Kimber Family..........223

[Bills Shed]

I have always liked the 222. Hopefully it will shoot just as well but I feel cold just looking at those pictures of the snow + wind chill!

[TinMan]

Hope this adds, and does not confuse things. I first learned about Wilson when I first build a couple of ARs back in 1993 (pre Clinton), when Wilson marketed their barrels as Military or Match barrels. Their Military were marketed to AR builders, as opposed to gunsmiths who were re-barreling traditional rifles. Later, I learned later (1995) that Wilson Match barrels were used in the Winchester Model 70 HVSS models. When I got my first Cooper in 1998, discovered that Cooper used Wilson Match Barrels. Still later, Wilson bought out Dan Cooper when he left the business. I do not know who Kimber used, but I have Kimber M82s in Hornet and 22lr, and both shoot very well.

[Bayou City Boy]

Originally Posted by South Pender

Bill, wasn't it the other way around--i.e., the fellows that started Cooper were originally on Kimber's staff? In any case, you might be right about using Wilson barrels.

You are correct in that Dan Cooper and a couple of others involved with the early Cooper Firearms Company were old Kimber of Oregon employees. I don't remember off hand who started the Yonkers (NY) Kimber company or where they came from (thought revised by the information in the link below).

All Kimber of NY rifles are currently built on the Model 84/8400 action (4 different variations/sizes - M84M, M84L, M8400 WSM, and M8400 Magnum), while the Kimber Model 82 actions are usually associated with Kimber of Oregon rifles. I don't remember if the Model 82 designation crossed company lines from Oregon to NY or not.

I found this link to the Kimber companies origins that included names for Kimber creators/owners over the years:

https://gunvalues.gundigest.com/kimber-mfg-inc/


-BCB

[Bill K]

[quote=Bayou City Boy;279912]You are correct in that Dan Cooper and a couple of others involved with the early Cooper Firearms Company were old Kimber of Oregon employees. I don't remember off hand who started the Yonkers (NY) Kimber company or where they came from (thought revised by the information in the link below).

That could be how it went. Someone told me they left Cooper. but either way, both are good rifles and shoot well. Bill K

[TinMan]

The Model 82 did cross over somehow, as I my 22lr is a M82C, SS unfluted barrel, and as I recall the barrel says "Kimber of America in Clackamas, OR" without digging it out of the safe to read the exact wording. I think that was 1995 or so.

[Bayou City Boy]

[quote=Bill K;279913]

Originally Posted by Bayou City Boy

You are correct in that Dan Cooper and a couple of others involved with the early Cooper Firearms Company were old Kimber of Oregon employees. I don't remember off hand who started the Yonkers (NY) Kimber company or where they came from (thought revised by the information in the link below).

That could be how it went. Someone told me they left Cooper. but either way, both are good rifles and shoot well. Bill K

http://cooperfirearms.com/about-us/cooper-history

-BCB

[Bill K]

http://cooperfirearms.com/about-us/cooper-history

-BCB[/quote]

Now there is the "Rest of the Story" good information and how. Bill K

[kenbro]

I think it was Jack Warne (He of Warne scope rings etc) that stated making rimfies in Australia.
Was bought out and had to move halfway round the world to Oregon.
Jacks son Greg became involved (Don’t know how) and there major backer moved them to Yonkers NY, then got rid of Greg.
Think Greg was found shot dead in some woods. If his Father is still alive he must be near 100 now.
Ken.
Ps. My only Kimber is a 84 in 7-08 cal.