What makes a Kimber worth the cost?

[LJM]

I am almost afraid to ask this question. I am not trying to start arguments or disrepect anyone or their choice in weapons. I am truely interested in why some guns are worth so much more. I currently read many post that read " when I can afford a Kimber" or something close to that. I love the look and feel of the crimson pro carry and think I want one but am having trouble convincing myself and the wife that it is worth the money. I currently carry a Ruger SR9. It shoots as well as I do and is relatively inexpensive to practice with. I have not yet shot a Kimber. Does anyone know of a range that might rent one in the Midland \Odessa area?

[Oldgringo]

FWIW:

I have a 1911 Kimber Custom Target II and a 1911 Springfield LW Compact. I traded my Taurus PT 1911 for a CZ 452 American 22 LR rifle. The Lightweight SA is my go to carry gun. Quite frankly, my Kimber doesn't do anything the other 1911's wouldn't do but it did cost more.

Will a Cadillac Escalade pickup truck do more than my Cummins 4x4 Dodge Ram? No, but it probably costs as much...if not more.

That should bring 'em out .

[tacticool]

They're made in New York, like the salsa in the old TV commercial.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I was going to say something similar to OldGringo.

Its like buying Nike and Harley...you pay for the name.

I have a SA 1911 Mil-Spec that was nothing special. But over a year I added the parts that you will find on the Kimber, Ed Brown and the like. I got a high end 1911 for a fraction of the cost. Just have to have patience. This way it did not cost nearly as much and I got to spend what I could afford when I could afford it and fix it the way I wanted it.

[canvasbck]

The're pretty [/thread]

When purchasing a handgun the three things that SHOULD be considered are, does it fit good in your hand? Is it reliable? Can I afford it? There are other things that matter, but it should be a reliable gun that feels right. If your not comfy with the price of a Kimber, don't sweat it, there are plenty of reliable brands out there that are less expensive.

Some of us (myself included) factor in astetics. I only own one handgun that isn't stainless, and I'm thinking of selling it.

[glbedd53]

I was gonna say it's like buying a Colt. You pay for the name.

[JNMAR]

For me it's just a matter of preference. I have others that will certainly fire accurately every time the trigger is pulled and there may be others you can tie onto a fishing line and troll for alligators with then use them to shoot the BG's, no I don't own a Glock. From what I've seen and the few I've shot, I just like the look and feel...so....Lord willing I'm gonna have me one soon. After all...it's just money.

[The Annoyed Man]

We have 2 1911s from Kimber, a Springfield, a Taurus, and an old Ithaca 1911 from WW2. The trouble is, none are in exactly the same configuration as one of the others. The two closest are my 5" Springfield Loaded and my son's 5" Taurus PT1911. Of those two, the Springfield is the better pistol, but the Taurus is still a very good pistol. That said, although I bought the Springfield used, and paid less for it than we did for the Taurus, I think its MSRP was about $150 higher.

The two Kimbers are a 4" and 3" models. One is a Pro Raptor, the other an Ultra Carry, so they are not only different in configuration, but in materials too. The Kimbers are tighter and rattle less than the other guns, and both come with a match bull barrel and are very accurate. I do think they are better made than the other brands; but are they $200-$300 better? I don't know.

[LJM]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am beginning to understand some.

The Kimbers are tighter and rattle less than the other guns, and both come with a match bull barrel and are very accurate. I do think they are better made than the other brands; but are they $200-$300 better? I don't know.

Its like buying Nike and Harley...you pay for the name.

I have a SA 1911 Mil-Spec that was nothing special. But over a year I added the parts that you will find on the Kimber, Ed Brown and the like. I got a high end 1911 for a fraction of the cost. Just have to have patience. This way it did not cost nearly as much and I got to spend what I could afford when I could afford it and fix it the way I wanted it.

My motorcycle is a Kawasaki but the wifes car is a lincoln so I understand paying for the name but also for the features that I want. XtremeDuty.45 can you help explain what added parts you installed and what improvement they made?

[G.A. Heath]

If you can make it to Seminole (North of Andrews Texas on US385) I would let you shoot one of mine. Or maybe we could meet at a range in the Midessa area on Thursday or Friday. You bring the ammo and you can shoot either or both of mine (Custom TLE II and Pro Covert II). You can install parts yourself, but remember that a 1911 is precision firearm and all components should be installed and fitted by a professional gun smith so please keep that cost in mind when your considering the option of adding parts.

[danpaw]

I would do a lot of research before you put down that much for a Kimber. I don't own one but I was looking real seriously at them and I have been scared off by what I have been reading. I know their reputation for quality but recently you don't have to dig too deep to find a lot of people having problems. If you are going to pay a premium price for something it needs to be a premium product. It happened to Colt , it happened to Toyota, it might be happening to Kimber. They wouldn't be the first to let their quantity get ahead of their quality. I am not saying they are not still the best one, they may be. I am leaning toward the Springfield.

[G.A. Heath]

I'll be honest I have had guns that have had issues. But neither of my Kimbers have had them. Both are less than 1 year old and have had significant amounts of ammo put through them. Every manufacturer will produce lemons, Kimber will make things right with their products I'm told, but I have never had to find out. The same applies to just about every quality manufacturer. Don't buy into the internet commando low speed high drag talk.

[Oldgringo]

If you can make it to Seminole (North of Andrews Texas on US385) I would let you shoot one of mine. Or maybe we could meet at a range in the Midessa area on Thursday or Friday. You bring the ammo and you can shoot either or both of mine (Custom TLE II and Pro Covert II). You can install parts yourself, but remember that a 1911 is precision firearm and all components should be installed and fitted by a professional gun smith so please keep that cost in mind when your considering the option of adding parts.

That's a nice and gentlemanly invite. For those of you who might be thinkin' about takin' G.A. up on his magnanimous offer, Seminole is about 623,000 miles from anywhere except Hobbs, NM.

[danpaw]

I agree with part of that. Kimber's customer service is what a lot of the complaints are about. A gunmaker that charges that much for a gun should have 5 star customer service. One thing for sure. their reputation for quality is beginning to give way to a reputation for slipping quality control. All I can really go by is what I read since I don't personally know anyone that has a Kimber. So that's what I will go by.

[G.A. Heath]

Actually Seminole is a little over an hour from anywhere important, except Hobbs. As a CHL holder I try to avoid places that could end up with me getting injured or killed, this includes Hobbs.