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Kimber Quality
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The Classic Pistol Project had one goal - to create the finest production 1911 of all time. Our pistols would have the same quality, dependability and accuracy of those hand-built by custom pistolsmiths, but would sell for a price similar to a standard Colt® or Springfield®. From forgings to pins and screws; Kimber manufacturers, finishes and assembles in America. In three years our goal was realized.
It starts with parts.
Early on the Kimber design team realized three parts determine the quality of a 1911; the frame, slide and barrel. Machining them to closer tolerances and with greater part-to-part consistency than had been done before would ensure success. Ultra-tight tolerances would also eliminate the hand fitting required to make other brands accurate and dependable.
Critical dimensions within the frame, slide and barrel were analyzed and identified to be over one hundred in total. Kimber engineers developed a gauging system that inspected each dimension during manufacturing. Over $500,000 was invested in gauges, including a true position gauge for measuring frame holes. These holes must be in exactly the right position as all other dimensions are completely dependent on them.
The machines.
A few years ago it was impossible to manufacture a pistol with the quality of a Kimber. The finest machines could not hold the necessary tolerances. One of the reasons Kimber succeeded was that we did not use outdated, worn machinery. Instead, we built a new state-of-the-art factory.
The engineering team perfected and dimensioned each part on a CAD/CAM computer system and loaded the information into computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines that do the manufacturing. Computers drive almost everything at Kimber, eliminating human error. Parts are continually checked during manufacture by a quality assurance inspector. Finished parts are inspected by a machine with computerized probes that verify dimensions to one ten thousandth (.0001) inch, or 1/30th the width of a human hair. Over two hundred different inspections are performed during the manufacturing process.
Worn tools are the enemy of precision manufacturing so Kimber developed computer programs to monitor tool usage and wear. Machines replace tools before they exhibit meaningful wear to ensure quality.
The right stuff
World champion speed shooter Chip McCormick is a member of our design team. He was determined to develop a pistol with all the desirable custom parts and features. Drawing from his competition experience, Kimber pistols have a host of standard features that would cost hundreds or even thousands if they were fitted by a pistolsmith. Match grade trigger groups, high ride beavertail grip safeties, beveled magazine wells, lowered and flared ejection ports, tactical extractors, rounded and blended edges and low profile combat sights are some of his contributions.
Other manufacturers now install similar features, but comparison will show the superior quality of Kimber parts as well as our tighter tolerances. Shake their guns and they rattle like a child's toy. Do the same with a Kimber and you won't hear a thing. Tight guns don't rattle.
Material quality is as important as design and precision machining. Premium materials machine truer and hold tight tolerances. They resist wear and ensure a lifetime of flawless performance. Kimber uses only the finest materials. Each slide, barrel and steel frame is machined from a solid forging. Forgings are more expensive than the castings used by most other manufacturers but yield a stronger, more accurate part.
Kimber aluminum frames are machined from a brick of the finest aluminum, 7075-T7, which is extremely hard and pure. Each is cut in profile and finished on the same machines as our steel frames. Our aluminum frames have been tested to 20,000 rounds with zero measurable wear. The gun used in this durability test was then shot for accuracy. This stock Compact Aluminum shot groups under two inches at twenty five yards.
When you buy a Kimber you get what you pay for and then some. No other brand comes close.
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Prices not shown due to Kimber price policies. For prices, please e-mail us here. |
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