Kimber TLE II recoil spring

[Waterboy3313]

I've been having some issues with my Kimber and figured replacing the recoil spring is cheap insurance. The gun is about 3 years old and has about 500 rounds through it. I figured it should be good for around 1000 rounds.

Maybe it's the spring maybe not but I figured replacing it would be my next step toward ruling it out. The problem I have is what spring to buy. There seems to be countless brands, flat wire, round wire and different spring rates. My pistol is a 5 inch barrel 45 and from what I have read it should be a 16 lb spring.

Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Master Blaster]

What issues are you having with the Kimber?

Wolf standard 16 lb wire recoil spring should be a good replacement.

 

[Waterboy3313]

Mostly the issue is chambering the first round after shooting 2-3 magazines. Slide locked back, magazine firmly inserted and seated, release the slide by pulling back and letting it go on it's own not being gentle by any means the slide doesn't always quite get to where it should stop. Sometimes it's about a half inch short and I have to push it the rest of the way. After that it seems to work fine through out the remaining ammo left in the magazine.

I keep this gun cleaned and oiled it's not like I have never cleaned it. I have several different magazines and shoot round nose bullets some of which I purchased when I bought the gun. So I don't believe it is a magazine or ammo issue. The only two things I have not done yet is replace the recoil spring or pull out the extractor or check the extractor tension.

 

[tarosean]

500rds in a full size 1911 wouldn't effect the recoil spring unless there was a flaw.

Not really in the know on Kimber 1911's.
Does the gun have a full length guide rod? what magazines do you have specifically? Have you numbered your mags to see if #___ is always causing an issue?

16# is fine for factory ammo.

 

[Waterboy3313]

The guide rod is full size I have 2 Wilson combat mags and 2 factory Kimber mags. They aren't numbered or marked. Up until about two weeks ago everything was working flawless. I think up until this issue started I've had maybe 2 or 3 feed issues in approximately 500 rounds.

After this happened I came home field stripped it and cleaned it. I did notice a little bit of build up on the feed ramp. It cleaned off easily and after putting it all back together I loaded it back up with Hornady critical defense and it chambered like it was new. I keep the critical defense ammo in it as this is one of my carry pistols. I have only shot a few rounds through it and round nose plated or jacketed bullets are what I shoot.

I thought I had it fixed and last weekend I went out and shot one full magazine every thing seemed normal. I reloaded the magazine I had just emptied and it ran fine. Third run through same mag again and it started acting up again.

I had so much going on when I got home I have not touched it since. If I have time this afternoon I want to pull it apart and see if I can see anything new.

 

[JTQ]

On another forum, the WilsonCombatRep speculated that 50% of their returns for service are for inadequately or improperly lubricated 1911's.

If you're new to 1911's and especially if you've been shooting Glock's (or other polymer striker fired guns) previously, chances are good you're not using enough lube.

Here are a couple of lube videos that may be helpful

Wilson Combat



Dave Anderson FMGPubs

 

[JTQ]

Slide locked back, magazine firmly inserted and seated, release the slide by pulling back and letting it go on it's own not being gentle by any means the slide doesn't always quite get to where it should stop.

Just a data point in the event you may not be releasing the slide cleanly.

 

[Waterboy3313]

JTQ thanks for the videos and info. I have not watched them just yet. I always feel like I am over using the gun oil and making sure it goes where it's supposed to. Also I really don't care to release the slide from the release lever but have to try to eliminate any error on my side by not cleanly releasing to after pulling it back and letting it go. I will definitely check the videos out and thanks again for posting them.

 

[JTQ]

If your Wilson Mags are new ...
https://s3.amazonaws.com/wilsoncombat/files/47Series.pdf

Like other mechanical devices, your Wilson Combat® magazine may be a little stiff when first used. This is normal and should not effect its feeding capabilities, however you will notice that as you use your magazine it will become easier to load and seat in your pistol and it will function even more smoothly over time. If you wish to expedite the break in process simply leave your new magazine loaded to capacity for a day or two, this will pre-set the spring to normal operating tension.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

My experience with Kimber's customer service over the phone relative to springs has been very gratifying and informative.
Personally, I would suggest calling them first with your particulars written on a pad for reference during the conversation.


Todd.

 

[Waterboy3313]

I pulled the thing apart tonight I also pulled the extractor and firing pin. The extractor was pretty dirty. I've never had torn down beyond the typical field strip and cleaning. Looking at the extractor before pulling it out it looked pretty clean. I usually run a q tip in and around it while it's in place. I was able to get some build up off of it and then put it in the ultrasonic cleaner for a few minutes. After it was cleaned I did a quick tension test on it.

I heavily oiled everything like the video showed. Pretty much like I always do but added a little more than usual. Racked the slide about 15 times. I seated a mag full of my carry ammo and it seemed to chamber like it should. It felt good and smooth. The weather is not good so hopefully by next weekend I will be able to go try it out. Maybe between the extra dose of oil and the clean extractor it will run flawless again for another 500+ rounds between regular cleaning and lubrication.

 

[Charlie98]

I initially had a problem with my stainless 4” Kimber... it ran fine for a while, then all of a sudden it started misfeeding. At that time Kimber was having some QC problems, and I started to worry that I had another lemon (I sold my Springy for the Kimber because of ejection issues...) I decided to start with a clean slate and bought 6 new CMC PowerMags... and haven’t had problems since, almost 15 years later. I’m also a big recoil spring changer... I swap springs in mine every 500-600 rounds, and although I’ve been ridiculed by some here for it, I consider it cheap insurance.

 

[JDR]

You could try this Wilson Combat flatwire recoil spring setup;

#25GRFW - FWRS Guide Rod & Plug - $23.96
#614G17 - 17lb Flat Wire Recoil Spring - $8.76

I have the 13lb FWRS with this guide rod & plug kit on my STI Trojan 9mm 1911 and this setup solved the feeding problems I had with different weights of 9mm ammo. I know the setup works on .45ACP.

 

[tarosean]

The guide rod is full size

I would ditch it and pick up a standard setup.

 

[Waterboy3313]

I want to get out and go shoot it before making any more changes at this point. Its raining and spitting snow here right now. I would rather wait until next week than go to the indoor range.

 

[Casefull]

If you get a spring go at least an 18 pound. I don’t think it’s a lubrication issue. If the pistol is quite tight it may have been a cleaning issue. I won’t carry an auto pistol that does not go aggressively into battery. Asking for trouble.

 

[Waterboy3313]

It's definitely on the side line until I can run a few mags through it and feel that I can trust it again.

 

[Waterboy3313]

Finally got some decent weather. Went out and ran 50 rounds through this thing with zero issues. Back to running like it should be. I think the junk boogered under the extractor was the issue. I will be sure not to let that happen again.