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Kimber Custom TLE II
1911, a number to make them fear:
The 1911 style pistol has a reputation for being a hard hitting heavy workhorse of a pistol since the late 1890's when it was first made. In 1911 it was adopted by the US Army and to this very day is still in service, having only ever experienced slight design modification. The 1911 is the most copied firearm design in history. Why? Because it does it's job!
Sure, you'll hear stories of bad runs of makes, and you'll hear some rumors about how one blew up on some one somewhere. With over 22 countries producing their own versions you're going to hear some tales of woe. Every year you'll see a new company come out with a .45 caliber pistol proclaiming to be the replacement for the 1911 design, and no matter how great that gun might be, no matter the boasted improvements, the 1911 will not be moved from it's pedestal. Some police units use it, SWAT uses it, almost every nation has specialized military units operating, armed with the 1911 style, American Special Operations units swear by it. You might too if you give it a try.
The Kimber 1911 style pistol is marketed as a high end custom firearm designed to continue the legacy of John Browning's design, fused with the reliability and machining tolerances that are capable today. Using only the finest match grade barrels as a standard in every pistol and adjustable aluminum match grade triggers, the Kimber pistols are designed to give a comfortable smooth experience from hammer draw to trigger pull. Unlike most popular pistols sold on the market today, the Kimber Custom TLE II is made with a steel frame. A steel frame allows a heavy slide and match grade steel barrel to glide along effortlessly while rocketing off a powerful round with as little muzzle rise as possible. This helps in maintaining accuracy for the first round to the last.
With the Kimber Custom TLE II a shooter has the opportunity to hit every shot in the bullseye, and even place perfect double taps. It's that good. Upon taking the gun out of the box you can expect accuracy and with minimal range time you will learn to place your rounds more effectively.
More outstanding features of this gun include Front Slide cocking serrations which enable to firearm to be chambered in a pinch (literally), extended thumb slide safety, and half cock hammer lock feature which works in conjunction with the beavertail grip safety. This particular model has VZ Gator grips added (they repel moisture in order to allow the surest of grip in humid and arrid environments alike), 8 round extended capacity magazines, Tritium night sights, Combat Grey Duracoat (to reduce shine), and a Nighthawk custom Match trigger with an adjusted 3lb. trigger pull (features an overtravel adjustment for fast follow up shots). All modifications done for the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of the weapon.
Let's move on to the advantage of the .45 round over other offerings. From left to right in this picture you can see a progression of common semi-automatic handgun loads including .22 mag, 9mm FMJ, .40 s&w JHP, .45 Cor-bon Pow R Ball. Posted here to illustrate the size differential that you can expect in your terminal ballistics of semi-auto pistols. If you simply compare the size of the rounds you can properly conclude that the .45 is the most damaging of these bullets. Consider the tested fact that the .45 caliber round has a 90% kill ratio compared to the 63% kill ratio of the 9mm and these are center mass killshots. Imagine the difference when comparing headshot kills. The .45 is a hell of a round, and when fired from a gun designed to be as accurate as a Kimber Custom TLE II, you have what's known as a combat multiplier.
An argument can be made that many guns have the .45 round and carry more ammunition, as well. The mighty Sig P220, the H&K USP, etc. So why would you prefer to use a gun that carries only 8 rounds? The first answer to this argument is, the sheer size of the weapon. Single stack magazines in .45 are long and thick as is, they're almost as thick as a double stack 9mm. To grasp a weapon carrying a double stacked 12-15 round magazine in the .45 means you have to have an above average hand, or use a two handed grip, and as sure as it can be done, to me it's just not as comfortable, and anything that requires 2 hands, requires twice the attention. With the accuracy of the Kimber .45 and the proper training, you might as well dual weild if you're going to shoot with both hands. Yes, that's what I said. As Hollywood as it sounds it can be done effectively when properly practiced. The Kimber Custom TLE II, as you may not know, is more slim than a Glock, and built on a heavier frame is easier to balance and shoot.
Another reason to choose a Kimber 1911 style pistol over other .45 caliber handguns is my age old argument of parts availability. The 1911 style is mostly interchangeable with so many other clones, that finding parts for this weapon if you ever needed to would be simple. Many gunsmiths have learned how to make these guns as a base principle of their trade, meaning the documentation exists to become an expert in the care and creation of parts in a rudimentary tool shop. True they may not be the custom match grade quality of the Kimber brand (and Kimber has one hell of a warranty on these guns anyway), but if all you had was a shop and some books, you'd have a better chance of machining something this widely known and accepted. In fact the only drawback I give this weapon would be the takedown, which is tricky for beginners, and can be a hassle if attempted under pressure without practice. Turning the bushing improperly will result in you jamming up the slide, and unless you keep pressure on the spring plug while turning the bushing, you will lose the plug and possibly the spring itself. A barrel bushing wrench can be obtained to aid in the process until you're familiar with how it all works, at which point you can use your thumb, a pen, a pop can top, or even a spent shell. It's not that it's unmanageable, but it is not as easy as a Glock to take down, and still not as difficult as a Sig Sauer. And although 1911 style pistols aren't known for being as able to take a beating, as say, a Glock, my Kimber hasn't shown one ounce of failure due to powder buildup, sand, mud, or element exposure. Another drawback to consider is the price. Kimber's TLE II which may be the on the low end of the Kimber price spectrum is still MSRP'd at $1044.00 usd. I've seen them available for $900-1000 usd, which is still a high price for many shoppers. I don't think you can get a better gun for the price, but that's just me and my experience talking.
Kimber isn't the only gun manufacturer on the market making high end 1911 style .45 pistols, and they aren't even the most expensive, as some makes retail at $ 4000.00. For the quality of firearm and craftsmanship this is the most cost effective, reliable, and accurate handgun of it's kind. The Kimber 1911 Custom TLE II continues to be a top performer and mainstay of championship shooters, and professional gunfighters all over the world. When the Zeds come for these highly trained and skilled killers, they will rely on this gun, and it will serve them faithfully. Any smart group of survivors or lone survivor hiding from the brain diners will have a variety of weapons. Among them should be a Kimber 1911, and it should be located in a holster, on a hip or leg.
I give this gun![[Untitled]](http://image.wetpaint.com/image/2/JSotH8ckhq1IXULAjWgyZg2938/GW22H36 "[Untitled]")
, any questions?
| Specifications: | |
| Weight: | 38 oz. (1.07 kg) w/o full mag. |
| Length: | 8.7 in (220.9 mm). |
| Barrel Length: | 5 in (127mm). Left Hand Twist 16 |
| Cartridge: | .45 ACP |
| Action: | SA |
| Muzzle Velocity: | 830 fps [1179 fps (359 m/s) Cor-bon Pow R Ball 165 grain] |
| Effective Range: | 164 ft. (50 m). |
| Feed System: | 7+1, or 8+1 Magazine. |
| Sights: | Meprolight 3 dot dovetail Tritium sights. |
The 1911 style pistol has a reputation for being a hard hitting heavy workhorse of a pistol since the late 1890's when it was first made. In 1911 it was adopted by the US Army and to this very day is still in service, having only ever experienced slight design modification. The 1911 is the most copied firearm design in history. Why? Because it does it's job!
Sure, you'll hear stories of bad runs of makes, and you'll hear some rumors about how one blew up on some one somewhere. With over 22 countries producing their own versions you're going to hear some tales of woe. Every year you'll see a new company come out with a .45 caliber pistol proclaiming to be the replacement for the 1911 design, and no matter how great that gun might be, no matter the boasted improvements, the 1911 will not be moved from it's pedestal. Some police units use it, SWAT uses it, almost every nation has specialized military units operating, armed with the 1911 style, American Special Operations units swear by it. You might too if you give it a try.
The Kimber 1911 style pistol is marketed as a high end custom firearm designed to continue the legacy of John Browning's design, fused with the reliability and machining tolerances that are capable today. Using only the finest match grade barrels as a standard in every pistol and adjustable aluminum match grade triggers, the Kimber pistols are designed to give a comfortable smooth experience from hammer draw to trigger pull. Unlike most popular pistols sold on the market today, the Kimber Custom TLE II is made with a steel frame. A steel frame allows a heavy slide and match grade steel barrel to glide along effortlessly while rocketing off a powerful round with as little muzzle rise as possible. This helps in maintaining accuracy for the first round to the last. With the Kimber Custom TLE II a shooter has the opportunity to hit every shot in the bullseye, and even place perfect double taps. It's that good. Upon taking the gun out of the box you can expect accuracy and with minimal range time you will learn to place your rounds more effectively. More outstanding features of this gun include Front Slide cocking serrations which enable to firearm to be chambered in a pinch (literally), extended thumb slide safety, and half cock hammer lock feature which works in conjunction with the beavertail grip safety. This particular model has VZ Gator grips added (they repel moisture in order to allow the surest of grip in humid and arrid environments alike), 8 round extended capacity magazines, Tritium night sights, Combat Grey Duracoat (to reduce shine), and a Nighthawk custom Match trigger with an adjusted 3lb. trigger pull (features an overtravel adjustment for fast follow up shots). All modifications done for the purpose of enhancing the efficiency of the weapon.
Let's move on to the advantage of the .45 round over other offerings. From left to right in this picture you can see a progression of common semi-automatic handgun loads including .22 mag, 9mm FMJ, .40 s&w JHP, .45 Cor-bon Pow R Ball. Posted here to illustrate the size differential that you can expect in your terminal ballistics of semi-auto pistols. If you simply compare the size of the rounds you can properly conclude that the .45 is the most damaging of these bullets. Consider the tested fact that the .45 caliber round has a 90% kill ratio compared to the 63% kill ratio of the 9mm and these are center mass killshots. Imagine the difference when comparing headshot kills. The .45 is a hell of a round, and when fired from a gun designed to be as accurate as a Kimber Custom TLE II, you have what's known as a combat multiplier.An argument can be made that many guns have the .45 round and carry more ammunition, as well. The mighty Sig P220, the H&K USP, etc. So why would you prefer to use a gun that carries only 8 rounds? The first answer to this argument is, the sheer size of the weapon. Single stack magazines in .45 are long and thick as is, they're almost as thick as a double stack 9mm. To grasp a weapon carrying a double stacked 12-15 round magazine in the .45 means you have to have an above average hand, or use a two handed grip, and as sure as it can be done, to me it's just not as comfortable, and anything that requires 2 hands, requires twice the attention. With the accuracy of the Kimber .45 and the proper training, you might as well dual weild if you're going to shoot with both hands. Yes, that's what I said. As Hollywood as it sounds it can be done effectively when properly practiced. The Kimber Custom TLE II, as you may not know, is more slim than a Glock, and built on a heavier frame is easier to balance and shoot. Another reason to choose a Kimber 1911 style pistol over other .45 caliber handguns is my age old argument of parts availability. The 1911 style is mostly interchangeable with so many other clones, that finding parts for this weapon if you ever needed to would be simple. Many gunsmiths have learned how to make these guns as a base principle of their trade, meaning the documentation exists to become an expert in the care and creation of parts in a rudimentary tool shop. True they may not be the custom match grade quality of the Kimber brand (and Kimber has one hell of a warranty on these guns anyway), but if all you had was a shop and some books, you'd have a better chance of machining something this widely known and accepted. In fact the only drawback I give this weapon would be the takedown, which is tricky for beginners, and can be a hassle if attempted under pressure without practice. Turning the bushing improperly will result in you jamming up the slide, and unless you keep pressure on the spring plug while turning the bushing, you will lose the plug and possibly the spring itself. A barrel bushing wrench can be obtained to aid in the process until you're familiar with how it all works, at which point you can use your thumb, a pen, a pop can top, or even a spent shell. It's not that it's unmanageable, but it is not as easy as a Glock to take down, and still not as difficult as a Sig Sauer. And although 1911 style pistols aren't known for being as able to take a beating, as say, a Glock, my Kimber hasn't shown one ounce of failure due to powder buildup, sand, mud, or element exposure. Another drawback to consider is the price. Kimber's TLE II which may be the on the low end of the Kimber price spectrum is still MSRP'd at $1044.00 usd. I've seen them available for $900-1000 usd, which is still a high price for many shoppers. I don't think you can get a better gun for the price, but that's just me and my experience talking.
Kimber isn't the only gun manufacturer on the market making high end 1911 style .45 pistols, and they aren't even the most expensive, as some makes retail at $ 4000.00. For the quality of firearm and craftsmanship this is the most cost effective, reliable, and accurate handgun of it's kind. The Kimber 1911 Custom TLE II continues to be a top performer and mainstay of championship shooters, and professional gunfighters all over the world. When the Zeds come for these highly trained and skilled killers, they will rely on this gun, and it will serve them faithfully. Any smart group of survivors or lone survivor hiding from the brain diners will have a variety of weapons. Among them should be a Kimber 1911, and it should be located in a holster, on a hip or leg.I give this gun
, any questions?
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