School me on the Kimber

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1911master

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Our Tact Team had them for a while. Kimber TLE if I remember correctly. Of the 8 or so they had they never could get 2 of the to run right. Firing Pin safety wouldnt always release.
 

68mustang

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Ah, that explains it. I had my Kimber ten or so years ago; the full-length guide rod made the use of a bushing wrench desirable, but only the hex screws in the grip required a special tool.

True 1911s can be completely disassembled with only the pistol's component parts; no external tools are required. ;) It's quite the brilliant design.

Can I ask how you manage that? What part of the 1911 can be used to take the grip screws out? Or is that the only thing?
 

dennishoddy

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I've been running a Kimber stainless target II in USPSA Limited 10 competition for three years now. Taken two deer, and one bobcat with it as well. I'd say somewhere around 6000 rounds through it with the only failure coming from the operator.
It's still tight, and it can be field stripped with no special tools.

image-628074167.jpg
 

SoonerP226

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Can I ask how you manage that? What part of the 1911 can be used to take the grip screws out? Or is that the only thing?
You use the flat spring (can't recall the proper name) that runs behind the grip safety. The part that hooks into the frame will fit the grip screws ("true" 1911s have slotted grip screws ;) ). That spring is also what you use to remove the magazine release.

It has been a while since I've done it, so I don't remember off the top of my head which parts get used as tools, but you can completely disassemble an "original" 1911 (with slotted screws) using no tools that aren't part of the pistol itself, including the mainspring assembly. This doesn't include removing staked parts (like the tube that runs between the slide catch and the safety), or anything that wasn't part of John Moses's original M1911/M1911A1 design (ambi safeties, hex grip screws, etc). IIRC, it will work with a "stock" Series 80, as well.
 

Profreedomokie

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I have owned four and never had any problems. I carry a Ultra Carry 2 .45acp with night sight. I have a friend in Kansas that bought three new Springfields and had to have two of them worked on. I guess it can happen in any brand.
 

surjimmy

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Thats the bottom line^^^^^. I am not a fan of Kimber, but that does not mean they don't make good guns. They sell a ton of them so they must be doing something right. One of the main thing that I don't understand is on their higher end 1911's, like the Raptor. Why would you pay the price for this gun, when you can get something like a Les Baer for almost the same price. If he price is right, then IMHO. You can't go wrong, you can always sell it if you don't like it, or carry it if you do. WIN< WIN.
 

Risky_Rooster

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I own the base model. Kimber custom II. It runs flawlessly. Takes lead reloads, cheap factory ammo. Hollow points and fmj woth no issues. I've been through a few classes and not had a problem.
 

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