Kimber’s American-made bolt-action rifles have a reputation for accuracy and durability, making them a popular option among professional hunters worldwide. But these rifles are not without their faults.
Some of the Kimber rifle’s problems include deteriorating accuracy, feeding problems, cocking issue, binded bolts, smooth stock, etc.
In this post, I’ll be covering some common issues with Kimber rifles and their solutions.
Quick Overview of the Problems and Solutions
Problems | Solution |
Less accurate | Change barrel/try sanding the barrel inside/ use attachments |
Feeding problems | Change barrel/ switch to different ammunition |
Misfires | Replace firing pin spring |
Long trigger pull | Change the spring / adjust the screw |
Smooth stock | Change to different stock |
Common Kimber Rifles Problems and Solutions
In this section, we will be looking at some of the common problems of Kimber’s rifles and how to solve them.
1. Less Accurate:
The issue is that after 3-4 consecutive shots, the barrel becomes hot, affecting accuracy. Until the last few rounds, it fires 0.835 and 0.842 MOA at 100 yards. Which is adequate for wild game hunting. But then the difficulty emerges.
The accuracy begins to diminish after the sixth round. When shooting in a sequence from the sixth to eighth rounds, the shots were misdirected by 5 to 8 inches. This is due to the narrow barrel installed by Kimber on this rifle.
The Fix:
If you are facing accuracy problems, then you have three options at your hand. These are,
- Change to a barrel with a wider diameter, it will be most effective.
- Try sanding the inside of the barrel so that it produces less heat.
- Use scopes and bipods.
- Adjust the trigger.
If you wish to use the rifle for continuous shooting then you should avoid Kimber’s hunting rifles.
2. Feeding Problems:
This is another problem associated with Kimber 84m model. Once the barrel gets hot enough, sometimes it becomes hard to put a round inside. Its narrow barrel gets hot very easily.
It happens as the heat produced by continuous firing affects the internal structure of the chamber.
As the internal components occupy more space due to volume increase caused by heating. The volume of the empty chamber for the bullet gets decreased. So, sometimes the bullet does not fit in when the gun gets hot.
The Fix:
Fix for this problem is also related to the barrel. There are two fixes for this problem.
- The optimal barrel length for accuracy is between 16 and 21 inches. Shorter barrels shake more violently, resulting in a more consistent and accurate rate of fire. So, choose the length that works best for you.
- Or, you can check which ammunition fit even when the rifle gets hot. Choosing a bullet with a smaller dimension would work in this case.
But changing the barrel would get rid of multiple problems for you at once.
3. Misfires:
There have been multiple claims of misfire with Kimber rifles. He faced this problem with factory ammo and with reloading. The problem is caused by a weak firing pin. Having a weak firing pin means it can get loose and hit the bullet at any time.
Misfiring is a serious problem that should be addressed as soon as possible. If the problem is not fixed, it could cause a very bad accident at any time.
The Fix:
The fix for the problem is pretty easy. As other users suggested, changing the firing spring would solve the problem. Just installing a pin that could hold off against the spring would be enough.
Taking it the local gunsmith would suffice. Or, you could send it to Kimber for repair too.
4. Long Trigger Pull:
The trigger pulls on many Kimber rifles might seem long but it actually is. Of course, you can adjust it, but on this rifle, it is not an easy task. You will have to pick apart almost everything to get to the trigger screws. Also, the trigger does not break perfectly clean.
It is a time-consuming process even if you are experienced with rifles. And, taking it to the gunsmith means spending a few extra bucks.
The Fix:
One way is to adjust the screw on the trigger. You could take apart the trigger module and adjust the screw that controls the trigger response.
Another way is to change the spring. Whichever you prefer, it would be best to take it to a gunsmith if you don’t have enough experience.
5. Smooth Stock:
The stock on the mountain ascent rifle is very smooth. Due to this smoothness, you won’t be able to grip it tightly. It is so smooth that your hand could slip if you have a sweaty palm.
It also makes holding down the rifle when it is recoiling much harder as you will have to work with little grip.
The gun might even feel wobbly when aiming down the sight just because of how smooth the grip is. Now add that with how incredibly lightweight this rifle is, which makes it easy to slide after every shot.
The Fix:
The fix is quite easy as you changing the stock would solve the problem. Whether you pick wood, composite, or a machined metal chassis-type stock, it must be stiff in order to enhance accuracy and stability in order to encourage consistency.
It must be resistant to whatsoever mother nature throws at it.
This includes laminated wood stocks, hand-laid composite stocks, and precision-machined aluminum chassis. So, change it to some stock that gives a good grip and you feel comfortable with it.
User Feedback on Kimber rifles
Each Kimber rifle is unique and made for a specific environment. Just like any other thing they get a lot of love and hate depending on who you are asking on the internet.
A thread in sniperhide states that Kimber rifles are excellent for their purposes. Especially the Montana rifle would put 3 shots in 3.5” at 500 yards as long as the barrel does not heat up due to group shots
On the other hand, there are long threads questioning the accuracy of some of the Kimber rifles. You will find quite a few people there who had the same experience. There are other threads on different problems of Kimber rifles.
As you can see there are people on both sides of the fence. Ultimately it depends on the user’s individual experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Kimber rifles any good?
Kimber guns are incredibly precise. The workmanship and numerous bespoke features of these very unusual rifles exhibit the premium quality and precision that you have come to expect from Kimber.
What is the difference between Kimber 84M and 84L?
The 84L (Long) actions have the same basic diameter as the 84M but are significantly longer to accommodate more powerful hunting rounds like the. 270 Winchester.
What is the lightest Kimber rifle?
Kimber’s Model 84LTM is the smallest and lightest standard-caliber sporter ever manufactured. It’s a genuine hunter’s rifle, weighing just 6 pounds, 2 ounces.
Are Kimber rifles controlled round feed?
The Kimber Model 84M is the world’s first ultra-lightweight production rifle, combining traditional design, hand finishing, and the benefits of a Mauser claw extractor for real regulated round feeding and extraction.
Are Kimber rifles made in the USA?
Kimber has expanded rapidly over the last 21 years, with sites in the New York metropolitan region and Montana. Kimber’s manufacturing capacity will be doubled because of the new Troy site.
Conclusion
Some argue that Kimber is all marketing and not the high-end product it claims to be. Kimber has chosen the motto “what all firearms should be,” and although this is undoubtedly a marketing ploy, it does contain some truth.
A Kimber weapon may be just what you’ve been seeking if it matches your demands and you’re comfortable with it.
If you go through the Kimber rifles problems and the solutions described in the article above, you will less likely to face trouble with Kimber rifles.
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