Shot my new Kimber Custom II yesterday. The gun cycled flawlessly 100 rounds and shot very accurately for my son and I using FMJ Winchester target load in white box. We did most of our shooting at 7 yards, but rolled targets out 15-20 yards for a while too. We both absolutely love this gun.
The only downside is the black 7 round magazine that came stock with the gun. When I bought the gun, I noticed how flimsy it is with the follower hanging up on the edge of the magazine and tilting all over the place. I told the salesman that it didn't look like it would work at all. He said it would be fine. I tried it and it wouldn't even feed one frickin round into the chamber. It failed immediately and I'm bringing back to the store to have the shove it where the sun don't shine. I bought an 8 round Wilson Combat mag and an 8 round Kimber mag that is obviously not designed like the flimsy one. Both of those mags worked perfect.
I'm not letting a crappy mag ruin my opinion on a great gun, but WTF were they thinking putting that thing in the case? I would rather they included nothing.
Here's a pic.
Chip McCormick Power Mags are also a great choice for mags, and much cheaper than Wilson mags. Hilton Yam from 10-8 Performance basically puts them at the top of the list in terms of reliability and function. I run these almost exclusively in my Custom II for competition.
My Custom II has been great as well, I have no complaints with it. I agree with the other guys, try Wison or Mccormick mags, as the stock Kimber mags leave a lot to be desired.
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I have one that's about 7 yrs old, nothing but good luck so far. I am going to replace the palstic flat mainspring housing with a Rock River Arms steel one though.
Thank you for your replies and your input. Neither my son nor I had fired a 1911 prior this gun. Both of us immediately shot better with this gun than my other two handguns. The trigger is outstanding and the feel and function of this weapon. I'm not as experienced as many of you, but sure enjoying this Kimber!
One of the complaints I've read about Kimbers is their cheap mags. But, the OEM mag & two Kim-Pro mags that I have, have performed flawlessly in my Kimber as well as my other 1911s.
One of the complaints I've read about Kimbers is their cheap mags. But, the OEM mag & two Kim-Pro mags that I have, have performed flawlessly in my Kimber as well as my other 1911s.
That's interesting. I've heard others say theirs work great too. For the record the stainless Kimber 8 round mags I have have worked flawlessly. The only one that was defective was the blued 7 round mag that came with the gun. Are the stainless ones I bought like the Kim-Pro? I'll have to look around on the net.
Don't get me wrong, I am totally loving this Custom II and would buy a dozen Kimbers if I had a money tree. Replacing the magazine is easy. I'm just sharing my experience.
Update: I just looked at the Kim-pro mags on their website. The ones I bought look identical to the stainless 8 round Kim-Pro, but they don't say Kim-Pro on them. The 7 round stock problematic mag has a totally different follower and it's made out of flimsy material.
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Last edited by jt185; 02-28-2011 at 09:42 PM.
Reason: Added info
kimpro mags are great, the factory 7rounders are cheap. i threw mine away. I have a couple of mecgar 8 rounders. they are great as well. Kimber is just pinching pennies and sending out the cheapos. Not cool, oh well i still love my pro tle/rl II. Is it just me or are the meprolight night sights the best sights on the market by far.
kimpro mags are great, the factory 7rounders are cheap. i threw mine away. I have a couple of mecgar 8 rounders. they are great as well. Kimber is just pinching pennies and sending out the cheapos. Not cool, oh well i still love my pro tle/rl II. Is it just me or are the meprolight night sights the best sights on the market by far.
When you start talking like that you make me want to upgrade!
It's always good to hear about a happy New Gun experience.
I have to agree with all the statements about the mags.
My Super Match II shoots flawlessly with all the top end mags.
It is shameful that Kimber is now supplying a piece of junk with their new guns. The magazine is an integral part of the function of a 1911. Inexperienced 1911 buyers would not know the mag is the problem, not the gun. Experienced 1911 owners just get perturbed about being ripped-off for the price of a magazine, on a new 1911.
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It's always good to hear about a happy New Gun experience.
I have to agree with all the statements about the mags.
My Super Match II shoots flawlessly with all the top end mags.
It is shameful that Kimber is now supplying a piece of junk with their new guns. The magazine is an integral part of the function of a 1911. Inexperienced 1911 buyers would not know the mag is the problem, not the gun. Experienced 1911 owners just get perturbed about being ripped-off for the price of a magazine, on a new 1911.
Yes. Happy new gun experiences are sweet. I've had a few of those this month! I will have to back off for a while due to financial reality and running out of storage space!
My youngest son and I are making a range trip today to engage in some high powered paper punching. I'll post up reports, targets and such.
I didn't mean to leave out ''Chip McCormick " Mags.
I could've sworn I posted target pics yesterday. Shot 100 rounds yesterday. The Kimber Custom II functions very, very well. Although I struggle a bit with the black sights on the black dot target. The range lighting is not the greatest either.
All my mags are working great. I'll read up on the Chip McCormicks.
Here are my best indoor range targets standing at 25 feet, slow firing.
Many trips to the range and hundreds of rounds later, I've learned to fully appreciate this fine weapon. It is still silky smooth and the trigger is awesome. I shoot best with this pistol, hands down.
I could've sworn I posted target pics yesterday. Shot 100 rounds yesterday. The Kimber Custom II functions very, very well. Although I struggle a bit with the black sights on the black dot target. The range lighting is not the greatest either.
All my mags are working great. I'll read up on the Chip McCormicks.
Get some contrasting colors of Tru-Glo Brite-Sight and apply it to the front and rear sights.
If you find some, please, let me know. I can't find it anywhere around here in SE MO.
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Get some contrasting colors of Tru-Glo Brite-Sight and apply it to the front and rear sights.
If you find some, please, let me know. I can't find it anywhere around here in SE MO.
Although I've grown used to the black sights, I'd like night sights or at least something more visible. LGS said they require gunsmith to install night sights. I can't spend that much. Are the Tru-glo sights you're referring to a total replacement or some kind of stick on dots?
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Last edited by jt185; 09-24-2011 at 07:27 AM.
Reason: added text
Here's a link to "Bright Sights" listed at Midway USA, but they are not Tru Glo. I bought the 'Kit" which has 6 colors with 3 of them labeled "Ghost Glow". I wasn't real impressed with those & the standard orange one works well for me. I apply it with a toothpick so I can pinpoint it where I want it.
Hint: Just paint the front sight. Leaving the rear sight black seems to help me pick up the front sight easier & don't have to worry about lining up 3 dots.
Here's a link to "Bright Sights" listed at Midway USA, but they are not Tru Glo. I bought the 'Kit" which has 6 colors with 3 of them labeled "Ghost Glow". I wasn't real impressed with those & the standard orange one works well for me. I apply it with a toothpick so I can pinpoint it where I want it.
Hint: Just paint the front sight. Leaving the rear sight black seems to help me pick up the front sight easier & don't have to worry about lining up 3 dots.
Although I've grown used to the black sights, I'd like night sights or at least something more visible. LGS said they require gunsmith to install night sights. I can't spend that much. Are the Tru-glo sights you're referring to a total replacement or some kind of stick on dots?
My opinion, unless you absolutely have no clue as to what you're doing, aren't mechanically inclined or don't want to do it yourself, you don't need a gunsmith to install sights. The proper tool for the rear sight, yes and mainly for putting it on. And I say this because I've replaced the rear sights on two different firearms and on both I was able to push the rear off with my thumb. One set of which were/are night sights. And I'm not saying they just slid right off. It did take and I did use a bit of pressure. Some can also be drifted in and out with a brass punch or a hard plastic punch. But I don't recommend doing this for adjustable or night sights with tritium inserts.
And just curious. Who's LGS?
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Last edited by GlockMeister; 09-28-2011 at 09:29 PM.
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