With Kimber finally addressing their QC a few years ago, it is now a contender again with others reputable manufacturers. I'm very glad for them because they do make beautiful guns that is affordable. No point of making beautiful guns if they don't work or aren't reliable.
My two primary EDC guns are the Kimber TLE II in .45 acp. I have carried the TLE II for years. I bought a second TLE as a backup to my primary carry. Both Kimber's have been extremely reliable and have over 2000 rounds through each of them. Good review.
I have owned a full size Raptor .45 for several yrs. I had a few ftfs and fte during the first 100 rounds. After a thorough cleaning I haven’t had any failures since. Have fired at least 3000 rounds through the gun.
Great video Don. I love when you focus on the things that really matter and make a huge difference in the way a gun feels and performs. It’s the small details that really separate the good shooting guns from the great shooting guns. For instance: you pointed out and discussed front strap checkering………I talk about this all the time. Many people do not realize how important that is. You are 100% correct about the grips themselves being less important to “grip” than the front strap and main spring housing checkering is. These detailed facts are what separates you from many of the other firearms channels and are the reasons that I have been watching you for all these years. Keep doing what you do best my friend! Hope to see you soon!
Kimber makes beautiful pistols. I currently own a .45 ACP Kimber Custom LW, and carry it concealed once in a while. The pistol is super accurate, and I love it.
There is just something about the .45ACP. The ammo just feels good in the hands and it shoots so well. Everyone that I take shooting, immediately falls in love with the .45ACP. It doesn’t even matter if it is a 1911 or Glock.
I have in law enforcement my hole adult life I retired from the Tampa Police dept In 2008 after 22 years, l was in law enforcement in the Air Force. You did a Video on breaking down the Glock and cleaning it. I think it was one of the best videos I have ever seen. Thanks
Great review Sootch! I wish that Kimber would offer a blued version of their different models. That Eclipse has all the bells and whistles I like except the extra bump on the grip safety.
Doesn't matter how much you spend on a 1911. My brand new T.C.P. operator was garbage right out of the box. For 2,000 you expect perfection. Waiting to see what Springfield finds but I can tell you it never should have left the factory in that condition.
I have a Colt, Para, Springfield and RI. I was stayed away from Kimber because of my friends had with them. I believe in 2024 if you spend over $600 and your gun has any problems its a fail! Certainly if you spend $1000+ it better give you a few advantages to many quality firearms under $600 to not have something reliable. I really want the Kimber Jaguar 10mm for hunting. Maybe they got the shit together.
Every time you shoot a kimber you can hear Ryan Busse squeaking in with every pull of the trigger. It's an awful noise to hear from any handgun -especially an over-priced one like this. I'll never own a Kimber.
@@faluzi66 I only bought one, because it would lock back on a full mag every time. I had to "engineer" a slide stop that would let the pistol function normally. I will say it does have a good trigger, but would never carry it.
@@faluzi66Same here, I’ve purchased 6 Kimbers over the last 15 years and have had zero issues. My only complaint is with my Kimber Solo, very harsh recoil from a 9mm.
Same as my series 70 made back in 1999. Mine is the Classic Custom Target and still shoots great although there have been parts replacement along the way
Nice looking gun. I had a Colt Mk 4 Series 80. That gun was the most unreliable gun i ever had. Had several range officers mess with it at various ranges as well as a few local gunsmiths. Ended up making a trade for a big game rifle. Best decision i ever made. I prefer the look of the commander styles, but not sure if I would choose Kimber for a future .45 cal.
I am not a hater but just not a fan. Their magazines were not reliable and I prefer a 1911 that I know will continue firing when I press the trigger until it’s out of ammunition. That’s not been my experience with these admittedly nice looking pistol
Miss the purple anodized ones back in the day. Hopefully they still do custom work because im ready for another 10mm. Really don't like that round in any other style.
I've been into guns and hunting since I was a kid . No Military or LE but was a competitive shooter and grew up in a family jewelry business, a gun has always been on my hip. Thanks Mike
I purchased an Elite Custom back in 2000. I still own it and have always been happy with it. Fast forward to 2019 when I purchased a Kimber "Camp Guard" in 10mm. The QC was not even comparable to the Elite from years before. The trigger felt like dragging a cinder block across a rough finished concrete driveway! I paid a good gunsmith to fix that for me. The safety was a less than tangible squish at best. Slide to frame fit was good. The barrel bushing wasn't tight. The feel of the new gun just didn't compare to the old one. So...I took to spending a few hundred more on Dan Wessons. I won't buy another Kimber they haven't been what they used to be for some time now.
I own 2 kimbers. Family members have multiple. Ive never shot a single one of them through an entire mag without a malfunction. Sent my 10mm in twice with no luck. Worked at a range for 3 years and seen more malfunctions with kimbers and Taurus than any other brand. You hear some people say they never had a problem but not many. Its 2024 this gun design relatively unchanged simce 1911 they should have it figuout by now. My sig and colt 1911s never had an issue. For 1400 id buy literally any other brand 1911. I think the sig is the best 1911 for the money
Good job of presenting this pistol. I have to disagree with you regarding the full length guide rod - I dislike them and have replaced the FLGR in my S&W 1911e with a GI guide rod and plug. I can discern no appreciable difference in performance and the disassembly / reassembly is much easier. This particular Kimber is truly a beautiful example of 1911 design with the upgraded features I like. I'm spending my gun budget on rifles at the moment, but when it comes time for another 1911 this will be on the short list of guns to buy. Thanks for the review!
Thanks Marvin. I always wonder why people went to the trouble of a full length guide rod but for me, it makes a big difference. It's funny how different things effect us or don't. But that's interesting. I'll have to revisit that.
I have a Kimber Classic Custom (series 70 without the firing pin safety) that I purchased back in 1999. It has been a great firearm and it has a full length guide rod. I don't understand why other 1911 owners/shooters frown on the full guide rod other than Marvin's issue with disassembly. Other than that why such disdain for them? I've kept my trusty Kimber disassembly wrench and to me it is no big issue to use it, and I have even disassembled it without it, but the "cup" is a little hard on the fingers without using the tool. Otherwise I like the design because I feel like the recoil spring is supported and less likely to kink. Is it just the disassembly thing? Also I just recently bought a Kimber Ultra II that I had been wanting for quite some time. My shooting time has been limited but so far it shoots great. A great compliment to my original full size Custom.
There are a boatload of other 1911s that a twice as much, many of those are imports. No, Kimbers aren't cheap, but quality 1911s won't be. I've shot the cheaper 1911s, there is a big difference.
Seen someone say canceling premium... if it's that easy to cancel then why have it... not the topic tho... I would start building your own website we could just go straight there
Maybe it’s just me, but I really, really HATE how the rear slide serrations run on top of (or into) the left side safety notch! To me, it makes the entire pistol look like S**T!
I guess the two Kimber I bought and sold must have been during the low quality control period. I actually tried to buy a third, but it was defective right out of the box and I never signed the paperwork. I'd be open minded enough to give them a try, but when I look at their current catalogue most of what I see is not pleasing to my eye. Too overdone and vulgar. Nothing classic.
With Kimber finally addressing their QC a few years ago, it is now a contender again with others reputable manufacturers. I'm very glad for them because they do make beautiful guns that is affordable. No point of making beautiful guns if they don't work or aren't reliable.
I used to have a Kimber custom back in the late '80s. I loved that gun. Wish I would have kept it.
My two primary EDC guns are the Kimber TLE II in .45 acp. I have carried the TLE II for years. I bought a second TLE as a backup to my primary carry. Both Kimber's have been extremely reliable and have over 2000 rounds through each of them. Good review.
I like that they are now in Troy, Alabama.
Ha!! Better than Troy New York.
I have owned a full size Raptor .45 for several yrs. I had a few ftfs and fte during the first 100 rounds. After a thorough cleaning I haven’t had any failures since. Have fired at least 3000 rounds through the gun.
Kimber ✅️ , 45 acp ✅️.. love it!
I remember that in the 2000s they had double stack 1911 in 45 ACP.
if you like Kimber, you know nothing about firearms
@@acatinatux9601 I have Colts, Springfield, and Kimbers. Out of the box bought new, the Kimbers are my favorite because I know about factory firearms.
@@EndOfThings77 well then you should know Kimber switched to cheap injection molded crap for the internals... congrats
@@EndOfThings77 then you should obviously know Kimber switched to inferior injection molded parts for the internals. congrats
Best gun reviews on YT....👍👍
Great video Don. I love when you focus on the things that really matter and make a huge difference in the way a gun feels and performs. It’s the small details that really separate the good shooting guns from the great shooting guns. For instance: you pointed out and discussed front strap checkering………I talk about this all the time. Many people do not realize how important that is. You are 100% correct about the grips themselves being less important to “grip” than the front strap and main spring housing checkering is. These detailed facts are what separates you from many of the other firearms channels and are the reasons that I have been watching you for all these years. Keep doing what you do best my friend! Hope to see you soon!
Kimber makes beautiful pistols. I currently own a .45 ACP Kimber Custom LW, and carry it concealed once in a while. The pistol is super accurate, and I love it.
🇺🇸
Thanks Mike!
How'd you post 6 days ago?😮
I upload my videos early to my Patreon fans.
There is just something about the .45ACP. The ammo just feels good in the hands and it shoots so well. Everyone that I take shooting, immediately falls in love with the .45ACP. It doesn’t even matter if it is a 1911 or Glock.
Absolute beauty
Kimber makes some nice 1911s. I have the Stainless Pro Raptor II, and the trigger is unbelievable.
I have in law enforcement my hole adult life I retired from the Tampa Police dept In 2008 after 22 years, l was in law enforcement in the Air Force. You did a Video on breaking down the Glock and cleaning it. I think it was one of the best videos I have ever seen. Thanks
Once again, a great review thanks a lot and keep them coming
Great review Sootch! I wish that Kimber would offer a blued version of their different models. That Eclipse has all the bells and whistles I like except the extra bump on the grip safety.
Keep those 45 ACP handgun reviews, Sootch! All the best from 🇵🇭
Thanks Brother! Nothing like a 1911 in 45
Top Of The Line 45 ACP!
Doesn't matter how much you spend on a 1911. My brand new T.C.P. operator was garbage right out of the box. For 2,000 you expect perfection. Waiting to see what Springfield finds but I can tell you it never should have left the factory in that condition.
Eclipse 10mm is my favorite gun I have ever had.
Wow! Sexy lookin 1911, excellent review Sootch00!
Thanks JC!
I have a Colt, Para, Springfield and RI. I was stayed away from Kimber because of my friends had with them. I believe in 2024 if you spend over $600 and your gun has any problems its a fail! Certainly if you spend $1000+ it better give you a few advantages to many quality firearms under $600 to not have something reliable. I really want the Kimber Jaguar 10mm for hunting. Maybe they got the shit together.
👍
I've had three kimber 1911s. Never had a jamb with one of them
Every time you shoot a kimber you can hear Ryan Busse squeaking in with every pull of the trigger. It's an awful noise to hear from any handgun -especially an over-priced one like this. I'll never own a Kimber.
@@faluzi66 I only bought one, because it would lock back on a full mag every time. I had to "engineer" a slide stop that would let the pistol function normally. I will say it does have a good trigger, but would never carry it.
@@faluzi66Same here, I’ve purchased 6 Kimbers over the last 15 years and have had zero issues. My only complaint is with my Kimber Solo, very harsh recoil from a 9mm.
Same as my series 70 made back in 1999. Mine is the Classic Custom Target and still shoots great although there have been parts replacement along the way
Looks like a sweet piece
I like my Kimber Custom Two.
Me too, mine's in 10mm. Definitely my apocalypse carry.
@@EphemeralThought : Damn good Man. Nice Choice.
Nice edit on the “1979” you slid that in there nice and tight. 👍🏼😆
Thanks Peter! lol! I couldn't do a redo so tried to make is as seamless as possible.
Thanks for the awesome flashlight that bears your name
Nice looking gun. I had a Colt Mk 4 Series 80. That gun was the most unreliable gun i ever had. Had several range officers mess with it at various ranges as well as a few local gunsmiths. Ended up making a trade for a big game rifle. Best decision i ever made. I prefer the look of the commander styles, but not sure if I would choose Kimber for a future .45 cal.
Is Kimber more about looks or is the machining relay good.
Cmon kimber haters ik your out there
I am not a hater but just not a fan. Their magazines were not reliable and I prefer a 1911 that I know will continue firing when I press the trigger until it’s out of ammunition. That’s not been my experience with these admittedly nice looking pistol
Bought a Kimber turd 15 years ago. It never ran without malfunctions. Never bought another Kimber and never will.
500 round break in period.
Miss the purple anodized ones back in the day. Hopefully they still do custom work because im ready for another 10mm. Really don't like that round in any other style.
So shiny ✨
Do you answer any questions that anyone might have ? If so what is your background, law enforcement, military etc? Thanks love the channel
I've been into guns and hunting since I was a kid . No Military or LE but was a competitive shooter and grew up in a family jewelry business, a gun has always been on my hip. Thanks Mike
I like the pistol but my god it’s 2024 ! Can we get a 1913 rail and an optics cut?
Kimber offers those as well but on other models.
@@sootch00 that’s great to hear thanks sootch !
I purchased an Elite Custom back in 2000. I still own it and have always been happy with it. Fast forward to 2019 when I purchased a Kimber "Camp Guard" in 10mm. The QC was not even comparable to the Elite from years before. The trigger felt like dragging a cinder block across a rough finished concrete driveway! I paid a good gunsmith to fix that for me. The safety was a less than tangible squish at best. Slide to frame fit was good. The barrel bushing wasn't tight. The feel of the new gun just didn't compare to the old one. So...I took to spending a few hundred more on Dan Wessons. I won't buy another Kimber they haven't been what they used to be for some time now.
Kimber went through a rough spot for a few years but have come through it. They've really upped their QC now and it's top notch.
Hahaha 😂 love it 😁
I don't like gray color, but this is situation where the thing is gray and beautiful
I own 2 kimbers. Family members have multiple. Ive never shot a single one of them through an entire mag without a malfunction. Sent my 10mm in twice with no luck. Worked at a range for 3 years and seen more malfunctions with kimbers and Taurus than any other brand. You hear some people say they never had a problem but not many. Its 2024 this gun design relatively unchanged simce 1911 they should have it figuout by now. My sig and colt 1911s never had an issue. For 1400 id buy literally any other brand 1911. I think the sig is the best 1911 for the money
They should have stayed with the nlack frame. It makes the polish of the slide sides pop. The greize is to hipster for me.
Had a great colt government 45 acp in the 90s.
Preety sad our laws are stupid.
But great days in uk before 96.
❤
I thought guide rods on 1911s were frowned upon and that the barrel bushings were better?
how how accurate was this to shoot compared to other 1911s? looked like Sootch shot better with other ones
This looks a lot like the Kimber Rapide Scorpius. What is the difference between the two?
Hey, how did that SCRATCH on the slide release get there??? ( Ouch! )
Is the Kimber eclipse considered a series 70 or series 80, or is it neither?
👍👍
Messed up at 1:14😂
Has this guy ever had anything bad to say about any of his gun reviews?
What is recommended for a compact 9mm?
Kinda looks like the Colt Combat Elite.
Good job of presenting this pistol. I have to disagree with you regarding the full length guide rod - I dislike them and have replaced the FLGR in my S&W 1911e with a GI guide rod and plug. I can discern no appreciable difference in performance and the disassembly / reassembly is much easier. This particular Kimber is truly a beautiful example of 1911 design with the upgraded features I like. I'm spending my gun budget on rifles at the moment, but when it comes time for another 1911 this will be on the short list of guns to buy. Thanks for the review!
Thanks Marvin. I always wonder why people went to the trouble of a full length guide rod but for me, it makes a big difference. It's funny how different things effect us or don't. But that's interesting. I'll have to revisit that.
I have a Kimber Classic Custom (series 70 without the firing pin safety) that I purchased back in 1999. It has been a great firearm and it has a full length guide rod. I don't understand why other 1911 owners/shooters frown on the full guide rod other than Marvin's issue with disassembly. Other than that why such disdain for them? I've kept my trusty Kimber disassembly wrench and to me it is no big issue to use it, and I have even disassembled it without it, but the "cup" is a little hard on the fingers without using the tool. Otherwise I like the design because I feel like the recoil spring is supported and less likely to kink. Is it just the disassembly thing? Also I just recently bought a Kimber Ultra II that I had been wanting for quite some time. My shooting time has been limited but so far it shoots great. A great compliment to my original full size Custom.
How can one repair scratches on the kimpro finish?
If this gun is 100% made in the USA, i know that it's very expensive.
There are a boatload of other 1911s that a twice as much, many of those are imports. No, Kimbers aren't cheap, but quality 1911s won't be. I've shot the cheaper 1911s, there is a big difference.
Your videos are great.
Witam mam pytanko czy słyszał Pan o karabinie bilson arms ba-15fc pump i coś o nim powiedzieć. Pozdrawiam
The pro model actually has a 4” barrel not a 4.25
Seen someone say canceling premium... if it's that easy to cancel then why have it... not the topic tho... I would start building your own website we could just go straight there
Kimber always makes a good looking pistol. Too bad they're never reliable.
Yes, this has been my experience.
The snub nose revolver looks great. The longer barrel ones are ugly.
Have 800 rounds through my Mako without 1 misfire. 🤷
Better off choosing Dan Wesson.
People buy usd 9k sneakers in golden yellow color - because trump is selling those .
Personally, I hate the optics cut handguns. It's a trend. If you can't hit with iron sights. Go see an eye Doctor and get you some glasses.
Never again would I buy a Kimber
I want to like the brand but they never learn when it comes to the excessive bill boarding. Less is more.
гарна зброя але калібр великуватий дякую
I heard kimber has problems
YAHYA AHMED IBRAHiIM
Maybe it’s just me, but I really, really HATE how the rear slide serrations run on top of (or into) the left side safety notch! To me, it makes the entire pistol look like S**T!
Geez, another 1911 review. Key takeaway from this video, there’s a lot of other options out there other than Kimber.
Your missing out.
On what?
How many parts are plastic on this one
None. Even the mainspring housing is steel.
I guess the two Kimber I bought and sold must have been during the low quality control period. I actually tried to buy a third, but it was defective right out of the box and I never signed the paperwork. I'd be open minded enough to give them a try, but when I look at their current catalogue most of what I see is not pleasing to my eye. Too overdone and vulgar. Nothing classic.
na, Kimber is actual garbage
That's the best comment that you could manage? 😀
Kimber, "beautiful garbage" there thats a better description. 😅
@@taze27 very apt lol
سلام قناتك جميلة جدا واتمنى لك التوفيق والنجاح وادعوك لخير عظيم أقرأ عن الاسلام والقران سوف السلام و الحقيقة
No ambidextrous safety makes this a 💯% NO GO.
Great, another $3000 1911...
eh, under half that price
It's just another 1911..
😊😊😊⚡⚡⚡🔥🔥🔥
I from THAILAND 🇨🇷 patlung 👍👍👍
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