Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Kimber Ultra Raptor II. My parents have moved down to VA and my sister is out in PA, so I was thinking about getting my CC and picking one of these guys up? I've read some bad reviews of 3" 1911's.

 

Thanks

 

Of all the main stream 1911's my experience says Kimber is the last one I would purchase. It's not that every Kimber sucks, they don't, its just that in my experience their QC is very spotty.

" Friends dont let Friends buy Kimbers "

Raptor is a beauty. I like them myself. If you like them, get one. As for the guys being negative? I know more people who love them, (Kimbers), than not.

 

The irony of these type of folks that will bust your balls for spending 1600 bux on a Kimber, will praise you for paying 3500 for a Wilson. And just how much can you really do to a 1911 that sets them above another?

 

I was hesitant when I bought my Warrior SOC because I think 1600+ 1911's seemed crazy, but I like it. Buying something expensive once in awhile doesn't hurt. IMHO of course.

 

 

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" Friends dont let Friends buy Kimbers "

THIS

Raptor is a beauty. I like them myself. If you like them, get one. As for the guys being negative? I know more people who love them, (Kimbers), than not.

 

The irony of these type of folks that will bust your balls for spending 1600 bux on a Kimber, will praise you for paying 3500 for a Wilson. And just how much can you really do to a 1911 that sets them above another?

 

I was hesitant when I bought my Warrior SOC because I think 1600+ 1911's seemed crazy, but I like it. Buying something expensive once in awhile doesn't hurt. IMHO of course.

 

 

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I will bust your balls for getting the kimber and the wilson.

Both make nice guns, but at times, (IMO) they seem overpriced.

People who hate Kimbers have never owned them.  Love mine.  Most kimber haters 1911 of choice is a rock island.  Never fired the 3" and probably wouldn't carry a 1911 for cc for many other reasons.  I would highly recommend holstering and firing a sub compact 191 before choosing it as your cc weapon of choice.   But hey, do you. 

The irony of these type of folks that will bust your balls for spending 1600 bux on a Kimber, will praise you for paying 3500 for a Wilson. And just how much can you really do to a 1911 that sets them above another?

 

 

Well, making a gun that works really does set them apart.  Que the butt hurt from the people that shoot 1000 rounds a year

People who hate Kimbers have never owned them.  Love mine.  Most kimber haters 1911 of choice is a rock island.  Never fired the 3" and probably wouldn't carry a 1911 for cc for many other reasons.  I would highly recommend holstering and firing a sub compact 191 before choosing it as your cc weapon of choice.   But hey, do you. 

 

Thanks for all the input guys... I plan on shooting a few different guns prior to buying in July.

 

Didn't know there was this much hate for Kimber haha.

 

Anyone have suggestions for a CC pistol for under 1300?

Thanks for all the input guys... I plan on shooting a few different guns prior to buying in July.

 

Didn't know there was this much hate for Kimber haha.

 

Anyone have suggestions for a CC pistol for under 1300?

Glock 19

Well, making a gun that works really does set them apart.  Que the butt hurt from the people that shoot 1000 rounds a year

1000 rounds a year? crazy talk!

People who hate Kimbers have never owned them.  Love mine.  Most kimber haters 1911 of choice is a rock island.  Never fired the 3" and probably wouldn't carry a 1911 for cc for many other reasons.  I would highly recommend holstering and firing a sub compact 191 before choosing it as your cc weapon of choice.   But hey, do you. 

Don't hate Kimbers, just DON'T like them. Plenty of friends have them and they work fine. I'll spend my money on better 1911's.

Glock 19

Never liked how the glock fit in my hand

IWB : Kimber Solo (9mm) , M&P Shield , Walther, Glock..... etc.  I never liked glocks until I had the frame done on my g19 to get rid of the finger grooves.  It really depends on the application.    

People who hate Kimbers have never owned them.

 

Some of us see a LOT of guns being used and failing. All guns fail, but it seems to me that Kimbers fail more. It isn't a matter of hate, I don't hate inanimate objects.

 

 

And just how much can you really do to a 1911 that sets them above another?

 

A hell of a lot. 1911's are not fence posts, making one right takes a certain amount of care and in my experience Kimber doesn't put the required amount of care. Again, lots of Kimbers are fine, but it is a crap shoot.

 

They are pretty though.

I know you were, but I would never buy a Wilson. You seen my 2 1911's... My newly cerakoted Colt MkIV Series 70 and new Kimber Warrior SOC... The money I spent is the limit as to what I'd pay for a 1911 and that's pushing it.

 

I will bust your balls for getting the kimber and the wilson.

Both make nice guns, but at times, (IMO) they seem overpriced.

Though the 1911 is a fine platform and I own them and love them.  A 1911 is not my first choice for CC.

In this day and age there are much better options.  Secondly, the 3" versions have never been REALLY perfected IMHO.

Kimber?  I feel over priced for what they are.  I hate their firing pin block safety.

If you MUST have a 1911 the only ones I would put my life on are a Government or Commander sized Series 70 design.

Ahhh, you're just being an 'Old Fudge'.... lol.... (Just kidden/luv ya man...)...

 

 

Though the 1911 is a fine platform and I own them and love them.  A 1911 is not my first choice for CC.

In this day and age there are much better options.  Secondly, the 3" versions have never been REALLY perfected IMHO.

Kimber?  I feel over priced for what they are.  I hate their firing pin block safety.

If you MUST have a 1911 the only ones I would put my life on are a Government or Commander sized Series 70 design.

Though the 1911 is a fine platform and I own them and love them.  A 1911 is not my first choice for CC.

In this day and age there are much better options.  Secondly, the 3" versions have never been REALLY perfected IMHO.

Kimber?  I feel over priced for what they are.  I hate their firing pin block safety.

If you MUST have a 1911 the only ones I would put my life on are a Government or Commander sized Series 70 design.

For the most part I agree. I have a couple 1911's and love them. I'm actually selling my only other semi auto that's not a 1911 as it just doesn't do it for me. I agree that if I were to carry, a 1911 would not be my first choice. They are large and heavy, regardless of barrel size. I definitely would not carry a 3". A Glock, M&P, etc are much better choices, IMHO.

 

My first gun was/is a Kimber fullsize 9mm 1911. It shoots circles around a lot of other guns that I've tried. I put at least 5000 rounds thru it the first year with no failures save a couple of FTE's in the first couple of boxes of factory ammo. I screwed up and put the wrong recoil spring in it and that screwed the pooch for a few as well, but that isn't the gun's fault. I absolutely adore my Kimber and would recommend them to anyone. Again, IMHO, the firing pin safety is more mental masturbation for most than anything. If someone didn't know it was in there, they wouldn't know it is in there. My gun is worth everything I paid for it. Just one man's opinion, of course.

 

C

For the most part I agree. I have a couple 1911's and love them. I'm actually selling my only other semi auto that's not a 1911 as it just doesn't do it for me. I agree that if I were to carry, a 1911 would not be my first choice. They are large and heavy, regardless of barrel size. I definitely would not carry a 3". A Glock, M&P, etc are much better choices, IMHO.

 

My first gun was/is a Kimber fullsize 9mm 1911. It shoots circles around a lot of other guns that I've tried. I put at least 5000 rounds thru it the first year with no failures save a couple of FTE's in the first couple of boxes of factory ammo. I screwed up and put the wrong recoil spring in it and that screwed the pooch for a few as well, but that isn't the gun's fault. I absolutely adore my Kimber and would recommend them to anyone. Again, IMHO, the firing pin safety is more mental masturbation for most than anything. If someone didn't know it was in there, they wouldn't know it is in there. My gun is worth everything I paid for it. Just one man's opinion, of course.

 

C

Where exactly is this firing block safety located? I just ripped apart my whole upper on my Warrior SOC and there is nothing different there than whats in my Colt Govt Series 70...,,

 

 

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Where exactly is this firing block safety located? I just ripped apart my whole upper on my Warrior SOC and there is nothing different there than whats in my Colt Govt Series 70...,,

 

 

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It's the little nubbin on the right. Your gun may be a 70's series style. I don't know your gun. Most Kimbers come with this block.

 

 

C

Ok, I'll check it later.... Heading off to range with it in a few.... Don't recall seeing it.

 

 

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I have my Kimber stainless gold match since 1999. It has been running flawless, crazy accurate. I also have the Kimber 22 kit which I bought back with it, is also flawless, runs perfect with the cheap stuff even during steel matches. Besides a recoil spring, I dropped in a magwell and vz grips.

Kimbers... Well... They are very pretty, other then that - i've personally witnessed nothing but horrible quality control, rusting in the box, over priced, and lots of malfunctions.--- No, i've never owned one because well... Read the first sentence.

 

There are a few types of people, you have the guy who might throw one box of ammo down range once every other month. Then you have the serious competitor who probably shoots about 2000+ rounds a month and really push their guns, i'd rather look at what these guys are shooting, listen to their advice, and formulate an opinion from there..

 

There are go to names , and there are no go names in the firearms world. 

That series 80 firing pin block doesn't bother me -- 

 

 I have a 80 series colt combat elite that had the trigger done by Joe K in perth amboy back in the late 80's -- It is still to this day the best 1911 trigger I have ever pulled

 

As for kimber --  I never put as much weight into aesthetics as Kimber does --  How a gun looks doesn't matter to me -- I'd rather have that money put into quality parts/fitting

 

 

They sure are pretty

It's the little nubbin on the right. Your gun may be a 70's series style. I don't know your gun. Most Kimbers come with this block.

 

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C

Getting ready to clean it. Mine no gotza nubbie thing. Like I said, looks same as my 70 layout.

 

 

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Kimbers... Well... They are very pretty, other then that - i've personally witnessed nothing but horrible quality control, rusting in the box, over priced, and lots of malfunctions.--- No, i've never owned one because well... Read the first sentence.

 

There are a few types of people, you have the guy who might throw one box of ammo down range once every other month. Then you have the serious competitor who probably shoots about 2000+ rounds a month and really push their guns, i'd rather look at what these guys are shooting, listen to their advice, and formulate an opinion from there..

 

There are go to names , and there are no go names in the firearms world. 

 

 

 

I have the following 1911s

 

 

 

Kimber Custom II

 

Dan Wesson - Pointman

 

STI -Trojan

 

Springfield - "Loaded"

 

 

The Kimber  was twice the price of the other  1911s  and while in  use in competition  for one year (USPSA ) it was ok but nothing special.

 

 

If you want something pretty buy a Kimber

If you want to compete buy a STI Trojan

I have two Kimbers. One is a Classic Custom that Larry Vickers made into a full house custom. He basically kept the frame and the slide and gutted everything else. And the other is one of the early Classic Customs  that was made in Clackamas, Oregon where they started their 1911 business. That one works fine even though I have only 100 rounds through it. Its a collector piece so it stays in the safe.

 

So, yes, I am a Kimber fan as long as its made before the Swartz safety and comes from Oregon or if its been turned into a custom 1911 by one of the most desired pistolsmiths on the planet.

I personally have shot and have had friends own many Kimbers. I've seen more than a fair bit of issues with Kimbers from rust as mentioned before, to many many FTE or FTF and due to this will not spend my money on a kimber. Also feel that there are plenty of better options in 1911s for the price. Just my $0.02.

For 1911s I have the following:

 

Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II - Commander size .45

Para GI Expert Stainless - Full size .45

Rock Island 9mm

GSG 1911 in .22LR

 

The Kimber is the most accurate in my hands even with the shorter barrel.  It's got the bull barrel with no bushing.  Never any problems.  Yes, not a big fan of the plastic main spring housing but that can be changed.

 

I've heard the saying - "A Kimber is what you show your friends, a ______ is what you show your enemies!"  Take you pick.  I like finding used Kimbers in the store.