How do you polish/smooth out feed ramp on aluminum frame 1911?

[Daguerre]

I have a Kimber CDP Compact which has an aluminum frame. The feed ramp is getting a little rough and I was wondering about polishing it... is that ok or will I screw up the hardening on the ramp? Or is the ramp hardened?

I was thinking about getting the frame hard-chromed, if that would give me a long lasting, smooth feed ramp that could be polished without damaging the metal... any suggestions?

 

[Wildalaska]

If you polish the feed ramp too aggressively, you will remove the anodizing/nickel/chrome that makes the ramp hard therby necessitating a refinish of the frame.

If your ramp is getting gnarly, chances are it is already been damaged to the point that its just gonna get worse.

What we do on aluminum guns is insert a steel feed ramp. I have on on my Defender and it works flawlessly...Solves the problem of feed ramp wear with aggressive hollow points.

WildaluminumissometimesapainAlaska

 

[stans]

Aluminum frames and hollowpoints don't get along. When Colt developed the aluminum framed Commander, the only jacted ammo was 230 grain ball. A steel feed ramp insert is a wise suggestion when using JHP ammo. An alternative would be to have the frame milled and a ramped barrel fitted.

 

[Traveler]

I hate Aluminum framed Colts. A really bad idea.

I would have the ramped barrel done. It's the best solution.

By the way, you cannot hard chrome that frame either.

Last, another good solution, which is real common, is to sell the gun.

 

[DFBonnett]

You might also wish to consider a switch to Federal EFMJ. Feeds smooth like hardball and very impressive expansion and weight retention during testing.

 

[Daguerre]

DFB... that's a great idea I hadn't thought of. And leads me to another... CorBon PowRBall which has about the best defense ballistics and has a round ball point! Ahhhh, the power of the internet!

 

[Wildalaska]

I hate Aluminum framed Colts. A really bad idea.

Actually a lightweight compact 1911 is an excellent idea.

I would have the ramped barrel done. It's the best solution.

Ramped barrels are not yet available for subcompacts. In additon, the geometry of a ramp insert is better than a ramped barrel and will thus feed better. The work involved between the two is about the same.

By the way, you cannot hard chrome that frame either.

Yes, you can, depends on which chromer you use.

WildasubjectdeartomyheartAlaska

 

[Gewehr98]

Huh? Ramped barrels aren't available for subcompacts?

Had one now since 1994. Made by old man Kart himself. 3.5", fully ramped:

 

[Wildalaska]

I stand half corrected, I dont think they are making them in bull barrel Defender/Kimber versions...at least they werent when I did my Defender..

BTW, you have a King kit on that gun dont you?

WildshouldbemorepreciseAlaska

 

[Gewehr98]

What's a King Kit?

Something from King's Gunsmithing, I assume, but I have no idea what it is.

That was one of those $99 Caspian frame deals, where for an additional $99, you could get the slide, too.

 

[Traveler]

Actually a lightweight compact 1911 is an excellent idea.

I just think aluminum was a bad idea. Titanium or polymer, or structural ceramics are better suited in my books.

Ramped barrels are not yet available for subcompacts.

I know of several gunsmiths who have been doing that work for many years. Irv Stone and Bill Jarvis will make the barrels.

I have seen people try to hard chrome Al framed guns also. I've never been happy with the results.

 

[Daguerre]

I like the idea of a steel insert in the ramp more than that of a ramped barrel for a .45, myself... IF it's done to perfection.

I think I will try to determine who I can trust the most to do a steel insert really well and just have it done. This is a Series 1 Kimber and I don't want to screw it up!

This Kimber Compact CDP is such a great functioning pistol I feel it will be worth the investment to do it. The CorBon PowRBall approach to ammo is what I'll use in the meantime, to minimize wear on the ramp. Anyone know where I can get PowRBall? None of my local shops seem to have any and I don't see it in the Natchez catalog.

 

[HSMITH]

AP&W can hard chrome that frame to perfection, they did one for me that is superb.

I would go for the ramped barrel too.

 

[Wildalaska]

I know of several gunsmiths who have been doing that work for many years. Irv Stone and Bill Jarvis will make the barrels.

You are confusing compacts with sub compacts. Bar Sto does not catelog a Defender ramped barrel (3 inch)...the best you will get out there is a 3 1/2 ramped barrel and Bar Sto does not even catelog that. I dont beleive Jarvis does either.

I have seen people try to hard chrome Al framed guns also. I've never been happy with the results.

How many have you seen? I/ve seen a lot and they ON OCCASION are unsatisfactory but overall, are more that satisfactory.

Something from King's Gunsmithing, I assume, but I have no idea what it is.

The bushing and recoil spring plug look like Kings kit.

I think I will try to determine who I can trust the most to do a steel insert really well and just have it done.

EGW makes a steel feed ramp insert. They are good guys and do excellent work. We used to use their inserts but later designed out own. Bone properly, as you said, they are excellent, and in the subcompact guns far better than non existent ramped barrels.

WildfullofanswersAlaska

 

[Gewehr98]

A-ha! That's what a King's Kit is...

Nope, the flanged bushing on that Caspian Officer's ACP is actually part of a tapered sleeve, lathe turned and milled to match the threaded barrel. The reverse spring plug was also done in the shop, since at the time there weren't too many available through Brownell's or Gil Hebard.

Now, they're everywhere, and a lot less time-intensive to install.

 

[Daguerre]

My Kimber Compact CDP has a 4" barrel, so it's not a sub-. But in any event, I am just more comfortable maintaining the traditional frame-based ramp and barrel rather than switching to a ramped barrel. I've heard from other folks that EGW does the steel insert very well... I've got an e-mail off to them.

Thanks everyone for the help. I planning to off my LW Commander, as in my experience I like 1911's to be either full size or Compact (Officers). For me the Commander is bigger than I like for carry and not as big as I like for regular use. Plus, they can be a little more finnicky than a Government model. Both the Commanders I owned had last round ride over issues and slide lock back issues which wouldn't go away no matter what I tried. I finally got tired of testing various recoil spring weights and lengths and various mag springs and followers and slide stops...