Respecting Kimber

I’ve had some emails where people think that I am disrespecting Kimber.  Actually I feel that Kimber has disrespected the American Gun Culture.  Taking us for granted.

Personally I have great respect for Kimber.  They changed the 1911 Industry as a whole.  Before Kimber, it was common to buy a new Colt or other 1911… and take it straight to a gunsmith so that they could make the gun simply run.  Kimber comes out with the gun they called the “Custom”.  And it worked right out of the box.  They sold so well, that the other 1911 makers had to step up their games or they were out.  It really kicked Colt in the Sweets hard.

I’m critical of Kimber because in my opinion they have let themselves down.. accepting lower standards and just expecting customers to just take it because they are Kimber and they know better.  Well, that’s just not acceptable.  Kimber needs to get back to building guns instead of making pretty.  The need to take seriously the gun making responsibility.  Guns are for Competition, for Law Enforcement, for Self Defense… These guns can Save Lives.  They should take seriously a sacred responsibility to build guns right.

6 thoughts on “Respecting Kimber”

  1. George, don’t you dare apologize for your opinion and you shouldn’t have to explain yourself. If you don’t call it like you see it, then nothing will get fixed. Kimber used to make a GREAT 1911, but now they are crapping on the very people who made them rich. They have to know it’s UNACCEPTABLE and will change otherwise people will finally go elsewhere as there are other great choices now for a competative price.

  2. I don’t think that was an apology, really. More of a restatement of the opinion and “if you don’t like it…oh well”. Kimber use to be the 1911 I recommended most. It was the “closest thing to a custom pistol” coming off the assembly line. Couldn’t afford one personally but loved them. Short cuts like plastic mainspring housings….just don’t sit right with me. I’ve had Kimbers come in for repair that had nothing wrong with them…..the trigger was set so lite that you would un-intentionally bump fire it. Everyone that shot it thought is was malfunctioning and going full auto. It passed all the checks though. After a new sear it was back up and running. That 1911 NEVER should have left Kimber in that state to begin with. That is disappointing coming from them.

  3. It kinda comes off as George having to explain himself because someone got their feelings hurt. That Kimber that you fitted a new sear shouldn’t have left in that unsafe condition and the final inspector should’ve gone back on the line for more training & experience.

    1. Clarification is not an apology. If I say something that offends, I might say “I am sorry that you are offended” but I would not say “I am sorry I said that” unless I was. There has been only 1 time on MadOgre.com that I said that. That was when I ripped on a friend because I was pissed. I was, and am, sorry I said harsh things. It wasn’t worth the friendship. I’ve never been in trouble for anything I’ve done… Only what I’ve said. I say what I think a touch too often sometimes.

  4. George – I agree – when I had my FFL Kimber was the go – to guys for the 1911. Now I wouldn’t even put them in the top (looks at his fingers real quick)… 10 1911 manufacturers.

    Honestly this is the biggest fear I have about Sig. I love my Sigs. Everyone who knows me knows that. But with Rob “Its pretty” Cohen at the healm of yet another beloved gun company I wonder how long it will be before they are completely form over function. We’ve already started to see it with the blasphemy of “new” guns just in various finishes and grips. Thankfully by and large the classic P series guns still continue to run and run well, and the E2 guns were a slam dunk. But I fear the future. Truly.

    1. I have the same worries. I too love SIG. But SIG is outsourcing a lot of cheap Chinese shit and putting SIG’s name on them. Their QC testing is done on fewer guns on the line. And SIG’s overall quality is dropping. This is not a good trend.

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