Anyone Own a Kimber Stainless Target II in 10mm?

arttyszka · January 03 2013 07:22:04 PM MST

I'm seriously considering picking one of these up while there are still some left. I'm not sure Kimber will make another, and I like the aesthetics of it more than the Eclipse with the black-out treatment. I've never owned a Kimber, and have heard both good and bad, which seems to be the case with any gun. So I'm wondering if anyone here owns one and what they think of it. Interested in reliability, break-in, accuracy, etc.

Thanks

Intercooler · January 04 2013 09:51:33 AM MST

Get one! Next best thing to a Dan Wesson.

sqlbullet · January 04 2013 02:37:48 PM MST

I don't believe I have ever heard of someone with a problem that Kimber did not acknowledge and make right. There are people that have problems with some of the MIM parts Kimber uses, and it is true that those parts may only have half the life of solid steel....But when the solid steel part has a lifespan of 500,000 rounds, only getting 250,000 before the MIM breaks is still many lifetimes of shooters for 99% of the guns they sell.

REDLINE · January 04 2013 07:34:50 PM MST

Sorry I can't be of any direct help toward answering your question(s). Just wanted to mention that if I ever bought a 1911 style 10mm Auto platform, it would be the Kimber Stainless Target II. I also like the look of it better than the blacked out look of the eclipse.

One of the biggest attributes (IMO) of the Kimber Stainless Target II pistol is that it seems its barrel has the most supported barrel chamber of any barrel in any gun chambered for the 10mm Auto, and not only the most supported, but also the most amount of barrel steel surrounding the barrel chamber. Awesome if you're into souped up 10mm loads.

Anyway, hopefully you'll get some good answers to your questions. Hope it works out for you, then maybe you could be our 10mm Kimber authority around here. If it does work out for you I'll be interested in hearing about your experiences/likes/dislikes about it, as the case may be.

Happy New Year.

Deadguy · January 05 2013 07:07:09 AM MST

I had one and highly recommend it.

As Redline mentioned, the chamber support is phenomenal. The gun I had just flat out shot and shot well. The adjustable rear sight (the reason i chose the ST-II over the Eclipse) allowed me to dial it in with my chosen load and literally lose the center of the target. I shot what has been considered by some to be as hot a load that can safely be fired in 10mm and it handled them with ease.

I also punished this pistol on purpose by shooting 1500 rounds out of the box without cleaning it. Some here will remember. I was a Kimber skeptic and wanted to see what it would do. It didn't disappoint.

I sold the pistol last year and the new owner (and his wife) has been pleased since the day he got it.

sqlbullet · January 05 2013 10:09:47 AM MST

Deadguy, gonna ask the obvious question. If you like the gun so much, why did you let it go?

(Not questioning that there may have been a motive, heavens knows I have my share of guns I either had to sell, or regret selling.)

Deadguy · January 05 2013 01:06:56 PM MST

Several reasons Sq.

The original reason i bought it was to shoot 10mm in a 1911 platform while waiting for my Fusion 10mm CCO to be completed. I sold it because I wasn't going to shoot it much after getting the CCO. I also had no need or desire to shoot nuclear loads anymore. Sort of a "been there done that" type situation for me.

I had also reached a point where if the gun wasn't carried or shot, it would be sold. 10-15 other pistols suffered the same fate for this reason. I pooled all of that money into 2 custom built 1911s that do get carried and shot. As a consequence, the CCO sits in the safe now. However, because it too was a custom build, and is my lone 10mm, I will keep it.

REDLINE · January 05 2013 01:30:33 PM MST

Quote from: Deadguy on January 05 2013 07:07:09 AM MSTThe gun I had just flat out shot and shot well.

I also punished this pistol on purpose by shooting 1500 rounds out of the box without cleaning it.

If you recall, how do you rate the trigger? Clearly you used it enough to get a good feel for it and have had many guns over time to compare it to, not to mention the two custom 1911s you make use of now. So again, with as much detail as you can remember, and from as many aspects (take up, over travel, break, weight...) as possible, in your well earned opinion, does Kimber use a trigger setup worthy of being on a +$1000 platform, or did they chince even a little bit?

REDLINE · January 05 2013 01:35:59 PM MST

Forgot to ask a general question about the Kimber 10mms. I probably knew at one time but forgot. Is the Kimber single action?

Deadguy · January 05 2013 03:34:51 PM MST

Single action only with Swartz (sp?) firing pin safety.

I'm VERY spoiled on these custom triggers. The Kimber trigger was comparable to most production 1911s I've had. I'd rate it around a 5-5.5# pull, with proper take-up and a crisp break. No creep or noticeable over travel.

It's on par with most pistols in this price range, and, with a small amount of work, could rival that of more expensive models.

REDLINE · January 05 2013 06:06:07 PM MST

Thanks for the feedback. ${$default_cool_smiley}$

Deadguy · January 05 2013 06:20:04 PM MST

My pleasure.

arttyszka · January 05 2013 06:50:38 PM MST

Thanks for all the good comments and feedback. Now that I'm hunting for a 1911, I'm also taking a look at the Tactical Hunter from Fusion, which I've seen recommended many times on this board. Has me wondering if I shouldn't just go the extra $. Hmmm

REDLINE · January 05 2013 09:31:31 PM MST

Quote from: arttyszka on January 05 2013 06:50:38 PM MSTThanks for all the good comments and feedback. Now that I'm hunting for a 1911, I'm also taking a look at the Tactical Hunter from Fusion, which I've seen recommended many times on this board. Has me wondering if I shouldn't just go the extra $. Hmmm

LOL Those are the funnest type of decisions to be forced to make! It's win win no matter the outcome. ${$default_cool_smiley}$

What barrel length is the Tactical Hunter from Fusion offered in? Longslide 6"?

arttyszka · January 06 2013 08:35:41 AM MST

Yep, 6" long slide. Seems to be the same frame as an STI? I'm debating buying the kit and really learning how a 1911 goes together. The only thing close I've ever had was a Belgian Pre-war Hi-Power (that I sold and now regret) but never spent much time with it.

I always tell myself and friends "you can't put a price on your family's safety." ${$default_grin_smiley}$ I've never bought a handgun this nice (or expensive) so it's not going to be an impulse buy like usual.