Kimber: MIM parts replacement

[1911WB]

My project to replace my series I Kimber GM's MIM parts hit a little snag today. The first two things I replaced were no problem; an old Colt slide stop works perfectly as does a Wilson extractor (with just a little polishing). But the firing pin stop- what a pain in the butt! I have used Ed Brown stops on other 1911's & they've always dropped in- not on the Kimber! I noticed the Kimber stop is square across the top & much shorter than the Brown. So it was dremel, stone, try, cuss, repeat several times and even when I thought I had it; i.e., it retained the firing pin assembly, the slide still wouldn't go back on the frame because the stop was slightly protruding from the bottom of the slide! Finally got the darn thing right- or at least everything seems to work. My next project is to find a barrel bushing that is more closely fitted- I tried a Brown but it's not tight enough (accuracy is worse than with Kimber bushing). Better idea- I think I'm going to trade both my Kimbers on another Baer, or perhaps a Brown or Wilson!

 

[JohnBT]

I put a SS Wilson bushing in my SS GM. It took very little fitting - mostly a little crocus cloth work to get it in the slide and breaking a few sharp edges.

During the past 4+ years I think I've replaced almost everything except the firing pin stop. It didn't need new parts, I just get the urge to replace a part a couple of times a year. Now, where did I put the new Spegels?

John