Braxton Taylor
Kimber America, renowned for fine firearms with performance to match, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. The company’s meticulous 1911s are among the best available today, and its K6s line of revolvers gained a quick following after they debuted in 2016. The firm didn’t launch with handguns, however.
The company began in 1979 with rimfire rifles crafted by owner Jack Warne and his son, Greg. Kimber of Oregon, as it was called at the time, was based in Clackamas, OR. The .22 LR rifles were warmly welcomed by enthusiasts and a second manufacturing plant was opened to meet demand.
Then the Warnes decided to enter the centerfire-rifle business, which required a significant investment in machinery and tooling. The money they raised wasn’t enough, and the attempted introduction of a big-game, bolt-action rifle led to financial strain. The company sold to a new owner in 1989, who also found it impossible to remedy the budget problem. The firm closed and its assets liquidated.
Afterward Jack Warne established Warne Manufacturing, of scope-mount fame, but he never gave up on firearm design. He found a financial backer and established Kimber of America a few years later.
Based in Oregon, handguns were the primary focus—1911s in particular. The company wound up moving to New York and, despite Warne leaving the firm, business continued to flourish. By 2020 orders outpaced plant capacity, and the firm announced a move to a new, state-of-the art facility in Troy, AL, in 2018. Today that factory manufactures much more than pistols.
Kimber America produces rifles and pistols used by the USA Shooting Team, LAPD SWAT and even select members of the United States Marine Corps assigned to Central Command. It has never abandoned those 1911 roots, introducing new models with each year, along with new rifles and revolvers based on that popular K6s.
To celebrate this year’s milestone, the company has introduced a limited run of 45th Anniversary 1911s. Each comes with a custom-coated TiN barrel, distressed slide, hand-finished components, custom black, horn grips, two 8-Round Tac-Mag Magazines, a Negrini Custom case, 45th Anniversary Coin and certificate of authenticity. Another unique feature is the custom engraving on the slide that read “45th Anniversary Edition” and “1979 – 2024.”
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