NC Bureau of Alcohol enforcement bought every agent a $1000+ Kimber a few years ago. Traded them all in 13 months later due to severe reliability issues. Please stop trying to lecture us on how great things are based solely on how expensive they are. I suppose next you'll try to tell us about how horrible AK's are because of there low cost and stamped metal actions.
Kevinsmith- I assume this is directed at me, so I will respond. I am not "lecturing" anyone. This is an open forum were you post something, usually an opinion, and other people post in return, usually their opinion. That's how a forum works. I never stated things are great based solely on price. My RIA 1911, at $365 is a well made, and reliable weapon, and a great deal. Ruger, S&W, Colt, SIG, Kimber, and Glock handguns are not considered high price guns, they are considered the average, and usually run between $500 and about $1000. That is the real cost for a good service grade handgun.
Bryco, Jennings, Hi Point, and the like may work just fine for your intended use and expectations, and if so, more power to you. But you can't convince me pot metal guns of this ilk are just as accurate, well made, long term reliable and durable as the weapons offered by the makers noted above. But again, my opinion.
R/E the NC ALE "problem" with Kimbers. Me thinks there is a little more to that story then meets the eye. Below are a few quotes from the Charlotte Observer:
"The Kimbers replaced Sig Sauer handguns bought in 2003 and 2005 for about $685 each. The Sig pistols, which Chandler said were worn out, were declared "surplus" and sold to agents for $326.
A review of Internal ALE records going back three decades shows the agency has bought all new firearms every few years. The old guns are then typically sold to ALE staff, usually for less than half the price the state originally paid.
Records show that since 2000, the agency has sold at least 373 pistols and shotguns back to its own agents. Some agents have bought as many as six discounted weapons in the last decade, sometimes buying more than one of the same model."
"In addition to the new pistols, ALE agents have been issued new assault rifles after leaders determined their $1,495 Swiss-made Sig Sauer rifles, bought in 2006, weren't up to snuff, either."
The fact that Kimber only began manufacturing 1911's in I believe the mid 90's, and quickly came to "own" the 1911 market, and even now probably makes up at least half of all 1911 sales pretty much flies in the face of the experiences of certian ALE Officers. But again, just my opinion...
Oh yea, I would take a modern piston AR over an AK any day.....
Larry
