Author Topic: Any Kimber owners out there? (Read 959 times)

TScottO · « **on:** March 13, 2004, 10:42:55 AM »

Are the Kimber rim fires worth the dollar? Those of you have forked out the extra money for a Kimber, what are you reasons for doing so? This board doesnt have many threads on Kimber 22s. I looked at one at the gun shop the other day. They really do look to be a high quality firearm. Im just not sure the Kimber Classic is worth the $915.00 price tag. Give me your thoughts on this gun please.

Thanks,
Scott

chunter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2004, 11:54:00 AM »

I have had a couple different Kimbers, and have since went to Anschutz. If you are going to buy a Kimber, buy the Kimber of Oregon. Since moving to New York they fell to pieces. I have been told that they are getting better, but almost everyone I talk to that has a new Kimber have accuracy problems, receiver problems, bolt problems, etc.

I will probably get flamed for this by some devoted Kimber shooter. But, from my experience a Kimber of Oregon is a very nice rifle. They are known to shoot well and are well made, unlike the new Kimbers.

I bought a new Kimber a while back to shoot silhouette. I had to send it back to Kimber seven times to fix problems that arose. I then took this rifle and went to the Nationals in Raton, New Mexico. During the first match my bolt stop broke, so I everytime I pulled my bolt back it would come all the way out of the gun, in addition to this, Lones Wigger was on the left of me using a cleaning rod to eject all of his shells out of his Kimber. I had three other guys down the line having an array of issues with there Kimbers. I can tell you that Kimber did not have a very good showing that day. I called up the VP of Kimber at the time and told him of my woes and he told me to send the gun back and that he would give me my money back. I then decided that if I wanted a top of the line rimfire I was going to buy an Anschutz, and I haven't looked back yet.

Remember that this is just my opinion and what I have experienced. Someone else can give you a totally different perspective.

TScottO · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2004, 01:07:30 PM »

This surely isnt an encouraging report for Kimber. Perhaps they have spent too much time here of late producing 1911s and need to regain focus in their rimfires. I wouldnt think with as much pride as they put into making quality handguns that they would allow problematic guns such as yours to stay on the market. Ive been looking for a nice 22 bolt gun and would like to by an American gun if possible. The Anschutz Ive researched seem to run a couple hundred bucks higher than the Kimber. Which model Anschutz did you decide on?

Thanks,
Scott

Phil in Alabama · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2004, 02:04:52 PM »

Apparently they're not ALL bad, I have one that I have owned for two years now, never had a lick of trouble out of it. Nothing broken, beautiful wood, perfect finish, superb trigger. My Kimber shoots 1/2" at 50 yards no problem with SK Match and Match 50, 5/8" easily with CCI Minimags. Only thing I have experienced, I have experienced the same exact thing with every single bolt action .22 that I have owned, if you don't cycle the bolt briskly, the empties will occasionally fall back into the action. I have a friend who owns an Anschutz 1416D, and it happens to do exactly the same thing, my CZ 452 and Ruger 77-22 did also. I also happen to really like the Oregon Kimbers, and if I ever have a chance and enough cash on hand, I will buy one of them. BUT, I will be keeping this NY Kimber, unlike the many other unsatisfying rimfire rifles that I have traded off in the past. If anybody cares to see a picture of this rifle, look in the galleries at Rimfire Central under "Kimber" (duh!). BTW, this is my first ever post here at Graybeards, I have read quite a bit here, but never took time to register and post; nice site, well organized, and plenty of different topics to keep everybody busy.

Marty · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:55:52 PM »

I own two Kimbers of Oregon, and wouldn't part with either. I also own a couple of Anschutz rifles. I started shooting Anschutz 30 years ago, and with no regrets ( I recommend the 54 action) I find they shoot comparable; any difference would be due to the part of the shooter. I have had the same 22 case falling into the action w. my Kimber SVT; it does seem to help by opening it smartly as suggested earlier. Actually disappointed to hear of the disatisfaction w. the neew Kimbers. I think the Varmint/Hunter would make a nice silhouette rifle.

Marty

Fla Brian · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2004, 08:09:39 AM »

I've got one of the stainless barrel limited run (750 pieces) of 82C Classics from Clackamus. I wouldn't part with it for anything.

I found myself in a local gun store a number of years ago, looking for a decent .22 to start silhouette shooting. There she was in the rack. I couldn't resist handling her even though the price was far more than I wanted to spend. I visited her at the store a couple more times, and the second trip was made with a friend of mine. He saw the look on my face and suggested I put it on layaway. The feller behind the counter said no one seemed to want to part with so much money for a mere .22 lr, so he was glad someone was interested in it and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Funny thing is, the day after we made the deal, another guy came into the store wanting to buy it. I came that close to missing out on the sweetest shooter.

As a bonus (and it helps with the budget) it loves those cheap Winchester Wildcats. Among the other inexpensive things it likes are Lapua Club Standard and Winchester T22s. (I'm about to try it out with the Wolf Match Target that I just got in.) Go figure, a champagne rifle with beer taste.

I have a little bit of experience with an Anschutz rifle. I used a borrowed one to score a 19 in my very first round of silhouettes. If I didn't have my sweet Kimber and my tricked out 10/22, I'd probably be really wanting to have one of them.

Timerider · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2004, 01:20:06 PM »

I own two of the Kimber 82 Government Target Model's from the CMP. I set one up with a target scope and left the other with the aperture sights. I did put a Lyman 93 Match Globe on the front of it, and use a set of Lee Shaver sight inserts for it. I can get well under dime size groups with either of them at 50 yds., under a quarter size at 100yds if I do my part right. Both rifles like Eley Ultimate EPS, Lapua Midas: L and M, and Wolf Match Extra. The wolf doesn't perform as well when the weather gets cooler though. Tried some of the cheaper target rounds and several varieties of bulk ammo, but the accuracy just isn't there for me with this stuff. It is a shame that they let their quality slip since moving, but maybe in time, it will be back where it once was. Just my .02 worth! :grin:
Timerider

lilabner · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2004, 05:11:36 AM »

It kind of depends on what you want in a rifle. The Oregon Kimbers were, in my opinion, the most beautiful .22 ever made and very accurate. I don't know about the NY version. If you have the money to spend, I'd recommend an Oregon rifle. If you want absolute best accuracy, you probably should look at an Anschutz 54 which is very expensive. If you want something moderately priced with near Anschutz accuracy, look at the CZ 452 American or Varmint models (slightly over $300.)
Expensive rifles are built with best materials and best quality control and ready to go out of the box. If you love fine guns and can afford the best, buy the best. Otherwise, buy the best you can afford!

Dwarfmiester · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2004, 08:51:09 AM »

I was lookimg for a realy good .22 lr., the Anschutz was out of my price range. I had just about settled on an Kimber HS when I was shown a Sako Finnfire Hunter. The stock is a little more robust than the Kimber and everything I can find says the barrels on the Sako are better than the Kimbers. So I have a Sako Finnfire Varmit on order via slow boat from Finland. When It comes in I will post a range report here, and we will see if I made a good choice. I can second everthing said about the Oregon Kimbers, a fellow shooter needed help sighting his in at a Sil. Match and when we were done I put 10 pigs down with the first 10 shots. I couldn't do that all the time with a Anschutz 64 MS. Thanks to Timerider, I had heard good things about the Wolf ammo but was disappointed when it would not shoot, range conditions in Western N. Y. in winter are always cold! So I will give it a another try it's supposed to get up to 50 next week.