Current Kimber Quality

[257Roberts]

Been tossing around the idea of a lightweight hunter, and I really like the specs of the Kimber Mountain Ascent Subalpine 280AI.

I know Kimber had quality issues a few years back, when many of their rifles simply wouldn't shoot tight groups.

Just curious what current reports are from them? Anybody have first hand info?

Thanks

 

[3Ackleys]

I have a hunter, about 1 year old. Shoots good no complaints.

 

[fyrewall]

I bought a .308 W, Kimber 84M back in 2003. It had "fail to fire" issues. Upon increasing tension on the firing pin spring it reduced firing pin travel so the firing pin would not hit the primer. The solution was to fit the firing pin thru a washer that was spun fit (screwed onto Dremel mandrel, spun, and Dremel ground to slightly smaller diameter as firing pin spring) this increased spring tension and fixed the "fail to fire' problem for good. The firing pin is threaded thru the cocking piece and has a screw slot on the end - in or out by turning.

I was so happy I shot up 80 rounds of different loads that grouped about 1.7 inches at best. The next step was a nice McGowen SS 10 twist barrel, 21.5 inch, #3 contour. The McGowen guys did a super good job, coned breach with extractor cut.

I then epoxy bedded the receiver, scraped out the barrel channel enough so I could pass a doubled up paper towel between stock & barrel, and refinished the stock with 10 coats of Minwax Poly Rub.

A careful trigger adjust was done. I mounted a old Leupold 4.5-14X40AO VXIII using Burris Sig rings.

I now shoot it with powder left over from my rodent rifles - 8208 or CFE223 - different 125, 150, & 155 bullets. I usually can get .5 groups.

The point of all this is Kimber should have not put that rifle into circulation with inadequate firing pin tension and it needed lots of additional work - for about $800 some of this should have been included.

I might add that the ejector needs careful attention, like keep it extremely clean & lubed as the spring that pushes it up is sort of wimpy. Hornady One Shot Cleaner & Lube works. After all that, the rifle is real handy, compact, accurate and easy to pack around. Rounds loaded with the 155 gr. Barnes Match Burner won't fit inside the magazine when loaded for optimum results, using this bullet with Varget I was able to hit a 18 X 18 inch target @ 1100 occasionally. If I had to re-barrel again it would be a 6.5 CM - magazine/well should be .125 longer.

 

[shoot4fun]

I bought an 84M Hunter (LW rifle) in 257 Roberts three years ago. Had to send it back almost immediately and the extraction/ejection issues were never fixed to my satisfaction. I had already been through it with one of their 1911's and have decided I won't be giving them another chance.

 

[Gabe22BR]

You can build one better....

 

[msinc]

I have a mountain ascent in 280AI. It shoots great once I figured out how. You cannot take a mountain rifle with a pencil thin barrel and sit down at a bench and shoot 3 or 5 shots to see how it groups, like you would a typical hunting rifle. This is exactly how I initially tried to test fire for group and got 2" groups {"all day long if I did my part"...….}
You are concerned with the first shot out of a cold barrel, that is how you are going to hunt with it. One of the other members on here suggested I fire a round and wait 20-30 minutes in between shots. I was ready to try anything and it worked. It will shoot bullets touching at 100 yards if I shoot it this way.
I believe the so-called "accuracy issues" were due to guys trying to test them like any typical hunting rig. I would also caution you about a borescope. Kimber is doing their own cut rifled barrels and the grooves are rough in appearance. The lands however are perfectly smooth and show crosshatch honing marks like an engine cylinder. They use a Sunnen bore hone and mine did not copper foul from the very first rounds fired to today.
If you want a mountain ascent I say buy with confidence. Best of luck sir.

Edit: I did adjust the trigger and skim bed the action. I do not shoot with that little compensator.

 

[th82457]

I have two Montana's of fairly recent manufacture, one 7mm-08 & a .280 A.I. I have previously owned a .25-06, .308, .30-06 & .300 WSM all Montana's as well as a .308 walnut & 84 Varmint in .22-250. The only issue of any significance that I have had was a feed issue on the 30-06. After some internet research - The solution was to epoxy a small stop at the front of the mag box bottom to keep the magazine spring from sliding forward in the stock - which was causing the follower to tip in the action. That change corrected the issue, it should not have been an issue from Kimber - but was a simple fix that worked. All of mine have shot well with handloads as I load everything I shoot. I did try some factory 139 gr. Hornady's in my 7mm-08 and was getting 3 shot 3/4" groups with that. As previously stated, if you do not get the barrels too hot they will group well. I can usually get a three shot group in before I set rifle aside to cool off. I have not sold any of my former Kimber's due to rifle issues, just get bored & change calibers. By far my favorite rifle to carry on my western deer/elk hunts. I am not sure the sub-alpine is worth the extra $$ over the standard Montana, but everybody has their own likes. Good Luck.

 

[fyrewall]

My old 84M is a somewhat delicate rifle compared to FN Mausers & Ruger M77 MKII's but does not weigh as much. I would accept extra weight for durability, reliability, and ability to shoot numerous time accurately. The ejector on my 84M needs constant attention and I would not like to depend on that rifle under wet, muddy, or dusty conditions. I don't like the treaded firing pin/cocking piece arrangement.

For my use stock design needs improvement - I would prefer that the bottom of the forend be flat. Nice piece of wood, high enough comb for 40mm objective lens scopes.

My amateur built Ruger M77 MKII with aluminum floor plate, skinny barrel, and light weight wood stock and same scope weighs only ounces more and is much tougher - and makes multiple shots more accurately.