Kimber Classic Target Just Got

[Doug Buckley]

Hellow everyone,

I wanted to let everyone know that I just got back from the gun show were I purchased a new in box blue Kimber Classic Custom Target Series I (before drop test pistol).

I"ve been reading the forum about the series I and II. and I was looking for a series I, but didn't think I could fine a new one. I
paid 683.00 for it. Is that a good deal or is that what they run.

Took it home and field strip it down and gents I'm impressed.
The barrel busing was really tight on the barrel and slide. Slide and frame were really tight and the trigger pull was a dream. No creep, just a crisp release at I guess about 4.5 #. The workmanship was first rate throughout. I have never been around a 1911 that was this tight from factory.

Serial number for this is K054779 and has Yonkers, N.Y., USA above it. Anyone have any idea when it was made.

I'm so happy, I'm just grinning all over with this. I was looking at Springfields and Kimber stainless steel when I ran across this one and I couldn't believe my eyes when I didn't see Series II on the slide, and besides that I bought it from a gun dealer at the show that I have done alot of business with and I know he stands behind what he sells.

Will take it to the range and report back with results. I just know I"ve got a shooter on my hands, just know it.

Buck

[Lab]

Congrats on you new purchase. I understand your enthusiasm. I bought a black Custom with fixed sights a while back and just love it. I have not had one single failure of any type, even with the factory mags. It shoots good groups and has the same crisp trigger as yours.
The price you paid seems pretty good to me. I paid a little over $600 for , so your price seems about right given your adjustable sights. My serial # is 74xxx, and was shipped out in March of 2000, so yours is older than that.
Let us know how it shoots.

[Kimber-Junkie]

Congratulations on the new "Toy". My father and I both have Customs and really like them. I think Dad got the better of the two. It shoots as well as my Gold Match (just not as 'purdy' IMHO). I am sure you got yourself a "shooter". Enjoy that Bad Boy.

[Doug Buckley]

You know I was looking through all the papers that came in the plastic box, but didn't fine a warrenty card. Did they ship these guns with a warrenty card. I plan on calling Kimber up Monday and ask about this and when the gun was made.

Funny, I thought these guns were made in Oregon, not New York, I guess I was wrong.


Buck

[qwik silver]

(800) 880 2418 ask for Randy

[Lab]

Mine did not come with a warranty card either. It did come with a customer survey that if you sent in you can order a set of Rosewood grips for $36. But it didn't say that it had to be sent in for the warranty to be good or anything like that.
Kimber used to be located in Oregon. Their main product at that time was .22 rifles. They purchased the Jerico factory in New York and produced the 1911's there. Then they eventually moved their headquarters and everything to New York.

[champion]

I picked up a new classic stainless target last week at a local master dealer. It was the last series 1 they had. S/N ko65xxx. It is tightest new 1911 I have ever seen. Any suggestions for lube on the rails. on other 1911's I use Rem-oil or Hoppes. Suggestions appreciated.

[Doug Buckley]

Champion,

I use Wilson Ultilma-Lube on the rails and all other critical parts. It has work real well for me and a bottle last a long time.

[Doug Buckley]

I called Kimber Monday and customer service told me that my new Custom Target was manufactured 2/10/00 and shipped 2/11/00 and no their's no warrenty card with the new guns, your proof of purchase is your warrenty card, so don't loose that bill of sale that you got incase you have warrenty problems.

[n2299]

Originally posted by Lab
.... My serial # is 74xxx, and was shipped out in March of 2000, ....

Lab,

Are you sure about that date... Mar 2000 for a 74xxx?

Doug's 54xxx is Feb'00. I was told my 76xxx Royal was Apr'01.

Could yours be Mar'01 instead?

[warddc1]

I just bought my Royal II in Feb and the serial number is K073xxx. I called Randy at kimber this morning 'cause I'm thinking hey I just ordered this puppy and it was made last year????

However, Randy said that serial numbers do NOT go in chronological order for whatever reason. So if you want to know the manufacture date you pretty much have to call Kimber.

Dave.

[n2299]

warddc1,

I find it extremly interesting that your Royal II has a lower serial # then my Royal I. So what'w your Royal's date of manufacture?

I wonder if the fact that Kimber doesn't go by numerical serial numbers is why they have never being able to tell which Customs were shipped with stainless instead of carbon steel frames.

[warddc1]

n2299,

My Kimber Royal II was built on 2/5/02 and shipped to me the next day per Randy.

Dave.

[n2299]

warddc1,
Thanks for the info. FWIW my Royal I(76xxx) was built Apr12/01.

So how do you like your Royals?

BTW did you notice if there's a letter "K" engrave at the back of your rosewood grips? There was a discussion about the grips in the Unofficial Kimber Forum .

[Lab]

n2299,
Yup, your right. My post should have read March of 2001, not 2000. I've never called to find out the date, but there is a sticker next to the bar code on the case that the pistol came in that says 3/6/01, so I'm assuming that was either the date of manufacture, or that was when my dealer got it in.

[n2299]

Lab,
I didn't notice a bar code on my case. However, when I called Kimber I was given both the date of manufacture and the date the pistol was shipped to my dealer. So if I were to venture a guess, I would say it's the shipment date.

BTW don't you find it interesting that warddc1 's Royal II with a serial # 73xxx wasn't build till Feb of this year.

[Lycanthrope]

For lubing the rails, I'd stick to FP-10. That's what Kimber is shipping in the box with it's new guns. I've been using it in my rifles for years and it definately helps keep from copper fouling in the bores.

[Lab]

n2299,
That is interesting. I wonder if each model runs a different series of serial numbers? For example, would a Pro Carry have a different set of serial numbers than say, a Gold Match? They obviously don't always run in order, which makes no sense.
The only explaination I can think of is that they finish out frames and slides and then put them in storage, where they are randomly pulled out to go into production. I think a slide and frame usually go through the factory as a pair, though I don't think that is always the case.
I also wonder if they make all the models simultaneously, or do they make them in batches. For example, do they produce Customs for a week, then change up and make Ultra Carry's the next week, then an Eclipses the next, etc? That would acount for some differences in serial numbers and dates.
I would love to tour their plant and see how they do things.
Lab

[n2299]

Lab Still the fact that Kimber can have a Royal II made 10 months after my Royal I with a lower serial # is just nutty.

[warddc1]

n2299,

What's also wierd is that on the underside of my slide there is serial number engraving (that is probably to keep the frame and the slide together during manufacture) however on mine there are two serial numbers engraved, one over the other, so that you can actually read neither.

strange,

dave.

[n2299]

wardcd 1,

Well, that's the first time I have heard of a serial number being engraved on top of the other.

Kimber... what will they think of next???

I have read about slide and frame having different serial #.

Ok, this is just a wide guess off the top of my head....

Could it be that the frame was returned back to Kimber. And Kimber later recut it for the series II safeties, but keep the "original" serial # on the frame? Thus, explaining the low serial # and the double on the slide?

Actually, I have never seen a Series II frame, so I don't really know if it even possible to recut the frame. Like like I said, my $0.02 in this Kimber mystery.