I missed out on the CMP sale of the Kimber target rifles. I assume that there will be some of these guns hitting the market in the future. What has been your experience with this rifle. I am interested mostly in scoped groups at 100 yards, but any information will be apprecited.
Experience with the CMP Kimbers
- Thread starter CaptainH
- Start date
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
I love my 82G. Your missing out is only temporary though. The CMP has a bunch of ROTC used ones that they will be selling shortly. They're used so there may be some cosmetic issues, but any and all repairs are made by the CMP before the sale.
I can't give much help with the 100 yard groups though. I don't shoot mine from a rest. I'm usually shooting either from the prone or offhand at 50 yards, and still using the aperture sights.
I love my 82G. Your missing out is only temporary though. The CMP has a bunch of ROTC used ones that they will be selling shortly. They're used so there may be some cosmetic issues, but any and all repairs are made by the CMP before the sale.
I can't give much help with the 100 yard groups though. I don't shoot mine from a rest. I'm usually shooting either from the prone or offhand at 50 yards, and still using the aperture sights.
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
Mine was getting about 1 1/2"max with SK plus off a rest,scoped. I only shot 4 groups...but, I had put it in a SSV stock that I know needed bedding... so I expect that will shrink a bit when I do that and fine tune it. I took it out of the original stock because I bought it from a guy that decided to " customize" the stock....not good....price was right though. Definatly a worth while buy. I have seen a few in Gunbrokers auctions for a slightly inflated price.
Mine was getting about 1 1/2"max with SK plus off a rest,scoped. I only shot 4 groups...but, I had put it in a SSV stock that I know needed bedding... so I expect that will shrink a bit when I do that and fine tune it. I took it out of the original stock because I bought it from a guy that decided to " customize" the stock....not good....price was right though. Definatly a worth while buy. I have seen a few in Gunbrokers auctions for a slightly inflated price.
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
I've seen very good groups shot at 100 yards with the Kimber 82G. Kimbers seem to be more picky about which ammo each gun likes. I still own two and have owned as many as ten at one time. Can't help but to buy them when I find a deal or go by the CMP store. If you find a really good shooting rifle keep it. Most will shoot good but only about 10% will be very good to excellent shooters.
I've seen very good groups shot at 100 yards with the Kimber 82G. Kimbers seem to be more picky about which ammo each gun likes. I still own two and have owned as many as ten at one time. Can't help but to buy them when I find a deal or go by the CMP store. If you find a really good shooting rifle keep it. Most will shoot good but only about 10% will be very good to excellent shooters.
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
Thanks for the information. Haveing been in ROTC many many years ago, I would be a little leary of purchasing one of these remembering how some of the guys tried to clean them. Any thoughts or experience that would get me interested in one of the ROTC rifles?
Thanks for the information. Haveing been in ROTC many many years ago, I would be a little leary of purchasing one of these remembering how some of the guys tried to clean them. Any thoughts or experience that would get me interested in one of the ROTC rifles?
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
Bring a good light and magnifing glass. Check the crown all the way around. Improper cleaning will kill the accuracy on a 22. Check the chamber for damage at 12 O'clock. The Kimbe was not suposed to make contact during dry firing but that does not mean it can not happen. If there is a small burr it can be repaired with by either runnig a match reamer in and cutting it out or their is a gizmo made of harden steel that is tapped into the chamber to iron out the damage. I've made one for myself years ago. It works but is kind of a shade tree type of repair. Check that the bolt and trigger is complete and works correctly. There is little or no repair parts for these rifles. The Kimber of NY does not suport these guns and Kimber of Oregon was making the repeater for civilians mostly. Very little extra production was made for the Government rife. Most likely there are repair parts in US warehouses but who knows if we'll ever get access to them. And buy low. Remember there are no repair parts. You may have to buy another at some point to keep your favorite running.
Bring a good light and magnifing glass. Check the crown all the way around. Improper cleaning will kill the accuracy on a 22. Check the chamber for damage at 12 O'clock. The Kimbe was not suposed to make contact during dry firing but that does not mean it can not happen. If there is a small burr it can be repaired with by either runnig a match reamer in and cutting it out or their is a gizmo made of harden steel that is tapped into the chamber to iron out the damage. I've made one for myself years ago. It works but is kind of a shade tree type of repair. Check that the bolt and trigger is complete and works correctly. There is little or no repair parts for these rifles. The Kimber of NY does not suport these guns and Kimber of Oregon was making the repeater for civilians mostly. Very little extra production was made for the Government rife. Most likely there are repair parts in US warehouses but who knows if we'll ever get access to them. And buy low. Remember there are no repair parts. You may have to buy another at some point to keep your favorite running.
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
My first thought upon seeing mine (after checking for the knife scratch) was "There is a Dana 60 out there missing an axle." The tube on this thing is HUGE.
As above they are very partial to sub sonic and standard velocity ammo at 100 yards. Hyper or high velocity does not seem to shoot well in mine (or anybody's that I have heard). Mine appeared to be virtually unfired and came with all the pieces parts.
Somebody mentioned a repeater in the civilian model. What was it? Can parts be had? Any links, contact info etc?
Cheers,
Doc
My first thought upon seeing mine (after checking for the knife scratch) was "There is a Dana 60 out there missing an axle." The tube on this thing is HUGE.
As above they are very partial to sub sonic and standard velocity ammo at 100 yards. Hyper or high velocity does not seem to shoot well in mine (or anybody's that I have heard). Mine appeared to be virtually unfired and came with all the pieces parts.
Somebody mentioned a repeater in the civilian model. What was it? Can parts be had? Any links, contact info etc?
Cheers,
Doc
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
The repeater is the 82C. I do not think Kimber NY makes these any more. They were a pricy rifle even when they were in production and if you find one now you'll need deep pockets if the owner knows what he has.
The repeater is the 82C. I do not think Kimber NY makes these any more. They were a pricy rifle even when they were in production and if you find one now you'll need deep pockets if the owner knows what he has.
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Somebody mentioned a repeater in the civilian model. What was it? Can parts be had? Any links, contact info etc?
Cheers,
Doc </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The repeater is the 82C. I do not think Kimber NY makes these any more. They were a pricy rifle even when they were in production and if you find one now you'll need deep pockets if the owner knows what he has. </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Doc</span></span> and <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don</span></span> -
The Kimber Model 82, 82B, and 82C were manufactured in Oregon by Kimber of Oregon when Kimber was owned and operated by Jack and Greg Warne. The Kimber of Oregon Model 82, 82B, and 82C have nothing in common (except for the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber"</span></span> name), with the <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> rifles built in Yonkers, New York. The actions are completely different.
Both the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber of Oregon</span> "Model 82"</span></span> and the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber Manufacturing</span> "Kimber .22"</span></span> (made in Yonkers, New York) have very smooth, positive actions, are very accurate, and are worlds' apart and above the CZ rifles commonly seen on various rimfire-related sites, in the field, and at the range. Both are also out of production - the Model 82 for the better part of two decades.
You can find Model 82 rifles and Kimber .22 rifles on the GunsAmerica and GunBroker web sites. If in equal condition and listed "honestly" a Model 82 will sell for more and is more valuable as a collector piece compared to a Kimber .22, (the Model 82s' are are older and were more finely finished) but both were guaranteed to shoot .400" or less at 50 yards (5-shot groups) despite the actions being completely different. There are two things I like about the (New York-based) <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> - the two-position "wing" safety, and the offset firing pin (allows dry-firing without worry of "ping" damage). Otherwise, I like the Oregon rifles.
Its' easy to tell a Model 82A from a Model 82B and Model 82C at a glance. The original Model 82 action (called the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82A"</span></span> after the introduction of the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82B"</span></span>) has a straight (90-degree) bolt handle, a very graceful, sculpted one-piece "bowtie" floorplate, and checkered steel Neidner buttplate. The 82B could also be ordered with a rubber buttplate. Kimber transitioned to a "swept" bolt handle during production of the Model 82B as well as improving the ignition system (although I don't know that this was needed, as Model 82As' seemed pretty damn reliable to begin with) but continued to use the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate.
The Model 82C also has a "swept" bolt handle, but the construction is different from the Model 82B. The use of the beautiful sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate was discontinued and replaced with a two-piece floorplate with a squared, elongated trigger guard (presumably to reduce production time and cost). Unless you look very carefully and/or remove the floorplate from the stock it is hard to see that the floorplate is actually two pieces, but its' still not as graceful as the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate. The 82Cs' all came standard with rubber buttplates.
I've never seen replacement parts for the (New York-based) "Kimber .22", but I have seen and bought new old stock spare parts for the (Oregon-based) Kimber "Model 82A", Kimber "Model 82B", and Kimber "Model 82C" rifles, including complete trigger assembles, trigger parts, complete bolts, bolt parts, firing pins, stocks, barrels, and magazines off of GunsAmerica and GunBroker. Below are some photos of two of my Kimber Model 82s':
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82C Classic in .22LR wearing a PMII 5-25X 0.1 MIL Gen 2 XR CCW + 2" USO ARD in NEAR
Manufacturing Rings on top of a Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base :</span>
A big thumbs-up to Cameron Murphy for machining the two-piece picatinny base for me. For more info and close-up photos of the Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base, check-out my <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Murphy Precision Kimber Model 82A/B 25 MOA Base"</span></span> thread.
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82C Classic in .22LR wearing a Leupold Vari-X IIc 4-12X 40mm AO in Leupold PRW Low rings on top of old school Warne two-piece base:</span>
If you buy a (New York-based) Kimber Manufacturing "Kimber .22", you can buy a 20 MOA picatinny rail from U.S. Optics, pictured below. (DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS)::
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Note the hole spacing on this USO "Kimber 22" 20 MOA One-Piece Base. <span style="color: #FF0000">The Front of the base is on the right in these photos:</span></span></span>
USO also makes an extended picatinny base for the single-shot Model 82 Government training rifles.
If you buy a (Oregon-based) Kimber of Oregon "Model 82 Government" (single shot trainer), you can buy a 20 MOA Picatinny Rail from U.S. Optics. I've seen and held one at USO but I didn't take any photos of their "Model 82 Government" base. IT DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS.
Personally, I would buy either a "Sporter" (Repeater) Oregon Kimber or a New York Kimber before I would buy a single-shot Kimber Model 82 "Government". Call me lazy, but for anything other than strict .22 Rimfire Competition I prefer a repeater over a single shot .22.
Keith
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Somebody mentioned a repeater in the civilian model. What was it? Can parts be had? Any links, contact info etc?
Cheers,
Doc </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The repeater is the 82C. I do not think Kimber NY makes these any more. They were a pricy rifle even when they were in production and if you find one now you'll need deep pockets if the owner knows what he has. </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Doc</span></span> and <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don</span></span> -
The Kimber Model 82, 82B, and 82C were manufactured in Oregon by Kimber of Oregon when Kimber was owned and operated by Jack and Greg Warne. The Kimber of Oregon Model 82, 82B, and 82C have nothing in common (except for the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber"</span></span> name), with the <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> rifles built in Yonkers, New York. The actions are completely different.
Both the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber of Oregon</span> "Model 82"</span></span> and the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber Manufacturing</span> "Kimber .22"</span></span> (made in Yonkers, New York) have very smooth, positive actions, are very accurate, and are worlds' apart and above the CZ rifles commonly seen on various rimfire-related sites, in the field, and at the range. Both are also out of production - the Model 82 for the better part of two decades.
You can find Model 82 rifles and Kimber .22 rifles on the GunsAmerica and GunBroker web sites. If in equal condition and listed "honestly" a Model 82 will sell for more and is more valuable as a collector piece compared to a Kimber .22, (the Model 82s' are are older and were more finely finished) but both were guaranteed to shoot .400" or less at 50 yards (5-shot groups) despite the actions being completely different. There are two things I like about the (New York-based) <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> - the two-position "wing" safety, and the offset firing pin (allows dry-firing without worry of "ping" damage). Otherwise, I like the Oregon rifles.
Its' easy to tell a Model 82A from a Model 82B and Model 82C at a glance. The original Model 82 action (called the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82A"</span></span> after the introduction of the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82B"</span></span>) has a straight (90-degree) bolt handle, a very graceful, sculpted one-piece "bowtie" floorplate, and checkered steel Neidner buttplate. The 82B could also be ordered with a rubber buttplate. Kimber transitioned to a "swept" bolt handle during production of the Model 82B as well as improving the ignition system (although I don't know that this was needed, as Model 82As' seemed pretty damn reliable to begin with) but continued to use the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate.
The Model 82C also has a "swept" bolt handle, but the construction is different from the Model 82B. The use of the beautiful sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate was discontinued and replaced with a two-piece floorplate with a squared, elongated trigger guard (presumably to reduce production time and cost). Unless you look very carefully and/or remove the floorplate from the stock it is hard to see that the floorplate is actually two pieces, but its' still not as graceful as the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate. The 82Cs' all came standard with rubber buttplates.
I've never seen replacement parts for the (New York-based) "Kimber .22", but I have seen and bought new old stock spare parts for the (Oregon-based) Kimber "Model 82A", Kimber "Model 82B", and Kimber "Model 82C" rifles, including complete trigger assembles, trigger parts, complete bolts, bolt parts, firing pins, stocks, barrels, and magazines off of GunsAmerica and GunBroker. Below are some photos of two of my Kimber Model 82s':
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82C Classic in .22LR wearing a PMII 5-25X 0.1 MIL Gen 2 XR CCW + 2" USO ARD in NEAR
Manufacturing Rings on top of a Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base :</span>
A big thumbs-up to Cameron Murphy for machining the two-piece picatinny base for me. For more info and close-up photos of the Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base, check-out my <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Murphy Precision Kimber Model 82A/B 25 MOA Base"</span></span> thread.
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82C Classic in .22LR wearing a Leupold Vari-X IIc 4-12X 40mm AO in Leupold PRW Low rings on top of old school Warne two-piece base:</span>
If you buy a (New York-based) Kimber Manufacturing "Kimber .22", you can buy a 20 MOA picatinny rail from U.S. Optics, pictured below. (DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS)::
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Note the hole spacing on this USO "Kimber 22" 20 MOA One-Piece Base. <span style="color: #FF0000">The Front of the base is on the right in these photos:</span></span></span>
USO also makes an extended picatinny base for the single-shot Model 82 Government training rifles.
If you buy a (Oregon-based) Kimber of Oregon "Model 82 Government" (single shot trainer), you can buy a 20 MOA Picatinny Rail from U.S. Optics. I've seen and held one at USO but I didn't take any photos of their "Model 82 Government" base. IT DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS.
Personally, I would buy either a "Sporter" (Repeater) Oregon Kimber or a New York Kimber before I would buy a single-shot Kimber Model 82 "Government". Call me lazy, but for anything other than strict .22 Rimfire Competition I prefer a repeater over a single shot .22.
Keith
Re: Experience with the CMP Kimbers
Thanks Keith, Very informative reply. I learned quite a bit from your post. Donald
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aries64</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Somebody mentioned a repeater in the civilian model. What was it? Can parts be had? Any links, contact info etc?
Cheers,
Doc </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The repeater is the 82C. I do not think Kimber NY makes these any more. They were a pricy rifle even when they were in production and if you find one now you'll need deep pockets if the owner knows what he has. </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Doc</span></span> and <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don</span></span> -
The Kimber Model 82, 82B, and 82C were manufactured in Oregon by Kimber of Oregon when Kimber was owned and operated by Jack and Greg Warne. The Kimber of Oregon Model 82, 82B, and 82C have nothing in common (except for the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber"</span></span> name), with the <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> rifles built in Yonkers, New York. The actions are completely different.
Both the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber of Oregon</span> "Model 82"</span></span> and the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber Manufacturing</span> "Kimber .22"</span></span> (made in Yonkers, New York) have very smooth, positive actions, are very accurate, and are worlds' apart and above the CZ rifles commonly seen on various rimfire-related sites, in the field, and at the range. Both are also out of production - the Model 82 for the better part of two decades.
You can find Model 82 rifles and Kimber .22 rifles on the GunsAmerica and GunBroker web sites. If in equal condition and listed "honestly" a Model 82 will sell for more and is more valuable as a collector piece compared to a Kimber .22, (the Model 82s' are are older and were more finely finished) but both were guaranteed to shoot .400" or less at 50 yards (5-shot groups) despite the actions being completely different. There are two things I like about the (New York-based) <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> - the two-position "wing" safety, and the offset firing pin (allows dry-firing without worry of "ping" damage). Otherwise, I like the Oregon rifles.
Its' easy to tell a Model 82A from a Model 82B and Model 82C at a glance. The original Model 82 action (called the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82A"</span></span> after the introduction of the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82B"</span></span>) has a straight (90-degree) bolt handle, a very graceful, sculpted one-piece "bowtie" floorplate, and checkered steel Neidner buttplate. The 82B could also be ordered with a rubber buttplate. Kimber transitioned to a "swept" bolt handle during production of the Model 82B as well as improving the ignition system (although I don't know that this was needed, as Model 82As' seemed pretty damn reliable to begin with) but continued to use the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate.
The Model 82C also has a "swept" bolt handle, but the construction is different from the Model 82B. The use of the beautiful sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate was discontinued and replaced with a two-piece floorplate with a squared, elongated trigger guard (presumably to reduce production time and cost). Unless you look very carefully and/or remove the floorplate from the stock it is hard to see that the floorplate is actually two pieces, but its' still not as graceful as the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate. The 82Cs' all came standard with rubber buttplates.
I've never seen replacement parts for the (New York-based) "Kimber .22", but I have seen and bought new old stock spare parts for the (Oregon-based) Kimber "Model 82A", Kimber "Model 82B", and Kimber "Model 82C" rifles, including complete trigger assembles, trigger parts, complete bolts, bolt parts, firing pins, stocks, barrels, and magazines off of GunsAmerica and GunBroker. Below are some photos of two of my Kimber Model 82s':
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82B Classic in .22LR wearing a PMII 5-25X 0.1 MIL Gen 2 XR CCW + 2" USO ARD in Leupold Mark 4 High rings on top of a Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base :</span>
A big thumbs-up to Cameron Murphy for machining the two-piece picatinny base for me. For more info and close-up photos of the Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base, check-out my <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Murphy Precision Kimber Model 82A/B 25 MOA Base"</span></span> thread.
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82C Classic in .22LR wearing a Leupold Vari-X IIc 4-12X 40mm AO in Leupold PRW Low rings on top of old school Warne two-piece base:</span>
If you buy a (New York-based) Kimber Manufacturing "Kimber .22", you can buy a 20 MOA picatinny rail from U.S. Optics, pictured below. (DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS)::
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Note the hole spacing on this USO "Kimber 22" 20 MOA One-Piece Base. <span style="color: #FF0000">The Front of the base is on the right in these photos:</span></span></span>
USO also makes an extended picatinny base for the single-shot Model 82 Government training rifles.
If you buy a (Oregon-based) Kimber of Oregon "Model 82 Government" (single shot trainer), you can buy a 20 MOA Picatinny Rail from U.S. Optics. I've seen and held one at USO but I didn't take any photos of their "Model 82 Government" base. IT DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS.
Personally, I would buy either a "Sporter" (Repeater) Oregon Kimber or a New York Kimber before I would buy a single-shot Kimber Model 82 "Government". Call me lazy, but for anything other than strict .22 Rimfire Competition I prefer a repeater over a single shot .22.
Keith </div></div>
Thanks Keith, Very informative reply. I learned quite a bit from your post. Donald
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aries64</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Somebody mentioned a repeater in the civilian model. What was it? Can parts be had? Any links, contact info etc?
Cheers,
Doc </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don in SC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The repeater is the 82C. I do not think Kimber NY makes these any more. They were a pricy rifle even when they were in production and if you find one now you'll need deep pockets if the owner knows what he has. </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Doc</span></span> and <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don</span></span> -
The Kimber Model 82, 82B, and 82C were manufactured in Oregon by Kimber of Oregon when Kimber was owned and operated by Jack and Greg Warne. The Kimber of Oregon Model 82, 82B, and 82C have nothing in common (except for the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber"</span></span> name), with the <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> rifles built in Yonkers, New York. The actions are completely different.
Both the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber of Oregon</span> "Model 82"</span></span> and the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Kimber Manufacturing</span> "Kimber .22"</span></span> (made in Yonkers, New York) have very smooth, positive actions, are very accurate, and are worlds' apart and above the CZ rifles commonly seen on various rimfire-related sites, in the field, and at the range. Both are also out of production - the Model 82 for the better part of two decades.
You can find Model 82 rifles and Kimber .22 rifles on the GunsAmerica and GunBroker web sites. If in equal condition and listed "honestly" a Model 82 will sell for more and is more valuable as a collector piece compared to a Kimber .22, (the Model 82s' are are older and were more finely finished) but both were guaranteed to shoot .400" or less at 50 yards (5-shot groups) despite the actions being completely different. There are two things I like about the (New York-based) <span style="font-style: italic">"Kimber .22"</span> - the two-position "wing" safety, and the offset firing pin (allows dry-firing without worry of "ping" damage). Otherwise, I like the Oregon rifles.
Its' easy to tell a Model 82A from a Model 82B and Model 82C at a glance. The original Model 82 action (called the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82A"</span></span> after the introduction of the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"82B"</span></span>) has a straight (90-degree) bolt handle, a very graceful, sculpted one-piece "bowtie" floorplate, and checkered steel Neidner buttplate. The 82B could also be ordered with a rubber buttplate. Kimber transitioned to a "swept" bolt handle during production of the Model 82B as well as improving the ignition system (although I don't know that this was needed, as Model 82As' seemed pretty damn reliable to begin with) but continued to use the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate.
The Model 82C also has a "swept" bolt handle, but the construction is different from the Model 82B. The use of the beautiful sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate was discontinued and replaced with a two-piece floorplate with a squared, elongated trigger guard (presumably to reduce production time and cost). Unless you look very carefully and/or remove the floorplate from the stock it is hard to see that the floorplate is actually two pieces, but its' still not as graceful as the sculpted, one-piece "bowtie" floorplate. The 82Cs' all came standard with rubber buttplates.
I've never seen replacement parts for the (New York-based) "Kimber .22", but I have seen and bought new old stock spare parts for the (Oregon-based) Kimber "Model 82A", Kimber "Model 82B", and Kimber "Model 82C" rifles, including complete trigger assembles, trigger parts, complete bolts, bolt parts, firing pins, stocks, barrels, and magazines off of GunsAmerica and GunBroker. Below are some photos of two of my Kimber Model 82s':
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82B Classic in .22LR wearing a PMII 5-25X 0.1 MIL Gen 2 XR CCW + 2" USO ARD in Leupold Mark 4 High rings on top of a Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base :</span>
A big thumbs-up to Cameron Murphy for machining the two-piece picatinny base for me. For more info and close-up photos of the Murphy Precision 25 MOA Two-Piece Base, check-out my <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"Murphy Precision Kimber Model 82A/B 25 MOA Base"</span></span> thread.
<span style="font-weight: bold">(Oregon-based) Kimber of America Model 82C Classic in .22LR wearing a Leupold Vari-X IIc 4-12X 40mm AO in Leupold PRW Low rings on top of old school Warne two-piece base:</span>
If you buy a (New York-based) Kimber Manufacturing "Kimber .22", you can buy a 20 MOA picatinny rail from U.S. Optics, pictured below. (DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS)::
<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Note the hole spacing on this USO "Kimber 22" 20 MOA One-Piece Base. <span style="color: #FF0000">The Front of the base is on the right in these photos:</span></span></span>
USO also makes an extended picatinny base for the single-shot Model 82 Government training rifles.
If you buy a (Oregon-based) Kimber of Oregon "Model 82 Government" (single shot trainer), you can buy a 20 MOA Picatinny Rail from U.S. Optics. I've seen and held one at USO but I didn't take any photos of their "Model 82 Government" base. IT DOES NOT FIT ANY OF THE KIMBER OF OREGON REPEATERS.
Personally, I would buy either a "Sporter" (Repeater) Oregon Kimber or a New York Kimber before I would buy a single-shot Kimber Model 82 "Government". Call me lazy, but for anything other than strict .22 Rimfire Competition I prefer a repeater over a single shot .22.
Keith </div></div>
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