Kimber ???

kgoerz · 01-19-2007, 18:46

I purchased an Kimber Desert Warrior last year. Problem is that it fails to feed, usually when the magazine is near empty (last, two or three rounds) and fails to lock to the rear on a empty magazine. It was my carry gun but I have lost confidence in it for good reason, I am back to carrying my SIG P220. Nothing worse then hearing a click when you know you should hear a bang. I can send it back to the factory but I thought I would post on here first. Kimber wants me to pay for shipping and handling on a pistol that fails to function and cost a thousand bucks. Has anyone else had problems like this. Also on the SIG P220 I had problems with it not locking to the rear on a empty mag but the problem went away after the break in period, Below are some facts.
1. Over two thousand rounds thru it.
2. Happens on all magazines, even different brands.
3. Its not my hands, Shot it one handed from bench rest and still had problems
4. Used different types of ammo.

82ndtrooper · 01-19-2007, 19:59

I cant speak for the "Warrior" pistol, but I do own the Kimber Tactical Pro II. The Warrior is somewhat of an original 1911A1 with some minor modifications. Those being the built in tactical rail, waffeled grips, ambi extended safety and the lanyard loop at the base of the mainspring housing. It's a stainless frame as opposed to the aluminum in the other models with Novak Combat sights.

Kimber Tactical Pro II is the 4"barrel with Meprolights and an aluminum frame with an external extractor. It is possibly one of the prettiest handguns available for $1,100, but it has been as unreliable as it is good to look at. Mine started with failure to feeds, at least one in every mag, and did not lock back the slide on the last round fired of the mag. This continued for almost 800 rounds of FMJ in various ammo manufacturers. I cant even think of firing JHP's out of it, they will not feed properly 50% of the time.

Kimber also had me pay for shipping back to it's custom shop. They polished the feed ramp, replaced the extractor and milled the chamber. It still fails to produce anything close to reliable 100% of the time.

Stick with the SIG, it's a better firearm for less money. In fact the SIG P220 is a no-nonsense pistol with the utility user in mind. Nothing fancy, just plain out great reliability with a steel frame and slide. It alway's feels better to have cold steel in your hands.

Just my .02

**The Reaper** · 01-19-2007, 20:28

Damn, I have an original Kimber from back when they only made one model, and it has never had any problems in well over 2,000 rounds.

I would definitely send it back, and include in the note a mention of the fact that you are an SF guy and do a lot of training, but have had to retire the pistol for reliability problems.

If it won't do at least 1,000 rounds MTBFs when you get it back, sell it and get something else.

TR

82ndtrooper · 01-19-2007, 21:43

[QUOTE=The Reaper]Damn, I have an original Kimber from back when they only made one model, and it has never had any problems in well over 2,000 rounds.

Which model do you own ? I want one.

MRBS's in my Kimber are a dismal 16-20 rounds. Far from being a reliable carried concealed blaster should I ever need it to perform. However, many Kimber owners swear their lives on them.

**The Reaper** · 01-19-2007, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82ndtrooper

Which model do you own ? I want one.

MRBS's in my Kimber are a dismal 16-20 rounds. Far from being a reliable carried concealed blaster should I ever need it to perform. However, many Kimber owners swear their lives on them.

The original model, was that not clear?

TR

**Eagle5US** · 01-19-2007, 23:14

My wife is planning on buying me a Kimber Desert Warrior for our anniversary this year (seeing as how I am in the desert). If there are both reliability AND customer service issues (which is the first I have heard for of either for Kimber). It may be worthwhile to look into something else.

Eagle

82ndtrooper · 01-20-2007, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

My wife is planning on buying me a Kimber Desert Warrior for our anniversary this year (seeing as how I am in the desert). If there are both reliability AND customer service issues (which is the first I have heard for of either for Kimber). It may be worthwhile to look into something else.

Eagle

It's actually a very nice looking pistol. I haven't fired the Warrior, merely handled it at the dealer while purchasing some ammo. It's a bit heavier than I'm used to from Kimber, but then again it has a steel frame and not aluminum.

The Desert Warrior of course is in the latest fashion of desert tan/dark earth with the waffled grips. It felt nice. I'd actually like to take my chances and purchase one.

**Eagle5US** · 01-20-2007, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82ndtrooper

It's actually a very nice looking pistol. I haven't fired the Warrior, merely handled it at the dealer while purchasing some ammo. It's a bit heavier than I'm used to from Kimber, but then again it has a steel frame and not aluminum.

I'd rather have an ugly, common, non custom, non special edition firearm that fires, feeds and locks like it supposed to each time, every time than a pretty pistol in the new fad colors from a custom shop that I can't rely on.
I don't buy safe queens-I buy functional weapons.

Eagle

**Team Sergeant** · 01-20-2007, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

I purchased an Kimber Desert Warrior last year. Problem is that it fails to feed, usually when the magazine is near empty (last, two or three rounds) and fails to lock to the rear on a empty magazine. It was my carry gun but I have lost confidence in it for good reason, I am back to carrying my SIG P220. Nothing worse then hearing a click when you know you should hear a bang. I can send it back to the factory but I thought I would post on here first. Kimber wants me to pay for shipping and handling on a pistol that fails to function and cost a thousand bucks. Has anyone else had problems like this. Also on the SIG P220 I had problems with it not locking to the rear on a empty mag but the problem went away after the break in period, Below are some facts.
1. Over two thousand rounds thru it.
2. Happens on all magazines, even different brands.
3. Its not my hands, Shot it one handed from bench rest and still had problems
4. Used different types of ammo.

Team Sergeant=laughing quietly in the corner.

82ndtrooper · 01-20-2007, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

I'd rather have an ugly, common, non custom, non special edition firearm that fires, feeds and locks like it supposed to each time, every time than a pretty pistol in the new fad colors from a custom shop that I can't rely on.
I don't buy safe queens-I buy functional weapons.

Eagle

Agreed !!

At the time I had purchased my Kimber Tactical Pro II everyone on the 1911 boards had praised them for their reliability. My dealer had one to rent at his indoor range and the one I fired had app: 250 rounds fired through it. With WWB 230 grain the rental was flawless, hence the subsequent purchase.

As cited above, it became the safe queen, even after a trip back to the Kimber custom shop.

As I stated, most with a Kimber swear their lives on the reliability. This is not the case with my Tactical Pro II.

Noslack71 · 01-20-2007, 14:55

I purchased a new Combat Carry in 1998/99. I was at the range the next day and, when I fired the second round, it flew apart in my hands. The gun dealer would not take it back but, I did send it back to Kimber. It looked like the built a new pistol on the same frame. The gun dealer went to the range with me and put a couple of boxes through it with no further problems. He gave me a half dozen boxes of ammo for my troubles. The folks at Kimber were helpful enough and, I did not pay for shipping. Since then, I have put about 1000 rnds through it without any problems. I do not carry it nor, is it my first choice for home defense. I still remember that incident whenever I shoot it. I do not do business with that gun shop and, I have not purchased any other Kimbers.
I know a number of people that swear by them and, never have had any problems.

kgoerz · 01-20-2007, 15:22

It's one of the smoothest and most accurate pistol out of the box I ever fired, don't get me wrong. Just that minor...........FAILURE TO FEED PROBLEM! I will send it in to the factory. I checked out a forum page and extractors were causing similar problems with other people. How I have no idea but replacing them seems to be the fix. Maybe they had a bad lot put out at the factory. Not only Kimber but mostly Kimber desert models. Yes the SIG P220 is great, no nonsense, no safeties, cheaper and a spring loaded de cocker. I still have faith in the 1911. The reason I got it was because it was a 1911, not because it had Warrior in the name....
Thanks for the help men

**Team Sergeant** · 01-20-2007, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

It's one of the smoothest and most accurate pistol out of the box I ever fired, don't get me wrong. Just that minor...........FAILURE TO FEED PROBLEM! Thanks for the help men

1911 clones, keeping 10,000 American gunsmiths employed.

Air.177 · 01-20-2007, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

It's one of the smoothest and most accurate pistol out of the box I ever fired, don't get me wrong. Just that minor...........FAILURE TO FEED PROBLEM! I will send it in to the factory. I checked out a forum page and extractors were causing similar problems with other people. How I have no idea but replacing them seems to be the fix. Maybe they had a bad lot put out at the factory. Not only Kimber but mostly Kimber desert models. Yes the SIG P220 is great, no nonsense, no safeties, cheaper and a spring loaded de cocker. I still have faith in the 1911. The reason I got it was because it was a 1911, not because it had Warrior in the name....
Thanks for the help men

Sir,
Kimber briefly experimented with "external extractors" accross nearly their entire line of pistols. The "Warrior" and "Desert Warrior" were released while this external (read non standard 1911 type) extractor was the norm. Despite this fact, both the warrior and desert warrior were based roughly on a pistol that Kimber built for the Marines who specified a traditional internal 1911 extractor.

It is possible that the problems referenced on the forum you read are in the external extractor equipped models. I work part time for kimber's largest master dealer and I know that when the external extractor was prevalent, we had an overwhelmingly high percentage of kimber 1911's returned to the factory for function issues.

Whatever the cause of the problems may be, it is unacceptable and I agree with TR, Get ahold of Kimber and keep making noise until you are satisfied. And then, if you still don't get 100% reliability, sell it off, send a nasty gram to Kimber and go buy a Glock or an HK

HTH

Good times,
Blake

Big Daddy · 01-21-2007, 08:58

Trade it in on a S&W 1911. I've got one and have shot 2,500 rounds through it without one single hiccup.