anyone have a Kimber Custom II opinion?

[handgun2]

Hi all,

wondering if anyone has any personal experience w/ the Kimber 1911 .45acp in terms of reliability, accuracy?

Would really appreciate some feedback, I think I found a good deal as it is slightly used, comes with a total of 3 magazines (two are stainless) and extra Hogue Grips installed (with the original grips, instructions and case), for apx. 650.00

thanks for taking time to respond.
K in MI

[sanderle]

My son had a Custom II, and I have a Custom II TLE.  Both have been reliable, and more accurate than either of us.

I would say go for it!

[gdawgs56]

That seems like a very good deal. I've shot Kimbers a couple times and their trigger is great and never had a failure to feed or any failure.

[2morechains]

http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27

[Wahoo1 again]

At that price I'd say give it a very through inspection, and if it shows no signs of damage or of poor fitting buy it. Kimber 1911s tend to be over priced for what they are. There's nothing custom about any of their "custom" line. The last two (both Custom Target II models) I looked at all had poorly fitted, extremely loose extractors that caused fired cases to flop out about 3 inches from the pistol. This seems to be a common problem with some production runs. I cleaned up the extractor groove, slightly reshaped the extractor, and installed a new spring, that made both pistols 100%.

[Siliconian]

I think you can buy a brand new for $700.

[Siliconian]

I have a custom TLE II. It's very accurate. It had slide cycling issue when I bought it brand new. Kimber is known to have this problem (caused by slide stop). Called their custom service, they sent me a replacement part. Then no more problem. Generally I like it very much.

[GRB5111]

I've had a Custom II for a number of years, and I also use it with a Kimber 22 conversion kit. Good, reliable, and accurate for both calibers. Controls are good, and it's well balanced like any other well-made 1911.

[handgun2]

thank you all for your quick response's...   please anyone else, please chime in..  getting first hand information is best I tend to think for purchase's.. the good and the ugly.

thanks
K in MI

[2morechains]

Older Kimbers are generally thought to be better than newer ones.  Say, pre-2004 Series II or if you can find one, a Kimber that still has the Clackamas OR rollmark on the side instead of Yonkers NY. 

I have two Kimbers, a pre-series II in .40SW and a Kimber Series II in .45 acp.  Both are pre-2004 and reliability, fit/finish, etc is good on those.  Cannot say the same for the more current ones.  Those seem to be hit and miss.  I heard a few years ago Kimber was producing 60K units a year.  That's huge. 

The link I posted above to the 1911 Forum might give you better insight into how people feel about Kimbers.  Personally ever since I discovered STI pistols I haven't given Kimber a second thought.