Kimber Mountain thoughts

jaredg

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 19, 2017
Messages
175
Location
N. Utah
So I don't want this to come off as negative, but I have a few questions re: the Kimber MA rifles. I was in my LGS and was handling a Kimber MA in 6.5 CM. I was very unimpressed with the trigger weight and grittiness and the bolt seemed to stick or "gall" when cycling. I spoke with the onsite gunsmith about the trigger. He told me that the trigger was not user adjustable. As for the sticky bolt, he had no suggestions. I have started to compare all of the rifles I handle to the Sako and Tikkas. To me, these are the gold standard for a factory rifle (we all have a different gold standard). I ended up purchasing a Barrett FC in 6.5 instead of the Kimber. So here is the question to those who own the Kimber MA and love them... Is the trigger user adjustable and does the bolt get slicker with use? Does anyone have both Sako / Tikka AND a Kimber MA and even a Barrett FC to compare? I wanted to love the Kimber and went to the LGS with full intention of buying one, but after handling I was so unimpressed I went with plan B. Will the Kimber ever break in and have the smooth feel of the Sako / Tikkas? Please note, I don't want to start a Kimber bashing thread, nor am I trying to troll. I just want to know personal experience with those two issues (trigger & smoothness of bolt) as compared to the other brands I mentioned.
 
I have always really liked Kimber triggers. I had a gun smith turn one down on my previous varmint 22-250 and it made it even better. Trigger Tech is coming out with a trigger for the kimber 84m this year so that's a great option. I had a MA and remeber the bolt not being overly smooth at first but seemed like it did smooth out. My most recent Kimber is a pro varmint 22-250 and the action was real sticky like you are saying but has improved after 100 rounds or so.
 
I have both a Sako 85 Finnlight and a Kimber Mountain Ascent. The trigger on the Kimber is user adjustable (also says so in the user manual) Both great rifles, with no issues you've described. Honestly I don't think you can go wrong with most factory higher'ish rifles these days, including the Barret FC you've mentioned. My buddy has a Tikka and its a real shooter as well, however it feels "cheap" in terms of materials, it should be paid $450 for it?

Find one you like and go shooting.
 
Kimbers have an excellent user adjustable trigger and a great stock. And they get slick with use.
 
The triggers in my kimbers have been as good for better than any timney I’ve had.
 
I currently have most of the rifles that you're comparing, Kimber MA, Barrett FC, and a couple Tikka's (T3 and T3x both stainless). As far as trigger on the MA, what's already been stated above although I've never had a desire to adjust/change my trigger because I really like it how it is. Regarding the smoothness of cycling the bolt, the Tikka's are the smoothest then the FC and MA, in that order. The MA does seem to smooth out with usage, although I only have about 200 rounds down mine, so I don't know if it will continue to improve or not. That said, the cycling of the bolt on the MA has never been really "sticky", but no where near as smooth as the T3's. I do feel that comparing CRF to PF is not really fair since just by the design of the CRF, there are more variables for the bolt to "hang up", or not move as freely or smoothly in the action. I also have several Winchester model 70 CRF, both Pre and post '64 models and have owned Remington model 700's, and it's been my experience that even the smoothest CRF's will not cycle as smooth as the smoothest PF's. Maybe the MA you were messing with, for whatever reason, was a much poorer example of the normal standard for Kimber?
 
I’ve had a Kimber, now have a FC. The FC is so much more nicely built. I also think a lot more highly of Barrett than Kimber. Kimber has horrible customer service reports from the rifles to the 1911’s.
 
Maybe I will give the Kimber another try. The trigger on the one example (I have only ever handled the one) was so heavy, I thought the safety was on at first. @AK Troutbum, as for PF vs CRF, I was cycling empty on the showroom floor, so that should not have been part of the equation? AK, of all of these rifles, which was your favorite? BTW, thanks for all of the quick replies, at the very least I have been educated that the trigger IS user adjustable
 
I have a few Montana’s and a MA. The MA is definitely not quite as smooth as the Montana’s but it gets better after being cycled a few hundred times. The flutes on the bolt need to be worn down a bit and it will get better.
As to the trigger, as has been stated, user adjustable. All of mine break like glass, and are ridiculously consistent rifles.
 
Maybe I will give the Kimber another try. The trigger on the one example (I have only ever handled the one) was so heavy, I thought the safety was on at first. @AK Troutbum, as for PF vs CRF, I was cycling empty on the showroom floor, so that should not have been part of the equation? AK, of all of these rifles, which was your favorite? BTW, thanks for all of the quick replies, at the very least I have been educated that the trigger IS user adjustable
I believe my trigger is factory set at around 2.5 lbs. (but don't quote me on that), and it has a very crisp, no creep, break. When I describe the cycling of the various bolts, I am talking about cycling them empty, although when you factor in cycling rounds, other issues can pop up, especially with the short mags, and ammo that has steep shoulders. The CRF (Mauser action), is just a bit more complex with more moving parts and opportunity for the bolt to not slide through/into the action, compared to PF.

Of the rifles/styles of bolt action rifles I own, I would say that my least favorite are the Tikka's (which I'll get into in a moment). This is obviously just a matter of opinion, but I like the CRF and 3 position safety's on the Kimber's and Winchester's. There is no doubt that the Tikka and Barrett have smoother actions, with the Tikka being exceptionally smooth, and they all are exceptionally accurate (although I haven't shot the T3x yet), but I absolutely hate the stocks on the Tikka's. I think they feel like complete garbage, and I don't think that their shape/design is very good at mitigating felt recoil. Lastly, I don't think that they are a very aesthetically pleasing rifle, when compared to the other ones. Again, that's just a matter of opinion, and obviously doesn't have anything to do with hunting or functionality. For several hundred dollars I could put a different stock on the Tikka which would greatly improve my feelings, and I think comfort in shooting, but then I'm into it for upwards of the price of a MA or FC.

As far as my favorite, that's a tough one for me. I really like the fit and finish of both the MA and FC, although finish on the FC is a tad bit better IMO. I think I like the stock on the FC a little better as well, although I like the feel of the "soft touch" stock on the MA better. Again, not that it matters, but I think the MA is a damn sharp looking rifle and like stated before, I prefer CRF/3 position safety. They both (actually all three), shoot great, and I can't say that one is more accurate than the other, at least not when I'm behind the pad with my mediocre shooting abilities, so that's a toss up.

All said and done, IMO the MA edges the FC, and I prefer both easily over the Tikka's.

Damn, I just realized how long winded that was and I apologize, sorry for the rant.
 
Last edited:
Yea, that gunsmith is dead wrong, that's one of the easiest triggers to adjust and is excellent IMO. As for the action its a CRF so you really cant compare it to a tikka PF action in regards to smoothness of cycling, but yes the Kimber does smooth up nicely with use. Btw you made an excellent choice with the Barrett.
 
Yea, that gunsmith is dead wrong, that's one of the easiest triggers to adjust and is excellent IMO. As for the action its a CRF so you really cant compare it to a tikka PF action in regards to smoothness of cycling, but yes the Kimber does smooth up nicely with use. Btw you made an excellent choice with the Barrett.

This^^
BTW- don’t use that gunsmith.......
 
i have a ma 270 wsm and adjusted the trigger down to I’d say 2.5 lbs. it’s a awesome stock trigger. And my bolt is really smooth. I’ve heard a lot of guys say there rough when new but mine never was.
 
Also Ti fluted tactical knob gives you better leverage and easier cycling.
Waiting on one for kimber 300 wsm, have one on 358 montana and 6.5 cm hunter
 
where you finding those TI tactical knobs at?

This gentleman.
Give me a minute and I’ll get it right, hopefully

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 
Last edited:
where you finding those TI tactical knobs at?
Respond to the thread only that troutbum linked to with model 8400 0r 84 style, and style of knob. I went with the fluted tactical for all of mine.
my 8400 will be in next batch
 

Attachments

  • 20200204_123256.jpg
    20200204_123256.jpg
    212.1 KB · Views: 40
Last edited:
Back
Top