FP & Grip Safety Issue on Kimber

[.45&TKD]

New Stainless TLE II with internal extractor.

I did a field strip, lubricated, went to the range and fired 200 rounds of WWB, and it worked fine, except after about 75 rounds, my hands got fatigued (I had shot a lot of other stuff before I got to the TLE) and my grip was off.

The problem is that it was possible to depress the grip safety just enough to drop the hammer, but not release the firing pin safety, ie., pulled trigger, dropped hammer, and round did not go off. (Took me a couple of times before I realized what was happening).

Any opinions? Is this an easy fix for Kimber to do? Will they pay for shipping?

I definitely do not trust it the way it is as a self defense weapon.
Please note: I have shot and carried a black TLE for years with no problems.

 

[CDignition]

I cant tell you how many grip safety's I pinned over the years...That was the rage years back. Now days folks want them to work,lol.

Call Kimber and they will instruct you on getting it fixed.

 

[.45&TKD]

grip safety's I pinned

What does that mean exactly? You replaced the grip safety's?

 

[MICHAEL T]

No years back People had the grip safety pinned down. Some people had trouble hitting and compressing safety. So answer was to deactvate safety.
Of course this was time that many also carried hammer down . To day neither are PC . I belive even Cooper had his pinned at one time.

 

[.45&TKD]

Thanks.

 

[CDignition]

Yeah, I'm not much for being PC, so if someone happens to ask me to pin one I still will. I haven't had anyone that wanted to tho.. Just follow 4 rules and you'll be fine.

 

[.45&TKD]

Kimber Made It Right!

I finally called Kimber and spoke to Anne in customer service.

When I described the problem, she of course asked me if the firing pin saftey worked when the grip saftey was depressed all the way. I did not answer her question. I said that it did not matter, that I bought the pistol for defensive purposes and that it was unacceptable to me to have the hammer drop and not have the pistol fire. She said OK and sent UPS for pick up at Kimbers's cost.

UPS picked it up on a Tuesday and I had it back the next Monday (6 days). I went to the range today and it works fine. Problems solved. They said that they replaced and fitted both the grip safety and the push rod.

I'm sure that all your information helped me with making the initial phone call, so thanks. The letter I included with the pistol is below, for anyone interested.

Kimber Mfg., Inc.
Warranty Services
1 Lawton Street
Yonkers, NY 10705

Dear Kimber Warrranty Services,

Regarding Kimber TLE II Stainless, Bill of Sale enclosed.

This pistol needs to have the firing pin safety properly synchronized with the grip safety (or vice versa). It is actually possible to pull the trigger, drop the hammer, and not have the ammunition discharge because the firing pin safety is still engaged. Please make any and all corrections or improvements to eliminate this dangerous condition.

Please note:
-I have been shooting 1911’s almost exclusively for the last 7 years, so with all due respect, please don’t tell me to adjust my grip.
-This is not my first Kimber and not my first TLE. I have another TLE to compare this one to. My other TLE has been flawless in this regard. There is definitely something wrong with the one I am sending back.
-I am a CCW Permit holder and bought this pistol for defensive purposes. I can not trust nor carry this pistol the way it is. This pistol will be virtually worthless to me unless you can correct the problem.
-Please do not send the pistol back with out correcting this flaw.
-Please tell me what corrective measures have been done, before sending this pistol back to me.
-Please do not tell me that you could not duplicate the malfunction.
-This is the first time I have used Kimber Warranty Customer Service and I am looking forward to a positive experience.

This pistol has functioned fine in every other regard, so far. Although, I feel more lateral movement, play, or looseness in the grip safety than my other Kimber TLE. This may be related to the synchronization problem.

Please call or email me with any questions or problems. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,