My new Ultra Carry II (pics!)

[CPshooter]

I got bit hard by the 1911 bug after buying a new Colt Commander a few weeks ago. It was my first 1911, and I now realize why the 1911 has been around for almost a century.

I have been searching for the "perfect" handgun for IWB carry for years now. I've tried just about everything else, but never gave one of these little 1911s a fair chance until I decided to go ahead and buy this Ultra Carry II. I love how thin and light it is, while still being a .45. I wanted to give Kahr another chance, but after going through hell with my pm9 that wasn't going to happen. I payed $750+tax for my UCII, and got it from Sportsman's Warehouse. I had gone in the day before looking for one, but they didn't have any UCIIs in stock. I filled out a paper and left them my number, and then the very next day they got one in and called me. I drove there right away and they brought it out to me with my name taped to the box

First, I have a few questions that I'd like answered before I shoot it.

-I heard that Kimber magazines aren't the best, and that they can gouge the aluminum frames. Should I play it safe and buy a couple Wilson mags before I even shoot it for the first time? I plan on buying more mags anyways...

-Who makes high quality, THIN grips for these mini 1911s? I really really like VZ's products, but I don't see anything on their website for officer's sized frames! Do they not offer their amazing grips for 3" 1911s? If not, they really need to get on that soon

-Is it normal to see some tooling marks on the flare by the ejection port? When I bought it, I noticed that they had another black UCII w/ crimson trace laser grips that had the same tooling marks in the same spot. I assumed it was normal and it doesn't bother me, but I figured I'd still ask...

-I can also see that the barrel isn't completely polished towards the bottom by the chamber area. It still has a matte finish, like other parts of the barrel that are supposed to be like that. Is this a flaw in the barrel's finish, or is it normal? *edit* I just noticed you can see this in the very first pic, along with the tooling marks on the ejection port flare.

Other than those concerns, I love it and can't wait to shoot it! Anyways, here are some pics of it with and without the rest of the family!

 

[wyocarp]

I hope it is more reliable than mine or it wouldn't be my go to gun for self defense.

 

[CPshooter]

I hope so too! What was wrong with yours?

I've done my homework and fully realize that 3" 1911s are less tolerant to different kinds of ammo, need springs changed more often, don't offer good .45acp ballistic performance, etc, etc.

Even so, I have seen plenty of people fully satisfied with theirs and figured it was better than chancing my $800 with another Kahr. I guess I'll find out when I shoot it!

 

[j_galt]

I have a UCII for a year now and haven't had one feed problem yet, nor any other complaints about it. My hip gets lonely without it .

 

[Walkalong]

Congrats on a fine pistola. I love my CDP II Ultra.

I am running Wilson & Kimber Pro Tac mags in mine. It runs flawlessly. Neither will damage your aluminum feed ramp.

 

[Ruggles]

My 1st UCII (External Extractor) was horrid. The most unreliable gun I have ever owned.

I now have a Ultra Raptor II (same gun as use with some different features) that is a great little gun. I use the Wilson officers mags in mine. I would say that you should stick with FMJ rounds as these little 3" 1911s do not do as well with JHP as their bigger cousins.

Break that little guy in and enjoy. BTW I see you have a Colt Commander in that picture, nice gun as well.

 

[Ruggles]

"(same gun as use with some different features)"

uhhh that would be

same gun as yours with some different features

 

[Ken Rainey]

I have a Ultra Eclipse - all steel version...anyway, when I ordered another factory mag for mine (from Midway), it came with a skirted follower so that it couldn't tilt forward and mar the frame's feed ramp (on the aluminum versions)...so check your mags and if they're skirted, you'll probably be fine...if not, you might want to call or email Kimber and ask for the skirted followers to go in your mags...other than that, I've read that some people like the Wilson Combat mags but I think that was mostly for the followers???

Onto the function...I wasn't as fortunate as most are with their short strokers...mine wasn't good at all, had several problems that I found and fixed (extractor clocked, frame's feed ramp had gouges,slide stop protruded too far into mag well, and barrel throat had an invasive edge on one side)...After doing the "final fitting" the little short stroker runs like a champ. I really do recommend getting an EGW firing pin stop and fitting it to your pistol, I think you'd like it...I also recommend sticking with 230 FMJ like the factory says. I've assembled some slightly lighter loaded LRN for practice and they run fine too. Winchester SilverTips ran excellent as well but I just figure with that shorter barrel that the velocity ain't gonna be enough to get any expansion anyway so why waste the money...I stick with hardball with no worry of overpenetration either. I also tried some 185 gold dot ammo and while it ran fine, compared to the SilverTips, it felt like +P with more blast and recoil ??? Anyway, since hollowpoints ain't fast enough to expand and hardball ain't fast enough to overpenetrate, sticking to ball lets you practice with what you carry all the time...

Hope your's runs from the get go...

 

[Walkalong]

you should stick with FMJ rounds as these little 3" 1911s do not do as well with JHP as their bigger cousins

Mine eats Gold Dot, Golden Saber, XTP and Zero JHP's like candy. Hopefully yours will too.

 

[PcolaDawg]

I've got a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II and I LOVE IT!!!!!

My law partner had the EXACT same gun as yours for four years and it was, by far, his favorite handgun. He traded it in and got $400.00 in trade for a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II. Then the gun shop turned around and sold it immediately for $600.00, so it appeared to hold it's value pretty well.

Anyway, it's a great gun and congrats!

 

[CPshooter]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

How do I know if my magazine is "skirted" or not?

Also, are the UCIIs supposed to come with only 1 mag? Mine did.

I definitely won't keep this gun if it can't shoot my favorite JHP ammo (Dold Dots & Federal HST). I'm glad to hear that yours feeds JHPs Walkalong.

 

[Walkalong]

Some pics of three mags. The first is a Wilson with some other brand of follower that looks like a Mec Gar. (It's kind of reliable. It came with a deal) The second is a stock Kimber Pro-Tac. They are both "skirted". Third is a Chip McCormick mag with his patented follower. It is not "skirted" A fine follower and great mags, but the knock on that design, as well as the GI follower, is that on the last round they can jump forward and that sharp front edge can get into the softer Aluminum feed ramp and cause damage over time. On the GI mag, it is the little part that activates the slide catch that is the culprit.

 

[Ken Rainey]

The follower in the magazine will have a molded "skirt" that goes below the front edge of the magazine thus keeping it from tilting forward as opposed to having a split level type follower with the flat edges facing forward....yep, they only come with one...

 

[MM]

Wilson for sure. Go ahead and buy a second recoil spring assembly, although mine ran almost 6000 rounds before it gave-up. Make sure it feeds your ammo of choice before you bet your life on it. I ran 500 rds of ball and another 300 jhp before I carried mine. Most require some break-in. I've had mine for 7 years and it continues in my carry rotation.
MM

 

[BucksDC]

Hello

I've had an Ultra Carry II for two years as my primary carry gun. Never a problem and shoots just as well as my TLE/RL at 25 yds. I put a set of Big Dots on it and use the Kimber Tac Pro mags.
The finish on these guns holds up suprisingly well for all the holster/sweaty body grime it receives. I rarely wipe the outside down, to see how much abuse the finish can take.

 

[Hawk]

Who makes high quality, THIN grips for these mini 1911s? I really really like VZ's products, but I don't see anything on their website for officer's sized frames! Do they not offer their amazing grips for 3" 1911s? If not, they really need to get on that soon

http://www.esmeralda.cc/slender_series_compact.htm

 

[CPshooter]

Those esmerelda grips look nice! I think I like the black DD style seen on the 3rd page. I'm going to look around a little more though..I really want some VZ micarta grips for it! There's no way to get VZ to start making them? You'd think there would already be a demand since a lot of people prefer thin grips on their 3" 1911s.

I think I'm going to go with a couple wilson mags.

What about the tooling marks on the ejection port flare and the partial polish job on the barrel?

 

[J.R.W.]

Is it normal to see some tooling marks on the flare by the ejection port? When I bought it, I noticed that they had another black UCII w/ crimson trace laser grips that had the same tooling marks in the same spot. I assumed it was normal and it doesn't bother me, but I figured I'd still ask...

Looks like some brass transfer from the test fire. Some Hoppe's will take that off.

 

[CPshooter]

Looks like some brass transfer from the test fire. Some Hoppe's will take that off.

Funny you say that...those were my initial thoughts. Then I thought, "no way."

Is it really brass? I'd try and wipe it off, but I left it at my apartment for Christmas break (I'm a student). I'm stuck with just my Glock 19 for 3 weeks I left it there because I don't want my girlfriend to know I just blew $800 on another gun!

Also, I wrote VZ an email asking them to make their ultra slim grips for 3" 1911s. I can't believe the guy doesn't already have a demand for this.

Thanks again for all your help people! This is why I love the internet!

I still have one question that hasn't been addressed: Is it normal to have inconsistent polishing on the barrel? The chamber area isn't polished towards the bottom (can be seen in first pic), and both sides of the barrel aren't exactly the same in terms of how much polished/matte surface there is. Is this just normal for a "match" fitted barrel?

I can't help but be anal about an $800 gun....

 

[J.R.W.]

Is it normal to have inconsistent polishing on the barrel? The chamber area isn't polished towards the bottom (can be seen in first pic), and both sides of the barrel aren't exactly the same in terms of how much polished/matte surface there is. Is this just normal for a "match" fitted barrel?

Looks identical to my Tactical Pro II. Wouldn't worry too much. As far as the brass transfer, it will happen when you fire the gun also. Good luck and report back on how she shoots.

 

[CPshooter]

Looks identical to my Tactical Pro II. Wouldn't worry too much. As far as the brass transfer, it will happen when you fire the gun also. Good luck and report back on how she shoots.

Yeah, you are right. No point in cleaning it if it will get that way again.

I will definitely post a full range report when I shoot it. Thanks again people!

 

[tblt]

Your ultra carry 2 looks thiner than your Glock and XD.
How does it carry compared to those 2?
Do you find yourself carrying your LCP more than anything do to its size?
I load my LCP with golden sabers and the new hornady critical defence ammo.

 

[CPshooter]

Your ultra carry 2 looks thiner than your Glock and XD.
How does it carry compared to those 2?
Do you find yourself carrying your LCP more than anything do to its size?
I load my LCP with golden sabers and the new hornady critical defence ammo.

I sent you a pm answering your questions a bit more in-depth. But basically, I haven't had a chance to shoot the UCII, let alone carry it..

Either way, I already know it will be easier and more comfortable to IWB carry than all my other guns due to the 1911s extremely thin width (about .9" at the slide, with an even thinner frame). The UCII has a shorter aluminum frame and a 3" barrel, which IMO makes it the ultimate IWB concealed carry handgun. That's why I bought it.

My LCP was in the serial # range that got recalled by Ruger. I actually just received my pre-paid shipping package after a month and a half of waiting, so I will finally be sending it in tomorrow! The turn-around time is no more than 2 weeks, so I'll finally be able to pocket carry my LCP with confidence!

I've read that Golen Sabers are a really good choice for a .380 defense load. I'll probably try them out once I get my LCP back from Ruger.


On a side note, I got an email back from VZ, and they DO make their ultra-slim micarta grips for compact 1911s!!! They just aren't listed on the VZ website..

They come in either the "320" or "gator" design. Now I just have to decide which pattern and color I want! I couldn't be any happier about this.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II. Had around 6 different problems with it in the first 250 rounds. One was failure to go to battery. That was traced to burned powder fouling the chamber causing the fresh round to bind after entering the chamber. The rest cured themselves. I have sense ran an additional 1500 rounds through it without issue. Mostly Rainier HP and Hornady HP/XTP.

 

[tblt]

Here is a link to a test I did with my LCP ans my P 95
I used golden sabers in my LCP and HST in my 9
The test was only done in water but the expansion looked good

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=410045