Kimber Eclipse Custom II

[petepaaz]

    Does anyone have experience with the Kimber Eclipse custom II?....I'm intrigued with both the utilitarian claims (including night sights) and the blackened SS finish.

[Savage]

Have a friend with an Eclipse, I believe it's a series l. Great looking and performing pistol. I'd own one it the right opportunity presented it's self. My Kimbers have been top notch performers.
Savage

[terry]

 I own several kimber 1911's and all are beautiful and all shoot perfect. I own several 4 inch and 5 inch models and have been super pistols no jams or other problems at all and I have spend 100's of hours at the range with them. It seems alot of people don't like the kimbers and complain of problems. Myself and all my friends have owned about 2 dozen between use and not one problem yet? I think most of the complaits I have read are on the 3" models but have never owned one of those as I have read alot of bad things about 3" 1911's period no matter the brand.

[superdown]

That's what i have and i love that gun very accurate i would recommend it to anyone. the only thing other than paper/steel that i have shot with it is a few forest grouse no lost meat again it very accurate,superdown

[Heavy C]

I don't have any real experience with that particular model, but it is next on my list to buy.  When I do it will make it my 4th Kimber in my collection.  My other two are full size and one is an ultra compact (carry gun) and all of them have worked flawlessly.  To me they are worth the money.  From a utilitarian perspective I don't think you can go wrong with the Eclipse.  It is a sharp looking pistol to boot.

[petepaaz]

     Thanks guys for your encouraging replies. I'm looking forward to upgrading to the Eclipse; although my S.A. Mil-Spec has been trouble free and has shot every kind of ammo I could find  (including shot-shells) flawlessly. The Stainless Steel and night sights will be a definite utilitarian upgrade.
     Any thoughts on 4" vs 5" barrels in shooting characteristics?

[terry]

 A 5" is always alittle easier on accuracy haveing the longer barrel and more important the sighting plane Vs the 4' models. That said every 1911 I own but one has a 4" barrel. I just like the 4" size better easier to carry and alittle lighter in weight. I am a average sized guy about 5' 9" 175lb so the 4" seems very natural size to my hands and such but if I was more like 6'2" and 250lbs the 5" maybe would be alittle better fit then overall ? I also have no problem on accuracy with the 4" barrel that is the normall barrel length for most service pistols on duty today so it's not like you are shooting a Mini pistol of some kind. 

[Heavy C]

Practice regularly and barrel length won't be an issue.  Technically, yes the longer barrel should be more accurate because of the improved sight radius.  However, I can certainly hold my own with the 3.5" Ultra Carry model too.  Practice, practice, and practice some more.

[petepaaz]

   How about any difference in muzzle flash and blast levels between a 4 and 5 inch?  I know that ballistically there's not much difference with the various 230 gr loads, but varies more with lighter bullet loads. I ask these ?'s because it could potentially be used indoors in a home protective role. Massad Ayoob once wrote that one of the things he liked about the 45ACP was it's reduced muzzle blast and flash in a close quarters/ indoors scenario. Also, is muzzle flip significantly more w/ the 4"er whereby lengthening recover time between shots?

[Heavy C]

I have found that regardless of barrel length the more I shoot the better I'm able to recover from shot to shot.  As far as the flash goes, you can run Hornady TAP ammo for the lower flash levels.  If you plan on using a good flashlight along with your Kimber as part of your home defense package; then I would think that would limit the blinding effect.