[Mike240]

Out of curiousity I did some checking and math on this. I tended to think the TLE was the best value in the lineup due to the front strap checkering and night sights already installed. You could add the ambi safety and mag well if you choose to with parts that if purchased from Kimber would most likely drop in with no fitting needed for under 200.

If you wanted more I think the Tactical HD has more to offer at a reasonable price under 1200. Better finish than a blued Custom or blued TLE with the mag well and ambi installed plus under the trigger guard checkering which means little but looks nice. Not too tough to do yourself but require a refinish afterward.

Using Springfield Armorys custom shop price list since kimber does not publish one, I found this.

If you bought a SA loaded model and sent it back to to be built to make an apples to apples comparison with the Tactical HD it would cost the price of the gun and nearly 900 in custom shop work! In my experience with the SA loaded models it still would not be as accurate or fit as nice.

There are a couple things that all Kimbers can use to have right from the box to run better and without a sometimes frustrating "break in" period; but these do not take much time or money to accomplish. One of these things would have to be done to the SA too.

 

[Insta-Gator]

I agree. Even a better deal than the Warrior series. I'm not a fan of railed guns anyway, but the Tactical HD really appears to be the solid value.

Not being as familiar as you, I have to wonder if there is anything internal that affects the shootability or accuracy. I think sometimes when we try to apply logic to their pricing, we miss something.

 

[Mike240]

...I have to wonder if there is anything internal that affects the shootability or accuracy.

Referring to just the Kimbers?

Minus the Super Match, I own or have owned 5" models as follows: customs, TLE, Warrior, tactical HD, Team Matches and Gold Combat. I have not seen any appreciable differences in the internals or the accuracy.

Now I realize that each gun has its own preference for ammo and two of the same model may shoot one ammo more accurately than the other. I do not do load development for each like one might for long range rifles.

My at work duty ammo is decided upon for me as is the practice ammo for mandatory training. The rest is my reloads and I shoot the same load in my 45s. I am not a bullseye competitor type. If my gun and duty/practice ammo can hold 3-4 inch groups offhand/unsupported at 25 yards I am satisfied. If it can do that I know it can do better supported or in a Ransom Rest. Or the hands of a better shooter for that matter!

 

[Ultraman]

Referring to just the Kimbers?

Minus the Super Match, I own or have owned 5" models as follows: customs, TLE, Warrior, tactical HD, Team Matches and Gold Combat. I have not seen any appreciable differences in the internals or the accuracy.

Now I realize that each gun has its own preference for ammo and two of the same model may shoot one ammo more accurately than the other. I do not do load development for each like one might for long range rifles.

My at work duty ammo is decided upon for me as is the practice ammo for mandatory training. The rest is my reloads and I shoot the same load in my 45s. I am not a bullseye competitor type. If my gun and duty/practice ammo can hold 3-4 inch groups offhand/unsupported at 25 yards I am satisfied. If it can do that I know it can do better supported or in a Ransom Rest. Or the hands of a better shooter for that matter![/QUOTE]
That's some good shooting. I like shooting @25 yards because it's ideal for testing my accuracy with a handgun. Very unforgiving if I'm off target, but if I am it's the ammo's fault.

 

[PorscheVille]

At $871 MSRP, I'd argue that the best "value" gun would be the Custom II. GunBroker has them under $750...so you're getting A KIMBER! for the price of, well...lesser guns, IMO.

And let's face it, night sights, mag wells and front strap checkering aren't necessities, they are extras. That $750 gun will shoot as good as a $1,500 Kimber.

If you are talking about the best price on a gun with all the bells and whistles, the TLE certainly qualifies as "it".....but as Bill Clinton would say, "That depends on your definition of 'it'"

Personally, I'm more of a "damn the torpedoes, I want what I want" kinda guy, so I prefer to buy what I value vs. what might be considered the best value, ie: most bang for the least money. In other words, I'm arguing for the sake of arguing, so disregard everything I just said.

 

[PorscheVille]

In addition, I probably won't add night sights to my Royal II because A) it is currently the most beautiful pistol I've ever seen and B) it seems to be dead-on accurate already and if it ain't broke, well....C) it will never be my carry gun so I'm not concerned about quick target acquisition.

So, when I think about it, $1,729.00 for the best looking pistol ever is one helluva value!

 

[Mike240]

At $871 MSRP, I'd argue that the best "value" gun would be the Custom II. GunBroker has them under $750...so you're getting A KIMBER! for the price of, well...lesser guns, IMO.

And let's face it, night sights, mag wells and front strap checkering aren't necessities, they are extras. That $750 gun will shoot as good as a $1,500 Kimber.

If you are talking about the best price on a gun with all the bells and whistles, the TLE certainly qualifies as "it".....but as Bill Clinton would say, "That depends on your definition of 'it'"

Personally, I'm more of a "damn the torpedoes, I want what I want" kinda guy, so I prefer to buy what I value vs. what might be considered the best value, ie: most bang for the least money. In other words, I'm arguing for the sake of arguing, so disregard everything I just said.

I agree with you. I was speaking from a all the bells and whistles perspective. If you wanted nearly every feature Kimber offered that model gives it to you up front at a great price. And comparing it to those that say buy a base gun and send it out to be added later. But at there basic needs level the Custom will perform to the level of the Tac HD.

It was simply a math problem to me due to boredom.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Y'all are right, of course. But I am afraid I'm a bit like PorscheVille... I want, what I want, and will probably spend too much money getting it.

 

[Ultraman]

Y'all are right, of course. But I am afraid I'm a bit like PorscheVille... I want, what I want, and will probably spend too much money getting it.

That right there should be engraved on my headstone.

 

[bluzman]

Out of curiousity I did some checking and math on this. I tended to think the TLE was the best value in the lineup due to the front strap checkering and night sights already installed. You could add the ambi safety and mag well if you choose to with parts that if purchased from Kimber would most likely drop in with no fitting needed for under 200.

If you wanted more I think the Tactical HD has more to offer at a reasonable price under 1200. Better finish than a blued Custom or blued TLE with the mag well and ambi installed plus under the trigger guard checkering which means little but looks nice. Not too tough to do yourself but require a refinish afterward.

Using Springfield Armorys custom shop price list since kimber does not publish one, I found this.

If you bought a SA loaded model and sent it back to to be built to make an apples to apples comparison with the Tactical HD it would cost the price of the gun and nearly 900 in custom shop work! In my experience with the SA loaded models it still would not be as accurate or fit as nice.

There are a couple things that all Kimbers can use to have right from the box to run better and without a sometimes frustrating "break in" period; but these do not take much time or money to accomplish. One of these things would have to be done to the SA too.

I own a Kimber Custom II TLE, a Kimber Tactical Pro (9mm) and a Springfield Armory Loaded. I love 'em all for what each has for its features. I must respectfully disagree that "the SA loaded models it still would not be as accurate" as the Kimbers. My experience is that, for these pistols at least, and assuming they're properly maintained and are fed good quality ammo, their accuracy is a more function of the shooter. Just sayin'

 

[PorscheVille]

I agree with you. I was speaking from a all the bells and whistles perspective. If you wanted nearly every feature Kimber offered that model gives it to you up front at a great price. And comparing it to those that say buy a base gun and send it out to be added later. But at there basic needs level the Custom will perform to the level of the Tac HD.

It was simply a math problem to me due to boredom.

Yeah, I know what you are saying. It is kind of the Kimber philosophy....instead of selling base guns and all the bells and whistles separately, Kimber offers a variety of guns with and without bells and whistles standard, but at a production price. I like the way they do it. If you look at Wilson Combat there is no end to all the melts and checkering and what not but by the time you do all that it's a $8,000 gun.

 

[2sharp2]

That right there should be engraved on my headstone.

If my wife saw that, "I want what I want" quote she would have it tattoed on my azz. lol

 

[Chuck43]

If my wife saw that, "I want what I want" quote she would have it tattoed on my azz. lol

So you're saying that would be a good or bad thing?