They also had issues with the grip safety not engaging !!!

A lot of what I’ve read and heard (warranty work in general) seamed to be centered around MIM parts.
The guy responsible for implementing it at Kimber went to Sig and implemented it into the 220’s.
Evidently complaints on the 220 soon followed !!!

221- the OP asked for my opinion. He got it.
And I really don't need a new tac's trainer. Trust me there. He train's guys that train the guys that train PD's etc.
And I never said it (lock lever) could never be used, it comes in handy for one-handed reload. I said don't get to that point.
And I never said Colt invented the gun, they just took off with it as opposed to Remington and the others.

Handloader- copy that and thanks for mirroring the tac/reload.
I like the GI Expert, good looking unit.
I also like the Gov. model Colt.
I don't like race guns, bright slides or Gucci stuff.

And no offence to any members for their choices. Handguns are very personal things and, I respect everyone's choice for whatever reason they had for making it.

Me likey :

My comment on a new trainer was due to the fact he wings bean bags and air soft pellets while training !!! There are better ways to teach and train !!!

My other references were made as a general observations not at you ditertly, sorry you took it that way.

And yes I agree on personal choices, that’s why were all giving opinions here !!!

chambered221 wrote:

My comment on a new trainer was due to the fact he wings bean bags and air soft pellets while training !!! There are better ways to teach and train !!! My other references were made as a general observations not at you ditertly, sorry you took it that way.

I hear ya... but, when doing force on force etc.... ya goof? Ya git shot and, ya lose that round.

Copy that- I was also not offended in the least. I like hearing what you have to say and enjoy your POV and such.

chambered221 wrote:

Handloader, do you have any numbers on warranty returns for Kimber ???

Preface: 1911s, all of them, have a higher return rate due to the far more extensive need for hand fitting and the number of parts. That said, what I could offer is probably anecdotal, but, is based on the experience of six years record keeping. We use percentages as sales numbers vary by brand.

In order of highest return rates to lowest return rates, 1911s:

ParaOrdnance
Colt
Springfield *
Kimber *
Taurus *
S&W
SIG GSR **
CZ/Dan Wesson **

* these are the highest sales volume with sales figures over 120 units.
** less than 50 units sold

Many 1911s come back early and often have not gone through their breakin period. IMO, unless a problem occurs frequently, no evaluation can be accurate until at least 500 or more rounds are fired.

Bushy: Kimber's external extractor problem was due, mainly, to a weak extractor spring and a poor extractor angle. If sent back to Kimber, they would replace the slide with a new one if desired or fit the upgrade design. There are some advantages to the external extractor (the way Browning designed it), but, once Kimber got the fix figured out, the PR damage was done. I have two external Kimbers, both retrofitted, and they run fine. I have a S&W with external and it closely resembles the HiPower design and has been flawless.

stovepipe: despite my displeasure with what Colt has done to their legacy, I count three of them in the safe. My first handgun was a very early series Commander Lightweight purchased in 1958. It is on its third barrel, but, the pride is an older National Match which is now missing about 50% of its blue. Rebarreled with an Ed Brown two years ago, it holds its own in the accuracy department. Better than my Les Baer. Also, I note that your photo is of a Series 70, the last of the great Colts, IMNSHO.

Comparisons between other styles of handguns and 1911s are spacious at best. Talking about 1911s as a genre is like talking about American Indians in that few stereotypical statements can be made without blurring the distinction between the varieties of the subject at hand.

But, one stereotype at various gunshops with which I am familiar is that the buyer/shooter of a 1911 has "arrived". Label him Grade A. For all the pontification, sales and marketing about the advances of polymer frames and robotic manufacture, there are still those that are compelled to rise above the plastic masses and grab a good, well worn 1911 on which to defend their life.

Copy that and concur, Handloader.

Great insight and stat's.

Good stuff.

Handloader. My kimber is my dominate CCW. I like the balance and accuracy. Also like the levers and buttons because I have long experience using them (Military). My Colt is a modified Series 80 and if I could hide it on me I would have never needed the Kimber. I bought it in 1990 and have had a few modifications done to it plus replacing the barrel and bushing as I wore the stock one out. It has never failed to do what it was designed to do.

It looks like I have a chance to get a Colt 1911 "Officers edition" is what he called it. It's about 25 years old and has only been fired twice. Anybody got any idea what it's worth??? It is the shorter barreled one has after market pearl grips plus the original walnut grips.

I have a Taurus 1911 AL. It shoots great. In fact I carry it on duty. I also sometimes carry it concealed. I had a Kimber before and even though I probably got ahold of a bad one, I like my Taurus better.

I wish Taurus made a sub-compact like the Kimber that Bushy has with a 3" barrel. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

d_hoffman: Taurus will probably have a Commander sized 1911 available (actually available) soon. They have been having a difficult time simply keeping up with their full size and the variants of it.

Well if you want to make it simple and always have one in the chamber when reloading, count to 7 and use these magazines:



Wilson Combats 47D magazines with 8 rounds instead of the standard 7 rounds.

Dimitri

Let's see here...In the heat of battle you are going to count your shots while dodging the other's bullets. That way you can reload before you run out. Not even Stephen Segal can do that...

I concur with Bushy, anyone I‘ve ever discussed this issue with (LE trainers and such) has always stated “counting rounds will get ya killed” ya don’t do it !!!
Run the gun dry and re-load. (use whatever method you please)

Someone mentioned the loss motor skill in the height of battle !!!
Guess what ??? You also loose your ability to accurately count rounds !!!

(p.s. we don’t need another consistently joke/pun here, mentioning no names of course)