Kimber Ultra ten II

[Buck Turgeson]

Kimber Ultra ten II Feeding Problems

Hi. I bougt a Kimber Ultra Ten II, it's a compact polymer frame, double stack ten round magazine 1911 style. From day one it would stovepipe or fail to feed at least once every magazine. Almost got rid of it but it's so nice to carry that I had a smith work on it. Polish throat and feed ramp etc. That helped some but didn't eliminate the problem. At the time I wasn't set up to reload but now I am and have found that it eats hot loads just fine. Have read about others having the same problem with this autoloader and thought I'd pass this along. Anyone think I could go to a lighter spring? It would be nice not to have to max out every load.

 

[Stratford Holdings]

I used to have one but sold it. It was unreliable. It took RN bullets just fine but everything else it had problems with. If I remember correctly, it has a pretty steep feed ramp. I think this is the issue with all of the FTF's you've had.

 

[waktasz]

Might as well try it, a new spring is only $8 or so and if it doesn't help, you're not out very much.

 

[Buck Turgeson]

Yup, Agree on with both posts. The smith changed the angle of the TINY feed ramp as best he could and I think those who've owned one would agree that it's a nice .45 to carry. Like I said, it's been reliable with hot loads so I think I'm going to try to stick with it. But ... I wouldn't recommend one to anyone else.

 

[wally]

Your smith may have made the problem worse. My Ultra Ten II was unreliable until I polished the inside seam welds of the mags and replaced the mag springs with Wolf
"extra power" Para P12 springs.

Now functions fine, even with my 200gr H&G 68 style cast lead SWC reloads.

I shot my CHL renewal with it. Fantastic shooter despite the small size.

--wally.

 

[j_a_espo]

another resource

You might also try posting your problem with the Kimber at http://forums.1911forum.com/.

 

[Broadside]

I've read over on the 1911 Forum that Kimber had a bad batch of barrels at one point. One member commented that he had to send his Kimber back twice to get the barrel replaced.

The 1911 Forum is down for maintenance this weekend, but you might also try posting your problem on www.pistolsmith.com . They have a section dedicated soley to Kimbers.

One other point to note, Kimber had some initial problems with their external extractor. It took them several tries to get it right. If you have a gun with one of the early extractors, it may need to be replaced.

From what I've read on various gun boards, Kimber's customer service dept. seems to play the denial gave very well. You may have to work at getting Kimber to address the problem.

 

[Buck Turgeson]

That's been my experience with Kimber service. I'd already had it back to them once before I tried the smith. Re the gunsmith, he is a custom firearms maker with a great rep in N. Maine and told me up front that he didn't have much to work with re the tiny feed ramp. As for extraction. Never had a problem there. Think I'll give the Wolfe springs a try tho.