Sent off the Kimber

[Excaliber]

I'm using Speer Lawman, Federal, and Gold Dots, in Wilson Combat (I think 47c) mags. Thumb drag on the slide now that it's on top of the safety is possible, but I would recognize that I *think* because I'm analzying every aspect of this gun shooting. Im getting the malfunction at least once per 7 rd mag, never the first two shots, rarely the last. Lube is CLP during and after cleaning. I bring Militec 1 to the range for when the gun is hotter.

I'm off this weekend. I'll get the new spring pack, try it out, and then wait for the smith to get in town if that doesn't work. If anyone close wants to give it a run, I'm game, but I'd prefer a very experienced shooter. I've been shooting 1911s since I was little, and have been through weeks of firearms training and this has me stumped. That said...it is really getting in my head that she was able to fire it flawlessly. I'm leaning towards selling it just for the mental relief I have it listed on TGT to see what interest I'll garner, but I'd only close a deal after the buyer was able to shoot it and have it run.

Thank you Exaliber (and others) for your input! Keep it coming.

Is there any possibility of thumb drag on the slide from the weak hand thumb? It wouldn't take much to induce the types of issues you're seeing, and a thumb held parallel to the frame can ride up under recoil and contact the slide enough to slow it down.

Do you experience drag in slide cycling with no rounds present? If yes, a slide / frame friction issue becomes the top suspect. If no, you can put this possibility near the bottom of the list.

How is cycling affected when dummy rounds like the plastic variety or snap caps are worked through the action?

Have you tried magazines other than the Wilson you described? It could have bent feed lips or some other issue. What happens when the original Kimber mag is used?

The fact that both Kimber and your friend were able to fire it without duplicating the issues you're experiencing suggest that the cause is user related - not a novice user error, but some variable related to hand size, grip tension, or manipulation characteristics.

I wish I lived close enough to take a look at it - I'm puzzled and intrigued at the same time.

[gigag04]

I shoot right handed, and my left thumb rides under my right, and the right thumb is on top of the safety now, to prevent it from getting nudged while firing. When cycling manually it just seems sluggish or the round gets tripped up trying to enter the throat of the barrel. This is why I'm swapping the spring pack. I have 3 Wilsons that I'm running it with now, and the issue is across all 3. I was thinking about getting Chip McC mags but am hesitant to by more mags for a 3" 1911 when I'm sort of wanting to get a commander size now.

[Pawpaw]

Here's a dumb suggestion...

When I started testing SD ammo in my Ultra CDP II (Winchester PDX-1), I had a problem with the slide locking open occasionally. The problem was the bullets "bumping" the slide stop & causing it to engage the slide. Kimber sent me a free replacement, but that's another story.

My point is this; Is it possible you are experiencing the same thing, but the slide stop is only rising enough to hit the notch enough to cause the slide to hesitate & lose it's momentum?

To test, you can put your off-hand thumb on top of the slide stop for a full mag (or three). If it consistently works that way, a little judicious stoning of the slide stop may be all that is needed. You can also use a hand drill to put a dimple in the edge of the slide stop for the detent to rest in.

Just a thought...

[Excaliber]

I shoot right handed, and my left thumb rides under my right, and the right thumb is on top of the safety now, to prevent it from getting nudged while firing. When cycling manually it just seems sluggish or the round gets tripped up trying to enter the throat of the barrel. This is why I'm swapping the spring pack. I have 3 Wilsons that I'm running it with now, and the issue is across all 3. I was thinking about getting Chip McC mags but am hesitant to by more mags for a 3" 1911 when I'm sort of wanting to get a commander size now.

If the issue happens with all 3 Wilsons, I'd drop magazine related issues to the unlikely category.

If you take out the spring assembly and barrel, does the slide move smoothly on the frame?

If you put the barrel, frame, and slide stop lever together without the spring assembly, do you encounter the same binding issue?

If everything works OK except when the spring assembly is in place, that item needs a closer look.

Does the rod in the recoil spring assembly ride freely through the end plug? (A bent rod could cause everything you've described by causing excessive friction with the plug at the front.)

Try this: Take the slide off the frame without using the wire tool to lock the spring assembly first. Hold the slide upside down and push the rear plate of the recoil spring assembly forward to simulate the action that happens under recoil. Is the movement smooth or does it bind at some point? It should move smoothly with the only resistance coming from the spring. If it binds, you've found your culprit.

[Oldgringo]

Folk, I'm sorry but IMO, a pistol costing as much as any Kimber costs shouldn't be having the problems y'all refer to in this thread. What's that Texas expression, "All hat and no cattle"?

Yes, I do own a Kimber but it sure ain't my CCW.

[gigag04]

Folk, I'm sorry but IMO, a pistol costing as much as any Kimber costs shouldn't be having the problems y'all refer to in this thread. What's that Texas expression, "All hat and no cattle"?

Yes, I do own a Kimber but it sure ain't my CCW.

It's not new. All 3" 1911s have issues running long term without TLC. The timing has to be ridiculously perfect to work right. Since the round count on this gun was unknown when I got it, I'm having to work on it to get it where I want it....AND...it's looking more and more like I may be the issue. Hundreds of hours of shooting glocks in schools might be catching up with me.

Excaliber - I'll try that later tonight, I'm about to head out to the door to work off duty at the ER. I'll post follow up tomorrow.

[Oldgringo]

Folk, I'm sorry but IMO, a pistol costing as much as any Kimber costs shouldn't be having the problems y'all refer to in this thread. What's that Texas expression, "All hat and no cattle"?

Yes, I do own a Kimber but it sure ain't my CCW.

It's not new. All 3" 1911s have issues running long term without TLC. The timing has to be ridiculously perfect to work right. Since the round count on this gun was unknown when I got it, I'm having to work on it to get it where I want it....AND...it's looking more and more like I may be the issue. Hundreds of hours of shooting glocks in schools might be catching up with me.

I know how long you've wanted and then waited on this pistol. I certainly hope it all works out for you and soon. ITMT, please stick with your Glocks for carry purposes.

[gigag04]

I know how long you've wanted and then waited on this pistol. I certainly hope it all works out for you and soon. ITMT, please stick with your Glocks for carry purposes.

Without a doubt, but don't forget the Khar!

[flintknapper]

Don't go chasing after "fixes" until it has been established if the problem is shooter induced or the weapon itself needs tweaking.

The solution is simple: Shoot the pistol from a rest...with your strong hand thumb UNDER the safety and your support thumb curled slightly over the other. This will eliminate any possibility that your grip is contributing to slide velocity loss. (yes...I know you don't shoot that way, I don't either...but do it for this test).

Shooting from a rest should also eliminate any "limp wristing" that might be going on (though I doubt you are doing that).

Shoot a full loading... through each magazine (that you are considering carrying) and let us know the results.

One last thing: Use a good weapons grade GREASE on the slide rails of your 1911 NOT oil.

[gigag04]

Will also try shooting from a rest. Results to follow.

[Jungle Work]

Check out Jungle Work's post. Same problem.

Mine was a Pro Carry II aluminum framed gun. I would fail to go into battery once or twice a mag.
Sent it back to Kimber and its fixed.
As other have said, $1000.00 gun ought to run out of the box.
My first two Kimbers bought when they first came out run fawlessly.
Still have them.

I won't buy a new or used kimber anymore. I get a lot better service out of
Colts, Norincos or the Phillippine guns.......
I have a couple of the Colt Officers 1911s and a couple of the Citidel 3" guns.
All run great, no problem, none, nada.

I retired after almost 34 years of LE. I like 1911s, but also lots of other pistols.

Good luck with the Kimber.

Jungle Work

[gigag04]

Thanks for the heads up and for your service!



Luckily...I don't need to send it anywhere. It was suffering from a severely overused spring. To be safe I just ordered a new whole recoil spring assembly, and a pack of new springs. I polished the feed ramp slightly just to be safe, and installed the new spring and it's running like a dream. It was a pleasure to shot and it was driving tacks like a good 1911 should.

All in all, I must say it was an interesting process throughout. I learned a good bit about troubleshooting the 1911 platform (my Colt just works) and I got a ton of practice clearing malfunctions. I won't miss those times though. The gun is reliable enough now for me to carry confidently. I also feel clear selling it with a clear conscience, knowing that it's running right. I'm looking to pick up a Colt CCO (I like the commander length slide) so this one is going up for sale.

I'll post a separate thread in the for sale section, but anyone who wants to try it and see is more than welcome. I may talk myself into keeping it because I'm so happy with it. We shall see.

[Excaliber]

Thanks for the heads up and for your service!



Luckily...I don't need to send it anywhere. It was suffering from a severely overused spring. To be safe I just ordered a new whole recoil spring assembly, and a pack of new springs. I polished the feed ramp slightly just to be safe, and installed the new spring and it's running like a dream. It was a pleasure to shot and it was driving tacks like a good 1911 should.

All in all, I must say it was an interesting process throughout. I learned a good bit about troubleshooting the 1911 platform (my Colt just works) and I got a ton of practice clearing malfunctions. I won't miss those times though. The gun is reliable enough now for me to carry confidently. I also feel clear selling it with a clear conscience, knowing that it's running right. I'm looking to pick up a Colt CCO (I like the commander length slide) so this one is going up for sale.

I'll post a separate thread in the for sale section, but anyone who wants to try it and see is more than welcome. I may talk myself into keeping it because I'm so happy with it. We shall see.

I'm glad to hear you've finally got it working like it should.

The recoil spring assembly absolutely has to be replaced according to Kimber's recommended schedule. It's the price of having a 1911 package in that small an envelope, but I don't consider it an issue. I like what it can do and how well it conceals.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if it grows on you. The 4" version is great for winter, but the 3" really comes into its own in the summer.