Kimber feed problem

[southerndude]

Have .45 Kimber Crimson Trace Pro Carry II that will not work.
Sent back to factory and cameback with additional issues.
Out of box would not go into full battery by about 1/8"
Tried different ammo, Magazines, springs (from Wolf/Kimber) cleaners/lubes, shooters(to make sure wasn't me) I'm not a complete new guy, but operator error can happen to anyone.
Sent back to factory.
Said they replaced extractor, reemed/polished chamber, and replaced spring. SAID they test fired.[B][/B]
Came back took to range/class. I'm NRA certified instructor/RSO.
Using Winchester factory 230gr FMJ
All new mags 30- 50 rds most thru any
1st mag(Kimber) 3rd round failure to go to battery Same as before. Next round slide locked back with round in mag.
Changed to Wilson Mag. Same problem.
another Wilson mag. Same
McMacormick mag same problem.
Had another instructor try it. Same problem:banghead:
Tried to fire about 100+ rounds never made it thru one complete mag without problem. Going to try Some more FMJ Remington and MAGTECH.
Any suggestions Can't sell it like this!

 

[Zerodefect]

Avoid Rem ammo. Go to Walmart and get Federal .45acp FMJ. That should be the easiest ammo to feed.

Get a Wolfe recoil spring. I went up from a 16 to a 18lb spring in my fullsize CDP. I don't know what your pro takes.

Polish your chamber and ramps yourself. I use a dremel with the cotton cylinder and Turtle Wax chrome polish. The orange dremel polish works as well, but it's messier.

Use a Wilson or Tripp magazine. Throw your Kimber mags away ASAP!

You can polish the machine marks on your barrel down a little. Be careful to avoid the area that "fits" to the slide.

Kimbers do need a little tuning and breakin. Use heavy lube. Mobile1 15w40.
Or mix Oil/STP/ATF. Works wonders on my weapons.

But to be honest, all 1911's can have these problems. Fail to return to battery by 1/8" is not a big problem so don't lose heart. My Kimber did this as well. Kimber deosn't know how to tune 1911's ironicly. They aren't the same company. They let CNC mills spit out 1911's and we have to tune them ourselfs.

Because of that, I'd expect Fusions build your own 1911 kits to become very popular. It seems with most, if not all 1911 makers need special care anyway, so minus well build your own these days. LOL.

 

[Sapper771]

It sounds like I had the same issue your having now. You can try dealing with kimber, but you already have twice. You can ask kimber for a refund of your money, but they refused when I asked for one back in 2006 over a kimber eclipse target II that they couldn't fix. The prez of kimber told me to keep sending the gun back to them (on my dime) til they got it fixed.

Did you buy it new at a shop ? Maybe you can go back to the shop and speak to them about it. I took my defective eclipse target II 1911 back to the shop I bought it from and explained to them the problems. They were generous enough to give me a decent trade in value on the kimber and I got a pistol that works.

Or, maybe you can take it to a local gunsmith and have them look at it. See how much they will charge you to fix it. It may be something minor that is cheap to fix.

I don't buy kimbers any more. Not just because of their defective 1911, also from the three ring circus I had to go through with their "customer service". I try to stick with Springfield Armory 1911s. I had to use their warranty once. I didn't have to pay shipping either way and I had my 1911 back in 6 working days. They also fixed the minor issue the way I requested them fix it. Excellent people to deal with!

I wish you luck. Keep us posted on this issue. I would like to hear about your interactions with Kimber should you choose to deal with them further.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Not going into battery...sounds like the extractor is too tight and/or out of spec. And...Is there a shock buffer in the pistol? If so...trash it. (the shock buffer, not the pistol)

Slide locking back with rounds left...out of spec slide stop (rounds pushing the stop up), thumb hitting slide stop, weak detent spring in plunger tube.

Just a few quick thoughts that could cause your problems.

 

[EddieNFL]

But to be honest, all 1911's can have these problems.

True enough, if they're not within spec. Same applies to any firearm... even (GASP!) a Glock.

 

[gym]

Thanks for droping me a line SD.