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I finally had a chance to take my GCS out shooting today. Prior to use I had removed the mag well and factory grips, and also added a Colt thumb safety (I hate extended/ambi ones). Anyway, I was able to fire 100 rounds of hardball during my lunch break. My verdict: lots of potential, but definitely not perfect out of the box. I had two failures to feed where the loaded round jumped up and nearly out of the ejection port instead of going where it belonged. Maybe the magazines, but I was only using ones I have never had prior trouble with so I doubt it. Accuracy was quite good, but it was hard to tell how good because the trigger pull was very gritty. I had cleaned the pistol before shooting, so I need to look at the hammer/sear surfaces to see what's up. I had several fliers in my groups, but I don't know yet if the awful trigger, the gun, or the user caused them. The pistol felt comfortable to the hand, and the checkering didn't hurt my hands at all.
Once I get it tuned up and the few problems ironed out it should be an excellent pistol, especially after I do a few more changes like a Novak rear sight, Brown beavertail and USGI guide rod/plug setup. However, I am a bit amazed that this factory "custom" pistol performed no better than an out of the box specimen might typically do. A few hundred dollars more for night sights, extended mag well and 30lpi checkering? I don't think so!
This is my second experience with a so-called "Custom Shop" Kimber. The first was phenomenally accurate, but had reliability issues. As a result I'm inclined to tell any prospective new owner to buy only a base model Kimber, and add the fluff later if you want. You'll be ahead money-wise even if the rollmarks aren't as special.
Once I get it tuned up and the few problems ironed out it should be an excellent pistol, especially after I do a few more changes like a Novak rear sight, Brown beavertail and USGI guide rod/plug setup. However, I am a bit amazed that this factory "custom" pistol performed no better than an out of the box specimen might typically do. A few hundred dollars more for night sights, extended mag well and 30lpi checkering? I don't think so!
This is my second experience with a so-called "Custom Shop" Kimber. The first was phenomenally accurate, but had reliability issues. As a result I'm inclined to tell any prospective new owner to buy only a base model Kimber, and add the fluff later if you want. You'll be ahead money-wise even if the rollmarks aren't as special.