Kimber 1911 malfing

What type of ammo are you using through this pistol?

Ammo? Reloads? Bullet profile will cause the early slide lock, as will an out of spec slide stop. Not enough info to help us out on the feed issue, accept that you probably ruled out magazines causing it.

Often a failure to return to battery is caused by the firing pin plunger sticking. If a good clean and lube doesn't take care of it, I'd contact Kimber.

The premature slide lock is a slide stop issue that Kimber also needs to fix for you.

I just had a post up about my SA 1911 not fully going into battery and it ended up being an issue w/ my extractor being too tight. If it is the extractor its an easy fix. As far as the slide prematurely locking back im not sure.

I would bet money that it needs a wolff xp spring. Ive had this problem with every kimber ive ever owned. The wolff xp is significantly stronger. If you have already replaced the spring with a wolff spring, I would send it in for warranty work.

recoil spring..maybe

Are you absolutely sure you are not limp wristing the pistol?

Upstater said:

Are you absolutely sure you are not limp wristing the pistol?

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"Usually this only happens on the first round when loading with the slide locked back."

How are you sending the slide home from lock-back? Pulling back on the slide and releasing, riding it home at all, or using the slide release?

You aren't trying to drop a round in the chamber directly are you?

Is it possible your thumb or something is bumping the slide release lever causing it to engage slide lock with rounds left?

The only time my Kimber ever did this was after shooting a lot of reloads with cast lead bullets. The bullet lube was turning into goop and making everything gooey. A good cleaning, cleaner bullets, everything was fine. I would clean it thoroughly and try a premium magazine, like a Tripp or a Wilson 47D. If that doesn't fix it, I would take it to a smith.

In any feed-related failure, the first suspect is the magazine. Always.

The next one is the extractor. The clue here is that the slide can be pushed to battery.

Since this one most often happens on the top round from slidelock, you can eliminate the extractor by removing it and attempting to recreate it. If the problem disappears, it's the extractor. If it doesn't...it's probably the magazine. The magazine could also be involved in the premature lock.

How are you sending the slide home from lock-back? Pulling back on the slide and releasing, riding it home at all, or using the slide release?

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That shouldn't make any difference. The slidestop is meant to be used to release the slide. If it doesn't work...the gun isn't functioning correctly.

Most of the Kimbers I've owned the extractors werent properly adjusted from the factory either learn how to tune them or replace it with a wilson bulletproof. The 1911 takes a bit more care to remain a reliable fighting tool than a Glock but it's worth it.

That shouldn't make any difference. The slidestop is meant to be used to release the slide. If it doesn't work...the gun isn't functioning correctly.

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Well if he rides the slide forward, couldn't that cause it not to go into battery all the way? Especially if the recoil spring is a little on the weak side. It may need that extra gusto to slam all the way forward. I know you are supposed to use the slide release, just wondering what method he was using.

Check and adjust the extractor as mentioned. My custom II did the same thing in the beginning and after having the extractor properly adjusted it has never done it since. I shoot a lot, several hundred Roy D's a week and I make it a point to check my extractor tension when I clean my guns. I am also running the stock recoil spring.

for the early lock be sure you are not bumping the slide lock with your grip. I would also second the Wilson magazine suggestion. The Wilson's run perfect in all my kimbers.

Tuner knows his stuff, heed his advice..

Disclaimer-this is my opinion and yours may vary.

What magazines are you using? Try an 8 round CMC Power Mag. Then don't use anything else.

Kimber had a batch of slide stops machined out of spec and I don't believe anyone in Yonkers knows how to adjust an extractor.

A recoil spring has to be awfully weak too not return to battery...if the gun is setup properly. I've run 10 pound springs without issue. Using a heavier spring is an attempt to treat the symptom, not resolve the problem.

The first thing I'd look at is the magazine. How it interacts with the firearm, how the ammunition interacts with the magazine and the magazine's influence upon the ammunitions interaction with the firearm.