I did a search on here for the Eclipse Custom (not the II). Looks like a couple people have it. I am curious on how they are. It seems like I can only find negative reviews on them. My dad has had a couple of Kimber pistols in the past and they got sent back and still were not great and eventually traded. I had a BP Ten II (polymer 10 round 45) about 10 years ago, but I could not get extra mags for it. But that was a great pistol. I am looking at the Eclipse Custom 10mm. Beautiful gun. But I don't want to drop that kind of money for something that doesn't work.
For sure, for that kind of Ching, they best be darn near perfect!
Years back I bought a Kimber Grand Raptor which they advertised as their premium match grade 45 ACP. Supposed to have the match grade barrel, bushing, and trigger. The trigger had enough creep in it to drive you crazy as it never set up the same. Accuracy was HORRIBLE. As I always told folks, you couldn't hit your truck with it at 50 yds unless you were a good rock thrower. I sent it back to Kimber where it got an ample supply of fresh air and sunshine cause they never touched the gun. After 6 weeks I got it back......that's all, they just sent it back with no explanation, no comment, nothing. I took it to my smitty who promptly told me an idiot could see what was wrong with it. I'm not sure just who that was directed at- me or Kimber. But he took it in the back, spent about 5 minutes, came back, handed me the gun and it was no charge. I've since had him work the trigger over to a hunting grade trigger. It goes off at about 3 lbs. Accuracy now is much improved. We shoot 3/4" bolts at 25 yds that sit on a 6x6. On a good day I can knock 5 down in a row. From bags I rarely miss. So it can be a shooter. Since all of that I've inquired about Kimber. About the time I bought mine they had their bookkeeper walk off with several million of their dollars. Kimber quality went even farther in the trash. Their barrels are now made by Smith and Wesson. I would have concerns over their use of CGI parts. It's not a very good wearable metal, about that of cast iron. While you probably can get a good pistol from them, I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for one. I consider them to be acceptable but not premium. I have a Kimber 9mm Pro Carry I bought 2 years ago that a bud had that wouldn't take factory ammo. He had bought the gun new but obviously couldn't shoot it. Since I hand load it wasn't an issue for me but the barrel chamber is not cut right. You have to watch OAL of the cartridge or it won't load. I could send it back I guess but all they'll do is recut the chamber throat and send it back. But since the accuracy is lousy I doubt recutting the throat is going to do any good. Maybe one day I'll have my smitty fix it but I have other 9mms that are fabulous shooters. So this one is a closet queen for now. I look at Kimbers but unless it's an extremely great deal, I won't pull money out for one. Frankly, I have shot Rock Island pistols that are a far, far better guns and far more accurate for a lot less money. You asked, that's my experience with Kimber.
My Custom TLE II 10mm has run perfectly and is stunningly accurate. The other 2 Kimber 19lls I have are the same. Triggers were excellent out of the box, as well. I run the two in .45acp in steel shoots regularly, as stock. I can't remember the last time one of them let me down. Three friends have purchased Kimbers is the last two years and theirs have been perfect, as well.
I do remember talk of a QC issue with Kimbers several years ago. I don't believe that's an issue any longer. FWIW, there were many stories on 1911 forum about problems with Kimbers. Many of those involved people switching out MIM parts on their Kimbers before ever shooting them. Mess up fitting a slide stop, for example, and your problems have nothing to do with Kimber.
I was desperately looking for a Custom Eclipse II in 10mm during the past presidency. I found the TLE II and bought it instead. I would have no hesitation buying that gun.
Trapper I appreciate it. I don't disagree with you. The Rock Islands are great. My dad has two of them. You too Graybeard. Thank you. I am going to do some more research and wait til a little closer to spring. I don't shoot much in the winter anyway.
Personally I can only speak for the Rock Ultra full size HC 10mm as for its overall reliability and price point, however several friends have other models and have had the same experience. For a weapon in the $700.00 range as mine, with this type of machining, reliability, and accuracy, you can't beat RIA with a stick. Sure, I'd love to pick up Dan Wesson's KODIAK 6" 10MM for a poultry 1,800 - 2,200 per GB prices : ), but would not be wise at this point in time
Thanks
Ken
Quote from: Graybeard on February 03 2020 06:10:15 AM MST
My Custom TLE II 10mm has run perfectly and is stunningly accurate. The other 2 Kimber 19lls I have are the same. Triggers were excellent out of the box, as well. I run the two in .45acp in steel shoots regularly, as stock. I can't remember the last time one of them let me down. Three friends have purchased Kimbers is the last two years and theirs have been perfect, as well.
I do remember talk of a QC issue with Kimbers several years ago. I don't believe that's an issue any longer. FWIW, there were many stories on 1911 forum about problems with Kimbers. Many of those involved people switching out MIM parts on their Kimbers before ever shooting them. Mess up fitting a slide stop, for example, and your problems have nothing to do with Kimber.
I was desperately looking for a Custom Eclipse II in 10mm during the past presidency. I found the TLE II and bought it instead. I would have no hesitation buying that gun.
Back in the early 90's I was a Colt 1911 fan. Then I read about the Kimbers and the "issues" that people had with them and the quality control issues that they had from Kimber blaming the owners for their problems. Later, I came upon an article that stated that those issues were with the Kimber pistols with the external extractors. By that time Kimber had changed all of their models to internal extractors.
Because of the Kimber issues being corrected I decided to buy one. I bought a stainless Kimber Pro Carry. For a comparable price point (compared to Colt Commander) with night sights, the Kimber also came with match barrel, and match trigger right out of the box. And I found it to be a lot more reliable than any brand new in the box Colt that I have ever purchased. Afterward, I bought several others including a TLE/RL II 10mm in blue (because they didn't offer it in stainless). It was a great pistol, except, that Kimber using some cheap bluing that rusts too easily, even if not subjected to moisture.
I learned three things about Kimber. Their 1911's are good quality guns and don't jam like all of the internet BS claims they do, unless you have a 35 year old, external extractor model. Their supplied magazines aren't very good. Dump them and replace them with Wilson Combat magazines. And, their bluing sucks. Have it refinished with a decent bluing or get one of their stainless models.