The Accurate Reloading Forums
Kimber Feeds good now.
18 January 2011, 16:30
Terry BlauwkampKimber Feeds good now.
I had a new Caprivi 375 H&H that shoots just great, "one at a time", but feeds like it has sand paper in the magzine, ( if it does not jam).
The bolt face is terribly rough too.
Sent it back to Kimber and it was returned very quickly...
Still feeds like crap....
Called them and they pulled up the work order and it says... "fired 10 shots, works fine."
It does shoot "fine", but feeds poorly.
Obviously no one read the letter I had inside.
So am sending it back again..
Another UPS charge to pay, plus wasted gas to and from the shipper.
Will let you know what happens.
Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission.
18 January 2011, 17:42
eezridrTerry,
I am not sure I have every acquired a new bolt rifle with the action as smooth as I like it. I just put some JB bore paste on the lugs and along the rails and work the action 1000 times. Then add a small portion on the Shooter choice extreme grease. Amazing what it does. As for the feeding? Hope they can help you out.
18 January 2011, 17:48
Terry BlauwkampI agree... but for $3,000 I'd expect better quality. Eventually I'm sure I'll end up using JB and 600 paper to smooth things up, but want them to work on it first.
Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission.
18 January 2011, 18:00
22WRFNew Rifles should be sold like new cars. You ought to be able to take them out for a "test drive".
18 January 2011, 18:35
jorgeTerry: There have been numerous (far too many in my opinion) bad reports of erratic Kimber quality control of their rifles. I agree with you, for 3K that rifle should be near-perfect. The fact you sent it tho them and they didn't bother to read your complaint, speaks volumes.
They are very nice rifles, I'd send it to Mark Penrod and forget their lackluster service. jorge
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
Cogswell & Harrison 375 Fl NE
Sabatti Big Five 375 FL Magnum NE
DSC Life Member
NRA Life Member
18 January 2011, 19:16
surestrikeKimber has HORRIBLE customer service as you are finding out.
19 January 2011, 06:41
MMSHad a Talketna. Looked great, functioned flawlessly. Would not group. Sent to customer service (any thing but). After sever trips back and forth, several threats, much hand wringing and hair pullinjg they refunded my money. Talked to Kimber's VP of marketing at DSC last year face to face. He said their customer service sucks. Comes from the top. Not enough complaints to be proactive. Good luck.
19 January 2011, 07:00
Idaho SharpshooterThe 375's I have seen just reinforce my personal opinion that you cannot make a standard length action feed the 300& 375 H&H cartridges consistently. The money they saved by not doing it right will pale in comparison to all the bad mouthing they are getting here and elsewhere.
Only the ones that the American Rifleman pimp Mark O'Keefe got work properly. His article was a triumph of ad dollars over quality and honesty in writing an article. Free trip to Africa = glowing report.
Rich
20 January 2011, 02:30
jorgeWinchester managed to do it quite nicely Rich.
USN (ret)
DRSS Verney-Carron 450NE
Cogswell & Harrison 375 Fl NE
Sabatti Big Five 375 FL Magnum NE
DSC Life Member
NRA Life Member
20 January 2011, 04:44
Aggie"Winchester managed to do it quite nicely Rich."
So has Sterling Davenport, and numerous others.
20 January 2011, 08:03
lavacaTerry:
Agree with you on Kimber customer "lack of" service. Have a .458 Lott Caprivi that wasn't on paper with irons at 50 yds. (Now I realize they thought I was some wanker who couldn't shoot a big bore). After 3 shots, the barrel band came off. So I sent it back and said that I wanted an intact rifle and while they were at it, I would like it on paper if you please.
They said "where is it hitting" and I said if it was on f...ing paper I could tell you, but then I could also solve the problem now couldn't I? I think they were less than impressed, perhaps I should have used more polite language.
Got the rifle back. They told me they shot it out of a lead slead (God knows how many times) and decided that it needed a lower front sight. No mention of the detached barrel band, but it appeared sufficently re-attached. After taking the rifle out to the stock, there appeared to be no permanent damage from firing it in the sled. Bedding all appeared ok.
And, they charged me $35 for shipping. Wait, didn't I ship it back because your barrel band fell off? Oh yes, but company policy is ...
Now to say I was somewhat perturbed is a bit of an understatement. But, I just paid it; I like that Kimber. But I'll never buy another.
By the way, my other Kimber is for sale. Anyone want a .300 Win Mag 8400 Montana that will consistently -- and I mean consistently -- group around 2-2 1/2 inches with premium factory loads at 100 yards off the bench. Hey that's plenty good for deer huntin' bubba.
Now with the right loads, it will tighten up to MOA. I don't handload any more. For the handloader, I'll make you a deal. Actually, if you handload, it's a nice, very lightweight rifle. It's just picky as hell.
25 January 2011, 18:26
Terry Blauwkampquote:
Originally posted by Terry Blauwkamp:
I have a new Caprivi 375 H&H that shoots just great, "one at a time", but feeds like it has sand paper in the magzine, ( if it does not jam).
The bolt face is terribly rough too.
Sent it back to Kimber and it was returned very quickly...
Still feeds like crap....
Called them and they pulled up the work order and it says... "fired 10 shots, works fine."
It does shoot "fine", but feeds poorly.
Obviously no one read the letter I had inside.
So am sending it back again..
Another UPS charge to pay, plus wasted gas to and from the shipper.
Will let you know what happens.
Kimber is sending a new gun......... will let you know how it feeds.
Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission.
03 February 2011, 21:10
Terry BlauwkampNew gun feeds much better.
Shoots just fine too.
Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission.
03 February 2011, 21:17
ledvmquote:
Sent it back to Kimber and it was returned very quickly...
Still feeds like crap....
Called them and they pulled up the work order and it says... "fired 10 shots, works fine."
I will NEVER buy another Kimber. I like the rifles OK but their customer service SUCKS!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM
A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House
No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.
03 February 2011, 21:20
GeorgeSTerry,
I am glad you were finally made whole.
George
03 February 2011, 21:27
shootawayWhat kind of company would make a rifle that doesn't feed? Next thing you know they will make rifles with bent barrels.
03 February 2011, 22:47
Cross L
03 February 2011, 23:05
Zephyrthere is a Kimber Of Oregon .416 rigby for sale on the internet, any comment of the early rifles??
04 February 2011, 22:42
Bukkenquote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
What kind of company would make a rifle that doesn't feed? Next thing you know they will make rifles with bent barrels.
I can't say for Kimber, but I remember looking through a 308 Remington barrel. When I looked along one side of the bore, only a half moon was visible at the end. I am sure other manufacturers have sold similar substandard barrels every once in a while or more. All barrels are not created equal.
Charlie's listening!
04 February 2011, 22:49
GeorgeSquote:
Originally posted by Bob Rose:
there is a Kimber Of Oregon .416 rigby for sale on the internet, any comment of the early rifles??
From prior posts on the internet forums, the rifles made at the end of Kimber of Oregon's existence are an iffy proposition at best.
Unless the price leaves enough room to have a competent gunsmith fix any potential problems, I'd avoid them.
George