|
Post by Buckshot on Feb 25, 2005 1:26:15 GMT -5
Compulsive,
Sounds like a good new purchase!
I have only two objections to a Kimber and neither one is really serious. One, as you encountered (bruned out, or up, credit card), The other is the forward slide serations. Don't really cause any problems with the firearm. I have seen them eat a holster and I just don't like the looks of them.
But that is (except for holsters, and only leather holsters then) purely cosmetic.
Good purchase.
Bucskhot
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Feb 25, 2005 7:34:42 GMT -5
Amazing! I know I can be shallow at times, but if Kimber was a person I would be kissing her feet. Okay, enough about lust.
The Kimber Tactical Custom II recoil was minimal and comparable to my Glock 19, almost and way less than my Glock 23. What recoil there was with the Kimber felt soft and light. This pistol is accurate! I shot 50 rounds with all of them hitting within 4 inches of center at about 10 yards distance. Shooting a pistol for the first time and placing 50 rounds in an 8 inch circle at 10 yards is not bad for my skill level. Getting the sights back on target was also quick and easy because of the soft recoil.
I used full metal jacketed practice ammo for all three firearms. American Eagle 9mm 115 gr. with the Glock 19, American Eagle 40 S&W 155 gr. with the Glock 23 and Winchester 45 auto 185 gr. with the Kimber. I haven't noticed any difference between the American Eagle and Winchester ammo.
I only have two problems with this pistol. The slide serrations are sharp, not cut and bleed sharp, but they definitely grab the skin. The second problem is the double thumb safety which can make racking the slide an adventure in bleeding if your not careful.
I try and use the same movement loading a pistol as I would use to clear a misfire. The move is called tap, rack, bang. So, with much enthusiasm I slammed the magazine (tap) into place right along with part of my little finger. Big blood blister and lots of whining followed. Then I racked the slide, again using much enthusiasm and a followed through with my hand motion toward my shoulder. Remember the double thumb safety? Well they stick out just a little and just enough to grab and separate flesh from bone as the fingers fly by while racking the slide with much enthusiasm and hand follow through. Yup, lots of bleeding, finger sucking and whining of course.
I really like this pistol and plan to buy another more suitable for CCW. Care must be used however,when operating any firearm and with minor changes, mostly finger positioning, this Kimber will be a hoot to shoot.
|
|
Trisha
Junior Member
Posts: 35
|
Post by Trisha on Feb 25, 2005 13:02:56 GMT -5
(mischevious chuckling)
More suitable for concealed carry? Compulsive, that pistol is perfect for a Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig, or Sidearmor hip rig! Better yet, get both for the flexibility!
Okay, so I enjoy 1911's I admit! It sounds (grousing and snipped bits of finger flesh aside) that you're more than happy - outstanding!
That ambi safety will be calling to you to work on weak-hand drills before long, and getting used to such a good firearm is an easy learning curve. Try some quality ammunition - you'll notice the difference in one mag!
Before long you'll be buying ammo by the case - and then it'll be on to the delights of reloading. . .
I'm glad to hear you're having fun!
Trisha
|
|
|
Post by Buckshot on Feb 26, 2005 1:22:01 GMT -5
Compuslive,
NOW you are getting the idea!
Some suggestions:
1. Deep six the 185 gr. .45 ACP and get into the habit of using hardball (230 gr.) for practice.
2. Sometimes people (even stupid on str8 retro people) actually know what they are talking about! That combination of handgun and ammo (hardball) was designed as the most that a typical person can handle in a firefight. ALL HAIL JOHN MOSES BR0WNING!
3. Get in the habit of keeping your control hand thumb (right thumb when shooting right handed, left thumb when shootoing lefthanded) ON THE SAFETY lever.
4. Your description of the "TAP, RACK, BANG, OUCH" drill makes me wonder how, exactly, you are cycling the slide. Are you doing it overhand like you are wiping a stovepipe out of the ejection port or are you working it like you are using a slingshot?
5. Most of what is bothering you is the differences in the different handguns you are shooting. Once you get used to the M1911 series the others won't feel the same.
See, THERE IS LIFE AFTER COMBAT TUPPERWARE!
You have now reached the rank of Novice in the Church of John Moses Browning. May our researches and practices proceed and you gain knowledge and move up in ranking!
Buckshot
|
|
|
Post by Buckshot on Feb 26, 2005 1:23:50 GMT -5
Trisha Some of these kids these days just don't understand, even when they are at the pinical and have it as good as it is going to get!
:^)
Buckshot
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Feb 26, 2005 10:07:13 GMT -5
Okay, this is what I did wrong as pointed out by a grinning Carl S. When racking the slide, the fingers grip the slide at the back by the hammer, fingers curled to hold the slide only and by the thumb. When I did it I grabbed the entire slide with fingers extended. Ouch and never again. Case ammo is the only way to go besides reloading of course. I've been buying by the case for everything I shoot but the $ amount for 45 cal. is another ouch. I'll get a case or two then start the reloading. I also need to get a crony to figure what powder charge to use, then begins the reloading fun. I'll also check out the holsters you mentioned Trisha. Has anyone used an in side the pants holster? The 1911 bug bit hard, actually, everything I jump into has a bug that bites hard. I didn't pick the handle "compulsive" on a whim. This bug has lead me down the road to sacrilegious behavior. For the second time in my life I sold off some firearms I didn't like or could not use. I dumped the S&W 357AirLite that hurt to shoot more than I cared for, but the pistol I sold that put my name on hell's waiting list was the Glock 21. The handle was to big making the 21 to hard to control for good shot grouping at 10 yards. After shooting the Kimber I realized the fallacy of trying to do the impossible. The Glock gods have cast their wrath upon me. So I figured the best way to medicate my shame was to buy a Kimber Compact Stainless II. Hopefully I'll have this in a few days and when I get my hands on it, don't get between me and the shooting range cause you'll have foot prints running up your back. We really need a smiley face that shrugs, you know?
|
|
|
Post by cougar on Feb 27, 2005 0:09:16 GMT -5
Compulsive269 told us, with snippage: I'll also check out the holsters you mentioned Trisha. Has anyone used an in side the pants holster? So I figured the best way to medicate my shame was to buy a Kimber Compact Stainless II. Except for occasional pocket carry of a S&W J-frame snubby, my Milt Sparks "Summer Special" IWB holsters are my primary carry mode. Most of the time it's my S&W 3913, a gun which is probably very similar in size to your new Kimber Compact. Depending on the weather and other conditions, I'll wear a sweater or sport jacket to cover the gun. In summer I'm very comfortable wearing this gun/holster combo even in light weight slacks or shorts, covered by a Hawaiian style shirt not tucked into the pants. If you're comfortable keeping the belt snug, the Milt Sparks holster will keep the grip of your gun firmly against your side and retention of the gun is very good while ease of draw is also very good. I also have a Milt Sparks IWB for my Hi Power and it too is quite comfortable, though the gun itself is noticeably heavier than the Smith & Wesson. I understand that there is somewhat of a waiting list for some varieties of Milt Sparks holsters. They are of excellent quality Cougar
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Feb 27, 2005 14:43:00 GMT -5
I have a difficult time with CCW in the warm months which is why I've gone to a Glock 26 or 27 with an ankle holster. I'll check out the shoulder and IWB holsters for more versatility.
|
|
|
Post by StonerStudent on Apr 24, 2005 22:11:01 GMT -5
You may have a pistol smith do some tuning on the Kimber...I had a Commander that the thumb safety chewed a nice hole in my thumb knucle I just polished down all the sharp edges and that problem went away. ;D
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Jun 16, 2005 5:30:17 GMT -5
Has anyone ever shot a 25 cal. colt pistol? I really need to get off my ample behind and build a box of truth. Anyway, I picked up a couple of 25 cal pistols; a colt and a czechoslovakia Z aut pistole 6.35 mm. I'm half way tempted to send the colt back to their custom dept. and let them work it over. Fun little pistols.
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Nov 7, 2006 4:04:35 GMT -5
I just purchased a S&W 637-2 from a friend for $250 that he bought for home defense. The 637 is a snub nose 38 special and is a light metal alloy revolver. He shot about 15 rounds at a target about 60 feet away and only managed to put two or three holes in the 4X4 sheet of plywood. Go figure! This also happens to be the first pistol he's ever shot. As with most hard headed guys he decided bigger would be better! He also would not listen to advice about practice or using the little firearm for what it was intended.
Gawd only knows what he'll buy next. I just hope it isn't one of those S&W 500 monsters. My hand isn't big enough to hold one of those things, but if he wants to dump his next purchase and the price is right ........ :>)
|
|
|
Post by StonerStudent on Nov 15, 2006 18:25:36 GMT -5
I ran a cylinder load though a 500.......not as bad as I thought it would be
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Nov 25, 2006 3:29:15 GMT -5
I just read that the Alaskan is now made in a 44. caliber and that Ruger is making a 4" Redhawk for normal loads. I might have to check them out.
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Dec 24, 2006 5:47:39 GMT -5
I have two new ccw toys; a S&W331-2 and a 3032 Beretta Tomcat. Both are 32 caliber and should be fun to shoot. To bad for me tomorrow is football worship day and the day after is Xmas. I imagine I'll start shooting them sometime later. Hows that for minimalist thinking!
|
|
|
Post by compulsive269 on Mar 23, 2007 5:54:57 GMT -5
Got another new toy and ccw gun today. I picked up a Kimber Eclipse Ultra II and with any luck I'll get to start breaking it in real soon. The one thing I can't get over with Kimber, however, is their annoying habit of including only one magazine with each firearm. For what people pay for their pistols you would think Kimber would at least include a second mag.
|
|