Can you talk me out of this 1911 Kimber?

2348 Views 20 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Jeff, Apr 24, 2006

Jeff

Discussion Starter · Apr 21, 2006

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to taunt you a little bit with the title, above, but I'm looking for some feedback and comments...

I will be purchasing my first handgun soon and was looking at the Kimber Stainless Pro TLE/RL II. It's a 1911 model in .45 ACP.

The things that attract me most about it, is that it is a 1911 (.45 ACP, etc., etc.) and has the rail for mouting a light. Also, the slightly smaller size (as opposed to a full size government model). Additionally it has the night sights and a purely cosmetic thing... I like the look of the stainless model.

Now, this isn't my first handgun, just the first one I am purchasing without it being a gift from my dad or grandfather. And for those who care, I already have a Colt 1911 Goverment model, amongst other things.

I'm looking at this gun as my primary carry piece as soon as I'm able to get the CCW from California. However, I have to have this piece before I qualify because I have to show "proficiency" with it.

So, my question(s) are as follows...
does anyone have this model and are they happy with it? Does anyone have any recommendations that they think might be comparable/better?

MANY thanks in advance! You folks are a great source of help and info!
-Jeff

P.S. Here's a pic from the 2006 Kimber Catalog:

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

snowdoctor

· #2 · Apr 21, 2006

Man you are speaking to my heart. I own two kimbers already, and I am really hankering for the same gun. the TLE II in stainless. I have shot one and love it, just have to pull the "trigger" and purchase. I can't decide if an AR15 is next or the TLE II.
IMO, get it, you will love it, and it will last a lifetime. I don't think you can buy a better 1911 for the money. To get better you have to pay three times as much to get to a custom gun like a Wilson Combat.
After your purchase, please give us a range report, I am waiting to know how quickly you fall in love with it.
The two models that I own are a pro tenII 5" and a Ultra Carry II 3".
Kimber makes quality, plain and simple.

Ti Carry

· #3 · Apr 21, 2006

Alright another Kimber guy!

Pro's
The TLE RLII Pro is a very sweet gun and has it's purpose in life but IMO the purpose is not for CCW use. However, you can carry this gun of course your a grown man and you can do what you want, buy what you want and carry what you want.

Con's,
A railed 1911 is a heavier piece, has added bulk, has a specific purpose IMO for a HD gun and or a tactical open type LEO/SWAT carry piece. Finding CCW holsters will be very limited as to what you can choose from, etc.

For CCW I would steer you towards a Stainless Pro Carry II or even a Stainless Pro Carry HD-II. They are IMO a better concealed carry piece and all the above con's goes away.

Down the road if you want a rail gun I would get a Warrior, they are basicly a pre series II gun and a great all around gun to have, not a carry piece but that's about the only down side.

Whatever you choose good luck with it and let us know what you decided on.

Ti.

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MattInFla

· #4 · Apr 21, 2006

I have a Warrior, and carry it frequently. Very nice pistol. Accurate and very reliable.

Holsters are not that hard to get. I have a pair of Blade-Tech kydex holsters (one paddle and one on the belt) and a Galco leather IWB.

The Galco was not made for the rail, but putting the gun in it and leaving it there for 48 hours had it fitting like a glove.

Plus, when not carrying it, one can mount a light for handling things that go bump in the night.

Matt

Kid1911

· #5 · Apr 21, 2006

Kimber is the way to go. I don't have the pro, but I do have the full size TLE II and I love it. It shoots like a dream and I carry it everyday when I can. (can't carry at work) I had considered getting a 4" model but had some problems when I test fired one which happened to be a Kimber Pro series. The full size TLE II was flawless when I and some of my LE buddies test fired it. In fact one of them bought a TLE II/RL and he carries it on duty. IMO the full size is the way to go.

.45acp

· #6 · Apr 21, 2006

Well you can give it a try but there may be problems with it that you're not aware of. I've heard the stories of Kimber not having consistant quality, extractor problems, overpriced, etc.........

What I might suggest is to purchase it and ship it to me for a long term eval (maybe 30 years or so) at which point I'll gladly have it shipped back to you at my expense with a proof read evaluation.

Signed,
George (Another Kimber owner)

P.S. If you should need shipping info to send it to me just pm me and I'll provide the info.

BTW-Kid, I'm also in Central PA, Schuylkill County. What parts are you from?

MattInFla

· #7 · Apr 21, 2006

Kimber's extractor problems seem to be with their external extractor designs. From what I have seen in my local shop and read on the net, they are going back to the internal extractor (as JMB intended).

The Warrior is an internal extractor, Series I design (no firing pin block). Mine has been utterly reliable.

Matt

Ti Carry

· #8 · Apr 21, 2006

MattLarson said:
Kimber's extractor problems seem to be with their external extractor designs. From what I have seen in my local shop and read on the net, they are going back to the internal extractor (as JMB intended).

The problems are with the EE's and Kiber has gone back to IE's and have been shipping them for the last couple of months now.

The Warrior is an internal extractor, Series I design (no firing pin block). Mine has been utterly reliable.

Yep I recommend the Warrior for a rail gun, very nice weapon.

Choose what's best for you and enjoy it.

Ti.

RSSZ

· #9 · Apr 21, 2006

Take a close look at the Ultra Carry CDP II's. I carry one on a daily basis and love it. No big weapon for me. Also for carry no rail. Not needed.Well........ you could whack the BG under the eye with it I suppose. Anyway,I would highly reccommend Kimbers(with int/ext).And coupled with the .45 ACP.....well...what a great package. Before you shoot it,do a F&B. Then put at least 200 rds thru it for break in and pick up some Wilson mags(or at least the "guts"). Then,well then,....have fun. --------

Tom357

· #10 · Apr 21, 2006

The SIG P220 Carry costs less, and gives you 8+1, with the same carry profile. And its a SIG. You already have a 1911. Add a SIG to the collection. If you must have single-action, the SIG P220 Carry SAO is also an option. Same profile, single-action with a safety. You can get a nice holster with the money you save.

cmidkiff

· #11 · Apr 21, 2006

To answer your original question... No, I can't talk you out of it, why would I try? Kimber makes a fine weapon. Not my choice for a carry gun, but that's a personal choice.

Now, if you posted 'talk me out of buying this Bryco 9mm'...

erh

· #12 · Apr 21, 2006

Jeff - Can't think of a reason why NOT to buy a Kimber; I can only say that I tried
"Light/ Accy. Rails" & they're not for me. I guess I'm just more traditional. I found it to be "Bulky" for lack of another description on a Sig P229R that I had. "Standard"; that's the way I like 'um...
Don't know if that helps, but it made my 2 fingers tired of typin'! :biggrin2:

Ti Carry

· #13 · Apr 21, 2006 (Edited)

Tom357 said:
The SIG P220 Carry costs less, and gives you 8+1, with the same carry profile. And its a SIG. You already have a 1911. Add a SIG to the collection. If you must have single-action, the SIG P220 Carry SAO is also an option. Same profile, single-action with a safety. You can get a nice holster with the money you save.

One could also recommend an XD45 with 14 rounds of ACP, light rail, light weight, cost less than a sig, reliable, etc. It's all in what you are looking for.

Ti.

Kid1911

· #14 · Apr 22, 2006

Get the Kimber I think you'll be more than happy with it. It's a 1911 how can you go wrong.

"BTW-Kid, I'm also in Central PA, Schuylkill County. What parts are you from?" .45acp I'm from the Lewisburg area in Union County. A number of times through out the year I pass through Schuylkill Co. on my way to Bethlehem.

srfl

· #15 · Apr 22, 2006

Jeff....GO FOR IT!

Zach S

· #16 · Apr 22, 2006

I'f I'm gonna buy a 1911 that I can hang a light on, its going to be one that works, and works, and works, with only a little oil now and then. If I cant put ~2k rounds through it between cleanings, and if it wont run despite having magazine and recoil springs that need replaced, then I'm not gonna bother. The 5" Kimbers I own meet these requirements. The 4" Kimber does not.

Dont get me wrong, its a great CC peice, but if the SHTF, I'm grabbing one or all of my 5" guns, the main reason being the spring lasts a hell of a lot longer. And when its wore out, its easy to change.

Compact handguns with light rails always baffled me. Get the compact for concealability, but hang a light on it to ruin it? With the Surefire X200 on that gun, its just about as long as a 5", so why not go with the full-size model? If you want a compact, why get one with a rail?

If I were in you shoes, I'd get the full-size TLE/RL (if I wanted one with a rail) and carry the Colt. Or, I'd get the 4" Kimber without a rail for carry and hang a light on my Colt.

My $.02. Sorry if I sound like a jerk.

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TheHun

· #17 · Apr 22, 2006

Here is the place where you can talk 1911 Guys.
http://1911forum.com/ They even have a Kimber forum.:danceban:

Jeff

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 24, 2006

Wow!

Thanks for all the information you've all given me so far! You folks really are top shelf!

I think my taunt has worked... you've talked me out of that particular Kimber. I didn't think about the problems associated with the rail.

So... now I'm looking at getting the Kimber Pro Carry HD II. It seems to have most of the features I still want, all the while without the rail.

I'd again love to hear all of your feedback and comments on this choice for concealed carry. (I wish it had the night sights on it, though.)

-Jeff

P.S. You can see (and read about) it here:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/compactprocarry/procarryhd.php

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Pickpocket

· #19 · Apr 24, 2006

I usually try to discourage single-action 1911 model pistols as a person's first carry weapon unless they already have a decent amount of experience with it.
Some people have a hard time getting over the fact that they're designed to be carried cocked & locked, and others just aren't comfortable enough carryinga weapon to confidently carry a 1911 the way it's supposed to be carried. And if you're going to carry it condition 3 or 2, then what's the point.

That being said - that's a mighty nice Kimber. Any particular reason you've settled on Kimber?

Randal16-1

· #20 · Apr 24, 2006

I have a Kimber TLE/REL and it's great. It is also my EDC. It has a ext. estractor and I have yet to have a problem. I have also put over 1,800. rounds through it with out a problem. Again the real question is whats best for you.

Brian

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