NorCal Hunter
Member
Hello Fellow Rifle Hunters,
I'm sharing my experience with Kimber to help you decide whether you should invest in one of their rifles or look elsewhere. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them.
-I purchased the Kimber Mountain Ascent (7mag) with the Optifade Open Country synthetic stock (special edition camo)
-I purchased the special edition Zeiss scope in the Optifade Open Country camo pattern to match the stock
Upon arrival I reviewed each product and noticed the following:
-The Kimber Mountain Ascent with the special edition Optifade Open Country camo pattern comes with black scope base/rings (have to buy matching mounts separately)
-The special edition Zeiss scope in Optifade Open Country is not hydro-dipped, but rather wrapped in what feels/looks like a heavy duty waterproof construction paper that is wrapped around and affixed to the scope.
-Zeiss (or Kimber) has an employee use a bladed instrument to cut around the twist power ring, Zeiss brand plates and so on in order that the wrap does not hide the brand or impede operation of the scope
-Brand plate was half missing as it had been chipped by the employee, wrap was unevenly applied to scope, scope had been poorly stripped of the camo wrap in places, and in other places it had not been properly removed. Overall, the quality of the application was unprofessional looking and upon notifying Kimber and providing pictures they immediately agreed to replace the scope (I opted for return, not replace). Kimber honored my request for a refund. Bought a vortex scope and sent it to an operation in Wisconsin to have it hydro-dipped to match rifle (looks much better).
-Kimber rifle action could not extract spent shells from chamber after firing. A range master provided a small rubber mallet that I used to tap the bolt in order to remove spent shells (did not have strength to pull out on my own). This happened approximately every few shots. I was directed to try different ammo. I purchased a number of other high end ammos as directed and encountered the same issue.
-Contact at Kimber requested ammo details. I provided lot number, brand, grain, and all other requested information. Kimber arranged return via my local firearms dealer. After several weeks the firearm was returned and I was told the gunsmiths on staff could not recreate the issue. Surprised I asked if they had used the ammo I had used (several different brands, etc...). I was told they hadn't. The gunsmiths simply used some ammo they had on hand and only fired the gun a few times.
-This is where Kimber did not live up to my expectations. Given their reputation and price point I'd have expected not to have to argue with the representative assigned to my case for them to take the gun back again so their gunsmith could recreate the issue using one of the number of ammo types I had fired (all info provided to them). After much resistance, Kimber gave in and took the gun back. Upon doing so and shooting the ammo types/brands I had they quickly replicated the issue I reported.
-The action of my rifle was swapped out, tested and returned. After this the rifle fired fine. Unfortunately, I missed the first hunt I had scheduled (reason I bought the rifle) as this process required a couple months for Kimber to resolve and many hours of my time.
-Upon receiving the firearm I went on another planned hunt. The hunt lasted 4 days and took place in a burn unit with limited brush. After 4 days of still hunting in mostly open country the Optifade Open County camo pattern on the stock wore off in each of the spots I held the gun in my hands. These are not scratches and are not owner caused. The camo application process is flawed, or the synthetic stock used by Kimber does not take to the application of camo.
-Again, I called Kimber. Again, they asked for pictures. Again, my rep indicated the camo should not be rubbing away like it was (after viewing the photos I provided) and offered to replace the stock. He also mentioned that he believes I'm the least lucky Kimber customer he's dealt with.
-I opted not to bother The issue is the materials used or the application process itself.
In closing, Kimber has some serious Quality Assurance issues and did not properly vet their rollout of the camo options. This says nothing of the issue I had with the action or the fact I had to be somewhat aggressive to get kimber to replicate the issue I was having with the action (a potentially unsafe condition).
Additionally, each time the firearm was sent back I had to remove the scope, then set it up again upon receipt (includes going to the range, etc...) . This and correspondence cost me many days of personal time and months of lost hunting.
I have provided this feedback in detail to Kimber. And, Kimber sent me a soft gun case and a rifle sling for my troubles. I appreciate that, but I cannot recommend this firearm to any hunter. Nor can I recommend the rifles in general given all of the issues I encountered--scope, action, stock, etc..
I'm sharing my experience with Kimber to help you decide whether you should invest in one of their rifles or look elsewhere. If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them.
-I purchased the Kimber Mountain Ascent (7mag) with the Optifade Open Country synthetic stock (special edition camo)
-I purchased the special edition Zeiss scope in the Optifade Open Country camo pattern to match the stock
Upon arrival I reviewed each product and noticed the following:
-The Kimber Mountain Ascent with the special edition Optifade Open Country camo pattern comes with black scope base/rings (have to buy matching mounts separately)
-The special edition Zeiss scope in Optifade Open Country is not hydro-dipped, but rather wrapped in what feels/looks like a heavy duty waterproof construction paper that is wrapped around and affixed to the scope.
-Zeiss (or Kimber) has an employee use a bladed instrument to cut around the twist power ring, Zeiss brand plates and so on in order that the wrap does not hide the brand or impede operation of the scope
-Brand plate was half missing as it had been chipped by the employee, wrap was unevenly applied to scope, scope had been poorly stripped of the camo wrap in places, and in other places it had not been properly removed. Overall, the quality of the application was unprofessional looking and upon notifying Kimber and providing pictures they immediately agreed to replace the scope (I opted for return, not replace). Kimber honored my request for a refund. Bought a vortex scope and sent it to an operation in Wisconsin to have it hydro-dipped to match rifle (looks much better).
-Kimber rifle action could not extract spent shells from chamber after firing. A range master provided a small rubber mallet that I used to tap the bolt in order to remove spent shells (did not have strength to pull out on my own). This happened approximately every few shots. I was directed to try different ammo. I purchased a number of other high end ammos as directed and encountered the same issue.
-Contact at Kimber requested ammo details. I provided lot number, brand, grain, and all other requested information. Kimber arranged return via my local firearms dealer. After several weeks the firearm was returned and I was told the gunsmiths on staff could not recreate the issue. Surprised I asked if they had used the ammo I had used (several different brands, etc...). I was told they hadn't. The gunsmiths simply used some ammo they had on hand and only fired the gun a few times.
-This is where Kimber did not live up to my expectations. Given their reputation and price point I'd have expected not to have to argue with the representative assigned to my case for them to take the gun back again so their gunsmith could recreate the issue using one of the number of ammo types I had fired (all info provided to them). After much resistance, Kimber gave in and took the gun back. Upon doing so and shooting the ammo types/brands I had they quickly replicated the issue I reported.
-The action of my rifle was swapped out, tested and returned. After this the rifle fired fine. Unfortunately, I missed the first hunt I had scheduled (reason I bought the rifle) as this process required a couple months for Kimber to resolve and many hours of my time.
-Upon receiving the firearm I went on another planned hunt. The hunt lasted 4 days and took place in a burn unit with limited brush. After 4 days of still hunting in mostly open country the Optifade Open County camo pattern on the stock wore off in each of the spots I held the gun in my hands. These are not scratches and are not owner caused. The camo application process is flawed, or the synthetic stock used by Kimber does not take to the application of camo.
-Again, I called Kimber. Again, they asked for pictures. Again, my rep indicated the camo should not be rubbing away like it was (after viewing the photos I provided) and offered to replace the stock. He also mentioned that he believes I'm the least lucky Kimber customer he's dealt with.
-I opted not to bother The issue is the materials used or the application process itself.
In closing, Kimber has some serious Quality Assurance issues and did not properly vet their rollout of the camo options. This says nothing of the issue I had with the action or the fact I had to be somewhat aggressive to get kimber to replicate the issue I was having with the action (a potentially unsafe condition).
Additionally, each time the firearm was sent back I had to remove the scope, then set it up again upon receipt (includes going to the range, etc...) . This and correspondence cost me many days of personal time and months of lost hunting.
I have provided this feedback in detail to Kimber. And, Kimber sent me a soft gun case and a rifle sling for my troubles. I appreciate that, but I cannot recommend this firearm to any hunter. Nor can I recommend the rifles in general given all of the issues I encountered--scope, action, stock, etc..
