Let's see. Google says:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/tactical-ii/tactical-custom-ii
and does it come with a rail?
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/tactical-ii/tactical-entry-ii

Many retailers will sell Kimbers at $150 to $200 under MSRP.
In fact, my local master dealer will often beat Bud'sGuns price, OTD.

 

Let's see. Google says:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/tactical-ii/tactical-custom-ii
and does it come with a rail?
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/tactical-ii/tactical-entry-ii

Many retailers will sell Kimbers at $150 to $200 under MSRP.
In fact, my local master dealer will often beat Bud'sGuns price, OTD.

both of those are great guns. I noticed that they pretty much replaced the TLE models. My first run in with both of these guns was when they came in to the shop i was working at as demo guns and were not supposed to be sold, but both of them were sold within a week.

 

The tactical custom 2 is my first love. Buy it don't pass go. go straight to the store and but it. If you want the one with a rail it is the tactical entry model.
The tactical is light and shoots like a dream. If you can't tell I am still in love. PleSe let me know what you do.


sorry for the pic I just had to brag

Good luck

 

I've carried a Tactical Custom since 2008 and have had no problems at all with it. I have heard that magazines with metal followers can ding up the frame at the feed ramp, but I use Wilson 47s with plastic followers and have no issues at all.

 

Thanks for the great feedback guys! I "pulled the trigger" and can't wait for the waiting period to expire to pick it up (in CA).

Thanks for posting pics Barratt (I love seeing what people here have done to their guns). Did you polish it yourself? That must've been tedious if you did, it definitely paid off though. The gun looks great!

LM- I read a lot about the magazine issues. I'll definitely have to get a few Wilson mags.

Question to all the owners. Anything else I should note about this gun (to do, not to do)? How about the breaking it in, I've read that I should use ball ammo, any particular brand?

 

1911's LOVE ball ammo. Get some good mags. my tactical loves chip, ACT, wilson. you will Love the gun. to you Q about what I did to mine. Nothing that is the Stock Tactical, like I said fell in love.

Enjoy!!

 

you live in the bay, eh? Where did you find it in stock? I too live here in the yayarea.

Brace yourself - you will undoubtedly get some jams. Break in can last as much as 500+ rounds. My Custom ii had little hiccups out until about 700 rounds. Luckily I shoot a lot, so it was only 3 range trips before I got through that. The gun shoots awesome now - the trigger is amazing for the price of the gun - at about 5k rounds now, and it breaks like glass. The action is also very smooth, thumb safety has a very positive engagement without being gritty feeling.

Document any jam you get, and if you can, take a picture of it, then share it here!

There is also a known problem with the slide lock, which has a tendency to rub on rounds as they cycle through the mag - which causes premature lock back. If this happens even once, call up kimber customer support and tell them you are getting premature lockback - they will send you a new slide lock without many other questions aside from your address.

Aside from these issues - you will love the gun - just don't get too bummed if you have some jams. I will also suggest leaving your friends at home until your gun is broken in and reliable - nothing is more castrating than your new gun failing in front of your friends - and who knows how they will address jams as they occur.

For ammo - honestly, with prices the way they are - I'd say get the cheapest 230gr ammo you can get - or purchase a reloader, and load yourself some Moly coated Lead bullets. Shoots cleaner than jacketed ammo, easier to clean up, no leading, no lead vapors and cheap(er than FMJ or plated). Even FMJ's have lead vapor, because the base of the bullet is bare lead. Whatever you do, I'd suggest avoiding TMJ or "plated" bullets - which seem to shoot dirtier than anything else I've but through my gun - and copper fouling is much nastier than lead fouling (both can occur because the plating is so thin)

My reloads cost me a touch less than $20 per 100 - and you'll find most .45acp is $20-25 per 50. With my reloader (lee hand loader + 4 piece die set) costing under $200, I payed for the reloading set up before my break in was over.

 

You've got me curious about reloading. Yes, definitely saves $$$. Can you suggest a good tutorial for this (preferably one showing a .45acp reload). Also if you have any good links of where to get these supplies I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

Bo, thanks for the pointers. Hopefully I can get through it without any jams. BAGV in mountain view had it in stock. They've got a nice selection of Kimber 1911's. Stop by if you ever get the chance.

Barratt, wow that's rare? Mine comes in matte gray frame and matte black slide (like the picture below).

 

Kimber went thru several changes with the finish on the frames of the Tacticals. They were initially a much lighter grey, then they went to almost an olive green color, then a darker grey (which I have, below), and the current ones I see are almost the same black as the slide; maybe a half-shade's difference.

This is mine, tweaked for my tastes, with my Sam Hatfield custom CCO (don't have any current ones of just the Tactical):

 

Reloading

Get on YouTube and search "ultimate reloader 45acp" a guy name Gavin has some very good videos, it's a great hobby to get into

 

I picked up a Kimber Tactical Custom II last week and ran 250 rounds of 230gr FMJ through it today. This is by far the best gun I have ever shot or owned, bar none! The previous posters remarks continue to describe this weapon perfectly. This is my first experience with the 1911 platform and I have very much fallen in love (I am so glad that I am single).

I had one FTF at round 47, which I attribute to the crappy stock mag; but no problems at all from there through round 250. I cleaned per the owners manual, prior to firing and every 100 rounds; which actually helped me improve my skills at field stripping and assembly. I plan to replace the mag with Wilson 47s, asap.

 

Tactical Custom ll & Tactical Custom HD ll

Congrats on the new Kimber - I have the Tactical Custom ll and the Tactical Custom HD ll - Both are running great - I haven't had either one that long - I have them at the range every weekend - They both have well over 1500 rounds through each of them - Make sure you keep your Tactical Custom ll really wet during breakin - The dissimilar metals need the extra lube while breaking in - I would run 100 rounds then remove the slide and lube the rails and barrel lugs and start shooting again - Once broke in normal lubrication is fine - I use Wilson Ultima-Lube - It stays in place and keeps the gun running great - I also put VZ Gator Backs on them - They control you get with them is a real improvement over the stock Kimber grips

 

There is nothing wrong with Kimber mags, there was a problem with steel followers in aluminum frames at one time but that's been taken care of on the newer guns. You can buy wilson springs and followers from alot of suppliers for very little money if it makes you feel better. Wilson mags are good quality, no question, but I wouldn't spend alot of money replaceing the Kimber mags. If it aint broke don't fix it. You will need to take your mags apart and clean them occasionally. There really isn't any reason to do anything until you have put alot of rounds down range, we all like to play with our guns but the most fun is shooting them.