Kimber LW 1911

[StampsInk9mm]

The barrels will "rust" even when cleaned and packaged properly. Idk wtf kimber QC (quality control) is up to lately but wouldn't pay over $600 for one new and $450 MAX FOR A USED ONE IF THAT.. Guys,just my honest opinion of the new ones... Please don't put me thru the ringer for an opinion 😂

 

[StampsInk9mm]

I got one from bass pro a few years ago when they were 499 at that time they where competitively priced I know they have gone up substantially I think last I checked they where closer to 800 at that price you could get a decent springer or a well optioned Tisas if US made isn’t an issue

I'd stay away from some of the newer Spring 1911's (Especially the Garrison Model because high carbon steel rusts automatically if not oiled heavily everyday,even when not in use) I've had the TRP etc tho and not a problem!! Again,my own opinion and personal experience

 

[1006]

I would not use a 1911 as a night stand gun, not if there is any chance anyone else might ever pick it up.

I have owned 3 over the years. The first was an Elipse II in 45acp. At that time the firming pin safety was a new addition to the Kimber. My pistol was a jam-o-matic. Either the safety allowed a light primer strike, or I had a “3 point jam”. I removed the firing pin safety, and I took it to Jon Harrison for the failures to feed. At the time, Jon was not a full time gunsmith, and certainly not famous-yet. I had met him at a USPSA match. It took him 15 minutes to fix it. It needed a sharp edge taken off the top of the barrel ramp/throat. It ran great after that. I eventually sold it, but the guy that bought it, still has it, and loves it.

The other two that I have had, might have been great if left factory stock, but I will never know. They have both had extensive upgrades to the ignition components, and the barrels. The upgrades were accomplished shortly after buying the guns.

Why do I keep buying them. They have excellent metallurgy and the big parts have always been fit together well. I have not had any of them develop a rub line from the slides’ front end scrubbing on the frames’ dust covers—pet peeve of mine.

Kimber has made a few mistakes over the years: the external extractor, and the firing pin safety. But, at least on the ones I have seen, the barrel, beaver tail, slide, and frame are well made, fit well, and machined nicely. They make a great “base gun” for competition shooting, but for concealed carry I would carry a Colt for the 80 series firing pin safety.

As far as rust on a Kimber, mine have all been Stainless Steel, and the only rust ever found was a very small amount under the grips.

 

[StampsInk9mm]

I would not use a 1911 as a night stand gun, not if there is any chance anyone else might ever pick it up.

I have owned 3 over the years. The first was an Elipse II in 45acp. At that time the firming pin safety was a new addition to the Kimber. My pistol was a jam-o-matic. Either the safety allowed a light primer strike, or I had a “3 point jam”. I removed the firing pin safety, and I took it to Jon Harrison for the failures to feed. At the time, Jon was not a full time gunsmith, and certainly not famous-yet. I had met him at a USPSA match. It took him 15 minutes to fix it. It needed a sharp edge taken off the top of the barrel ramp/throat. It ran great after that. I eventually sold it, but the guy that bought it, still has it, and loves it.

The other two that I have had, might have been great if left factory stock, but I will never know. They have both had extensive upgrades to the ignition components, and the barrels. The upgrades were accomplished shortly after buying the guns.

Why do I keep buying them. They have excellent metallurgy and the big parts have always been fit together well. I have not had any of them develop a rub line from the slides’ front end scrubbing on the frames’ dust covers—pet peeve of mine.

Kimber has made a few mistakes over the years: the external extractor, and the firing pin safety. But, at least on the ones I have seen, the barrel, beaver tail, slide, and frame are well made, fit well, and machined nicely. They make a great “base gun” for competition shooting, but for concealed carry I would carry a Colt for the 80 series firing pin safety.

As far as rust on a Kimber, mine have all been Stainless Steel, and the only rust ever found was a very small amount under the grips.

Rust was on high carbon steel Springfield Garrison. nightstand gun was a kimber LW ghost
.45 and it was 100% replaced by a shockwave & a SIG M18 (manual safety) not a single Negligent Discharge or anything. If a gun is out of the safe it is either on my hip or on my nightstand. I will never own another kimber because too many jams or light primer strikes and you automatically need to switch mags out.. so, I'm fine with my set up now. Plus the good ole .357mag snub is close by as well...very very close.

 

[MidniteFlame]

So lucky that I got a couple of Kimbers in the early days. They were fabulous!! My Grand Raptor was so smooth and so beautiful that I put it up after one mag and haven't fired it since. I guess that was 20 years ago. Honestly can't remember what model the other one was but I shot it a bunch over a year or 2 and wound up trading for something like I always do. Shame what happened to them.