get to the original, right?

The locking system is all in the mainspring housing, which can be

A. Taken out and replaced with whatever mainspring strikes your fancy for about $70 $10

[Snowgun]

I'm constantly on the lookout to buy my first Springfield, and even though they are very, very close to what "a real 1911" once was, the addition of that internal locking system takes her down a notch. I'm not completely sure, but I suspect the Colt 1911 70 series models available today are as close as one can get to the original, right?

The locking system is all in the mainspring housing, which can be

A. Taken out and replaced with whatever mainspring HOUSING strikes your fancy for about $70 $10 $70

Sorry buddy, Let me correct that, my bad...