what do you think about Kimber rifles?
- Thread starter furhntr
- Start date
Four years ago, I bought a new "Younkrs" Kimber 84 in .308 for hunting. It has been returned to the factory three times. First, the pillers did not line up true in their sleeves; they replaced the entire stock; OK now. Then, a burr was found by scoping the bore. Returned again, barrel replaced. Flinally got it shooting and discovered that with magazine box filled, first shot, the floor plate opened and shells fell to ground. They repaired that too. But after 200 rounds, the bore still retains a lot of copper and cleaning it is a job. I paid $1200 for this rifle, and would not buy another. I have heard of others not having any issues.
tenring....consider yourself lucky with the warranty work they did on your gun. I have their $4000 SxS Valier Grade II 20ga shotgun which they wouldn't do any warranty work on, even after having it at their NY facility for 20 weeks. They no longer sell this gun.
They gave me 3 excuses but I can only remember two of them. First they said the gun was out of warranty since they knew when it was manufactured by the ser. number. This was a new gun that was ordered directly from Kimber my a Kimber Master Dealer. I said my warranty doesn't start until the date I purchased the gun. Second excuse I can't remember, and third they said since I had a recoil pad "professionally" installed that was what voided my warranty. They said for $450 they would do the work needed.
Kimber, nerver again.
They gave me 3 excuses but I can only remember two of them. First they said the gun was out of warranty since they knew when it was manufactured by the ser. number. This was a new gun that was ordered directly from Kimber my a Kimber Master Dealer. I said my warranty doesn't start until the date I purchased the gun. Second excuse I can't remember, and third they said since I had a recoil pad "professionally" installed that was what voided my warranty. They said for $450 they would do the work needed.
Kimber, nerver again.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Another big - here from me also, $1200 for a 7wsm that would not shoot better then 1.5" at 100 yards, tried to get them to take it back and find what was wrong with it, the man I talked to on the phone said that was within spec ??? 
I said for a $1200 dollar rifle I don't get any better then a 1.5" rifle, he ended up hanging up on me. My best friend bought two of there acp 45's one of them always shot fine the other went back three times for jamming issues, he was told he wasn't using the correct ammo, he ended up sending it to a competent pistol smith and he repaired the problem, now it will flawlessly cycle the cheap blazer ammo even, Kimber,.......never again for me! Oh, my same friend bought a .325wsm in the 8400, it also is a 1.5" rifle, I was the first one of us to buy a Kimber and it was a .22 rimfire it actually shoots fairly well. Build a semi custom for the $1200 that will shoot and give you no headaches!
Wayne.
I said for a $1200 dollar rifle I don't get any better then a 1.5" rifle, he ended up hanging up on me. My best friend bought two of there acp 45's one of them always shot fine the other went back three times for jamming issues, he was told he wasn't using the correct ammo, he ended up sending it to a competent pistol smith and he repaired the problem, now it will flawlessly cycle the cheap blazer ammo even, Kimber,.......never again for me! Oh, my same friend bought a .325wsm in the 8400, it also is a 1.5" rifle, I was the first one of us to buy a Kimber and it was a .22 rimfire it actually shoots fairly well. Build a semi custom for the $1200 that will shoot and give you no headaches!Wayne.
Sorry about your problems folks.
I have had one rifle and one 1911 and both are stellar. The rifle is, I believe, one of the first 325 WSM Montanas they put together (very low Ser. #). The feed ramp needed some reforming but beyond that it is outstanding as a shooter and a joy to carry. Even adding a mercury recoil reducer in the forearm it is a lightweight that shoots extremely well for a production rifle. Getting 1"/100 yds. for rapid three shot groups w/ my hand load, three cold barrel shots group into less than 5/8".
The 1911 is also very early Custom Classic that is 100% reliable and plenty accurate for me. 800 rounds down the tube and no issues at all. My brother had one that refused to lock the slide after the last round but Kimber sent him a new slide stop and magazine - problem solved.
I would not hesitate to buy one of their products.
MIke T.
I have had one rifle and one 1911 and both are stellar. The rifle is, I believe, one of the first 325 WSM Montanas they put together (very low Ser. #). The feed ramp needed some reforming but beyond that it is outstanding as a shooter and a joy to carry. Even adding a mercury recoil reducer in the forearm it is a lightweight that shoots extremely well for a production rifle. Getting 1"/100 yds. for rapid three shot groups w/ my hand load, three cold barrel shots group into less than 5/8".
The 1911 is also very early Custom Classic that is 100% reliable and plenty accurate for me. 800 rounds down the tube and no issues at all. My brother had one that refused to lock the slide after the last round but Kimber sent him a new slide stop and magazine - problem solved.
I would not hesitate to buy one of their products.
MIke T.
furhntr,
My experience with Kimber is not good. John Lachuck asked me to shoot one for an ariticle. It was a .22 rimfire single shot selling for $1200. We fired several brands of ammo; mostly target ammo. The groups ran about 1 1/2" at fifty yards. I told John I could do better than this with my 10/22. I got it from my pickup and soundly beat the Kimber. Maybe it was the scope, but I doubt it. It was a 36X Leupold with a 1/8" dot. We were firing at a 1/8" white circle so there was a tiny bit of white all around the dot. Very nice.
I am not impressed with the only sample I saw.
My experience with Kimber is not good. John Lachuck asked me to shoot one for an ariticle. It was a .22 rimfire single shot selling for $1200. We fired several brands of ammo; mostly target ammo. The groups ran about 1 1/2" at fifty yards. I told John I could do better than this with my 10/22. I got it from my pickup and soundly beat the Kimber. Maybe it was the scope, but I doubt it. It was a 36X Leupold with a 1/8" dot. We were firing at a 1/8" white circle so there was a tiny bit of white all around the dot. Very nice.
I am not impressed with the only sample I saw.
It always seem to be the luck of the draw with anything manufactured. There are always gonna be examples from each end of the spectrum and everyone runs the risk of getting the "Friday or Monday" product all of us hope its not us. My dad is a huge 1911 fanatic and owns several top name brands and always boasts of his kimbers and their meticulas quality and he is very critical of every last detail. I have only had one expirience with one of their rifles and it was a mauser sporterized by kimber chamberd in 6.5x55. Its a beautiful rifle a friend of mine inherited. We tried to zero it at 300yds with factory ammunition (don't remember specifics) we had a very hard time hitting a 36"x36" piece of card board from a bench with a decent rest. Terrible 2+ foot groups. We checked mounts all was tight. BUT the scope was of unknown functionality and I offerd to put one of my know good ones on it and start over but he was so bummed he put it away and hasn't shot it since(@3months). Hope to try and get it sorted out this spring with him as I believe the scope is the best place to start. Good luck with your decision if you decide to purchase it hope its a great shooter!
The first Kimber rifle I ever owned was a kimber of oregon, in a 6x45 ultimate varminter. That rifle was awesome. It was a great shooting gun, looked great, everything about it was great but I got bored with it and sold it. Wish I hadn't. The next kimber I bought was one of the newer yonkers, NY built models, in a 22-250, varmint model. It didn't shoot worth a dime. Every other gun I had would out shoot it, including a rem700 adl that I only paid $300 for. the very best I could do with any bullet in that "match grade" barrel was 1 1/4" to 1 1/2". those were on good days. It was a nice looking rifle but that was it. I have only heard a few complaints about the newe rifles, and it always seems to be that they won't shoot that great. same stories as above. I agree with others that the pistols are a whole different story. My brother has 2 or 3 now, loves them. If you are willing to put that much into a rifle, then why not buy a cooper, a T/C icon in the precision hunter, or save a few hundred bucks and buy a T/C Icon hunter model? I have had 4 icons now, and everyone has shot awesome. just purchased one in a 6.5 creedmoor, but haven't shot it yet, but the factory test target measure 0.54" with factory ammo. If it's like my others it will do even better with reloads. I don't think kimber has an accuracy guarantee that they will stand behind like T/C, or tikka.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
Oh they have a accuracy guarantee they just don't stand behind it, the guy on the phone I talked to said they test fire there rifles at 25 yards,.....BIG DEAL.FryeGuy said:
I haven't shot the Icons yet but have seen them at Cabela's and they claim 1" The Tikka's claim the same and will, I have one in 7mm-08, with hand loads under 1/2 inch. Your also right about Cooper, my .204 and .22 rimfire both will reproduce the small groups just like the test group that came with the rifle's. I would buy a H&R handi rifle before I would buy another Kimber. I promised the man on the phone I talked to which gave me ZERO help I would bad mouth there rifles every chance I got and so far I have kept my word to him
Wayne.
I wish that I still had my .22lr SVT!
nosualc
Silver $$ Contributor
Some years ago now, I bought a new Kimber 1911. One of their higher priced models. Looked great and shot OK. It also jammed about every third shot. Changed ammo, changed magazines. Two trips back to the factory and it still jammed. They're attitude was generally that they didn't give a darn, and to have me send it back until I tired of it. I sold it for a loss and moved on.
In my opinion they ask a premium price for sub-par quality and service. Marketing and bling. They'll never get another dime from me.
Wayne and I have made and kept a similar oath.
-nosualc
In my opinion they ask a premium price for sub-par quality and service. Marketing and bling. They'll never get another dime from me.
bozo699 said:I promised the man on the phone I talked to which gave me ZERO help I would bad mouth there rifles every chance I got and so far I have kept my word to him
Wayne and I have made and kept a similar oath.
-nosualc
nosualc said:Some years ago now, I bought a new Kimber 1911. One of their higher priced models. Looked great and shot OK. It also jammed about every third shot. Changed ammo, changed magazines. Two trips back to the factory and it still jammed. They're attitude was generally that they didn't give a darn, and to have me send it back until I tired of it. I sold it for a loss and moved on.
In my opinion they ask a premium price for sub-par quality and service. Marketing and bling. They'll never get another dime from me.
bozo699 said:I promised the man on the phone I talked to which gave me ZERO help I would bad mouth there rifles every chance I got and so far I have kept my word to him
Wayne and I have made and kept a similar oath.
-nosualc
Every year I walk around their display at the S.H.O.T. Show until someone comes up to me and asks if I have any questions. Then, no pun intended, I give em' both barrels. They then slink away and look for another "sucker".
I tell everyone who will listen to "stay away" from Kimber.
Sorry Wayne, I didn't realize they had an accuracy guarantee. I just know mine was crap. I guess some folks are happy with 2" groups. I would buy anything but a kimber now. I can't believe they can get that much money for them.
The Icons I have or have had were awesome. the first one the test target was .6 something. My handloads were all 1/2" and under. the next one I bought I hand picked at the store simply by which one had the nicest wood. I looked at the test target once I got home, it measured 1.00. I thought back and wondered why I didn't look at the targets first, before the wood grain. glad I didn't. somedays when the shooting gods are smiling, I can get 3 shots in the 1's. the rest of the time it averages 3/8" to 5/8" groups. I think most of it has to do with temps, in cooler weather it shoots way better (varget, go figure). the 6.5 creedmoor test target was .54, with the 120amax ammo. I am hoping for the best out of it. went to shoot today and it started pouring down rain before I even made it out the door.
I guess what I am getting at, is buy a good $800 rifle, use that other $400 for a better scope.
The Icons I have or have had were awesome. the first one the test target was .6 something. My handloads were all 1/2" and under. the next one I bought I hand picked at the store simply by which one had the nicest wood. I looked at the test target once I got home, it measured 1.00. I thought back and wondered why I didn't look at the targets first, before the wood grain. glad I didn't. somedays when the shooting gods are smiling, I can get 3 shots in the 1's. the rest of the time it averages 3/8" to 5/8" groups. I think most of it has to do with temps, in cooler weather it shoots way better (varget, go figure). the 6.5 creedmoor test target was .54, with the 120amax ammo. I am hoping for the best out of it. went to shoot today and it started pouring down rain before I even made it out the door.
I guess what I am getting at, is buy a good $800 rifle, use that other $400 for a better scope.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
FryeGuy,
I just looked on there site and I see nothing about a accuracy guarantee, but I distinctly remember talking to the counterman over the phone and he said they did have a guarantee but 1.5" at 100 yards would be within spec for them and when I ask how well they shot when tested he said usually 1/2" or better so I ask how far was the test done and he said 25 yards, now I am sure he just worked for Kimber and said what he thought or was told to say, for sure I know what was said and I was not impressed one darn bit!
One thing is for sure for $1200 + you should get a accuracy guarantee!!
Wayne.
I just looked on there site and I see nothing about a accuracy guarantee, but I distinctly remember talking to the counterman over the phone and he said they did have a guarantee but 1.5" at 100 yards would be within spec for them and when I ask how well they shot when tested he said usually 1/2" or better so I ask how far was the test done and he said 25 yards, now I am sure he just worked for Kimber and said what he thought or was told to say, for sure I know what was said and I was not impressed one darn bit!
One thing is for sure for $1200 + you should get a accuracy guarantee!!
Wayne.
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