Posted: 4/27/2008 11:58:35 AM EDT
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I just got my first Kimber two weeks ago. It's an Ultra Carry II, and I've been wanting one for a looooong time. Shot it for the first two times this week, and have 390 rounds through it, to date. Here's a question for you Kimber fellas, How many rounds do feel comfortable enough for "break-in" before you start carrying? Here's my baby: 
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| it's your A$$, so it's up to you, but I'd suggest a Min 500 trouble free rounds. I won't carry one unless it eats 800 to 1000 rds and half of them will be duty/carry rounds. No sense saying your gun runs flawless if you only shoot with ball, a handfull of HP and you carry HP. YMMV |
| Nice! I just got an UCII recently as well. I've only found the time (money) to get 80 rounds or so through mine. Twice I've had a premature slide lock. The first time I couldn't say for sure wasn't my grip b/c I wasn't paying close attention, but the second time I can say 100% positive wasn't me interacting with the slide stop. I'm gonna get a Wilson slide stop, then put at least 200-300 rounds through it before I'm willing to say it's good to go. On a more positive note, my little Kimber appears to be accurate as hell and a pleasure to shoot. |
Hey before you buy a slide stop call Kimber and tell them your problem and that its most likely the slide stop. They will send you a new modified one free of charge since this is a common issue with the Ultra Carry 1911s. I got one for mine and its never happened again. You can file the one you have but they will send you one already to the shape its suppose to be. BTW, here is mine that has been 100% reliable and more accurate than my 5" Springer:  |
 Thanks for the great advice! I called today and the part is on the way.  Might as well throw in a pic while I'm here...
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Nice one, how are those laser grips? I've always wanted to get a pair for certain guns but could never get past the prices. Does the laser stay put after shooting for awhile? |
I think the jury is still out on the lasergrips for me... I've only put about 80 rounds through the gun so far, but I've done a fair bit of dry fire practice with it. I think that I get distracted by the laser a bit, I end up looking for the dot instead of focusing on my front sight. So... I think some more practice is in order. The beam is nice and tight, seems about as bright as a red laser can be, and is easy to activate when you want it but not when you don't. I think they've got good potential. |
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I just bought an Ultra Carry II in SS last wknd. Shot about 80 rounds through it I failure to return to battery > in the 2nd magazine fired after that no problems I love it, it handles -shoots- feels right My S/O wants 1 for herself also paid $778 here in Tulsa, same dealer states he'll sell the black version w/o nite sites for $688? that seems very reasonable |
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I guess this makes it a total, official 100% hijack, but... I called Kimber early last week, described my problem, and they told me they'd send me a 'modified' slide stop. It arrived today, and visually it was identical to my existing slide stop. So, either my UCII came with a 'modified' slide stop and still has problems or else they grabbed the wrong part off the shelf. Either way, since I had a spare now I decided to go after the new part with a file until I had the clearance that I felt I needed to eliminate my premature lock back. I'm going to have to check it at the range, but from what I see so far I think that my problem will be solved. I'm a bit leery of hack 'n chop gunsmithing on a carry piece, but if/when I get a few hundred rounds through it with no problems and no sign of damage to my modified slide stop I'm going to call it good to go. |
I'll take a picture of my current/new slide stop and the old one and show you where the difference is when I get home. |
 In this photo I pointed out how the part is slightly shorter and more slanted.The 2 red marks in the background is my attempt to show you the difference in angles of the 2 parts. Its slight but you do notice it.  This picture is just a overhead view showing that both "halves" of the slanted part need to be filed down. Before doing anything though make sure they are the same part since at first glance they do seem to be the same. |
Thanks for the photos. Hard to say about the first one, but the two slide stops that I have in my hand hare the same height and appear to have (had) the same angle. The second picture helps me identify my slidestops more, as they clearly have the extra angle cut. So... I'm thinking it's pretty likely that my UCII had the modified slide stop from the factory, but still had some problems. I did a little additional work to the new one, apparently the same thing that Kimber did from the original to the modified, just more of it. I brought the angle on the back corner further in, giving more clearance around the nose of the bullet. I also made the angle pictured in the first picture just slightly more acute. It appears that there is still a lot of material touching off on the follower to lock the slide, but there is a healthy bit more clearance between the slide stop and rounds in the mag now. Thanks again for your help! 
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Damn it! I was looking at the exact same 1911 on budsgunshop.com the other night! May have to be my graduation present to myself. How do you like it? |
I love it so far. Once I get this little premature lockback issue taken care of it's gonna be my daily carry gun. It is super accurate and it has a great trigger, but it's my first 1911, so maybe it's just a normal 1911... I decided to eat PB&J for a month to get it. Great decision. The month is over and regular meals are back, but I've still got my UCII.
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