[wiredawg24]

Wanted to make a post about Kimber: I purchased a kimber SPC HD in Nov, put about 100 rds through it, had more than you can cout FTF and failure to return to battery's. I ordered and installed Wolfs springs and Wilison combat clips, put another 200 rds through it still had many and I mean many FTF and FTRBs. I called kimber, sent it back and after almost 5 months I still don't have it back...the kicker is they can't even tell me when I will get it back. The said the frame was warped...this is a custom shop gun, it should have NEVER left there shop. But because I trusted the name KIMBER and believed in there product...I have left my family and myself unprotected. I ask them if there going to give me a new frame anyway, why can't they just give me a new gun, there response was it would take even longer to get me a new gun...so to make up for the trouble, sometime in the future there going to give me 3 of there sh!ty clips...so my advice STAY away from Kimber, also Everytime I have called they act like there doing me a [email protected] favor by even looking at it...thanks kimber, just want you all to know, the bullsh!t they put people through.

 

[deadsp0t]

First, it's my understanding that there is no 'custom shop' per say.. Second, it's also my understanding 500 rounds is standard break-in..

Sucks you're having to deal this issue, but every company makes a lemon from time to time.. No company has a 100% quality, it's just not realistic..

Just try to stay calm, being belligerent will get you no where, fast.

 

[wiredawg24]

Ive been clam, and I understand the break in period...however when you put close to 300 rounds through the gun and it fails more times then you can count...why WASTE anymore ammo. It may just be a lemon but I think 5 months is bullsh!t of a wait. I ordered custom made grips and a custom milt sparks holster both were hand made to fit and I have them both. I hope it adds to the resale value when I do get it back, I'm not going to trust my families life nor mine with it....

 

[deadsp0t]

Love my Kimber, carry it all day everyday. Sorry you had this experience, and your right, 5omths is excessive. I'll go out on a limb here and say when you get it back, you'll have a very good and reliable firearm and to sell it after all this would equate to a waste of the past 5 months. Just my opinion..
It's also no secret Kimbers CS leaves much to be desired.

 

[wiredawg24]

I've thought about that, however...if the time ever came (and pray that day never comes!) I had to use it to save my family or myself, I don't think I'd have the confidence in it, even if it worked every time at the range. I'll stick with my Khar, 400 rds and counting not once has it failed. Glad yours works, more importantly glad you have confidence in it. I however don't trust them!

 

[Patrick Sperry]

My STS has not had a single burp with several different bullet types and brands. My only contact with Kimber was about the missing take-down tool, and they were very helpful. Not to mention that they sent me two for free in case I lost another one! The Crimson Trace grip seems more a gadget than a useful tool, but I also have yet to do any night shooting drills.

I sure hope things go better for you.

 

[danf_fl]

Sorry to hear of your problems.
My experience does not allow me to have room in my safe for any Kimbers.
Another Dan Wesson? Yes, but no Kimbers.

 

[jgoertz]

Also sorry to hear of your problems. I have 2 Kimbers , a SS a Ultra CDP II, plus a Les Baer and a Colt. I must be lucky or the exception to the rule. I have had no problems except a bad mag. I called Kimber and had a replacement in 10 calendar days. I love the guns. I have had no FTE's and they both shoot better than I can. I plan on buying any Kimber that strikes my fancy without reservations.

 

[deadsp0t]

Also sorry to hear of your problems. I have 2 Kimbers , a SS a Ultra CDP II, plus a Les Baer and a Colt. I must be lucky or the exception to the rule. I have had no problems except a bad mag. I called Kimber and had a replacement in 10 calendar days. I love the guns. I have had no FTE's and they both shoot better than I can. I plan on buying any Kimber that strikes my fancy without reservations.

Agreed 100%

 

[Gunsnob]

Wanted to make a post about Kimber: I purchased a kimber SPC HD in Nov, put about 100 rds through it, had more than you can cout FTF and failure to return to battery's. I ordered and installed Wolfs springs and Wilison combat clips, put another 200 rds through it still had many and I mean many FTF and FTRBs. I called kimber, sent it back and after almost 5 months I still don't have it back...the kicker is they can't even tell me when I will get it back. The said the frame was warped...this is a custom shop gun, it should have NEVER left there shop. But because I trusted the name KIMBER and believed in there product...I have left my family and myself unprotected. I ask them if there going to give me a new frame anyway, why can't they just give me a new gun, there response was it would take even longer to get me a new gun...so to make up for the trouble, sometime in the future there going to give me 3 of there sh!ty clips...so my advice STAY away from Kimber, also Everytime I have called they act like there doing me a [email protected] favor by even looking at it...thanks kimber, just want you all to know, the bullsh!t they put people through.

ANY knowledgable 1911 shooter knows Kimber is JUNK. The problem is that Kimber markets heavily to newbie shooters who fall for Kimber's glossy adds in every gun rag out there.

Unfortunately, as long as novices like yourself keep purchasing Kimber's junk guns, they have no incentive to improve their quality. The problems you experienced are common with Kimber.

OBTW, they are called magazines, not clips.

 

[Gunsnob]

First, it's my understanding that there is no 'custom shop' per say.. Second, it's also my understanding 500 rounds is standard break-in..

Sucks you're having to deal this issue, but every company makes a lemon from time to time.. No company has a 100% quality, it's just not realistic..

Just try to stay calm, being belligerent will get you no where, fast.

Kimber's 500 round break in is bull****. All five of my DW 1911's ran 100% right out of the box. They now have tens of thousands of rounds through them, yet a Kimber choking at a few hundred rounds is considered "normal" by Kimber.

 

[Gunsnob]

Just wait for the Mimber fanbois to come out of the woodwork who will claim their Mimber runs "flawlessly" after they put 100 rounds "down the pipe".

 

[FlyingCircus]

I, like you, have very little patience with a product that fails out of the box. In the case of Kimber, I have to say that I have had nothing but great luck. I have a Super Carry Custom HD with ~600 rounds through it. I have had zero(0) malfunctions of any kind. No FTF's. No FTE's. No FTRB's. Flawless performance. This seems so contrary to much of what I read on the forums that it worries me a bit. When you do get your SCP HD back, I would not be surprised if you see similar performance, but I can understand your skepticism.

As for trusting the safety of yourself and family: I have never trusted my protection to any firearm I hadn't personally fed at least 1,000 rounds first. I don't care if it's a 1911 or a Glock, any weapon has to earn my trust (and brand reputation counts for nothing).

 

[connectegr]

I had similar problem with my Ultra CDP. Kimber CS told me to call back after 500 rounds. It was also suggested to run it dirty. I thought about trading it in. More than $1k and 250 frustrating rounds. I bought 500 dirty reloads and Wilson mags. Magically the last FTF was on round 410. Then it ran flawlessly. I even used it for IDPA.

 

[mdwalkerjr]

Have a Kimber Custom II CDP. 600+ rounds through it. Different FMJ and a couple of different JHP. Not a single problem using Kimber ProMags and Wilson Combat mags. Eaten everything it's been fed.

 

[KG7IL]

I love Kimbers. They are the best gun in the world.
Mine shoots 1/4" groups at 200 yards.
I personally have fired over 8 zillion rounds without a single problem.
. . .

But seriously... ..
My Kimber Ultra Covert is the only gun I have owned where I found it necessary to contact the manufacturer.
I was have some failure to ejects.. After a little cajoling, they sent me a new extractor.

With the new extractor fit and installed, no problems since.

Since I was guilty of letting the slide drop on a round placed in the chamber a few times, I think I may have contributed to the problem.

If you purchased a new firearm from Kimber in November, you certainly should have contacted them before swapping out parts.
Reason: It makes it harder for them to determine the true cause.

But if the frame is 'warped' . it's warped and they should make good.
Hopefully your communication with them is positive and does not include the tone portrayed in your original post.

I used minimum lube during break-in. I used 230 FMJ. I used boxes of cheap stuff and had lot's of fun.
Yes a few problems during break in, but I consider it very reliable.

I shoot regularly on the property, seldom clean it, it works!.

 

[jjones45]

I think its the times we live in now as far a customer service goes. Cs across the board has taken a dive in all aspects, not just gun companies. Restaurants and stores as well. But waiting 5 months for a gun back is asinine. It didn't even take that long to make it. If I were u I would never buy a kimber product again considering how you got burned. A lemon is one thing but not addressing the problem is another and totally unprofessional.

 

[Axxe55]

what i don't understand is Kimber saying their pistols needing a 500 round break-in, to run correctly. now asbeing a mechanic and understanding how machinery operates, i have a hard time understanding why Kimber needs it, but other brands don't. i have never owned another 1911 over the years that needed a 500 round break-in to function correctly.

none of my current 1911's needed it. a Remington R1, a AC Commander and a SA Micro Compact 45. each one of them worked flawlessly out of the box with all ammo fed through them.

i just couldn't have confidence in a pistol that needed such a break-in period to be deemed reliable. that in my mind, erodes confidence, always wondering if at an inopportune time it wanted to have a problem.

 

[danf_fl]

A typical gun owner will go out with the gun maybe 2X a year and shoot maybe a box.

So, let's see how that works out.

2X times 50 = 100. With a break-in of 500 rounds, that comes to 5 years (500 / 100 =5) (but they have only a 1 year limited warranty).

Would someone double check my math?

 

[jjones45]

A typical gun owner will go out with the gun maybe 2X a year and shoot maybe a box.

So, let's see how that works out.

2X times 50 = 100. With a break-in of 500 rounds, that comes to 5 years (500 / 100 =5) (but they have only a 1 year limited warranty).

Would someone double check my math?

Guns should be ready to perform from factory. That's my honest opinion. What's the break in for anyways? Slide and rails to smooth out? Barrel chamber to smooth out? Recoil/mag spring to break in? Some people I know replace recoil springs after 600 or so rounds in their 1911s. Not knocking kimber but come on. I had two kimbers and wish I still had at least one. My kimbers were great shooters with no problems but I have seen many kimbers need to be sent back to Yonkers or wherever their gun repair is. My buddy has a beautiful cdp that has had all types of problems at first but is now a great gun. He has more patience than me and it paid off. Kimbers are great guns when you get one that is trouble free, but aren't all guns great when trouble free? Like someone else posted, once you get it back you will probably have one heck of a pistol.