Kimber Ultra 45acp Brass in Face

[johnds]

Has anyone figured out how to stop these 3 inch Kimbers from throwing brass in their face? These are handy little 45s but they are famous for doing this.

This is a pistol with less than 100 rounds through it. I have checked and adjusted the tension on the extractor. I put an egw over sized firing pin stop in it in case the extractor was clocking. I switched extractors from my 4 in Kimber. I tried to install the extractor from my les baer p2 but it was too long and the notch would not line up for the firing pin stop. The ejector is in good shape.

I really don't want to play the send it to Kimber game. I had a Kimber ultra carry that went to kimber for the same problem serveral times before they gave up and replaced it with this new eclispe ultra that I am having the same problem with now.

I am an experienced shooter using a solid two handed grip. About once ever mag through the gun I get nailed in the face. I understand that the fast cycling rate makes these 45s very difficult to adjust correctly sometimes.

I am going to order a replacement extractor that I can file on and not void my warranty.

If anyone has some experience dealing with this issue on this model gun I would appreciate hearing from you.

Good luck,
Johnds

 

[johnds]

More information.

The extractor from my colt government model fit in the Kimber and it still chucks brass in my face.

Johnds

 

[krs]

It's because the pistol hates you.


Well, maybe, but I'd be looking to the ejector for a solution, not to the extractor. Granted they work as a team but it's the ejector that placekicks the brass.

I don't have one of those but I do have a Colt New Agent 3 1/2"'er that throws brass off to my right each and every time. The ejector is longnosed like a commander version but has a bevel cut along the top right edge for the 1/4" or so that does the work, the front right top edge is cut to about a 45 degree angle and that should be the surface that impacts extracted brass to give it the boot.

 

[johnds]

KRS.....

Thanks for the thought. Is there a chance that you could post a picture.

Kimber has supposedly slowed the cycle rate on these 3 inch guns by upping the springs. It has a double spring on the guide rod.

Thanks,
Johnds

 

[johnds]

I found the answer to my question and I thought folks might be interested.

I found and talked to a gunsmith that deals with Kimbers. He is on their good guy list which means he can order parts for repair that you and I cannot order as owners and users. He told me that he gets a least a call a week about this problem. Some 4 inch model Kimber 1911s have this problem and many 3 inch Kimber model 1911s have this problem. According to him, the solution to the problem lies in the ejector (good job krs). Kimber apparently makes a custom extended ejector that fits the 4 inch model that he can order. Kimber, does not, however, make an extended ejector for the 3 inch which means that it must be sent back to Kimber to have a new ejector, that is custom made fitted to each gun.

Now I have to deal with Kimber. They are pretty good about repair defects to their guns but the kicker is the Shipping for me is about $75+ to send it in.

Johnds

 

[krs]

See if you can find a friendly dealer. He can send it by USPS for $20. or less so even if he wants a fee for the use of that capability you could come out ahead of the common carrier rates. In fact, that gunsmith you talked to should also be able to use the mail if he's a licensed gunsmith as he pretty much must be with the relationship with Kimber he has.

 

[johnds]

That is the backup plan if I can't shame Kimber into paying.

Johnds

 

[orionengnr]

I've owned three 3" Kimbers (two Ul;tra Carry Stainless and one Ultra CDP, still own one of each) and none threw brass in my face. Also had two of he 4"ers, ditto.

So I'd hardly say that it is characteristic of the breed.

FWIW, I've also owned a 3" Colt Defender, two Para 3" C-6s and a 3 1/2" Charles Daly. None chucked brass in my face.

That's nine total. I'd say something is wrong with your pistol, but not with the design. Either that, or I'm incredibly lucky.

On that note, I'm about to buy another 4" Kimber, as soon as I can gather the funds

 

[johnds]

orionengnr,

You are one of the lucky ones.

Johnds

 

[glockman19]

Easy fix. Ejector adjustment and or springs.

 

[krs]

johnds,

I've got two 3" and three 4" 1911 style pistols too and none of them has ever come even close to tossing brass my way.

As I said, your pistol hates you.

I do have a Glock 19 that lands one on top my head once in a while but that's OK - I hate it back.

 

[johnds]

Mine is otw to Kimber. Hopefully I will be able to say the same about mine when it gets back.
Johnds

 

[Joshu]

I had the same thing happen with a Pro TLE II. I almost went for the files for some ejector reshaping. Then it occured to me that I had reduced the mainspring from the factory 22# to 19. Went up 2 pounds on the mainspring and now my brass ejects between 4:30 and 5 o'clock. Try going up a tad on the mainspring and see what happens. For me the tad bit more initial resistance slowed the slide enough to fix this, of course it wasn't "broke" till I got my hands on it, heh. Be the cheapest suggestion you've heard.

Edit: Wish I would have posted earlier, or read your last post. I hate to send anything "off".

 

[johnds]

Joshu,

I hate to send stuff off too but Kimber payed the freight. This is a pretty new pistol with less than 300 rounds through it. I thought about filing on things myself but that voids the warranty, and after taking to the gunsmith that knows about these type Kimbers I decided to bite the bullet, so to speak, and send it in.

Johnds

 

[Drail]

This is not just a Kimber problem. I have seen a great many Colts do the same thing, almost always when you're talking Commander or Officer's length 1911. The slide is cycling much faster on these guns and the extractor, ejector and spring rate have to be just right or it'll bean you with brass. An extended ejector may help get the brass out the port before the front edge throws it at you. Most Colts will not allow ejection of full length rounds with an extended ejector though. Later Colts have had the front of the port opened up which seems to help. When you go less than 5 inches everything changes and compromises have to be made. Try to find a good 1911 smith.

 

[johnds]

Drail,

I agree with you 100%......

If Kimber cannot fix this thing I will sell it. I have purchased my last Kimber in this lifetime.

Johnds

 

[johnds]

My Kimber Eclipse Ultra II just came back from Kimber today. The repair ticket said that they lowered and beveled the ejection port. I gave it a quick test fire after the UPS guy left and sure enough, the brass no longer hits me in the face. Good job Kimber.

Johnds

 

[1911Tuner]

The gun isn't ejecting the cases into your face. The gun is ejecting the cases at 3 O'Clock. They strike the top of the port...bounce upward into the path of the rearward-moving slide...and the slide bats them at you.

The brass tracks around the port will tell the tale.

The fix is usually reshaping the extractor to allow the case to roll off the hook a bit later or at a different angle...and reshaping the ejector to guide the case toward 2 O'Clock as it rolls.

Sometimes it requires a new ejector...and reshaping. The short 1911 variants can be a mite persnickety. What works like a charm on one won't do squat for another identical gun. Each one is a different animal.

Good that you got your issues corrected. That little malady can be a real pain.

 

[johnds]

1911tuner,

Thanks for the insight. Is there a way that I could see how to reshape the extractor that you described?

Thanks,
Johnds

 

[SciFiJim]

I have an Ultra Carry II. How do you adjust the tension on the extractor. It's locked in by the firing pin stop. My UCII has rather "POSITIVE" brass extraction. It throws it out at about 4 o'clock but throws it about 30 feet, as in ten yards. The people at the next table look at me like I am using a wrist rocket to shoot brass at them.

 

[johnds]

There should be many threads here that tell how to adjust a 1911 extractor or if not, go to brownells.com and check their "how to section". From what you describe, I doubt that is the problem.

If your 1911 is flinging brass, it may be that the recoil spring is weak in which case you should change it before it harms the pistol.

Johnds