The negative Kimber feedback comes from numerous issues with poor quality mim components, poor QC assembly and a poor firing pin safety.
Keep in mind, that for many 3-5K is an insignificant round count. As LAV pointed out in a 1911 operator class, many 1911's will be "reliable" for 5K +/-, but eventually there poor construction or skipped manufacturing steps will catch up with them. Most manufacturers bet on the average person never shooting that much thru a gun. But for some, whether its their organization/unit, competition . etc 5K is just a start. It's after that, when things get to be problematic.
The Series Kimber has been found to be sensitive to timeing issues, whereas the hammer can fall, but the pin is still locked.
And, as with just about every gun review, it only takes a few bad examples to ruin the brand.
With good quality, known brands, like Springfield Armory & Colt out there, for not a lot of money, I don't see the point in buying a RIA/Taurus/Citadel/ whatever else is out there
I just bought a used, about 95% Colt old roll mark '91 for $556+shipping and FFL. NIB SA mil-spec can be found for $600+/-...that's not a big step up.
A new Colt '91, XSE or Rail gun are right around 1K.
I owned an early Kimber, it came from an Albuquerque SWAT officer & had been shot a lot, I had it tuned up, it was a great gun, as most early series 1 Kimbers are. A friend owned two, until he stepped up to Wilsons. The new guns do not enjoy the same rep amongst hard use 1911 guys. A co-worker has a Taurus, I am not impressed. poor fit and operation of parts, heavy trigger, silly lock on the hammer...any money saved on it's purchase would be spent at my 1911 smith getting it "fixed".
I've read more then one thread around here, where people are admonished to not play this game(precision/long range) if they can't afford it.
How many times are new shooters advised to save a few dollars more to buy a better scope? or any other piece of equipment?
If someone posted that they had fired over 5K of 338 with a Barska scope on top, who would even believe them? And if they did, it would be dismissed as an anomaly.
I see 1911's the same way.
If I were in the market for a new 1911, I'd start looking at Colt, SA, S&W, and then on up to the 'semi-custom" guns like SA custom shop, Wilson, etc.
Bob