Kimber Reliability?

[1895GG]

I've owned three 1911 style .45 ACPs.  The first (when I could not afford a better one) was a Norinco.  I was pleased with it for a GI Mil Spec .45.  It fed everything and was reliable.  I not a competitor, so the accuracy was acceptable.  Later I wanted a high capacity 1911 .45 ACP, so I bought a Para Ordinance P14-45 and have been very satisfied with it.  Recently I wanted a 1911 .45 ACP for concealed carry and since I was well pleased with my P14-45, I bought a Para LTC.  The only thing I do not like about it is reliability--failure to feed!!  And to me, that is unacceptable.  I have shot about 600 rounds thru it of all kinds of ammo--RN FMJ, JHP, JFP--rounds that function flawlessly in the P14-45 fail to feed in the LTC.  I've had jams with the cartridge angling up and jamming at the top of the chamber, cartridge angling down, never clearing the magazine as well as failing to seat completely in the chamber and on some of those that do not go completely into battery, if they will not seat with a tap on the back of the slide, are extremely hard to pull the slide to eject.  But the ejection part I have no complaint about.  Their "power extractor" works flawlessly--no problems with ejections!!  It has been back to the factory twice and they have test fired it each time after polishing the ramp and chamber and replacing magazines and last time supposedly enlarging the "match grade" chamber slightly.  Their test firings supposedly have no jams. 

I was ridiculed about the "pot metal" Chinese Norinco, so I sold it and bought a "better quality" Para because of my experience with their P14-45.  Now I am sorry I sold my Norinco.  I would bet my life on the Norinco.  I will not carry my new LTC since I have not found anything it will feed reliably.

So, ON TO MY SUBJECT.  Thinking about selling the LTC and buying a Kimber.  What are your experiences with Kimbers?  I had looked at Kimbers before buying the LTC, but because of my experience with the P14-45 and the cheaper price of the LTC, I went with it.  Now I will pay more for a 1911 that is RELIABLE "out of the box".  I do not want to pay a gunsmith to fix a problem that, in my opionion, should not be a problem from the beginning.  Para has a lifetime warranty, but they can't seem to find a problem.  If I did not have another .45 ACP, I might accept the fact it might be my ammo, but with 30+ years reloading experience and the P14-45 (and Norinco) that works flawlessly with the same ammo that fails to feed in the LTC, it seems to be the gun and not the ammo or the shooter.

Are the Kimbers the way to go?  Suggestions on Kimbers or for me and my Para LTC?  (Sorry I took so long to get to this point--just wanted to give you the whole story.)

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive had real good luck with my kimbers. I also like colts and would take either of them any day over a springfield. If you want to spend a little money take a look at the cdp kimbers. In my opinion there probably the best ccw 1911 at any price.

[Heavy C]

I own two.  A full size Tactical and my carry weapon is the Ultra Carry.  Both are excellent!  They eat everything I feed them - even SWC reloads!  Go with a Kimber; you won't regret it.

[Dogshooter]

I have put several thousand rounds thru my Pro CDP and over a thousand thru my Custom CDP ll. Never had a problem and, to date, NO misfeeds. Excellent weapons. Can't say the same for my Gold Cup. Just ain't in the same class.

[Questor]

Mine has been totally reliable for so many rounds that the slide shows wear from galling. If I were buying another one, I'd buy a carbon steel gun instead of a stainless gun.

[tbull55]

I cannot say enough about my Kimber Ultra Carry (stainless), I brag on it every chance I get.  When the gun was brand new I had a couple jams, after about 500 rounds and a little slicking up the freaking thing is an animal.  It eats every thing no problem and is one of the most accurate guns I own.  In my opinion you can't go wrong with a Kimber.  Let us know what you decide!
 

[Sx2]

I too had a Nork. Nice solid gun. Some of the best metalurligy around IMO. Just no pride of ownership, for me anyway. So, after 14 years I opted for a kimber. Very nice gun, accurate, feeds ewverything well, pretty to look at too. That said, I'd like a series I. The SeriesII has not been a problem with the Swartz passive safety. The Series I is what Kimber built thier rep on. I'd trade my II for a good one in decent condition. Colts are good, springfields good, Taurus is going to come on strong I feel. Long stroy short, Kimber good value for the money.

[Casull]

The above fellas have a lot more experience than me.  However, my Kimber Stainless II (full size) has had about two hundred rounds through it (CCI Blazer Brass ball and my hollow point reloads).  On the second or third magazine through the gun, I had one round fail to close by about 1/8".  Pushed the slide forward and kept shooting.  Great gun, I just need to shoot it more.  Hell, its not even broken in yet.