Kimber Custom Change out of MIM?

[1911RjB]

I'm fairly new to hang guns, owning not shooting, and have just purchased a Kimber Custom II. I have read on here, a lot of people having a few problems with the 1911's. I have only used Wilson Combat 8 Rd mags, and have had no problem what so ever with the gun. I have read on here a lot of people talking about changing out there MIM for machined parts is this really necessary, and if so what parts should I change out?

 

[railroader]

I have 2 of the early kimber 45's. I have a Klackamas custom 1 and a gold match 1. Both have all the original mim parts and nothing has broken. Both guns have really good triggers and run great. Do like I did and spend the money on a Smith & Alexander magwell and get rid of the plastic mainspring housing. Mark

 

[armed85]

I would change out the slide stop and hammer as a minimum. The slide stop is an easy change. The hammer is a bit more involved. Both should be "drop in" replacements.

You might also consider changing the barrel link, barrel bushing, extractor, ejector, and plunger tube.

I don't know how Kimber makes or contracts out the material for the pins and firing pin. If they're MIM, you should consider changing those out as well.

You should be OK with an MIM sear, disconnector, magazine release, thumb safeties, and grip safety.

The thumb safeties and grip safety are either MIM or cast on almost every new 1911 out there including Ed Brown and Les Baer.

You should be OK with a nylon or plastic main spring housing. The MSH isn't a load bearing part and unless you drop the gun on it, it should last a lifetime.

MIM is a cost cutting and profit increasing measure taken by several gun makers and I'm not a big fan of it. The price of the gun either stays the same or goes up even though it costs the maker less to produce.

 

[Ron James]

You can change out the MIM prts if you wish, I feel it's a waste of time , money and effort. But it's your firearm.

 

[dmftoy1]

Just my .02 . .


Shoot the bejesus out of it and report on here if you EVER break any of those parts. I'm going on 5k on one and 6k on another one and haven't had anything break. The MIM "hype" is ridiculous in my opinion . .what do you think experiences more stress . .the connecting rods in a corvette or the slide stop in your 1911?

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Black Majik]

Shoot a few thousand rounds first. Don't fix what doesn't need fixin'. If your particular MIM made parts are gonna fail, it'll fail early in it's life. If it lasts through 5000 or so rounds, it'll last for a long, long time.

 

[MaterDei]

The MIM "hype" is ridiculous in my opinion

Amen, brother.

 

[1911RjB]

thanks for all the feedback, i've put about 800 rounds through it and have had no problem what so ever, thanks everyone