What ammo should I shoot through my kimber? What ammo should I avoid?
Shoot whatever ammo goes bang.
If you plan to shoot a lot of .45 look into reloading. Currently I reload for about $7 per 50.
I always hear of ftf or fte or never shoot hollows or fmjs. Is there like a rule of thumb on ammo for 1911?
A proper 1911 should feed JHP rounds, as those are the most effective projectiles on soft targets. There are good and bad JHPs, as there is good and bad ball rounds.
For cheap practice stuff the 230gr FMJ is the most reasonably priced, and it works, but if it’s a defensive pistol take the time to find a defensive load that feeds consistently (run a couple hundred rounds of it through the pistol, and each magazine you plan to rely on), and if none of them do, send the pistol back to Kimber, as you should be able to find some that do work.
Well my sr40 I shoot the critical duty by hornady. They should be fine for the kimber as well right?
Well I guess it would be the critical defense cuz I don’t believe they offer the critical duty in 45. What is +p ammo?
I’ve shot Remington 185 gr. Golden Saber out of a custom Colt Commander with excellent results in accuracy. The +P version opened up the group just a little more.
I was recommended the Golden Sabers by Kimber customer service, so that’s what I use for carry ammo. I’ve used Corbon & Hornady with equally good results as well in my full size. However, the Golden Sabers work well & came recommended by the manufacturer, so that’s what I go with. Any practice or plinking I just use basic 230gr ball ammo.
Whatever you buy, test it. And not just 1, 7 round magazine. Put 100-200 rounds through it.
The only JHP I’ve been able to run through a Kimber, without messing with the feed ramp/barrel geometry to have them run correctly have been Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST.
Remington Golden Sabre and Winchester PDX/Ranger both caused hangups for me.
My Kimber Custom II really has liked the Speer Gold Dots. 500+ rounds of GD downrange and zero failures. For practice ammo, anything from a reputable manufacturer will do. I personally try to avoid the Russian stuff but others have had okay success with it. Some of the cheapest target ammo you will find is CCI aluminum cased. It works just fine, just cannot be reloaded. I’ve shot a bunch of it through my Kimber.
Start out with Winchester White Box,100 rd Box,should be available at Wally World for around $40 bucks,not cheap,but its decent ammo,even if you don’t reload,pick up the brass for later,ya can always sell/trade it away for more ammo !! Hell,try anything that sounds good,(except unkown reloads),ya never know till ya try it,look for Wolf/Tula/American Eagle,etc,what ever ya can get at a reasonable price,shoot it all !!! :D:D You will find out what works best out of your particular pistol !! When it comes to SHTF/Defensive ammo,buy a quality brand,Hornady,Speer etc,see how it shoots and then decide what works best for ya !! Keep us posted on how ya make out !! 
+1 on critical defense works great in my Colt
every gun, even identical model guns form the same maker may show ammo preferneces. start with what as worked for you in other guns, but this is not going to prove it will work until shot, and don’t judge a gun by how it works with just one type of ammo. I have a Colt 1911 in 9mm that works perfectly with winchester HP’s (the old black talons rebranded to ranger le rounds) ,ball and lead relaods but won’t feed any other HP.
Critical defense works great in all my 45acp
I have run many boxes of Gold Dots through my ratty Kimber TLE II and the thing just gobbles them up like fmjs.
In fact, this TLE II has never jammed since I bought it new 3 years ago and pulled it out of the box. Fairly accurate, too. Keeps up with my 2 Colts and Springer.
From the posts around here…I gather I bought the only good Kimber. LOL
-brickboy240
Walmart has the Federal 45auto 100 packs for $29.97 I believe its their national price. So far I dont have any complaints (nor does ny TRP) ;)after 200 rounds.