1911 question/problem KIMBER Pro Carry II

[dhoomonyou]

On a KIMBER Pro Carry II, what is the TRICK to getting the barrel out during disassembly? I have locked the guide rod down with the pin, but cannot get the barrel cleared and removed.

thanks

 

[Old Fuff]

I'm not sure about the Kimber, but in the past when I come up against guide rod problems I've retracted the slide backwards until the slide stop is aligned with the little notch in the slide, and then removed the slide stop while holding both the frame and slide firmly. The next step is to carefully ease the slide assembly off of the frame. At this point you may be able to wiggle the guide rod and spring out the back, sliding them past the barrel lug and link. By this time if the critter has a barrel bushing you should be able to turn it - although it might take a bushing wrench.

If you can, substitute a regular Browning/Colt recoil spring guide and plug in place of whatever Kimber put into the .. ah ... Pro Carry II (whatever) and you won't be bugged again.

 

[dhoomonyou]

Thanks OLD FLUFF
right now I am planning a trip to the smith tomorrow afternoon, I Just cant seem to wiggle the barrel out of the slide, that DAMN spring has it sort of wedged.
as long as theres an option of replacing it with something easier.

 

[Kruzr]

With the tool in place capturing the plug and compressed spring on the guide rod, and while holding the slide upside down, push the link back and pull the guide rod et. al out the back. You lift and pull back. If the leg on the tool is too long, it won't come out. Then push the barrel out the front.

 

[Old Fuff]

I just got out my Kimber catalog ...

They have more models then General Motors ...

It appears that the Pro Carry II is one of those that have a full-length guide rod and no barrel bushing.

I detest those with a passion ... :banghead:

Unfortunately because of they're design you wouldn't be able to use the kind of Browning/Colt system that I suggested.

Maybe a "warm" e-mail to Kimber is in order ...

Anyway, I wish you luck ...

 

[Old Fuff]

Ya' know ...

It was nice of Kruzr to post that drawing, and next time I'll know what to do.

But in the meantime I can take my old 1950's Lightweight Colt Commander apart without having to have any tools at all, except my two hands.

Ain't progress wonderful?????

 

[Kruzr]

When you own one of these, you go to Staples and buy a box of 1000 takedown tools (heavy duty paper clips) and throw a handful into your range bag and one in your pocket. Or, you replace the guide rod with a standard Commander guide rod and use your thumb.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Old Fuff, NO! This always gotta be fixing what ain't broke needs to stop. The 1911 is a good depenable weapon as it was designed. A beaver tail belongs on a beaver I see no reason for a light hanging on my gunI don't need a huge funell on bottom of my frame to help me shove a mag in. Leave it as was designed a weapon that would operate under almost any conditions and put your enemy down. A ambi safety if you a lefty, maybe a little better FIX sights if older eyes Most of older 45 didn't even need a trigger job. Tinker,tinker, jam,jam ,ruin ruin. Go mess with the Glocks they need more help than any orginal 1911 ever did.

 

[Old Fuff]

What you mean, Old Fuff NO!!

Tuner and I are the ones who always stand up for J.M.B's original design, as he designed it. Them "other guys" are the ones who favor all of the modern "new school" stuff you mentioned. Generally speaking, I think the only improvement that's seriously needed on Ol' Slabsides is a set of better sights.

The big trouble with today's guns - as I've often stated - is not so much the shape of the grip safties' butt end, it's the questionable materials that are used in some parts.

In the present instance, Kimber has designed a recoil spring system that requires a special gadget to field strip the pistol. Browning must be rolling over in his grave. Kruzr is trying to be helpful in suggesting a Colt Commander recoil spring guide and plug be substituted, but that won't work because the Kimber doesn't have a barrel bushing, which is necessary with the Colt system.

I suppose you could put one of those special little tools under one of the grips, but then you'd need a screwdriver to take off the grip. :banghead:

Anyway, my modest collection of 1911 style pistols are older ones, either Colt's or USGI. Then there are a few that I built myself. But they all follow Jeff Cooper's dictate of, "everything you need, but nothing you don't."

 

[Kruzr]

In the present instance, Kimber has designed a recoil spring system that requires a special gadget to field strip the pistol. Browning must be rolling over in his grave. Kruzr is trying to be helpful in suggesting a Colt Commander recoil spring guide and plug be substituted, but that won't work because the Kimber doesn't have a barrel bushing, which is necessary with the Colt system.

Who said anything about a plug? All you need is the short guide rod and use the reverse shoulder plug that comes with the gun. It works just fine. (It will be just like the recoil system in a SA Ultra Compact). You do need a full diameter guide rod not the Colt smaller one. This works for a Kimber Pro or Compact size, not an Ultra. (If you really wanna see, I'll post a pic of my CDP Pro slide with a Commander full diameter guide rod.)

 

[MICHAEL T]

The no was not at you but at the aint progress wonderful line. I agree with you and Tuner leave it as designed.

 

[Zach S]

You do need a full diameter guide rod not the Colt smaller one. This works for a Kimber Pro or Compact size, not an Ultra. (If you really wanna see, I'll post a pic of my CDP Pro slide with a Commander full diameter guide rod.)

Please do, may then more people would understand the the FLGR can be removed. If I had a digital camera I would have already posted a "how to" with pics.

You don't even need a commander guide rod, since the end of the recoil spring plug is open, you can use a standard short guide rod out of the gunsmith's parts bin that he has a good sized collection of because a) he tells people that a FLGR is needed, or b) he tells people that a FLGR isnt needed, but they want it anyway because so many "high dollar" 1911s come with them and/or because of some BS they read on the internet.

My 4" kimber has the short guide rod pirated out of my AMT hardballer. No problems for several thousand rounds.

 

[Kruzr]

You don't even need a commander guide rod, since the end of the recoil spring plug is open..

True, but the cutout for the link in the thinner commander guide rod head makes assembly and disassembly even easier. It tends to hold the spring horizontal even if you don't capture it with your hand.
I'll post a pic later when I get back .

 

[dhoomonyou]

Thanks everyone.
I got it! finally.
amen.