Posted: 5/9/2005 7:09:09 AM EDT
|
I'm in the market to get my first Kimber and need advice regarding the pros and cons of Kimbers two extractor versions. I'm leaning towards a TLE/RL II with the external but am also interested in either the Warrior with internal or the Custom Tactical with external. Since I have no track record myself with Kimber all I can relate to is from my past experiences with Springfield Armory and AMT 1911's both with external extractors (never had any problems with either). The AMT was stock and the Springfield I built myself. Is there any production problems in Kimbers history? I seen some threads that mentioned extractor problems. Is this a current or ongoing problem or were these isolated occurances? Thanks in advance for the input. RC |
|
Hot diggity! I was getting ready to ask the same question, and was looking at the exact same 2 guns (Warrior and TLE/RL II). I heard it's better to go for the internal extractor (such as on the warrior), and that some .gov LE agency just placed a big special order for 1911's based on the original government specifications, including the internal extractor (read it in some gun rag, but can't remember which rag, which .gov, and who they ordered the pistols from .... I'll look it up and add it here). BUT ..... I've also heard a lot of people *pshaw* at the external extractor problems, saying they've never had such a problem. I would also like to know what others have to say in answer to StingerHP. Thanks, Sting, for asking the question for me! |
|
I have (4) Kimbers - including a TLE RL II (2) of my Kimbers have the external extractor (2) of my Kimbers have the internal ALL of them work fine. (3) of my Kimbers are Series II (1) of my Kimbers is a Series I ALL of them work fine. (2) of my Kimbers have aluminum frames (2) of my Kimbers have steel frames ALL of them work fine. 
|
|
Sorry to say I personaly have seen enough of the external extractors having problems that I would not own one untill Kimber gets it's act together on it's MIM extractor Quality control. I've shot three new Eclipse's that all had fail to extract problems. The Warrior I shot last week ran flawlessly, My Custom II with internal extractor has also gone well over 3000 rounds flawlessly. My Custom II with internal extractor gets carried every day 
|
|
I've got an Eclipse Ultra II with external extractor problems. When I first got the gun I was having about 5 or 6 failure to extracts out of 100 rounds. Kimber sent me their latest version of the extractor and I installed it and haven't had any extraction problems since. I'm having now is problems with feeding because the rim of the cartridge is getting jammed into the bottom of the new extractor as it's entering the chamber. The gun is heading back to Kimber tomorrow. Oh by the way, the gun is pretty accurate and I hope Kimber gets it straightened out. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/thesilveradokid/Picture014b.jpg |
|
Thanks to those that have responded so far. There seems to be a general consensus that there is no problems either way except for one respondent. If there are problems I would like to hear about specific's (documented) or first hand experience with such issues. I've become a Kimber owner today. I purchased a "Warrior" over the TLE/RL II because the dealer only had the TLE/RL II in SS and I would have preferred the matte finish. It had nothing to do with the extractor either. In fact if I enjoy this pistol as much as you all do yours I'm sure I'll be adding another one and most likely will be the TLE unless Kimber comes up with something else new. Looking forward to going to the range and breaking it in.  RC NOTE:I WAS TYPING THIS THREAD AS THE ABOVE THREAD WAS BEING ADDED ON, THAT'S THE KIND OF INFO I'M LOOKING FOR AND WHAT KIND OF ACTION WAS TAKEN TO CORRECT IT. THANKS |
. Range report to follow. 
|
I second the recommendation for a full size (5" barrel) 1911. Or at the very least, no less than a 4" barrel. They just seem to run better overall, as that's the barrel length the entire 1911 system was originally designed around. From what I've seen, it's almost always the shorter ("Ultra" style 3" barrels) 1911 models having hiccups. For what it's worth, I have a new Kimber TLE RL II that I've put 300 rounds through. NO failures to feed or extract. Only issues have been slide lock failure (on last round) with the Kimber magazine. Wilson mags and the Kimber mags with Wilson springs and followers work fine. Other issue was the rear sight coming lose after the first 150 rounds. Couldn't figure out why I my shots started drifting over so far all of a sudden...  Some Locktite took care of that.
|
| I got my Kimber Eclipse Ultra II external extractor back from Kimber a week or so ago. They replaced the barrel and adjusted the slide release. I've shot about 300 rounds through it with only one jam and I believe I might not of had the magazine in all the way. Anyway it wasn't a failure to extract or a failure to feed. I need to get to Walmart and get a couple of boxes of Winchester white box ammo and run a couple 100 more through the gun. Unfortunately I don't think the new barrel is as accurate as the original barrel. |
|
I always wondered why Kimber's external extractors are so short as opposed to every one elses. Why does everyone else choose to keep their external extractors so exposed while Kimber's look short? Are there any technical differences worth noting, or am I just nit picking?
|
|
I have not had an fte with my stainless tle II in over 3000 rounds. Has never choked in an IDPA match (anywhere from 8 to 16 round scenarios fired quickly)...several "glock geeks" are unfortunately unable to say the same. I did have a FTC but it was traced down to a faulty magazine. |
Kimber deceided to use a coil [extractor] spring that runs parralell with slide and pushes against a plunger which cams against the extractor. A rather complex design that coupled with poor MIM quality control parts has caused Kimber a lot of grief IMHO.  |
|
+ 1 for the internal extractors, I have three Kimbers and they all have run flawlessly-I will be picking up another internal extracted Kimber today. I agree with the earlier post regarding producing internal extractors out of higher quality spring steel-but if you know how to operate and load a 1911 with an internal extractor you should never have any problems with the pistol as long as you do normal PMCS |