Kimber 3" 1911 Jamming problems...

[kashton]

I have put about 400 rounds through my new Kimber 3" 1911 style Tactical Ultra II and it keeps jamming, on average once every 20-30 rounds... rather annoying. Any ideas? I cleaned it and lubed it well and it is still jamming...

I'm using white box clean ammo .45 230 grain and then I used UMC remington and they both had about the same jam rate....umc maybe a little more.

 

[glockman19]

I just got a 3" Ultra Raptor and have had no problems. after 400 rounds It's just great. If you continue to have problems go to http://www.m1911.org/ and go the the Kimber Area PM or e-mail Dennis tell him you problems and he'll take care of you. He's an east coast guy so don't let his attitude/style get to you. He's truly helpfu.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Kimber's "customer service" is a joke. I have sent several unreliable Kimbers back to them, and they always returned with the same problem, unfixed. After doing this three or four times, I just swore off Kimbers and moved on. I would not consider buying another.

That said, a 3 inch 1911 is much more likely to have problems than full size models.

 

[Old Fuff]

Lone_Gunman is right. Folks that buy these guns like the ultra-compact size, but they never consider that Browning designed the gun to be a service pistol, not a pocket gun. Removing 2" off of the front end substantially shortens the recoil spring tunnel and reduces run-up (the distance the slide moves from its most rearward position to the back of the magazine well. Slide velocity is sharply increased because of the slide's lighter weight, and a heavier recoil spring(s) can complicate the issues.

As they are sensitive to cartridge overall length you might try and see if a load with a 200 grain bullet works ay better. And of course you have the option of sending the pistol back to Kimber. If it has a slide with an external extractor I'd send it back, P.D.Q.

 

[Old Dog]

There's also a learning curve as far as getting the hang of the shorty 45s. A stiff grip is mandatory as limp-wristing (and it happens to all of us during lengthy shooting sessions) will induce malfunctions.

My experience is that there does seem to be a break-in period required with a lot of the 3-inchers, while many 4 to 5 inch barreled 1911s may be good to go right out of the box.

I have two SA loaded Micro-Compacts. One took a little over 200 rounds before there were no malfunctions, the other experienced only a few FTFs, FTRBs in the first 100 rounds. Both have been flawless since with a variety of ball and JHPs from 185 to 230 grain bullets.

I've had very good luck with the Wilson 47OX mags which seem to be more reliable than the factory mags in the little guys.

 

[Car Knocker]

My UC didn't like the factory mags at all. Wilson mags took care of the problem.

 

[aji]

Kimber 3"

Have a Kimber Ultra CDP 3". No problem with FMJ ammo. some problems with HP. Now use Cor-Bon powr-ball with no problems in past 6 months.

 

[wally]

If you could post a photo of the jam we could probably give more specific feedback.

Before doing anything else I'd order Wolff extra power magazine springs for your Kimber mags and see if that helps before doing anything more radical than trying different ammo.

--wally.

 

[msimonds]

I have a new Ultra CDP II - 3 inch and have put more than 400 rounds through it and have had no problems what so ever. I will let you know if I do though, it does worry me that these 3 inch 1911's are reporting more problems and that Kimber has been known to return these and other guns without being fixed

 

[Lonestar49]

I Agree, Wilson Combat mags

Quote:My UC didn't like the factory mags at all. Wilson mags took care of the problem.
-------------
...

I agree totally, as my Colt Defender did the same thing, jammed every 3rd round on a 7 mag load, and every 2nd shot with an full 8 round load, one chambered, with the factory mags.

Then as mentioned above, my range officer, who carries a Colt Defender, said get Wilson Combat mags, and I did, and no more jamming, with either loads, 7, or 8

Only had 2 jams, and twice it was my bad of limp wrist.



LS

 

[CWL]

Good mags may solve the timing issue of feeding bullets into your shorty slide & barrel without jamming (small slide moves faster & shorter distance than Govt. size & can cause issues). Oftentimes, a magazine change will solve basic feeding/jamming problems. Kimber ships some pretty cheap mags with their guns. Chip McCormack makes pretty good mags and aren't as expensive as Wilsons (I use both).

Anyone familiar with my postings will be familiar with my troubles with my 3" Kimber Ultra CDP. If I had known what I've learned now, I would never have bought a 3" Officer's size M1911 of any brand. The problem is that this tiny gun is so far away from JMBs original design that it is a different gun. Captured springs, significantly shorter slide & travel time all lead to inherent reliability issues because of the fat & stubby .45ACP bullet. Sometimes, you just cannot shrink something and still expect it to work the same way.

 

[msimonds]

Yeah I forgot to mention that I also bought some wilson mags and that probably has to do with my new CDP not jamming, but I do think it is an outstanding CCW

 

[tegemu]

My Ultra Carry II took 800rounds before it smoothed out and became reliable. I have seen other posters talk about high round count to break them in.

 

[kashton]

Well I have now put over 500 rounds through it. I tried both the wilson mag and the stock mag. Both had feeding problems. When the gun jammed it was either:

1. Would not feed, slide got stuck
2. Empty case stuck while ejecting
3. Live round was stuck 90 degrees to the slide sticking out of the ejection port...very very weird. I took a picture with my camera phone but can't post it until Monday... I don't have my camera with me.

I took it back to the gun shop where I bought it and they are sending it to their gunsmith and possibly back to Kimber.

 

[wally]

Live round was stuck 90 degrees to the slide sticking out of the ejection port...very very weird

Mag is not getting the next round up into position in time and the slide is catching the extraction groove instead of the cartridge base leading to the "nose up" jam. Another possibility is the mag is losing control of the rounds under recoil -- in this case sometimes it'll eject live rounds. If there is no FOD or other problems with the mag causing the follower to bind stronger mag springs are the only fix unless you can somehow slow down the slide.

Empty case stuck while ejecting

If the empty is still in the chamber problem with the extractor. Is in internal or external extractor, if its the external, Kimber will change you slide for one with the internal extractor, if you are persistent enough, which should fix the probelm.

Would not feed, slide got stuck

If the bullet's nose didn't get high enough up the ramp to feed, another symptom of weak mags springs.

Sounds like possibly multiple probems -- extractor and slide/magazine timing. If its an external extractor don't mess around, send it back to Kimber and demand the internal extractor.

HTH,
--wally.

 

[kashton]

I believe it is an internal extractor:
http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/tactical/tacticalultra.php

I was using Wilson mags as well and I've heard they are some of the best so why would the mags still be causing problems?

 

[Ala Dan]

No problems here, with a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II .45 ACP~!

 

[dmftoy1]

Kashton . .not sure if it's the cause of your problem or not but I picked up a Kimber on the trading post here dirt cheap that was having problems returning to battery . . .once every 30-50 rounds. I retensioned the internal extractor using the instructions in the gunsmithing forum and it's been rock solid ever since . .best $500 I ever spent on a pistol!!

 

[blackcharlie]

kimbers are hit and miss let it break in and see if it gets better

 

[rcellis]

I've shot, and continue to shoot, a number of short 1911 pistols without problem. Do I have some unholy luck in picking out the "good" ones? I doubt it.

More likely it that I am very used to shooting snappy little pistols - my grip must have adapted to them, though I can't say specifically what it is.

Secondly, I shoot only quality name-brand ammo through them.

Third, I only shoot original equipment magazines.

Fourth, I keep my guns clean.

Additional issues: in all but the 1911s and a few others, I shoot .40 S&W - I don't find the round excessively "snappy" - take from that what you will. Again, I think my grip must have something to do with it.

Oh, and I find the recourse to "JMB didn't design a short 1911" to be hogwash. In case you haven't noticed, he didn't design ANY of the current crop of 1911s, whatever size. Engineering has moved on. Materials have evolved and improved. Propellants and bullets and casings are quite different from when he was working. Collector value aside, given a choice of a vintage 1911 and a modern one, I'll take the modern one.

 

[Old Fuff]

Collector value aside, given a choice of a vintage 1911 and a modern one, I'll take the modern one.

Well everyone has a right to make their own choices, but having disassembled a fair number of the current stuff I was sure under the impression that they were copies of the Browning design with the addition of different cosmetics and sometimes questionable gadgets.

Now I have been here since The High Road started, and I've followed endless threads and posts from people that had Springfield Armory, Kimber, and a host of other presumed 1911 style pistols that wouldn't function. At the same time I noticed there were next to no complaints about pre-1970 commercial Colt's and USGI pistols. However occasionally their owners would come in and comment about how their older guns just kept ticking along without any functional issues.

I am sure there are a large number of satisfied owners of current crop guns out there, but judging on what I see here there is also an abnormally high number of owners that aren't happy campers. We see more complaints about current 1911 clones then all other makes and models of semi-automatic pistols combined.

As for "advanced engineering,” most of the smaller guns have simply had some butt and slide length deducted from a larger gun. As a result this sub-class of 1911 clone pistols has a well-known, and well deserved, reputation for being fussy in the reliable functioning department. If anyone thinks otherwise they are welcome to use the forum's search feature and go back and read past comments. They may find them to be enlightening...

 

[johndoe1027]

I am sure there are a large number of satisfied owners of current crop guns out there, but judging on what I see here there is also an abnormally high number of owners that aren't happy campers. We see more complaints about current 1911 clones then all other makes and models of semi-automatic pistols combined.

People are more likely to post bad experience than good. I think thats exemplified by the fact that the OP was a bad experience (started the thread because of it) and 10 (or so) replies of good experience. Also note that the OP was just a complaint really, not a question. Nothing wrong with that, that's part of the reason forums exist. I'm just as guilty as everyone else. I never post my good experiences either.

The mags that Kimber ships with the Alloy framed guns should not be used.

Wilson mags will not damage the gun after a few thousand rounds like the Kimber mags will.

For the record, my Tactical Ultra II is a great firearm with one small problem that I fixed on my own in a half hour. My Slide stop was engaging early with 230 gr ball ammo. The bullets were rubbing against the inside of the slide stop as they were being chambered, causing the slide stop to engage early. I flat filed it down a few mil and no problems since.

I've only got about 500 rounds through it (75 were my first reloads ever, ate them like candy too) and the slide stop issue was my only problem. I've used all kinds of mags with it too. I carry a 7 round Wilson in it with a 10 round Wilson for a reload. I love this pistol.

Also, the only problem these days with the shorty 1911's is the fact that the recoil springs wear out faster than their bigger brothers. I've heard that 3"ers should get a new spring every 1000 rounds or so IIRC. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Sorry to hear about your trouble Kashton, they'll make it right.

 

[Old Fuff]

People are more likely to post bad experience than good.

Absolutely true! But my question is, "where are the threads and posts complaining about the older commercial Colt's and USGI 1911A1?" Since most of these have been around for a long time are older and have been used more, shouldn't there be more unhappy campers among their owners?"

 

[Old Dog]

C'mon, now, Old Fuff ... you know the answer to your question. The folks who own and shoot the older commercial Colt's and GI 1911s are mostly the folks who grew up with and cut their teeth on 1911s -- hence, they're the more experienced 1911 folks -- who as a rule, understand the peculiarities and maintenance issues attendent to the platform.

As a relatively new concept, the shorty-45s appealed to a lot of newer shooters, newer gun-buyers or folks not generally part of the 1911 cult (as most of the 1911 aficianados out there were, and remain, totally content with full size and Commander-length models).

If one knows the 1911, one is generally more apt to work out one's own pistol's particular problems, understanding that the platform works best for those who understand the pistol's operating system, possible ills and likely cures. One who purchases the gun-de-jour on a whim, because it's small and concealable, "cute" or has write-ups in this month's gun rags, is more likely to shoot it right out of the box and then complain vociferiously is it doesn't function perfectly, even if 90% of the malfunctions are due to the shooter's poor technique, cheap magazines, crappy reloads or other easily achieved fixes such a bit of extractor re-tensioning or smoothing out a slightly out of spec slide stop ...

 

[IamtheNRA]

I've had a Kimber Ultra CDP for years and have had zero problems with it.