Yep, I prefer user serviceable myself. I sent an email to Dennis at Kimber inquiring of the recommended maintenance of the dual recoil spring set up in a Ultra Eclipse I just acquired and he had Ann of the Custom Shop call me to explain the spring maintenance. She said that the outer spring should be replaced around 2,000 rds and the inner spring around 5,000 rds. The outer spring is easily user replaceable but she recommended that the whole assembly be sent to them for replacement of the inner spring....as in: shoot around 2K rds - you replace the outer spring, shoot around 2K rds and send back to them for replacement of both...repeat as necessary. I think she said they charge around $19.95 + $5 S&H for a total of around $24.95 for them to replace both springs and you can get a complete new assembly for $39.95 + $5.00 S&H = $44.95. She was very nice and helpful and in our conversation said that she is currently carrying an Ultra Eclipse (external extractor model) ... and has about 2K rds thru hers - Hey! ... time to replace that outer spring!
I too read about the replacement described on the 1911Forum and may just try that myself when the time comes for the inner to be replaced...at worst, I'd have to order a complete assembly from Kimber and at best I'd only be out the cost for the springs....yep, a more user friendly set up would be nice.
Ken
