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This is why you don't get a Kimber

copperhead

By copperhead
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copperhead Rookie

copperhead

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http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/02/06/NC-law-enforcement-pistols-no-good/UPI-29261297026775/

 

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- North Carolina's Alcohol Law Enforcement agency says 150 new pistols bought for their agents at $1,055 each were so unreliable they got rid of them.

 

Agency officials say the Kimber .45-caliber pistols repeatedly malfunctioned during training exercises, with rounds jamming, sights breaking and the weapons' safety buttons sometimes falling off, The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported Sunday.

 

Agency Director John Ledford said a deal was arranged with a local firearms dealer to swap the pricey handguns for less expensive models.

 

"Failure of a weapon during training is problematic enough, but if any of these types of failures occurred during a life-and-death situation the result could be loss of life to a sworn member of the division or an innocent civilian," Ledford wrote in a November memo announcing the change. "During violent encounters with armed suspects, reliability and speed are paramount."

 

Since the Kimbers were issued to agents in the fall of 2009, Ledford wrote, agents reported 289 malfunctions during training exercises, and many agents had chosen to carry personal weapons instead of the Kimbers.

 

Ledford said a deal was arranged to trade in the department's troublesome pistols to a Raleigh firearms dealer in exchange for 150 new Sig Sauer 220 handguns valued at $718 each.

 

"We are hopeful these will be quality products, and we believe they are," Ledford said. "The Sig handgun is the same model carried by the Secret Service."

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RyM3rC Newbie

RyM3rC

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Oh yeah, they're finicky all right. Tightening up most firearms costs reliability in general... but 1911s are picky about magazines (you thought ARs were!), ammunition (FMJ, JHP, TMC, etc.) springs, parts fit, etc. They're wonderful when they're working right, but they are notoriously finicky.

 

That being said, my springfield cheapie 1911 has been about 98% in the last 1000 rounds.

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Scotty2Hotty Rookie

Scotty2Hotty

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I'm still likely buying a Kimber Tactical Ultra. :) Aren't 1911's sometimes "finicky" guns anyway(till dialed in) ?

 

Some of the so called "custom" 1911's like the Kimber Desert Warrior had issues, because of the frame an slide being put together so tightly. I've heard of Kimbers needing to go back to the factory after 400 rounds or so. The tolerances are a bit too tight on some Kimbers from what I've been told. Instead of a Kimber a few years ago, I bought a used Springfield 1911A1. My next 1911 will be another Colt though. No idea why I got rid of my Gold Cup, but I've never had one issue with my Colt either.

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Bahnstoermer1647545488 Newbie

Bahnstoermer1647545488

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Gun hate / love is worse than cars.

 

Very few issues with my Kimber, probably mag related at that as the single malfunction I've had in the last few years was with the original mag and not the Nighthawk mags I use now... it's the only pistol I own, far from the only one I've shot... mine is circa 2006.

 

http://gallery.ducati.org/image_db/bahnstoermer/lifesotherimportantthings/18716.jpg

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