Kimber Ultra Raptor II

[bobnailer]

I have a Kimber Ultra Raptor II compact .45 and I wanted to use one of those shims to replace the plunger lever & trigger bar lever, allowing me to remove the extractor (for cleaning) but upon initial disassembly, I noted that after removing the firing pin cover, firing pin/spring, I looked down the firing pin shaft and depressed the firing pin plunger underneath the slide and I noted that as I depressed and released the plunger, there appeared to be a metal shim attached to the plunger rather than just a plunger/spring used on most other 1911's. I then discovered that at this point (with firing pin cover, firing pin/spring removed) I could back the extractor out a bit then rotate it 1/4 turn and then the extractor could be pulled out completely.

Needless to say, I was not able nor attempted to install the shim to basically return this series 80 pistol to a series 70. I'm guessing Kimber did this so that guys like me could NOT revert their pistol to a series 70 (re: no firing pin plunger) ... I don't know if it is a liability issue Kimber is concerned with or what but since I can remove the extractor, then I'm a happy camper.

I'm going to make a further guess/assumption that if I were he** bent on removing the Kimber's firing pin plunger/spring, I might have to remove the rear sight to allow for the plunger assembly to be removed?

Bob

 

[MCMXI]

I'm going to make a further guess/assumption that if I were he** bent on removing the Kimber's firing pin plunger/spring, I might have to remove the rear sight to allow for the plunger assembly to be removed?

Correct. The spring and plunger shown in the photo below reside in the slide and are held in place be the rear sight so you'll need to remove it if you want to remove those parts. I've done this to both of my Kimbers but don't tell anyone.

 

[EddieNFL]

I've done this to both of my Kimbers but don't tell anyone.

Duck and cover. Legal barrage inbound. I'm not a fan of FPBs, but I have to admit, IMO Kimber's is better than Colt's.

 

[Zerodefect]

Except that Kimbers are far less reliable with that stupid FP safety. And I have seen fail to fires happen in well used Kimbers due to that plunger.

Mine has been 100% since I removed it. That bit of friction the slide has to jump over makes a difference.

I don't think you need to do any other mods when removing the safety. I thought about swapping firing pins or springs, but if it ain't broke...........

 

[MCMXI]

I don't think you need to do any other mods when removing the safety. I thought about swapping firing pins or springs, but if it ain't broke...........

I've thought about using titanium firing pins to reduce the inertia but it's not high on my list of priorities. Maybe I'll order a couple the next time I buy something from Midway.

 

[bobnailer]

1858, thanks for the photo, it validates what I assumed what the "situation" was in regards to my Kimber; one must never assume because doing so makes an ASS of U and ME ... LOL . Of course I'd never remove the firing pin safety though I don't think doing so breaks any laws as that firing pin safety/plunger was pistol manufacturers making pistols more safe. As a side note, why would I want my pistol to be "more safe" ? I want it to be as "dangerous" as possible when defending my life of that of a loved-one.

Anyways I'd like to address the titanium firing pin idea; I too want to do this but even though this next statement is in regards to something I saw on the Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF) website I wonder if replacing steel firing pin in a 1911 with a titanium firing pin would affect/influence timing of the pistol's operation. On the POF website they have a video discussing short stroke gas piston AR's... that POF has figured out how to build Gas Pistol AR's such that they cycle properly and thus their "timing" is perfect so that there are no failures in operation. So by applying that idea to 1911's, I just wonder if installing a lighter titanium firing pin would affect its cyclical timing... then again, does the reduced mass of a titanium firing pin add and/or affect the performance/cyclical functioning of a 1911?

I have a Bushmaster XM15 E2S (and who doesn't?) but with a short stroke gas piston upper and I installed a titanium firing pin in it and had no positive/negative effects on its cyclical timing... so I don't know that titanium made any difference in regards to the firing pin.

Titanium firing pins for 1911's are relatively inexpensive so the only way to truly find out is to install one, take it to the range, and try it out. If I were to do that, I'd also bring along some tools so that I could remove the titanium firing pin and replace it with the steel one and see if I could notice any difference in performance/cyclical timing, etc.

I love to tinker so this could be an interesting test.

Bob

 

[MCMXI]

I wonder if replacing steel firing pin in a 1911 with a titanium firing pin would affect/influence timing of the pistol's operation.

I placed an order with Midway yesterday and added a couple of Colt titanium firing pins to the order, one for each Kimber. As I mentioned, I removed the FPS in both so a titanium firing pin could help lower the odds of an unintentional discharge if either pistol was dropped and landed muzzle first. For a little over $17 each I figure why not?! Will it affect how the pistol performs day to day, assuming that it's made to the proper specifications, I doubt it.

 

[MCMXI]

Here's a photo comparing the factory Kimber II firing pin with an Ed Brown Hardcore and two Colt titanium firing pins that I just received. The Kimber and Ed Brown firing pins weigh 0.149 grams and 0.152 grams respectively. The Colt firing pins weigh 0.085 grams and 0.086 grams which is almost half the weight. Dimensionally, the Colt firing pins are virtually identical to the Ed Brown firing pin which has worked perfectly in my Kimber TEII for 2,000+ rounds. I'll be using the Ti firing pins in both Kimbers to reduce the chance of the firing pin from striking the primer of a chambered round in the unlikely event that I drop either pistol and they somehow manage to land muzzle first.