Posted: 3/6/2008 10:54:58 AM EDT
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For anyone who has a Kimber, or has had one in the past. I have had a kimber for almost 2 years. It worked flawlessly for 1 year, then all of a sudden like a light switch it started having excessive FTF's. It had probably only had between 700 to 1000 rounds through it. So, then I replaced the recoil spring. Still had problems. THen I got some new magazines and new springs for the ones I already had. Still had problems. Sent it back to Kimber this past January, they fitted a new slide(cause I had the one with an external extractor), and replaced the recoil spring. I also sent them my magazines. I didnt get a range report back from them, so I dont know what results they got. Any way, So now I have put just under 300 rounds through it since I got it back. At first it was working properly, but this past weekend I put 100 rounds through it and had 4 FTF's. I called Kimber, and they offered to recall it and look at it again. I told them I would shoot it this weekend again and call them back. Has anyone had this experience with Kimber 1911's? If so, what was the resolution? Any suggestions? I am shooting winchester target loads (white box), I am certain my grip is not an issue, and my magazines are quality brands that are taken care of. Help me if you can.... Thanks |
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Yes, more detail on the failure to feed would be helpful (nec.) I'd think. Really glad they replaced the slide for you, I HATE external extractors on 1911'a, even on the ones that work! I've heard they're pretty good on service, so far lucky for me, the Desert Warrior hasn't needed to visit it's birthplace. |
| yep, failure to feed. Most of the time the bullets are nose diving, or pointed down so to speak. Almost as if it is hanging up on the ramp. But, like I said im shooting round nose winchester white box. Some times the slide just stops with the round partly in the chamber and going in at an odd angle, causing it to jam. |
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In a gun that previously ran fine I'd typically think that was a mag issue. Have you tried just getting a 47D or CM Power and running it with a brand new mag? It's possible that you've got a feed lip issue or something that wouldn't be addressed with new springs and the like. That's the main thing I'd try before sending it back again. Either that or just borrow a couple of mags from people at the range if possible. Does the ramp of the frame look funny? Carbon fouling or anything like that? In a new gun I'd say polish the ramp, but it's strange that it would work then just stop like that unless something else has changed. |
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I have an older Kimber. When it started to have failures, I fit a new EGW extractor. Yours with it's new slide and hence new extractor might have different issues. Still couldn't hurt to check extractor tension and profile/shape. You would be surprised at all the problems a poorly fit/tensioned extractor can cause. Any chance you drop the slide with a round in the chamber? Don't mean to insult your intellegence, but some people don't know. This forces the extractor tip to jump over the cartridge rim quickly ruining the extractor. 
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Not trying to sound dumb, but how did you find out it was nose diving? Is the stopping before or after it enters the chamber? The first thing I check when someone has a problem with feeding or extracting is the extractor tension (especially on Kimbers). I've had Kimbers come with extractors set too loose and too tight from the factory. Either can cause problems. Good news is that it's a five minute fix. However, if it is truly nose diving, then it sounds more like a magazine problem. |
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No, have not dropped the slide on a round in the chamber. The reason I know the rounds are nose diving, is that the bullet is letterally wedged between the slide and the ramp with the slide remaining open. I dont think it is my magazines, simply because even when I bought brand new ones, I had the same result. I will disassemble them and inspect them closely. Since I have no experience adjusting extractors? How would I go about increasing or decreasing the extractor tension? Oh, and to the earlier comment about Kimber's customer service......It is very good, no complaints about the company. I was really glad when I got a whole new slide fit to my frame. It only took about 2 or 3 weeks to get it back too!!! |