Kimber Extraction issues

[SoCalShooter]

Hey guys, I have a stainless TLE/RL II that is having some extraction problems. It has the external extractor and not the internal. I talked to my gun smith about it and he mentioned that Kimbers with the external extractor have a known issue. It tends to stove pipe time and time again using factory box ammo. its not so much a FTF as the rounds are getting to the feed ramp and partially into the chamber. Anyone know of these types of issues happening with their Kimbers? Mine probably has about 2000+ rounds through it.

 

[MattB000]

Get yourself a Wilson mag. I have 3 Kimbers and none of them are reliable w/ the Kimber mag. With the Wilson they never skip a beat. I have not tried any other mags besides those two.

 

[dhoomonyou]

I HAD a KIMBER procarry 2 with the external extractor.

SOLD IT.

too many problems.

BITCH it up to senior management, NOT DENNIS in the custom shop, he is NOT a nice person.

 

[SoCalShooter]

I have wilson mags and mckormic and I also have metalform mags. I was wondering if they are changing them out or am I just kinda stuck.

 

[glocker1911]

Kimber's use of an external extractor for an while, and I believe they had at least four different versions before going back to an internal, is one of the main reasons I will no longer consider owning a Kimber. I lost a lot of moey on two guns, and I have a very bad taste for Kimber, even though they have gone back to an internal dsign.

Some people say they have been able to get their slide replaced with an internal design by Kimber, others have been told their gun is "normal" and gotten no help. Bad customer service is the other reason I am "against" Kimber. You might contact them and hopefully you will get lucky and get some help with your pistol.

BTW, I'm sure some members of the "church of Kimber" will be right along to explain to you how your problems are all YOUR fault, and stories of problem Kimbers are only internet myth. Oh, that's right, you've got one. Hmmmmm.

Good luck.

 

[jojosdad]

I've got a Kimber Compact CDP II, and it had extraction problems. I called Kimber and explained the problem, and requested a shipping label.
They responded by sending me a prepaid FedEx label and box. I sent it in, and 3 weeks later got it back. Not only had they replaced the slide with an internal extractor model, they replaced the front night sight (the work order said it was too dim), and polished the guide rod.
That was my experience. As I've read on this forum and others - YMMV.
good luck.

 

[Kruzr]

Don't waste any more time, just call Kimber or send an email to [email protected]. They will replace the slide without any problems. They will have you send the gun back and replace it with an internal extractor configuration. You may or may not have to pay the shipping but it will be cheaper than having a smith try to fix it.

 

[SoCalShooter]

what is the dennism email address? Do you think they would change the sights for me? I can pay them for it. I am just ticked about the extraction issues.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I agree with KRUZR, Contact Kimber

DennisM is the guy that coordinates the external extractor issues with their older pistols.

Customer Service, Warranty requests & Parts
(914) 964-0771 Ext: 324

www.kimberamerica.com

If you want other mods done to your pistol:

http://www.kimberamerica.com/customshopmodacc.php

Although there are some with the bad taste of Kimber,, I have had not one extraction issue with my external extractor Stainless II. Simply love it!

-Steve

 

[SoCalShooter]

Wow thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate the help. I do not really understand why the external extractor is such an issue. I am mainly getting stovepipes with the factory ammo and really good magazines. Can anyone explain why the issue actually happens.

 

[Kruzr]

The shape of the external extractor lets it lose it's grip on the cartridge as the spring wears. It lets the round just slip out from the extractor when it hits the ejector rather than give it that "tiddly wink" effect. Kimber tried 4 different shapes before they went back to internals.

Dennis is the head of Kimber's Custom Shop where all repairs are taken care of. They can change your sights depending on what sight you are looking at. If it's a Kimber or Meprolight, then it's not a problem. They charge something like 30 bucks to install sights. (I doubt they will put another maker's sight in the gun for you but you can ask.)

 

[SoCalShooter]

Thats definetly the problem, rounds seem to be just plopping out rather than hitting my friend next to me. I wanted to put the target BOMAR sights on it. Like the target match model has.

 

[Kruzr]

You won't be able to put a target adjustable sight on the gun without welding up the current dovetail cut and recutting the dovetail and the flat behind it. You need to stick to a fixed sight or one of the adjustable types that fit a fixed sight dovetail. Kimber doesn't make an adjustable sight that will fit your gun so there isn't much they can do for you for sights.