Kimber Pro Feed Trouble (Calling 1911 Gurus)

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mattx109

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I recently picked up a new Kimber Pro (4") Crimson Carry. I'm amazed at the accuracy, but reliability is a problem. At the moment I'm chalking it up to the break-in period. I shot 100 rounds through it the first day out and experienced a couple of feeding problems.

A handful of times it pushed the round into the top of the chamber rather than into the chamber, which was usually fixed by pulling the slide to the rear and releasing.

On several rounds from each mag, however, the slide didn't make it all the way forward. A light tap to the rear of the slide sent it into battery and allowed me to fire.

Thus, I'm here to pick some brains. I've owned a couple of other 1911s, but never had this problem. Does this sound like a typical occurrence before the break-in? Aside from that, my first thought was of a stiffer recoil spring; reasonable assumption?

Suggestions are very welcome.
 
I think Wolf's power recoil springs would be a great improvement in your Kimber Pro. Although I didn't experience the same "break-in" issues as you are in your Kimber...I very honestly feel that it is just that....break-in. Kimbers are built pretty tight and require everything to mate to each other.

Dumb question: Did you disassemble and lube all the parts prior to firing? 1911's like to run pretty wet.

Also...which magazine were you using? If it was the one that Kimber gives when you buy it....and it's a non-Kimpro magazine (their "upgraded premium" magazine)....then throw it in a drawer. The followers on them are known to tilt a bit and possibly impede proper feeding. I'd highly recommend Wilson's ETM (Elite Tactical Magazine) or Kimber's own Kimpro magazines.
 
Before firing I field stripped it, cleaned off the internals, and oiled them as I would with my other 1911s. This included a light coat on most everything and one drop for each of the slide rails. Given Kimber's tight tolerances, would more be recommended?

The mag I have is the one that shipped with the pistol. I have a couple from my Colt 1911A1, but nothing premium. I'll definitely look into something new there. The slide problem seems spring-related, but the feed malfunctions into the top of the chamber do seem more like a mag-related problem.
 
Just WWB for now. I have some Hydrashok that I'll get into later in the break-in process.

I haven't used Blazer .45 Auto since it caused a nasty jam in my Springfield XD.

Thanks for asking, though. I hadn't even considered the ammunition until you brought it up! Duh!
 
This has been discussed @ m1911.com in the Kimber therad. It's a combination of a plunger slightly to long and a spring that doesn't have enough tension.

Change out the recoil spring and check the plunger length. I have experienced similar issues with my Pro Carry II. 600 rounds and it's finally becomming reliable.

It went back to Kimber after the first 250 rounds and came back still FTRTB once every 50-75 rounds.

I'm considering running it dry, (no oil), to see if it is hanging up due to crud buildup.

I also just bought a Pro Raptor II, used, and hope it has already gone through the break-in period. It was carried by LEO for a year so I think it's probably pretty reliable.

I mainly shoot: CCI Blazer Brass, Speer Lawman Clean ammo, Magtech, or Winchester.
 
I ordered a stiffer spring from Wolff and a new Kimpro mag today. I'll try those out and keep the rounds going through. I'll probably order a Wilson mag or two when money's not so tight.

I'll give it 400 or 500 rounds before I head to the gunsmith. There's a pretty good guy who works on 1911s and BHPs just down the road from me.

I have plenty of time and patience to make sure it's as close to 100% as I can get it.

I'm plenty happy to stick with my BHP as my CCW for now.
 
No, I haven't looked at the extractor at all.

What should I be checking for there?

Honestly, I only know the basics about 1911 internals, but I'm looking forward to learning much more.
 
Rinspeed probably has your solution.

With the gun disassembled, check to see how much pressure it takes to get a round (I like to use an empty - just in case) to slide in against the bolt face, underneath the extractor claw. The tension (per Kuhnhausen) should be near four pounds. Since few of us have calibrated fingers, it should slide in with minimal pressure but be held in place once in position. If you have to get your finger aligned just exactly right to get the case to slide in, it's probably is too tight.

To correct an over tight extractor, fabricate a bending jig (I used a block of 2x4 and a heavy magazine (paper type) to hold the end). I used a Cresent wrench adjusted to the thickness of the extractor and - gently pried on it. OOPS, the extractor should have a - slight - bend (center high with the extractor claw down) in it. Straight will give you NO tension and that is yet another problem.

Take your time and do small adjustments. You will find it is tedious but not difficult. :D

P.S. Iffin you get mad and WAY over adjust it (called break it) they are about $30 for a new one.
 
Take the slide off and slip a live round under the extractor. You should be able to gently shake the slide and have the round fall out. If it doesn't there is a chance you have too much tension and this will cause FTF. Proper extractor tension, good mags and good ammo are three of the most important for a 1911 to run right in my opinion. I don't have any experience with the Kimpro mags but the other mags Kimber ships with some models are junk.
 
I'll definitely check that.

While researching the Kimbers before my purchase, it seemed like a large number of the problems I read about were corrected by replacing or modifying the extractor. I was considering ordering an aftermarket for that reason even before I bought the gun.

Thanks!
 
While researching the Kimbers before my purchase, it seemed like a large number of the problems I read about were corrected by replacing or modifying the extractor.
Click to expand...
I think it is more an adjustment rather than modification. :D

I have several Kimbers and only one of them needed adjustment. ;)
 
Before you start adjusting and replacing things on a new pistol try a few things first.
You need more lube on the slide with a tight pistol for break-in.
I have yet to see a Kimber mag that didn't need a work over to get it to feed properly.(I'm sure they make them?)
It should shoot about any ball ammo just fine but some are picky when new.
 
Checked the extractor by sliding a casing against the breech face. It took minimal pressure to insert and was held in place once there. Didn't take much more than a light push to drop it back out. Visually it looks like there's decent clearance as well. Definitely not a tight squeeze.

I'll be at the range again tomorrow. Should have 200 to 250 rounds through it by the end of my time there. I'll try a little extra lube this time around and see what happens.

I did notice that the slide not going into battery happened less at the end of my last trip than the beginning. I'll see if 100 to 150 more rounds helps reduce the frequency further and report back.

Thanks for all the help so far!
 
I had the chance to put another 100 rounds through the gun today, bringing the total to 200. I also picked up a Wilson mag.

I'm happy to report that I had far fewer malfunctions this time out. Hopefully the reliability will continue to increase. If problems persist, I'll update this thread again.

Thanks to all for your help!
 
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