Any experience with the Kimber Camp Guard?

[Vandy58]

I'm thinking on buying this for several reasons however just curious if anybody has experience with it?

[Trapper6L]

I have 2 Kimbers currently and have had others, none have been the Camp Guard. One is their top of the line Grand Raptor in 45ACP. The other is a gun I traded into that was new in the box at the time. It's a 9mm Pro Carry II. Neither have been flawless and I've had LOTS of issues with both of them. The Grand Raptor you couldn't hit you truck with it at 50yds unless you had a good throwing arm. Sending it back to Kimber only got the gun a lot of travel time with zero repairs being done by Kimber. I took the gun to my local Smitty who commented "even a dumbass can see what's wrong". Since I didn't know what was wrong with it, I guess we know where I stand, LOL. Regardless, he worked the gun over and it shoots incredibly accurate now and runs flawlessly. The ProCarry II I've only had about a month and as far as groups go, it hasn't shot one yet. It's shot lots of patterns but I have shotguns. I don't need another one. If this thing doesn't come around and soon, it'll be a gunshow. At one time, Kimber made some great pistols. That's history now. Their customer service dept, if they still have a dimwit by the name of Dennis running it, has pretty much trashed any value that Kimber had. I would not go out to intentionally buy any Kimber unless I thought I could turn it for big money. I'm sure there are Kimbers out there that run great. Sometimes reading the comments from some of the posters on the gun forums, if some of the guys have half a clue what a good shooting pistol is. If it runs flawlessly right out of the box, shoots under an inch at 25 yds with reasonable loads. I call it a keeper. Not many Kimbers these days fall into that category, as per my experience with them. Best of luck if you buy one.

[Graybeard]

I'm not doubting Trapper's experience with the Grand Raptor and completely understand being upset with a problem gun with that price tag. I've had the opposite experience with mine. I have 3 right now. 2 TLE IIs, a .45 and a 10mm. The other is a Ultra CDP II in .45. All of mine ran without issue out of the box and are very accurate. My only experience with their customer service was when I broke the slide stop on the 10mm, completely my fault. I called them to order another one and a delightful young woman refused to take my money and shipped me a new one priority mail.

Last month two friends of mine purchased new Kimbers after shooting mine. One got a Pro TLE II, the other a Stainless Custom TLE II and the both ran just fine as we put 200rnds through both the day they were picked up. The finish on the Stainless was excellent.

Kimber makes an awful lot of 1911s. I'm sure a klinker gets out once in awhile. Two of my biggest problem guns and poor customer service have been with Ruger. One I traded a gun shop and the other took 3 trips back to Ruger. I chalk that up to the same thing.

If you want a Camp Guard, I say go for it!

[Vandy58]

I actually own a Kimber now.  It's a basic custom II but I've literally never had a problem in the six years I've shot it.  I put some new sites on it and a few other accoutrements by a 1911 smith that also competes in 3 gun.  I love the gun.  I know there are people that have huge issue with Kimber, I'm not one of those.  I was more curious if anybody had any feedback on the camp guard.  I read a great article front the truth about guns.  I want a 10mm.  I hate glock, I can not afford a sig, the colt did not work with my smaller chick style hands, and the Remington seemed okay.  I held the target II which was great but I don't think I want a 6" barrel.  This will not be my everyday carry (for now) but will be my only side arm when hog hunting

[Bat Rastard]

I have a Camp Guard.
Good gun. It shoots straight as a laser and throws brass a long ways.

[Vandy58]

Awesome!  Hopefully it doesn't shoot brass too far, that stuff is expensive 

[Bat Rastard]

I put a heavier spring and a no radius firing pin stop on it. That got the brass a fence post closer.

[Mike D]

My experience with Kimber  has been dismal, twice.

Both were Ultra Carry II. Neither ever ran right even after multiple trips back to Kimber. Never owned another since as I believe there are guns that are as good or better for the same money. I have 2 Dan Wessons, a Sig and a Colt. They have all run flawless from day one.

I find it ironic that you can afford a Kimber but not a Sig. maybe I'm way off base on my price knowledge of each.


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[Kenk]

Have been considering a Kimber myself, but am leaning toward the DW Razorback. I'm sure Kimber make some fine stuff, but as with every manufacture, a bad one will get released now and then

[Vandy58]

Just won an auction for the camp guard at $950.  I know sig has two modes but I was looking at a legion.  I own 5 Sigs including an SBR MPX and a German made P226.  You want to talk about a manufacturer with recents issues?  Talk sig.  don't get me wrong I love my sigs but after waiting 11 months (trust route) for my SBR only to have major issues out of the box it really pissed me off.  Ultimately I paid to have the issues resolved with a gun smith that is a lot of experience with MPX issues.  I hate that the Kimber doesn't have a rail but I just liked how it looked and felt (I get the target model).  I know people bitch about Kimber but like I said I own one that has been flawless.  We shall see how this one treats me.  On a side note I totally forgot how expensive it is to reload for a caliber you don't own lol.

My experience with Kimber  has been dismal, twice.

Both were Ultra Carry II. Neither ever ran right even after multiple trips back to Kimber. Never owned another since as I believe there are guns that are as good or better for the same money. I have 2 Dan Wessons, a Sig and a Colt. They have all run flawless from day one.

I find it ironic that you can afford a Kimber but not a Sig. maybe I'm way off base on my price knowledge of each.


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[pacecars]

Any word on how it shoots? I am seriously looking at one of these now. I have owned 10mm 1911s in Colt, Dan Wesson, Sig and Rock Island (never again) but never a Kimber but I like the bob tail of the Camp Guard along with the ramped barrel with full support. I will say I never had a problem with Norma level loads out of an original Colt Delta Elite which has probably the worst case support.

[Kenk]

Morning pacecars,
Curious why you say "never again" regarding the Rock Island? My Rock Ultra has not given me any issues whatsoever
Thanks

[pacecars]

It failed to go bang more than once in a row. Tried every magazine known to man to no avail. Would have sent it back to the factory but someone wanted to buy it from me (knowing the problems) so I sold it to him. He sent it back in a couple times and I don't know where it stands now. I may not be fair to them but once was enough to sour me.

[Kenk]

Thanks for the quick response

[pacecars]

Well we will see how my luck goes. I just bought one off Gunbroker. This will be my first Kimber.