Count yourself lucky BKC:
Here's my Kimber experience with a new blue Gold Match:
Let's see, where do I begin.
Gun arrived with big scratch in the slide. When I disassembled it to clean and lube before shooting, there were metal shavings in the gun and rough, jagged metal flash at the forward end of the left rail. The trigger wobbled from side to side, had a "three-stage" pull with lots of creep.
Range test: The gun jammed on fmj, every 12 rounds or so. The rear site came loose after 40 rounds. Shooting from rest, the gun shot 2.5" high at 25', with adjustable sight maxed out to compensate. Recoil spring has sharp ends that score guide rod, causing groves in metal that drag. Creep in trigger gets worse. Back to factory.
Smith explains metal shavings are function of "fitting" process. Gun is put in fixture, then mechanical ram drives back and forth until the slide will cycle. Apparently they never even cleaned and lubed the gun before shipping!
Range test 2: Gun still jams, tried many different kinds of mags. Gun still shoots high, then Rear sight comes loose again. On advice of factory, I put 500 rounds of ball through it over three sessions. Jamming now more frequent, with last round in mag jamming most of the time (FTF). Creep in trigger now on and off, but it changes trigger pull significantly from shot to shot. When it breaks cleanly, it is a nice 4 lbs or so. When the "three-stage" effect occurs, perceived trigger pull is much higher. Accuracy about 2" at 25' off rest(I can do 3/4" group with my HK45 at 25'). Spring scores guide rod so badly it has to be replaced. Now intermittent stovepiping begins. Back to factory.
Range test 3: Gun still shoots high. Jams continue even with premium aftermarket mags. Grip screws come loose. Rear sight comes loose. Right side MIM ambi-safety deforms and bends inward, scratching frame. Back to factory.
Kimber sends new replacement Gold Match. I dry-fire it in shop. Gritty trigger with lots of creep. I put it up for sale, unfired.
Lesson learned: Kimber ain't what it used to be. Cost of lesson $150 lost value plus $100 in shipping costs, plus $50 in FFL fees.
No more Ks for me thank you. YMMV.
Considering this was a $1000+ gun, I was shocked by how bad it was, compared to HKs, Sigs, SWs and others I've owned. By comparison, I recently got a p7m8, new for $800. Sights perfectly regulated. 2500 rounds without a FTF or FTE, beautiful machining, one ragged hole accuracy at 25'. The Kimber seems like it was made in a third world country by comparison--rough machining, funky trigger, crappy parts.
Yo
[This message has been edited by Yo (edited 10-20-2001).]