Kimber Quality?

[TrueFlog]

What is y'all's opinion on the quality of Kimber pistols these days? I've been considering getting a Kimber Pro Carry II, and I went to the range today to test fire one. The employee who helped me out strongly discouraged me from getting a Kimber. He said that while they've had a good reputation in the past, their quality has really gone downhill over the last 5-7 years. He said the decline applies both to the quality of their pistols and also to their customer service. Finally, he said the range no longer carries or sells Kimber for the above reasons.
What do y'all think? Is he right in his assessment of Kimber? Or is he off-base? I would be inclined to just write it off as his opinion, but if the whole range has stopped selling them...?

[RPBrown]

I cannot speak about current quality. I have had 2 Kimbers some years ago and both had problems even after being returned to the factory. In fact they reimbursed my money for one. Back then, if you got a good one it was real good but if you got a bad one it was real bad. I have friends that swear by them and that's all they will carry.
Again, not sure about now.

Edited due to fat fingers used on my phone and due to spell check changes from stupid smart phone

[Wes]

I had an older one that was fine but when I wanted a new one I chose a sig tacops instead. So far it's been great, even though I've only put a couple hundred rounds down it. I heard too many other people say the same thing you've heard.

[JSThane]

I just "acquired" (won) a Pro Carry II a few days ago and took it out today. No problems or issues whatsoever. Granted, most of our .45 shooting was done with the wife's Thomspon today, so we didn't put a punishing round count through the Pro Carry, but I liked it.

I think a lot of the supposed issues with Kimber lately have been people freaking out about the metal-injection-molded parts without understanding exactly what these parts are or how they're made. Yeah, there's some issues with any company, but so far Kimber has been good to us. This makes #4 for us.

Side note, stay away from the Solo. I've heard nothing but bad reviews on it. If you go the 1911 route, I'd not worry terribly much about it.

[rbwhatever1]

I carry the Pro Crimson Carry II and have well over 3k rounds through it with zero issues. My son just received one for his Birthday and it runs flawlessly as well. I have no idea about customer service...

[Glockster]

I have a Ultra CDP II LG and this is my second Kimber - I love it and have never had any problems.

[Commander Cody]

I have two Kimber ultra Carry II’s. They are about 7-8 years old. I have no experience with newer ones, but mine have always functioned flawlessly.

[The Annoyed Man]

I had a stainless Ultra Carry II and loved it. It had a defective slide lock when I first bought it, which caused the gun to lock back on a full mag about every second or third round or so. Apparently, a run of 3" guns were shipped with this defective part and Kimber was aware of the problem when I phoned them, and they sent me a new part right away. The gun ran flawlessly after that. Curiously, when my son's PT1911 broke the pin on its slide stop, right at the link, we stuck the "defective" Kimber slide stop in it, and that gun is still running just fine with that Kimber part in it. I sold that Kimber to another forum member, who for all I know still has and carries it.

My son has a Pro Raptor which he carries, and his wife carries a Pro Carry II, both for several years now, and they've never had any issues.

[Pawpaw]

I had a stainless Ultra Carry II and loved it. It had a defective slide lock when I first bought it, which caused the gun to lock back on a full mag about every second or third round or so. Apparently, a run of 3" guns were shipped with this defective part and Kimber was aware of the problem when I phoned them, and they sent me a new part right away. The gun ran flawlessly after that. Curiously, when my son's PT1911 broke the pin on its slide stop, right at the link, we stuck the "defective" Kimber slide stop in it, and that gun is still running just fine with that Kimber part in it. I sold that Kimber to another forum member, who for all I know still has and carries it.

My son has a Pro Raptor which he carries, and his wife carries a Pro Carry II, both for several years now, and they've never had any issues.

It apparently wasn't just the 3" guns. My Ultra CDP had the issue as did a 5" Kimber, which I no longer have. In both cases, Kimber sent me a replacement and all was good.

The thing that truly irks me about Kimber is that they ship with a plastic mainspring housing. For the price they charge, its very disappointing that they cheap-out on such an important part. I have read about, and seen pictures of, failed Kimber mainspring housings. If it breaks, the gun is rendered inoperative.

IMHO, Kimber puts a heck of a nice paint job on a mediocre pistol.

[ShootDontTalk]

Well, let's see here. A gun range says "gun brand xxxxxx is junk and you shouldn't buy one, and oh by the way, we don't sell them". My recommendation is to find a gun store that is a Kimber Master Dealer and ask their opinion.

I have owned Kimbers for many years and I can report this: I haven't a clue how good their customer service is. I've never had to use it - not once. Kimbers are not the most expensive 1911 you can buy. You can spend 4 or 5 times the cost of one on some other manufacturers. I've shot most of them. None will do anything any better except for bragging rights.

My favorite is the one carried by LAPD SWAT and some other organizations that remain in the shadows. I have a Custom TLE/RL II (5" with light rail). It is easily, next to a custom Clark long slide target gun, the most accurate 1911 I've ever owned. I recommend Kimbers to you. Find a dealer and look for yourself.

[Taypo]

The wife and I both carry Ultra Carry II's, purchased a little under a year ago, with no issues whatsoever. They're picky on ammo, but that's more a function of the 3" frame than anything else. They've both got a little over 1k rounds through them with no signs of trouble and are about due for spring replacements.

[winters]

I never understood why people think kimbers are so great. I have found them to be the most over rated guns on the market.

[Jumping Frog]

I've heard negative impressions and opinions of Kimber quality and customer service for a number of years now.

Conversely, most of the internet sentiment regarding Springfield Armory quality and customer service is positive.

Of course, any manufacturer can have a problem in a specific transaction that proves an exception to the general trend.

[Taypo]

I never understood why people think kimbers are so great. I have found them to be the most over rated guns on the market.

Care to elaborate?