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I finally got to shoot my new Kimber today. Its sweet! This thing was definately worth the money spent. Thanks to all who gave me advise for and against the purchase. Research never hurts. It shot a clean 1.5" hole at 7 yards and shooting the small square pistol target at 20 yards with double taps, hits were counted with each shot. I like my Ruger, but I couldnt double tap it and consistantly hit the small targets at 20 yards. Slow shooting it works fine. The Kimber had one FTF in my wifes hand, but I am sure it was her less than firm grip that caused it.

I picked up two extra 8 round magazines and bumper pads for them today. Is there a way to extend the magazine well by attatching something to the grip? Kind of looks silly with the extended bottom sticking out. I thought I saw one somewhere. Kind of a 'u' shaped piece on the end of the grip.

The book says to shoot 250 rounds of good FMJ through it to break it in. Well now Im halfway there.

When you 1911 owners carry, do you carry with the hammer down or cocked? I have never owned one and I think until I get more familiar with it, Ill carry it with an empty chamber. I always have my DA Bersa within reach if needed and itll at least buy me enough time to rack the 1911 if its needed real fast. When I am more comfortable I may carry it cocked. Its just that having never owned a 1911 or any other SA gun, it doesnt seem natural yet for me. Im sure that will come in time. Safety first!

You gotta practice shooting man..the Kimber can and will outshoot the shooter...it should cut a fuzzy 3/4" hole at 7 yards

Kimbers are the cream of the crop! Great buy

Oh yah...Pics or it didn't happen

1911 are designed to be carried in condition 1 for years with no problems..that the way JMB designed them...ready for instant action!

asleepatthereel wrote:When you 1911 owners carry, do you carry with the hammer down or cocked? I have never owned one and I think until I get more familiar with it, Ill carry it with an empty chamber.

Carry something else until you're comfortable carrying the 1911 'cocked and locked'.

If you get into trouble, you'll scratch up your new Kimber when you throw it at the BG.

Everyone tells me that its meant to be carried cocked and locked, and I think that by the time my plastic gets here, Ill be good to go. What I have done the last couple days is carry it around the house on an empty chamber, not only to get used to it, but to show myself that Im not going to accidentally flick off the safety and make the hammer fall. The Galco holster I got would prevent the trigger from operating until its removed and I know that, I just have to convince my brain is all.

I thought the 7 yard group was pretty good, but hey, we can all get better with practice. The Ruger shot 1' groups, but the barrel is 4.5" vs the 3" un the Ultra Carry. Thats my excuse, and Im stickin to it!

I carry a 1911 cocked and locked,for the weapon to fire it has to have the manual safety off and the grip safety depressed then the trigger pulled.even if the thumb safety gets knocked into fire position,grip safety still has to be depressed as trigger is pulled to fire weapon.This weapon is very safe when carried with the hammer cocked and safety engaged.

I also suggest against using any holster with a thumb strap.

Many will disengage the safety. While there is still the grip safety, I don't like a holster that moves the safety before I do.

Very good replies. My holster doesnt have a thumb strap. It has a small paddle type lock that my finger naturally hits when I reach for the gun. I do need to get a good belt for it though. The only belt I have isnt thick enough to hold it firmly. I do have my old gun belt from my days working for the prison, but it seems to have shrunk over the years...

I have also found that the grip safety has to held moderately firm in order to fire. Yall are easing my mind alot. Im sure Ill get used to it, and be good to go when my plastic finally gets here.

Anyone know about the extensions for the magazine well?

1.5 hole at 7yds w/ a 3" barrel, 1st time out is plenty good. My Kimber & SA will both outshoot me & that is the way it should be.

Quality belt is essential. Good that you recognize that.

Carry C&L. Get your brain used to it. Get your hands used to the thumb safety.

You are carrying an excellent PD firearm.

You could put a magwell "extension" on it.......It's called a "Speed Chute". But I can tell you that the UCII would look pretty stupid with one on it and it would defeat the purpose of the gun's design which is to be the most concealable 1911 .45 ACP platform.

Why not just keep it the way it is and carry with a standard round magazine?
Then you could carry 2/4/6 or 8 ten rounders on your belt!.....
That is when you get the good belt!

Congratulations on picking a fine CCW!

+1 on AEA's comments

congrats on the new kimber! i love mine and hope not to have to carry anything else.
i carry cocked and locked always. practice with an unloaded gun pulling and coming to ready position thumbing the safety off. you might consider taking an advanced pistol course. i'm signed up for k r training's beyond the basics in april just to get some of the finer points down.
and always the best reminder for drawing practice; UNLOADED GUN!
btw; i had a few failures to come into battery in the first few rounds. also i found that this gun and probably all 1911's demand a firm consistent grip. i personally never have feed problems anymore, but when someone else shoots it they have. after i tell them to tighten their grip it all smooths out.
enjoy.

AEA wrote:You could put a magwell "extension" on it.......It's called a "Speed Chute". But I can tell you that the UCII would look pretty stupid with one on it and it would defeat the purpose of the gun's design which is to be the most concealable 1911 .45 ACP platform.

Why not just keep it the way it is and carry with a standard round magazine?
Then you could carry 2/4/6 or 8 ten rounders on your belt!.....
That is when you get the good belt!

Congratulations on picking a fine CCW!

I got a chance to see one, and I can see what your saying. Also, I called Kimber, and the guy in the Custom Shop said that using the 8 round magazines will damage the ramp over time. I think I am going to take your advice about carrying the 8 rounders in a holder and the 7 rounder in the well.

I looked for a decent belt at Wally World and BPS. Didnt find anything I would consider stiff enough to hold up to the task at hand. If I ever get another day off, I will look at some cop shops. What kind of belts are Yall using? Im just using a regular belt to practice carry at home right now.

saj111 wrote:congrats on the new kimber! i love mine and hope not to have to carry anything else.
i carry cocked and locked always. practice with an unloaded gun pulling and coming to ready position thumbing the safety off. you might consider taking an advanced pistol course. i'm signed up for k r training's beyond the basics in april just to get some of the finer points down.
and always the best reminder for drawing practice; UNLOADED GUN!
btw; i had a few failures to come into battery in the first few rounds. also i found that this gun and probably all 1911's demand a firm consistent grip. i personally never have feed problems anymore, but when someone else shoots it they have. after i tell them to tighten their grip it all smooths out.
enjoy.

Thanks saj. The only time it FTF is when my wife was shooting it. She has the same problem with her .40 and her 9mm. I got her one of those spring excersiser things to help her with her grip. I told her if she doesnt use it and get a better grip, I was gonna confiscate her autos and get her a wheelgun!

asleepatthereel wrote:I looked for a decent belt at Wally World and BPS. Didnt find anything I would consider stiff enough to hold up to the task at hand. If I ever get another day off, I will look at some cop shops. What kind of belts are Yall using? Im just using a regular belt to practice carry at home right now.

Try http://www.thebeltman.net/ I have a dual layer bullhide that is a great belt. If you think the prices are high, don't let that put you off. Most people waste more money by buying a couple of cheap belts that end up in the dead-holster drawer before finally putting out for a quality carry belt. For more "casual wear" I like the Wilderness Instructor's Belt http://www.thewilderness.com

After spending the money on the Kimber, Im not that concerned about the price of a decent belt to carry it on. That said, I havent been to the site yet, so I havent seen the prices. When I worked for TDC, I had a convict make me a nice gunbelt in the craft shop. I think it cost me around 40 or 50 bucks, but that was a long time ago, and like I said, the leather has shrunk somewhat. Fortunately,I dont work there anymore, but I know someone who does, and I was thinking about maybe doing that again.

Edit; Thanks WildBill. Thats exactly the kind of belt Im looking for, and about what I was expecting pricewise.