Some advice from a 1911 guy. 1) Try using Chip McCormick and Wilson Combat mags. They tend to be the most reliable, though my Kimber liked the 2 mags it came with. (Kimber makes some flush fit 8 round mags.) 2) Keep the gun lubed. A dry 1911 will not run well. I usually wet down all of the contact surfaces liberally, reassemble the gun, cycle the slide a few times, and wipe off the excess. 3) It's going to be spotty for a couple hundred rounds, unless you get REALLY lucky. Expect to see the slide hang up on the return stroke occasionally. This will work itself out. I recommend using FMJ for the "break-in" period. 4) If you are getting constant stove pipes, I'd contact Kimber. Kimber makes a good 1911, but their CQ isn't always the best. A bad extractor is the usual culprit. Kimber customer service is very good, however. They will fix it for you. Enjoy your 1911.
I got a 40s decommissioned one and I never keep it lubed as it runs like crap when I do. It's really weird. I need mags for it so I'll check those out.
@@SOLDOZER it’s just the Internet echo chamber there’s tons of old bad worn out mags floating around. I’ve never had any problem with my Kimber mags or colt mags that came with the guns.
Good information. You are correct. I had to send my Kimber back to the factory because they failed to Reem the barrel correctly. They fixed it pretty fast though. I've never had a malfunction since. I have never had an issue with the factory mags but I also use mecgar mags and I've never had issues with them either. It's a great firearm.
The UA-cam warriors often are paid to promote shit, but civilian enthusiasts have more reliable opinions because they’re down to earth and have actually experienced the community, resulting in better knowledge on what is better or worse
I used to shoot 1911’s exclusively in the old days. Then I switched to a Glock about twenty years ago. I recently tried a 1911 again. I immediately went back to my Glock. Great video sir.
Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your experience. I will have a new 1911 video out here shortly on this 1911 and my experiences with it on a new range day.
Not me sir. I know everyone has different mileage but after carrying a Glock in my duty for 18 years, I was glad when we transitioned to the S&W M&P 2.0 (as were most officers including our Glock-only officers). It is a much easier pistol for gun fighting and easier to teach others with. Glock is a fine gun but is NOT in the same class as a fine 1911. Thanks.
Great review. It’s always good to hear a point of view from someone who is starting out in the segment. The tactical guys have their place for the more advanced shooter, but there are a lot of people purchasing their first firearm, so they often need a little help. Videos like this are great for those who are new to the sport. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for leaving a comment. I appreciate the kind words greatly, and I am very glad that some people appreciate the content. Comments like yours motivate me to keep pushing forward on this platform. I appreciate the positivity a lot.
The Achilles Heel of 1911's is often the cheap mags. You'll often hear people gripe about 1911's jamming but in order for any firearm to function properly, you have to feed it right. Wilson Combat (which you got) or Chip McCormack mags are very reliable and solve most of the reliability issues. As for the gun being heavy, I think that helps with the recoil. The single action trigger has made me biased towards that trigger for years. It just this year (2022) that I finally got a DA striker fired handgun (Sig P320) and while it's great to shoot, I do still prefer the SA trigger on my 1911. A Kimber 1911 was my first firearm more than 20 years ago and I still love it. Aside from the cost of ammo, it's still one of my favorites.
@@carlosmorris4510 There are essentially two types of semi-auto these days. Hammer fired which are either SA only or both SA and DA. Then there are striker fired handguns which are DA only. The 1911 is an example of a SA only semi-auto. If the hammer is down on a 1911, no amount of pulling the trigger will bring it back. You have to manually cock it or rack the slide which cocks the hammer. Glocks are a common example of a DA only semi-auto. The mechanism that strikes the firing pin is internal and not exposed like on a hammer fired handgun. Then there are semi-auto that are both DA and SA like an H&K USP. Pulling the trigger will draw the hammer back and fire the weapon if a round is chambered or if the hammer is already cocked, pulling the trigger will simply release the hammer like a single action. Revolvers can be sort of the same. There are the single action only revolvers like Colt Single Action Army style guns. I link most revolvers fall under being both DA and SA but then there are those with no means to cock the hammer and are DA only. As for myself, I do have one example of all three types. My Kimber 1911 is SA only. I have a hammer fired Sig SP2022 that is both SA and DA. Plus, I have a striker fired Sig P320 that is DA only.
Glad you emphasized training in regards to the safeties. Vet here and training is really important. Prefer the 1911 due to the ergonomics- glocks are good but boxy and dont fit well in my hand. All military style weapons I’ve trained with had external safeties- training past them takes time but is easy. Use what you like and are proficient with…
I own a bunch of Glocks, so I know where you're coming from. I own even more 1911s. Addressing the cons with your Kimber here. With the familiar thumbs forward grip, disengaging the manual safety becomes intuitive. As soon as the gun leaves the holster, the thumb of the right hand just goes right on top of it, so disengaging the safety is all part of that motion. For me, the grip safety is just part of grip. If I have a 1911 in my hand, that's all it takes and it will work. Just like your favorite beer, favorite coffee or how you like your steak, 1911 guys (and ladies) have their favorite magazines that they like to use. I'd be just fine if my 1911s came with no magazines at all because it's not likely it will come with what I like. Kind of what you said about the plastic sights on a Glock. I use almost exclusively 8-round Wilson magazines. I won't touch a 10-rounder from anyone.
Very good points! My preference is shooting steel framed pistols. I have one 1911 and it’s a traditional classic Colt. The 1911 is a very old design that’s why the disassembly is a bit more primitive than your modern counterparts. But this design brought in the era of modern guns. Semi auto mag fed rounds, ergonomic grip, the location of the magazine release etc, the amazing trigger - not sure why all guns do not have this 1911 style trigger. This was the standard American side arm for many years 1911 to 1980’s. Every American should own a 1911 and know the history behind it. Congratulations on the new purchase! That’s what you call a bbq gun to show off to your friends at pro gun gatherings. I only have one Glock and it’s the model 21 which was my first handgun. If I were to redo my first gun purchase knowing what I know now - gun owner since 2003 I would have gone with the 1911.
I'm glad you decided to dip into the pool of 1911's and see how they work out for you. It was a thoughtful presentation, and as a fan of both types of handgun I enjoyed it immensely. Felt balanced. You could have saved a few hundred dollars and bought a Tisas/ 1911 Duty model (which would serve you well and has a few of the same features), but this Kimber should be A-Okay. It has the potential to last a few lifetimes depending on how hard you run it. (Some 1911's have slides and frames that last more than 50 to 80 thousand rounds with little tune-ups along the way). Like the Glock, there are oodles and boodles of upgrades. You don't have to upgrade anything right away to make your 1911 shine, but as time goes on it might be curious fun to look at what it takes to really mod it out the way you want. Sky's the limit pretty much.
@@mollysunshine8312 so I had no idea about dry firing and slamming the slide home on an empty chamber. I will not be doing either from here on out. Turns out gun manuals are worth reading.
@@ballisticturd you bought a well made 1911. Just passing on info I got to maintain my guns. You will like it. My latest 1911 is the Kimber 1911 Rapide with titanium nitrate barrel.
This is Actually super interesting because I Got into guns 2 years ago and I've exclusively shot 1911s. It wasn't until a month ago that I shot a glock for the 1st time. Congratulations 1911s and 2011s are badass!
Welcome to the 1911 world! I have carried a 1911 (Government, Commander, and Officer versions) as a civilian and former LEO for so many years that they are second nature to me. In fact, when I do operate a non-1911, my thumb still wants to wipe off a thumb safety just out of habit. I also carry Glock pistols and have more than the wife needs to know about. I am glad that you understand the pros and cons are subjective and more about the person handling the firearm than the firearm itself.
Welcome to the family brother! I carry a full size Colt Competition every day and love it. Wait until you see all of the grip and leather holster options that you can get for it. You will absolutely love it then! Just be sure to fire it a couple hundred rounds to break it because Kimbers are pretty tight 1911’s.
I've put about 100 rds through my buddy's Kimber. They take them apart and apply a liberal coating of FLITZ metal polish to the friction points, slide rails and then they SHOOT 50 ROUNDS and then clean the whole gun and lube it. The guns polish themselves and they become so smooth and slick. It's actually amazing. Anyway, good luck with your Kimber. Captain America is proud of you.
You picked up a gorgeous pistol. Dripping ENVY!! Kimbers can very smooth with a little break-in or a polish by a trusted smith. My two have been flawless for 25yrs.
it could be argued that with the exemption of the luger, and its mechanism every autoloader pistol since 1911 is a mere variation of it. even in the polymer realm. say what you will about John Browning he was a god sent. even the striker-fired versions. "hammerless autoloader " the technology slowly advances from one hurdle or the other. materials/metallurgy/polymers" the like. side note//gunpowder itself is a type of polymer chemically broken down and nitrated from cellulose .. almost everything you see made from plastic starts with cellulose and that's improved over centuries as science has. several of the sciences culminate to see a firearm come to fruition. an additional side note I'm proud to say that john resided in my hometown for a time. the Mormons found themselves unwelcome in quite a few places my hometown offered them refuge at that time. with every advancement, there comes with it a hurdle. that is true of all of the sciences. the good and right john browning didn't just pull this out of the either it was a work in progress and now you might say a will left to us all. not unlike the constitution. John's 1909 model was not unlike the 1911 but without the safety features and quite the brick of a gun in its heft. nothing good happens overnight if one would argue the point you could spend a lifetime pondering over it and trying to dispel the notion. history has a funny way of giving us the people we need right on time. for instance, the lincoln Douglas debate took place in that very town square we call Washington park today one might say nothing is happenstance. the older you get the more you see it. it was the home of John Quincy Adams and the educator john Woods's history is impeccable in its timing.
Congrats on your new acquisition and expanding your collection. I like how you presented the video from where you’re at in this journey. The 1911 platform is probably the funnest semi auto pistol if you really wanna go fast get a 9mm 1911 super flat shooting and zero recoil.
Thanks for the comment, and I appreciate the compliments. I also appreciate the helpful insight. I for sure could see myself getting a 1911 in 9mm in the future.
I have been using the 1911 platform since I was a child. They are definitely nuanced compared to some modern firearms but the breakdown is easy once you get used to it ( does not require a tool). My best advice is to respect the main spring. Do not get it out of torke.
A fast and friendly gun and do not be scared to try different calibers. Got a relatively budget model in .38 Super and I am pleasantly surprised. Hot round with knock down power.
Usually people put those mags in a drawer and buy Wilson ,McCormick and other high quality reliable mags so for a Kimber it makes sense it only comes with one
Great looking Kimber. I have a stainless TLE II and it shoots perfect. Never had one single malfunction in the 10 years I've owned it. Yours will serve you well.
1911's are awesome shooters. Most do not require a tool to disassemble. I have a Kimber custom 2 .45 . It looks identical. Really like it, I shoot it more accurately than any of my 9mm. Enjoy it
I recently bought a kimber custom 2 and I absolutely love it, I highly recommend getting a Clark’s custom threaded barrel and muzzle break. It makes the gun so much easier to shoot, totally drop in
Here is a con you didn't mention: You will like the 1911 so much that you will want to buy a couple more. Being a gun collector can put a guy in the poorhouse!
Word of advice - 1911s LOVE oil. Keep her lubed up and the slide will be buttery smooth, not to mention less likelihood of hang ups. Congrats on the purchase!
I like the 1911 safety. I’ve had glocks for years. Twice had my glock trigger get hung up on my shirt while re-holstering. Scared me enough to quit carrying with one in the chamber in my glocks.
I was surprised when I saw how many subscribers you have, I immediately subscribed. great vid, great voice, generally honest, nice work man can't wait to see you channel boom!
Thanks so much for the positivity! I appreciate the support greatly, and I look forward to all of us creating an awesome community together. I'm glad to have you part of this!
My first modern semi-auto pistols were Glocks, model 22 &27. Then a friend let me shoot his Springfield 1911. My Glocks live in my safe, my several 1911s are my go-to shooters. All because the 1911’s excellent triggers.
I got my first 1911 recently and it was a Kimber. I've shot them before, my dad kinda went crazy collecting 1911s so I am familiar. This was a very honest review, and you did great! The safety becomes second nature after practice. Like you when I took this out of the box I fell in love with it, Kimber made it almost a work of art in craftsmanship. That being said, Kimber I paid a lot of money for this, but really, really, really only 1 mag. Come on you can do better. I forgot to mention they are just fun, and I can't miss with it.
1911s are works of art as much as they are tools. I love them I'd happily own a dozen. You don't need to sell me on it. But I'm glad you're happy with your purchase
Welcome to the dark side. I'm a 1911 guy, but don't carry a firearm, so most of my preference comes from shooting targets. Good luck with that Kimber. Mine took a lot of trips back to get it running, but it finally did. I've had better luck with different brands. But if the Kimber runs reliably for you, they tend to be vry accurate. Even with the Schwarz safety block, the trigger is better than most factory 1911 except for DW (just my experience, ymmv). I look forward to hear from you after you shoot it. When I went from striker fired to 1911, my accuracy improved dramatically. Enjoy the ride !
I have Bul Armory 1911. I enjoy shooting it. However, I added night sights and trigger disconnector for my Glock 17. Now the Glock 17 is shooting much better. Kimber I've owned before and it's not even on league with Bul Armory. Congratulations
The first thing you need to do is buy you a Wilson mag. If you shoot it more than once,you will fall in love with it...l have several Kimber's. I've had different 1911 models but the Kimber is the most accurate one's. The safety is in that spot for a reason. Once you learn to draw with your thumb on the safety .... it's easy.. Remember...cocked and locked. The 1911s are made to carry them cocked...
Watched a police training video of people squeezing the hell out of their 1911 trigger in a panic situation, forgetting to take the safety off. 1911s are wonderful. They are magazine sensitive and like the wonderful AR 15.,they won't run dirty. Mostly reliable if you clean them between firing. I owned eight different ones and gave up on them because of reliability issues.
Remember that old 1911 is 113 year old design, compared to what was available say circa 1917, the 1911 was like a gun from a flying saucer. The fact people still think that 1911 design is awesome in 2024 means a lot.
I’ve carried the SSII for several years & wouldn’t trade it for the world. Word of advice: Shoot it! The Kimber tolerances are VERY tight & I recommend 5,000 rounds before carrying it. After carrying a 1911 for over 30 years (military, law enforcement & civilian), it just takes practice to be more than effective.
Hoping your 1911 didn't need too much tuning out of the box. Even Kimbers tend to need a little love out of the box. Tune the extractor, polish the rails and ramps, etc.
Yep, my thoughts exactly. I do appreciate that BT expressed where he was starting from and what each step of the journey was like. A very fair approach. I've got a few 1911 style pistols of which 2 are Kimbers, Custom II's in .45, Stainless and Blued. Back in the day each came w/ 2 mags (made by Chip McCormack iirc) and decent hi-profile sights. I envy BT's wood grips, day-yum those are nice! My 1911 EMP 3.5" in 9mm is also a great carry gun.
One of my favorite 1911s I've bought to date is my cheap-ass Norinco. I've never had an issue with it jamming and find it's often more reliable than the more expensive models like Kimber.
Welcome to the 1911 club! You will not be disappointed. The safeties are not an issue. After you shoot it a time or two it will become second nature to release the thumb safety as you draw. It was designed by John Moses Browning after all! Of all the semi autos I have ever owned the 1911 is the safest, most ergonomic and the most expensive! The last reason is why most people have striker fired weapons. A very good portion of folks can't afford a 1911. Myself I do not like a striker fired weapon or a decocker. My EDC is a 1911 most times a 9mm but other times a 45 or 10mm. I have a Springfield XDM in 40 and I love the way it shoots but it is a nightstand gun. The 1911 is thinner and more concealable and most people don't know how to make it run. On a side note the only side arm I ever carried in the military was a 1911 and I have fired thousands upon thousands of rounds through them. Trust me! Once you get used to it and learn it's capabilities and safety features you will never have another carry gun. Have fun!
I have a few Glocks, and recently got a 1911 Kimber stainless 9MM. It's more accurate than my G34, like WOW accurate. The Kimber is very tight fitting that I had to do the full break in and file it down a little.
You will not be dissatisfied, Kimber Target II, Is an awsome weapon with a milled frame a 6" match grade bushingless bull barrel this weapons accuracy is uncomparable. The fit & finish is excellent, Amazon sells stainless steel grip tape for the front if you feel you need it. The trigger is fantastic with a 4-5 lbs. pull and consistent short reset! The aftermarket Metgar magazines work best in this weapon !!!
@Ballistic Turd If you are still keen on a polymer gun and like the 1911 .45 acp styling, you might try a Springfield XDm .45 acp, it has all the bells and whistles of a custom 1911 without the weight and a capacity of 13 rounds going down a match grade barrel...The Kimber & the Springfield are my two favorite .45's for now !!!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am going to try another thing or two to fix it. If I can't I will probably send mine off to get fixed as well. Sounds like your wife has a nice gun!
I have 2 Colt 1911s one is a .45 and the other is a .38 super, I stuck w/ original Colt mags, I have 4 mags for each, never had a problem, my next 1911 will be a Colt 10mm one mag come w/ it and buying 3 Colt 10mm mags. Just practice, I dis-assemble, clean, and lightly grease after a day of shooting and at first when they were new there was a little break in period but after that they where fine. If you fine that you have problems w/ the off the shelf mags, put them on ebay and get some originals, they'll last the life of the gun, at worst you can just get new springs but you would have to do a ton of shooting to wear out a spring in a factory mag :) Nice 1911 hope you enjoy it.
I'm the proud owner of a 1998 Kimber Custom Target II. It's a great feeling and extremely accurate pistol, but not without fault. For the better part of two DECADES, I hated the questionable reliability. (It would stovepipe rounds and not lock.) I finally replaced the full length guide rod with a standard GI plug and swapped the 16lb recoil spring with an 18lb spring. (EGW parts.) I also replaced the extractor rod with a Wilson Combat rod and only run Wilson Combat mags. Took twenty years to crack the code, but it runs like a top now. Probably won't replace the Glock for EDC, but it's a gun you can proudly hand down to the next in line....
@@jameslopez4446 are you meaning Rock Island? If so you are partially correct in your comment. They are quite cheaper however can still inherit the same faults as said gun. I own 2-Rock island 1911's both in.45 Acp and absolutely enjoy shooting both, recently My RIA-a1 started having stove pipes and erratic ejection issues. So after doing some homework and doing some tests on said gun I made some small adjustments to the extractor and had her cycling like a top in short order.
@@jameslopez4446 Absolutely. I regularly BASH Kimber's customer service and steered all of my friends/family to other manufacturers through the years, but once I cracked the code and got my .45 running, there's nothing I'd rather have. Rock Island Arms may have a decent reputation, but I have a double stack 10mm that absolutely sucks. (Accuracy is worse at 7 yds than my Taurus stub-nose .357 with 16lb double action trigger.) The barrel won't properly lock into battery. I've sent it back twice (at my expense) and RIA claims there is no issue; that I lack trigger control. (I've been shooting 1911's for over three decades.)
I certainly wouldn't argue with that trigger; that's a hair trigger! The 1911 platform is about the only semi-automatic handgun that I'd be interested in, personally - over any Glock. I like how they're all solid metal and have some weight to them - and the wider grip on something like this would also be to my preference. I've never liked the plastic fantastics... But I don't know; I'm still an old-school revolver guy - and they're even simpler than this 😁 (the only safety of a revolver is it's trigger).
Thanks for leaving a comment. I only own one revolver, a cheap ria 38. Spcl. I actually love that gun. I really would like to get another reolver down the line.
@@ballisticturd Cool!... Yeah, there's a lot of variety in the revolvers out there; there's all-steel, aluminum and polymer, snub noses, long barreled etc... 5, 6, 7, even 8-shot revolvers. .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Special, .44 Mag etc. A multitude of different sizes and weights. I just went out to the range with my 7-shot Taurus Tracker the other day; a fun time... And I have a brand new S&W 6" barrel 686 which I haven't even fired yet (I'm waiting for a warmer day). A good .357 Mag would be a nice step up from your .38 Special; it's a powerful round but more tolerable than .44 Mag... And you can also fire those .38s in one as well.
The dirty secret about all 1911s that no one wants to admit to is that they're difficult to take down for cleaning. Compare the ease of takedown of any 1911 with that of the Sig p365 or the Smith and Wesson Shields or EZ. I say that as the owner of two 1911s, one of which is a Kimber. Time to make a pistol that is both attractive, has a great trigger and is easy to take down.
Ya like you basically said it’s an opinion on what you like. I like my 1911s and others like Glocks and other stuff. (Your videos are awesome keep making them) 👍
Thanks for leaving a comment and marry christmas! I could definately see myself buying other 1911s down the line and I will for sure look into your recommendstions.
You may end up with a winner, i've seen it go both ways with Kimbers, when their good, their right up there with the best, when their bad they will make you want to choke somebody at kimber. Btw stick with series 70 1911's won't regret it and i mention this stuff about kimbers only because if you have a few issues(their all fixable) i don't want you to sour on the 1911 based on one model.
@andreawhalen4142 I appreciate all the comments you have left. It is nice to see further insight into the 1911 world, especially considering my lack of knowledge in that subject.
It is similar to my Springfield armory Loaded Target . Same SS and wood grips. I second getting some Wilson Combat mags... This is a target shooter more than tactical with the site. Thus, I would go with some 10 rnd mags.
I have this gun. Unfortunately I didn't watch a certain YT video where an experienced Kimber owner describes how to disemble the gun without making the "idiot scratch" when removing the locking pin. I made the mistake of scratching the upper trigger guard because I didn't know about the "idiot scratch". Now I watch the video every time I clean the gun. Also, be careful when you first dissemble the gun. If you don't do it correctly, the spring will shoot out of the front almost as fast as the bullet. BTW, this gun is more accurate than my Glock 30 with .45 ACP.
I'm just becoming a poly gun guy from my 1911 past .the 1911 has great feel and triggers ,the glocks feel like mush trigger to me. I am finding more poly guns like the xdm which feel and shoot well. 🔫
Moving from a Beretta and Glock to a Kimber, I found I was more comfortable with an arched mainspring housing. That seemed to make it point closer to a Glock in my hand. It's pretty easy to swap out.
I made a large mistake. The first pistol I ever shot was a RIA 1911 chambered in 9mm. (a 22TCM Tac Ultra to be precise), and it ruined me. The Tac ultra was very much identical to your Kimber, but mine has a bottom rail and is parkerized finished. But Same sights, features and trigger style. I know 1911's are supposed to be in .45ACP, but this heavy 9mm full-sized 1911 just shoots like butter. Like yours, a beautiful trigger pull and hammer drop. But the weight of the gun vs. the 9mm is so darn smooth I bet even a child could control it (if they can manage to lift it)... Since, I've fired dozens of pistols of all kinds of price points. $200 Hi-points, $1400 FN 5/7's and all kinds in-between. But nothing feels as good or solid as that $900 1911 9mm.... If you can ever get your hands on a 9mm 1911, give it a go. They are wonderful to shoot.
You’re on the edge of quite a large rabbit hole. Be careful! Haha! I’ve got a couple Glocks and HKs but I don’t shoot anything better than a 1911. I’ve owned a couple Kimbers and they worked well for me. Hopefully your experience is the same. You can get parts to make disassembly possible without a tool. Mecgar mags, Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick, Tripp Research, and ACT all make good reliable mags. Don’t sweat the lone Kimber mag. They aren’t all that special. Teach yourself to rest your thumb on the thumb safety as part of your grip and you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to disengage it. It also helps you to control the gun. Sorry for throwing all this info at you. Congrats on the pickup!
That gun looks nice I always wanted to buy one but Kimber really pisses me off with parts and qc I hope they are fixed and you continue to love your gun. Wait until you really start loving 1911s and all a sudden you are saving for a Alchemy , Wilson , nighthawk or whatever
I’m a Glock fan myself I’ve got a few but I just recently got a Girsan 1911 I’m not sure what model but it’s optics cut and has a rail on it too and honestly I’ve fell in love with it now is it practical for a edc? In my opinion for being a smaller guy like myself (I weigh 135) that’s gonna be a no I still would rather carry my Glock 23 or my Canik tp9 sc elite but for 450 I love my 1911 more and shoot it more than most of my guns
Nice pistola. I got an ultra carry II .by Kimber of course. I've alway wanted a 1911 so I dove in I like Glock or Sig for carry. I won't carry this Kimber though ,for a lot reasons, primarily the safeties. It is a blast to shoot, no fun to clean. Difficult to reassemble etc.i do love it though. If I got a do over I would gt a full size ..
If you do find yourself getting more into 1911s, I’d recommend checking out the tisas 1911a1, which is a ww2 style pistol. The colt traditional series 1911 isn’t bad either, seeing as it utilizes series 70 or 80 designs, I can’t remember which.
@@ballisticturd It performs really well for it is, and for its price. Shame that a foreign company does the job of making a quality 1911 more accessible than some home grown companies
Thanks for leaving a comment. For me personally, I do not feel much of a difference between the two when it comes to grip angle. I do know that the grip angel is very apparent to others. Though
One of the safety rules is "always" treat the gun as if it is loaded, even when it is unloaded. another rule is know your target and what is beyond. With the two of these rules one should never dry fire the pistol without a solid back stop. In house drills is a no-no! Do your drills out side with a good dirt berm, or in an indoor range. still do not flag anyone either just because one knows the gun is unloaded.
First and foremost, welcome to the 1911 world 😎 I have a Kimber Camp Guard 10 (10mm 😜). When the trigger is properly broken in, you’ll understand why people still buy these pistols. I would have suggest maybe a Springfield Armory Ronin, or Range Officer for your first 1911. IF you wanna have fun with this platform, look at the double stack 1911’s like BUL Armory SAS line, or Staccato P 😳, I know they are expensive, but DERN these are Great shooters!! Great review!
I have two Kimber’s a custom and a custom II. I love both of them. There not too expensive for a 1911 like Dan Wesson or Colt which are great guns but just to much for the normal working man.
Thanks for leaving a comment. Other than the reliability issues I have faced, I love this gun. I have a new slide stop on the way that should cure my problems.
I thought this was a a very fair review regarding the 1911 vs Glock. Both platforms are great, but different. Personally I prefer 1911s and my Kimbers on range days and maybe carry, but truthfully, if shtf, I'd go to a CZ, S&W M&P, or Glock. It really comes down to training, and when I go to the range, I like to shoot multiple platforms.
As someone who’s been in a gunfight during my career I’d prefer the Glock for a fight, but the 1911 for the range. As a leftie I’d have to modify the safety on most 1911 models & that’s an added expense.
Some advice from a 1911 guy.
1) Try using Chip McCormick and Wilson Combat mags. They tend to be the most reliable, though my Kimber liked the 2 mags it came with. (Kimber makes some flush fit 8 round mags.)
2) Keep the gun lubed. A dry 1911 will not run well. I usually wet down all of the contact surfaces liberally, reassemble the gun, cycle the slide a few times, and wipe off the excess.
3) It's going to be spotty for a couple hundred rounds, unless you get REALLY lucky. Expect to see the slide hang up on the return stroke occasionally. This will work itself out. I recommend using FMJ for the "break-in" period.
4) If you are getting constant stove pipes, I'd contact Kimber. Kimber makes a good 1911, but their CQ isn't always the best. A bad extractor is the usual culprit. Kimber customer service is very good, however. They will fix it for you.
Enjoy your 1911.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
I got a 40s decommissioned one and I never keep it lubed as it runs like crap when I do. It's really weird. I need mags for it so I'll check those out.
Over 100 years now and 1911 fan boys still blaming the mags for the terrible reliability of the 1911.
@@SOLDOZER it’s just the Internet echo chamber there’s tons of old bad worn out mags floating around. I’ve never had any problem with my Kimber mags or colt mags that came with the guns.
Good information. You are correct. I had to send my Kimber back to the factory because they failed to Reem the barrel correctly. They fixed it pretty fast though. I've never had a malfunction since. I have never had an issue with the factory mags but I also use mecgar mags and I've never had issues with them either. It's a great firearm.
You'll be surprised. I personally value civilian gun owners opinions on guns over these Tacticool UA-cam Warriors.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate your kindness.
AGREED!
The UA-cam warriors often are paid to promote shit, but civilian enthusiasts have more reliable opinions because they’re down to earth and have actually experienced the community, resulting in better knowledge on what is better or worse
@@mondaymotivator_ Yup. I couldn't have said it better myself.
For the money the rear sight could've been better.
This man replied to almost every single comment here. Respect
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am glad that people have noticed my effort to respond to comments.
I bought the exact same 1911 about a year and a half ago. Shoots like a dream and I love it!
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I used to shoot 1911’s exclusively in the old days. Then I switched to a Glock about twenty years ago. I recently tried a 1911 again. I immediately went back to my Glock. Great video sir.
Thanks for leaving a comment and sharing your experience. I will have a new 1911 video out here shortly on this 1911 and my experiences with it on a new range day.
Not me sir. I know everyone has different mileage but after carrying a Glock in my duty for 18 years, I was glad when we transitioned to the S&W M&P 2.0 (as were most officers including our Glock-only officers). It is a much easier pistol for gun fighting and easier to teach others with. Glock is a fine gun but is NOT in the same class as a fine 1911. Thanks.
Great review. It’s always good to hear a point of view from someone who is starting out in the segment. The tactical guys have their place for the more advanced shooter, but there are a lot of people purchasing their first firearm, so they often need a little help. Videos like this are great for those who are new to the sport. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for leaving a comment. I appreciate the kind words greatly, and I am very glad that some people appreciate the content. Comments like yours motivate me to keep pushing forward on this platform. I appreciate the positivity a lot.
The Achilles Heel of 1911's is often the cheap mags. You'll often hear people gripe about 1911's jamming but in order for any firearm to function properly, you have to feed it right. Wilson Combat (which you got) or Chip McCormack mags are very reliable and solve most of the reliability issues. As for the gun being heavy, I think that helps with the recoil. The single action trigger has made me biased towards that trigger for years. It just this year (2022) that I finally got a DA striker fired handgun (Sig P320) and while it's great to shoot, I do still prefer the SA trigger on my 1911. A Kimber 1911 was my first firearm more than 20 years ago and I still love it. Aside from the cost of ammo, it's still one of my favorites.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the helpful insight. I must say I have Fallin in love with this trigger. It is amazing imo
I'm a revolver guy... Semi-autos can come in both single and double action?
@@carlosmorris4510 There are essentially two types of semi-auto these days. Hammer fired which are either SA only or both SA and DA. Then there are striker fired handguns which are DA only.
The 1911 is an example of a SA only semi-auto. If the hammer is down on a 1911, no amount of pulling the trigger will bring it back. You have to manually cock it or rack the slide which cocks the hammer.
Glocks are a common example of a DA only semi-auto. The mechanism that strikes the firing pin is internal and not exposed like on a hammer fired handgun.
Then there are semi-auto that are both DA and SA like an H&K USP. Pulling the trigger will draw the hammer back and fire the weapon if a round is chambered or if the hammer is already cocked, pulling the trigger will simply release the hammer like a single action.
Revolvers can be sort of the same. There are the single action only revolvers like Colt Single Action Army style guns. I link most revolvers fall under being both DA and SA but then there are those with no means to cock the hammer and are DA only.
As for myself, I do have one example of all three types. My Kimber 1911 is SA only. I have a hammer fired Sig SP2022 that is both SA and DA. Plus, I have a striker fired Sig P320 that is DA only.
G I spec .45 1911s generally tun best with BALL ammo. Hollow points tend to have ftf issues in them. Some will run fine with them.
Ball ammo cures jam. the spring in the mag fatigues from the weight of the ammo . Might look at it.
Glad you emphasized training in regards to the safeties. Vet here and training is really important. Prefer the 1911 due to the ergonomics- glocks are good but boxy and dont fit well in my hand. All military style weapons I’ve trained with had external safeties- training past them takes time but is easy. Use what you like and are proficient with…
Thank you very much for leaving a comment, and I appreciate your helpful insight
@@ballisticturd How ya liking 1911's? Have you tried a double stacker like bul armory makes yet?
@@andreawhalen4142 thanks for leaving a comment. I have not tried a double stack yet. I do want a doubke stack though.
I own a bunch of Glocks, so I know where you're coming from. I own even more 1911s. Addressing the cons with your Kimber here. With the familiar thumbs forward grip, disengaging the manual safety becomes intuitive. As soon as the gun leaves the holster, the thumb of the right hand just goes right on top of it, so disengaging the safety is all part of that motion. For me, the grip safety is just part of grip. If I have a 1911 in my hand, that's all it takes and it will work. Just like your favorite beer, favorite coffee or how you like your steak, 1911 guys (and ladies) have their favorite magazines that they like to use. I'd be just fine if my 1911s came with no magazines at all because it's not likely it will come with what I like. Kind of what you said about the plastic sights on a Glock. I use almost exclusively 8-round Wilson magazines. I won't touch a 10-rounder from anyone.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the helpful insight.
Very good points! My preference is shooting steel framed pistols. I have one 1911 and it’s a traditional classic Colt. The 1911 is a very old design that’s why the disassembly is a bit more primitive than your modern counterparts. But this design brought in the era of modern guns. Semi auto mag fed rounds, ergonomic grip, the location of the magazine release etc, the amazing trigger - not sure why all guns do not have this 1911 style trigger. This was the standard American side arm for many years 1911 to 1980’s. Every American should own a 1911 and know the history behind it. Congratulations on the new purchase! That’s what you call a bbq gun to show off to your friends at pro gun gatherings. I only have one Glock and it’s the model 21 which was my first handgun. If I were to redo my first gun purchase knowing what I know now - gun owner since 2003 I would have gone with the 1911.
Thanks for leaving a comment, and I do appreciate hearing your side of things.
I'm glad you decided to dip into the pool of 1911's and see how they work out for you. It was a thoughtful presentation, and as a fan of both types of handgun I enjoyed it immensely. Felt balanced.
You could have saved a few hundred dollars and bought a Tisas/ 1911 Duty model (which would serve you well and has a few of the same features), but this Kimber should be A-Okay. It has the potential to last a few lifetimes depending on how hard you run it. (Some 1911's have slides and frames that last more than 50 to 80 thousand rounds with little tune-ups along the way).
Like the Glock, there are oodles and boodles of upgrades. You don't have to upgrade anything right away to make your 1911 shine, but as time goes on it might be curious fun to look at what it takes to really mod it out the way you want. Sky's the limit pretty much.
Thanks for leaving a comment! I appreciate your positive attitude and helpful insight.
I have many (6) 1911’s and my gun smith told me never dry fire .45
@@mollysunshine8312 so I had no idea about dry firing and slamming the slide home on an empty chamber. I will not be doing either from here on out. Turns out gun manuals are worth reading.
@@ballisticturd you bought a well made 1911. Just passing on info I got to maintain my guns. You will like it. My latest 1911 is the Kimber 1911 Rapide with titanium nitrate barrel.
@@mollysunshine8312 that is a beautiful gun!
This is Actually super interesting because I Got into guns 2 years ago and I've exclusively shot 1911s. It wasn't until a month ago that I shot a glock for the 1st time.
Congratulations 1911s and 2011s are badass!
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you have taken your first step to a larger world!
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Welcome to the 1911 world! I have carried a 1911 (Government, Commander, and Officer versions) as a civilian and former LEO for so many years that they are second nature to me. In fact, when I do operate a non-1911, my thumb still wants to wipe off a thumb safety just out of habit. I also carry Glock pistols and have more than the wife needs to know about. I am glad that you understand the pros and cons are subjective and more about the person handling the firearm than the firearm itself.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate your service as a LEO and I hope your holidays have gone well.
Welcome to the family brother! I carry a full size Colt Competition every day and love it. Wait until you see all of the grip and leather holster options that you can get for it. You will absolutely love it then! Just be sure to fire it a couple hundred rounds to break it because Kimbers are pretty tight 1911’s.
I've put about 100 rds through my buddy's Kimber. They take them apart and apply a liberal coating of FLITZ metal polish to the friction points, slide rails and then they SHOOT 50 ROUNDS and then clean the whole gun and lube it. The guns polish themselves and they become so smooth and slick. It's actually amazing. Anyway, good luck with your Kimber.
Captain America is proud of you.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate your helpful insight and humor there at the end.
That gun is very accurate out if the box, like a laser!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I agree it for sure is accurate.
You picked up a gorgeous pistol. Dripping ENVY!! Kimbers can very smooth with a little break-in or a polish by a trusted smith. My two have been flawless for 25yrs.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the positivity.
I like how you were open minded about getting into a 1911 from the polymer guns. You didn’t set out to bash the 1911 and gave it a honest evaluation.
Thanks for leaving a comment, and I appreciate your insight. I try my best to be unbiased, and I find it usually gives me a more posiitive outcome.
it could be argued that with the exemption of the luger, and its mechanism every autoloader pistol since 1911 is a mere variation of it. even in the polymer realm. say what you will about John Browning he was a god sent. even the striker-fired versions. "hammerless autoloader " the technology slowly advances from one hurdle or the other. materials/metallurgy/polymers" the like.
side note//gunpowder itself is a type of polymer chemically broken down and nitrated from cellulose .. almost everything you see made from plastic starts with cellulose and that's improved over centuries as science has. several of the sciences culminate to see a firearm come to fruition. an additional side note I'm proud to say that john resided in my hometown for a time. the Mormons found themselves unwelcome in quite a few places my hometown offered them refuge at that time.
with every advancement, there comes with it a hurdle. that is true of all of the sciences. the good and right john browning didn't just pull this out of the either it was a work in progress and now you might say a will left to us all. not unlike the constitution. John's 1909 model was not unlike the 1911 but without the safety features and quite the brick of a gun in its heft. nothing good happens overnight if one would argue the point you could spend a lifetime pondering over it and trying to dispel the notion. history has a funny way of giving us the people we need right on time. for instance, the lincoln Douglas debate took place in that very town square we call Washington park today one might say nothing is happenstance. the older you get the more you see it. it was the home of John Quincy Adams and the educator john Woods's history is impeccable in its timing.
yes. the1911 is close to my heart , bless john browning for all of eternity
Congrats on your new acquisition and expanding your collection. I like how you presented the video from where you’re at in this journey.
The 1911 platform is probably the funnest semi auto pistol if you really wanna go fast get a 9mm 1911 super flat shooting and zero recoil.
Thanks for the comment, and I appreciate the compliments. I also appreciate the helpful insight. I for sure could see myself getting a 1911 in 9mm in the future.
I have been using the 1911 platform since I was a child. They are definitely nuanced compared to some modern firearms but the breakdown is easy once you get used to it ( does not require a tool).
My best advice is to respect the main spring. Do not get it out of torke.
Trigger and hammer jobs are very easy to do even on base models from different manufacturers.
A fast and friendly gun and do not be scared to try different calibers. Got a relatively budget model in .38 Super and I am pleasantly surprised. Hot round with knock down power.
Cz 75
Usually people put those mags in a drawer and buy Wilson ,McCormick and other high quality reliable mags so for a Kimber it makes sense it only comes with one
Thanks for leaving a comment.
New mags for sure, keep the slide and moving parts lubed more often than other pistols
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Great looking Kimber. I have a stainless TLE II and it shoots perfect. Never had one single malfunction in the 10 years I've owned it. Yours will serve you well.
Thanks for leaving a comment! I really like the looks of the TLE, that is a sharp 1911 you have there!
What's the best thing about the TLE that the Operator series doesn't have? Considered buying one or the other, but I'm split on the decision.
@Yep I'm not familiar with the operator model. The TLE is basically like Ballistic Turds gun but with night sight, G10 grips
@@vinceruland9236 Ooh! That sounds perfect. Thanks for mentoring the TLE's features. I'm on the search for one now :)
1911's are awesome shooters. Most do not require a tool to disassemble. I have a Kimber custom 2 .45 . It looks identical. Really like it, I shoot it more accurately than any of my 9mm. Enjoy it
Thanks for leaving a comment! I definitely look forward to taking this 1911 to the range.
I recently bought a kimber custom 2 and I absolutely love it, I highly recommend getting a Clark’s custom threaded barrel and muzzle break. It makes the gun so much easier to shoot, totally drop in
Thanks for leaving a comment I will have to look into that.
Here is a con you didn't mention: You will like the 1911 so much that you will want to buy a couple more. Being a gun collector can put a guy in the poorhouse!
Thanks for leaving a comment, gun collecting for sure gets pricey.
Glock fanboy here, I had a Kimber Pro carry and it was dead nuts reliable and the most accurate gun I ever owned.
Thanks for leaving a comment, I wish mine was as reliable, but at the end of the day, it's still a fun gun to shoot.
Word of advice - 1911s LOVE oil. Keep her lubed up and the slide will be buttery smooth, not to mention less likelihood of hang ups. Congrats on the purchase!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate the advice.
I like the 1911 safety. I’ve had glocks for years. Twice had my glock trigger get hung up on my shirt while re-holstering. Scared me enough to quit carrying with one in the chamber in my glocks.
I was surprised when I saw how many subscribers you have, I immediately subscribed.
great vid, great voice, generally honest, nice work man can't wait to see you channel boom!
Thanks so much for the positivity! I appreciate the support greatly, and I look forward to all of us creating an awesome community together. I'm glad to have you part of this!
Some advice from a gun guy.
Don't call yourself turd. Nice Kimber though!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am a turd.
My first modern semi-auto pistols were Glocks, model 22 &27. Then a friend let me shoot his Springfield 1911. My Glocks live in my safe, my several 1911s are my go-to shooters. All because the 1911’s excellent triggers.
You can get front stippling that attaches under the grips, as well as a mag funnel.
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Sweet review man! I have always wanted a full size Kimber. I do own a Micro 9 and love it!
Thanks for leaving a comment. The micro 9 is a beautiful gun. I would not mind owning one eventually.
I got my first 1911 recently and it was a Kimber. I've shot them before, my dad kinda went crazy collecting 1911s so I am familiar. This was a very honest review, and you did great! The safety becomes second nature after practice. Like you when I took this out of the box I fell in love with it, Kimber made it almost a work of art in craftsmanship.
That being said, Kimber I paid a lot of money for this, but really, really, really only 1 mag. Come on you can do better.
I forgot to mention they are just fun, and I can't miss with it.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I am glad you too enjoy these types of firearms.
1911s are works of art as much as they are tools. I love them I'd happily own a dozen. You don't need to sell me on it. But I'm glad you're happy with your purchase
Thanks for leaving a comment I appreciate the positivity.
Welcome to the world of 1911a1s. There’s so much variety between different manufacturers and even within manufacturers.
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Welcome to the dark side. I'm a 1911 guy, but don't carry a firearm, so most of my preference comes from shooting targets. Good luck with that Kimber. Mine took a lot of trips back to get it running, but it finally did. I've had better luck with different brands. But if the Kimber runs reliably for you, they tend to be vry accurate. Even with the Schwarz safety block, the trigger is better than most factory 1911 except for DW (just my experience, ymmv).
I look forward to hear from you after you shoot it. When I went from striker fired to 1911, my accuracy improved dramatically. Enjoy the ride !
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate the helpful insight you offered. I too look forward to the future with 1911s.
Same as you i love glocks in general but the 1911 is a classic firearm thats is a must have for everyone that love firearms
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@@ballisticturd Check the Channel gunblue490 he have a couple of videos speakin a lot about 1911 hope that help to you
@@MikeHuntingSupplies thanks for the helpful advice.
I have Bul Armory 1911. I enjoy shooting it.
However, I added night sights and trigger disconnector for my Glock 17.
Now the Glock 17 is shooting much better.
Kimber I've owned before and it's not even on league with Bul Armory.
Congratulations
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate the helpful insight.
The key is training. I shoot between 800-1000 rounds a month
The first thing you need to do is buy you a Wilson mag. If you shoot it more than once,you will fall in love with it...l have several Kimber's. I've had different 1911 models but the Kimber is the most accurate one's.
The safety is in that spot for a reason. Once you learn to draw with your thumb on the safety .... it's easy.. Remember...cocked and locked. The 1911s are made to carry them cocked...
Thanks for leaving a comment I appreciate the advice.
Watched a police training video of people squeezing the hell out of their 1911 trigger in a panic situation, forgetting to take the safety off. 1911s are wonderful. They are magazine sensitive and like the wonderful AR 15.,they won't run dirty. Mostly reliable if you clean them between firing. I owned eight different ones and gave up on them because of reliability issues.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate the helpful insight
Nice video, well done!
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate the positivity greatly!
I have a Taurus 1911 in 9mm. Fun to shoot, very arcuate, nice trigger and basically no recoil. Plus its a work of art.
Thanks for the comment. Sounds like you got a nice gun.
9mm 1911 whats the point
@@mikejones-mo8xh try one.
The most beautiful single shot 45 made.
Remember that old 1911 is 113 year old design, compared to what was available say circa 1917, the 1911 was like a gun from a flying saucer. The fact people still think that 1911 design is awesome in 2024 means a lot.
I’ve carried the SSII for several years & wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Word of advice: Shoot it! The Kimber tolerances are VERY tight & I recommend 5,000 rounds before carrying it.
After carrying a 1911 for over 30 years (military, law enforcement & civilian), it just takes practice to be more than effective.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate your helpful insight. Thank you for your service protecting our country and our communities.
Hoping your 1911 didn't need too much tuning out of the box. Even Kimbers tend to need a little love out of the box. Tune the extractor, polish the rails and ramps, etc.
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SA makes great 1911’s and great magazines too. Thanks for the video.
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Welcome to the light side! 1911 is a lovely gun!
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You'll get used to the disassembly for sure, Dont need the tool at all. I enjoy taking them apart myself. Thanks for being open minded about the 1911.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the positivity. I for sure love this gun. I can't wait to take it out again.
Yep, my thoughts exactly. I do appreciate that BT expressed where he was starting from and what each step of the journey was like. A very fair approach. I've got a few 1911 style pistols of which 2 are Kimbers, Custom II's in .45, Stainless and Blued. Back in the day each came w/ 2 mags (made by Chip McCormack iirc) and decent hi-profile sights. I envy BT's wood grips, day-yum those are nice! My 1911 EMP 3.5" in 9mm is also a great carry gun.
@@gyrene_asea4133 I appreciate you leaving a comment. I also appreciate the positivity you have brought. Sounds like you have some really nice 1911s.
I have a glock 17 and a sig 1911. I love them both. Glock is like having a sport bike, where as 1911 is like a Harley. It's all preference .
Thanks for leaving a comment. Nice to see others willing to try different guns.
I own exactly same Kimber.. trigger is excellent and I like the grip angle better than Glocks ..
Nice choice for a 1911. Thanks for the video....
Thanks for leaving a comment!
One of my favorite 1911s I've bought to date is my cheap-ass Norinco. I've never had an issue with it jamming and find it's often more reliable than the more expensive models like Kimber.
Thanks for leaving a comment. Sounds like you have yourself a fine gun.
People always tell me that Kimbers aren’t the best 1911s. They always tell me to either get a Colt or Wilson Combat.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate you sharing your opinion.
Turd here 🤣
Singlehandedly earned my sub
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the sub. I'm glad you enjoyed that haha.
Welcome to the 1911 club! You will not be disappointed. The safeties are not an issue. After you shoot it a time or two it will become second nature to release the thumb safety as you draw. It was designed by John Moses Browning after all! Of all the semi autos I have ever owned the 1911 is the safest, most ergonomic and the most expensive! The last reason is why most people have striker fired weapons. A very good portion of folks can't afford a 1911. Myself I do not like a striker fired weapon or a decocker. My EDC is a 1911 most times a 9mm but other times a 45 or 10mm. I have a Springfield XDM in 40 and I love the way it shoots but it is a nightstand gun. The 1911 is thinner and more concealable and most people don't know how to make it run.
On a side note the only side arm I ever carried in the military was a 1911 and I have fired thousands upon thousands of rounds through them. Trust me! Once you get used to it and learn it's capabilities and safety features you will never have another carry gun. Have fun!
Thanks for leaving a comment and thank you for your service!
Nice video. I love your choice of 1911. I'm sure you will enjoy this Kimber long time.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I do for sure love this gun so far.
I bought the LW shown at 4:01. It shoots every bit as good as the one he's reviewing.
I have a few Glocks, and recently got a 1911 Kimber stainless 9MM. It's more accurate than my G34, like WOW accurate. The Kimber is very tight fitting that I had to do the full break in and file it down a little.
Thanks for leaving a comment. Sounds like you have yourself a nice handgun!
Would always choose my G19 for real carry but man, 1911's are so slick, and shoot soooo nice. Still love them.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am in the same boat as you. I do not plan on cheating on my glock 17 for carry, but 1911s are really fun.
You will not be dissatisfied, Kimber Target II, Is an awsome weapon with a milled frame a 6" match grade bushingless bull barrel this weapons accuracy is uncomparable. The fit & finish is excellent, Amazon sells stainless steel grip tape for the front if you feel you need it. The trigger is fantastic with a 4-5 lbs. pull and consistent short reset! The aftermarket Metgar magazines work best in this weapon !!!
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the helpful insight.
@Ballistic Turd If you are still keen on a polymer gun and like the 1911 .45 acp styling, you might try a Springfield XDm .45 acp, it has all the bells and whistles of a custom 1911 without the weight and a capacity of 13 rounds going down a match grade barrel...The Kimber & the Springfield are my two favorite .45's for now !!!
@@ballisticturd ❤️
My wife's Nightfall had one issue. They put the wrong guide spring on it. But we sent it in and had it back in 4 days. They also polished the slide.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am going to try another thing or two to fix it. If I can't I will probably send mine off to get fixed as well. Sounds like your wife has a nice gun!
@@ballisticturd it's a 9mm compact 1911. It is running real nice now
Great review! .. I hold some of the same beliefs... keep up the great work!
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate your positivity.
I have 2 Colt 1911s one is a .45 and the other is a .38 super, I stuck w/ original Colt mags, I have 4 mags for each, never had a problem, my next 1911 will be a Colt 10mm one mag come w/ it and buying 3 Colt 10mm mags. Just practice, I dis-assemble, clean, and lightly grease after a day of shooting and at first when they were new there was a little break in period but after that they where fine. If you fine that you have problems w/ the off the shelf mags, put them on ebay and get some originals, they'll last the life of the gun, at worst you can just get new springs but you would have to do a ton of shooting to wear out a spring in a factory mag :) Nice 1911 hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for leaving a comment. Sounds like you have some super nice guns.
I'm the proud owner of a 1998 Kimber Custom Target II. It's a great feeling and extremely accurate pistol, but not without fault. For the better part of two DECADES, I hated the questionable reliability. (It would stovepipe rounds and not lock.)
I finally replaced the full length guide rod with a standard GI plug and swapped the 16lb recoil spring with an 18lb spring. (EGW parts.) I also replaced the extractor rod with a Wilson Combat rod and only run Wilson Combat mags.
Took twenty years to crack the code, but it runs like a top now.
Probably won't replace the Glock for EDC, but it's a gun you can proudly hand down to the next in line....
All of that for a high end gun you could have bought three rock river 45s and no stove pipe or ff fe.
Thank you for leaving a comment and merry Christmas! It sounds like you have an awesome 1911!
@@jameslopez4446 are you meaning Rock Island? If so you are partially correct in your comment. They are quite cheaper however can still inherit the same faults as said gun. I own 2-Rock island 1911's both in.45 Acp and absolutely enjoy shooting both, recently My RIA-a1 started having stove pipes and erratic ejection issues. So after doing some homework and doing some tests on said gun I made some small adjustments to the extractor and had her cycling like a top in short order.
@@jameslopez4446 Absolutely. I regularly BASH Kimber's customer service and steered all of my friends/family to other manufacturers through the years, but once I cracked the code and got my .45 running, there's nothing I'd rather have.
Rock Island Arms may have a decent reputation, but I have a double stack 10mm that absolutely sucks. (Accuracy is worse at 7 yds than my Taurus stub-nose .357 with 16lb double action trigger.) The barrel won't properly lock into battery. I've sent it back twice (at my expense) and RIA claims there is no issue; that I lack trigger control. (I've been shooting 1911's for over three decades.)
@jackwoodd5075 thanks for leaving a comment and merry christmas. Sounds like I should have kept that 1911 I did not realize they were so good.
Now it needs a AJs product's combat slide stop. They are awesome.
Thanks for leaving a comment I will have to look into those.
I certainly wouldn't argue with that trigger; that's a hair trigger! The 1911 platform is about the only semi-automatic handgun that I'd be interested in, personally - over any Glock. I like how they're all solid metal and have some weight to them - and the wider grip on something like this would also be to my preference. I've never liked the plastic fantastics... But I don't know; I'm still an old-school revolver guy - and they're even simpler than this 😁 (the only safety of a revolver is it's trigger).
Thanks for leaving a comment. I only own one revolver, a cheap ria 38. Spcl. I actually love that gun. I really would like to get another reolver down the line.
@@ballisticturd Cool!... Yeah, there's a lot of variety in the revolvers out there; there's all-steel, aluminum and polymer, snub noses, long barreled etc... 5, 6, 7, even 8-shot revolvers. .38 Special, .357 Mag, .44 Special, .44 Mag etc. A multitude of different sizes and weights. I just went out to the range with my 7-shot Taurus Tracker the other day; a fun time... And I have a brand new S&W 6" barrel 686 which I haven't even fired yet (I'm waiting for a warmer day). A good .357 Mag would be a nice step up from your .38 Special; it's a powerful round but more tolerable than .44 Mag... And you can also fire those .38s in one as well.
@carlosmorris4510 thanks for your helpful insight I will have to do some more research here soon.
The dirty secret about all 1911s that no one wants to admit to is that they're difficult to take down for cleaning. Compare the ease of takedown of any 1911 with that of the Sig p365 or the Smith and Wesson Shields or EZ. I say that as the owner of two 1911s, one of which is a Kimber. Time to make a pistol that is both attractive, has a great trigger and is easy to take down.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I agree there is a lot of room in the gun industry that needs to be filled.
Ya like you basically said it’s an opinion on what you like. I like my 1911s and others like Glocks and other stuff. (Your videos are awesome keep making them) 👍
Thanks for leaving a comment, and I appreciate the positivity. I am glad to have you in our community here!
That is a beautiful Kimber! You will most definitely enjoy shooting it 👍🏻
Thanks for leaving a comment and marry christmas! I could definately see myself buying other 1911s down the line and I will for sure look into your recommendstions.
You may end up with a winner, i've seen it go both ways with Kimbers, when their good, their right up there with the best, when their bad they will make you want to choke somebody at kimber. Btw stick with series 70 1911's won't regret it and i mention this stuff about kimbers only because if you have a few issues(their all fixable) i don't want you to sour on the 1911 based on one model.
@andreawhalen4142 I appreciate all the comments you have left. It is nice to see further insight into the 1911 world, especially considering my lack of knowledge in that subject.
@@ballisticturd You play with 1911's and when you find one that you love to shoot your glocks are gonna sit alot, mine do.
No Kimber has series 80 system
It is similar to my Springfield armory Loaded Target . Same SS and wood grips. I second getting some Wilson Combat mags... This is a target shooter more than tactical with the site. Thus, I would go with some 10 rnd mags.
I have this gun. Unfortunately I didn't watch a certain YT video where an experienced Kimber owner describes how to disemble the gun without making the "idiot scratch" when removing the locking pin. I made the mistake of scratching the upper trigger guard because I didn't know about the "idiot scratch". Now I watch the video every time I clean the gun. Also, be careful when you first dissemble the gun. If you don't do it correctly, the spring will shoot out of the front almost as fast as the bullet. BTW, this gun is more accurate than my Glock 30 with .45 ACP.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the helpful insight.
I'm just becoming a poly gun guy from my 1911 past .the 1911 has great feel and triggers ,the glocks feel like mush trigger to me. I am finding more poly guns like the xdm which feel and shoot well. 🔫
Thanks for leaving a comment. I have never shot an xdm but I have heard good things.
Moving from a Beretta and Glock to a Kimber, I found I was more comfortable with an arched mainspring housing. That seemed to make it point closer to a Glock in my hand. It's pretty easy to swap out.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I am glad to see others willing to try different things. Too many people in the gun world are narrow minded.
Look up slimline stocks (grips) and slimline mainspring housing with magwell. Minus the weight, it makes for a great concealed carry experience.
Thanks for commenting, and I for sure will look into that.
I love my Kimber costom LW 1911 but the barrel bushing is a pain to get back in sometimes I also love my Glock 20
Glock 20 is on my list
very slim profile, nice grip, mag release, sight picture, trigger is just 👌
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I made a large mistake. The first pistol I ever shot was a RIA 1911 chambered in 9mm. (a 22TCM Tac Ultra to be precise), and it ruined me. The Tac ultra was very much identical to your Kimber, but mine has a bottom rail and is parkerized finished. But Same sights, features and trigger style.
I know 1911's are supposed to be in .45ACP, but this heavy 9mm full-sized 1911 just shoots like butter. Like yours, a beautiful trigger pull and hammer drop. But the weight of the gun vs. the 9mm is so darn smooth I bet even a child could control it (if they can manage to lift it)...
Since, I've fired dozens of pistols of all kinds of price points. $200 Hi-points, $1400 FN 5/7's and all kinds in-between. But nothing feels as good or solid as that $900 1911 9mm.... If you can ever get your hands on a 9mm 1911, give it a go. They are wonderful to shoot.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I will for sure try a 9mm 1911 at some point.
I picked up a tisas stingray carry 9mm 1911, it is an affordable pistol and a serious performer.
Thanks for leaving a comment. Sounds like you have yourself a nice gun
That kimber is beautiful and this is coming from a glock guy
Thanks for leaving a comment. I will have to agree that this gun is beautiful. I do love the way it looks.
I have that same gun it’s nice accurate and fun I changed the sights and grips on it but it’s great
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You’re on the edge of quite a large rabbit hole. Be careful! Haha! I’ve got a couple Glocks and HKs but I don’t shoot anything better than a 1911. I’ve owned a couple Kimbers and they worked well for me. Hopefully your experience is the same. You can get parts to make disassembly possible without a tool.
Mecgar mags, Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick, Tripp Research, and ACT all make good reliable mags. Don’t sweat the lone Kimber mag. They aren’t all that special. Teach yourself to rest your thumb on the thumb safety as part of your grip and you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to disengage it. It also helps you to control the gun.
Sorry for throwing all this info at you. Congrats on the pickup!
Thanks for leaving a comment! I for sure look forward to 1911s becoming part of my life haha.
That gun looks nice I always wanted to buy one but Kimber really pisses me off with parts and qc I hope they are fixed and you continue to love your gun. Wait until you really start loving 1911s and all a sudden you are saving for a Alchemy , Wilson , nighthawk or whatever
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I’m a Glock fan myself I’ve got a few but I just recently got a Girsan 1911 I’m not sure what model but it’s optics cut and has a rail on it too and honestly I’ve fell in love with it now is it practical for a edc? In my opinion for being a smaller guy like myself (I weigh 135) that’s gonna be a no I still would rather carry my Glock 23 or my Canik tp9 sc elite but for 450 I love my 1911 more and shoot it more than most of my guns
Thanks for leaving a comment and I'm glad to see others trying different platforms. The 1911 is fun to shoot for sure.
have the same in 10mm, it needs a “break in” just polish the guide rod done and done
Thanks for the comment I appreciate your helpful insight
Super nice !!!!owned a few Commanders , Goldcups.....good old days.
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7:42 Hickok45 likes Talon Grips, and they make a front strap grip, $4.99 - $6.25.
Thanks for leaving a comment I appreciate the advice.
Nice pistola. I got an ultra carry II .by Kimber of course. I've alway wanted a 1911 so I dove in I like Glock or Sig for carry. I won't carry this Kimber though ,for a lot reasons, primarily the safeties. It is a blast to shoot, no fun to clean. Difficult to reassemble etc.i do love it though. If I got a do over I would gt a full size ..
Thanks for leaving a comment. Sounds like you got yourself a cool gun
If you do find yourself getting more into 1911s, I’d recommend checking out the tisas 1911a1, which is a ww2 style pistol. The colt traditional series 1911 isn’t bad either, seeing as it utilizes series 70 or 80 designs, I can’t remember which.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I have looked at that tisas and that may be my next 1911. I have heard really good things about it and it's priced well.
@@ballisticturd It performs really well for it is, and for its price. Shame that a foreign company does the job of making a quality 1911 more accessible than some home grown companies
I'm curious if you are a glock fan boy how do you like grip angle of the 1911? I can't stand glocks because of the grip angle difference.
Thanks for leaving a comment. For me personally, I do not feel much of a difference between the two when it comes to grip angle. I do know that the grip angel is very apparent to others. Though
One of the safety rules is "always" treat the gun as if it is loaded, even when it is unloaded. another rule is know your target and what is beyond. With the two of these rules one should never dry fire the pistol without a solid back stop. In house drills is a no-no! Do your drills out side with a good dirt berm, or in an indoor range. still do not flag anyone either just because one knows the gun is unloaded.
First and foremost, welcome to the 1911 world 😎 I have a Kimber Camp Guard 10 (10mm 😜). When the trigger is properly broken in, you’ll understand why people still buy these pistols.
I would have suggest maybe a Springfield Armory Ronin, or Range Officer for your first 1911.
IF you wanna have fun with this platform, look at the double stack 1911’s like BUL Armory SAS line, or Staccato P 😳, I know they are expensive, but DERN these are Great shooters!!
Great review!
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate the kind words. I for sure want more 1911s in the future. I love the trigger it is amazing.
I have two Kimber’s a custom and a custom II. I love both of them. There not too expensive for a 1911 like Dan Wesson or Colt which are great guns but just to much for the normal working man.
Thanks for leaving a comment. Other than the reliability issues I have faced, I love this gun. I have a new slide stop on the way that should cure my problems.
I thought this was a a very fair review regarding the 1911 vs Glock. Both platforms are great, but different. Personally I prefer 1911s and my Kimbers on range days and maybe carry, but truthfully, if shtf, I'd go to a CZ, S&W M&P, or Glock. It really comes down to training, and when I go to the range, I like to shoot multiple platforms.
Thanks for leaving a comment and I appreciate your helpful insight. I too enjoy shooting different platforms.
Now do CZ...but warning,you may never come back.
Congrats on the Kimber. Just acquired one myself!
Thanks for commenting, and congrats on your new purchase. I have been looking at CZ for awhile now. I have heard nothing but good.
one tip, the thumb safety is a thumb rest.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate your advice.
As someone who’s been in a gunfight during my career I’d prefer the Glock for a fight, but the 1911 for the range. As a leftie I’d have to modify the safety on most 1911 models & that’s an added expense.
Thanks for leaving a comment, and I am sorry you have been in that situation. I am glad to see you made it!
Liked and subbed great video man !
Thanks for leaving a comment, and I appreciate the support greatly! I am glad to have you as part of our community.