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usmcpaul
02-16-2011, 06:15 PM
ITEM REVIEWED: New Kimber Stainless II .45ACP

PURCHASED FROM / COST: Guns America/ 849.99 otd/shipped

PRO'S:
Well, I took my 2 new 45’s to the range a few weeks ago (see my Taurus review) and shot them both side by side. This is not my first 45, nor my first Kimber. This gun shoots very well. It has eaten everything I have thrown at it with no FTF or FTE’s. Currently I have about 800 rounds through it. I recently began reloading again and I have been using Berrys plated 200 grain SWC over 5.0 grains of Bullseye, as well as some store bought stuff. This gun is very accurate. I can keep a 2 inch group 7 yards and about a 3.5 inch group at 15 yards with no problem. I do not have a gun vice to use, so any error or poor accuracy, I am attributing to me. I could not be happier with this gun.

I disassembled it before shooting and the fit and finish is above average.

When I originally racked it, it had a very nice sliding feel with no grittiness from the factory machining process. Everything seemed to fit well and the edges were deburred nicely. The feed ramp is nicely finished, not mirror polished, but still very well done. The extractor is fairly well polished for a production gun. (See my Taurus review to see why I checked it). I could have shot it without cleaning it first, but you never know.

I also like the sights; they are all black and low profile. I am not a fan of sights that have colored dots or fiber optic dots. For me it is very distracting and it takes me too long to acquire the target, but that is pretty subjective.

I was a little leery about not having an elevation adjustment, but it has not been a problem for me. You can adjust for windage, which I needed to do originally, but not since the first day.

I have used 10 different (non Kimber) mags with it and had no problems.

CON'S:
I do not like the grips on this gun, they are a little too thick for my taste, but in all fairness, I bought it online without holding it first, so I guess I can’t complain about that.

Other cons that I knew about, but still bought it anyway.

1. You only get 1 Magazine with it, I think they should come with at least 2
2. Does not have front strap checkering
3. 1 year warranty (I think it should be longer, hell my $330 GSG came with a 2 year, but I guess the best warranty is the one you don’t have to use)

Overall I would give this gun a solid 8 out of 10.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Kimber003.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Kimber002.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Kimber001.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Kimber006.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Kimber005.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb164/troll123_photo/Kimber004.jpg

MountainDreamer
02-20-2011, 05:05 PM
Very nice.

I have the same pistol purchased a couple years ago, and also am very happy with it. After a few hundred round breakin it has also been flawless for the last few thousand rounds.

I am thinking of using it for pin shoots, etc. and was thinking of a SS checkered main spring housing with magwell from Fusion and an SS extended slide release and last perhaps some different sights, perhaps a fiber optic front and adj. target type rear.

Any body have any suggestions on some good sights for pin shoots, etc.?

Happy Shootin,
Mike

usmcpaul
02-20-2011, 09:04 PM
Thanks Mike.

I am also considering a magwell upgrade, and having the front strap checkering done on it.

Not sure about the sights needed for bowling pin shoots, I have never done one before.

What ammo are you using? I am using Berrys 200 grain SWC over 5.0 grains of Bulls-eye powder. I worked from 3.8 (which would not cycle the gun) up to 5.6 (which was too snappy for my taste) and found the 5.0 worked the best.