1911 Kimber TLE RL2 Break in period or Problem?

[Johnny.23]

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a second 1911, it's a Kimber Stainless TLE RL 2, my question is I know Kimber's have a break in period of 300-400 rounds when it's brand new (according to Kimber) I've had about 4 failures to feed and about 3-4 failures to extract spent rounds within the first 300 rounds, is that typical of Kimbers?

I've used the stock Kimber mag, a few wilson combat, Chip McCormacks and Mecgars, the failures occurred using a Chip Mag , Kimber Mag and a Wilson combat mag. I reloaded the same magazines, the failures didn't occur again, the mags are fairly new I was trying to see if it was a mag problem.

Before breaking in the Kimber, I cleaned it thoroughly and applied John Jardines premium 1911 lube as directed. I didn't have these issue when I was breaking in my Springfield Mil-spec 1911.

Anyone encounter these issues before with Kimbers?

Thanks!

[JDMIS300]

1911's can be a little finicky sometimes. What kind of ammo are you using? And are all failures occurring with the said ammo?

Never had any issues with my Kimbers. I would shoot a few more boxes of ammo and see where you are at.

[Johnny.23]

1911's can be a little finicky sometimes. What kind of ammo are you using? And are all failures occurring with the said ammo?

Never had any issues with my Kimbers. I would shoot a few more boxes of ammo and see where you are at.

I've been using winchester white box, Federal and Aguila all standard ammo, I havent tried any hallow points.I would say the failures were kind of random and occurred with all of the above ammo. I've put 300 rounds through it so far, the only thing that caught my attention was with the Winchester ammo, the last round in the mag wouldnt feed and the slide didn't go into battery, it happened about 2-4 times. I planned on putting another 100-200 rounds through it this week and see if things improve.

Thanks!

[myk]

Mine behaved the same way when I first got it. I'm not sure what the exact problem was because I brought in aftermarket mags during the first 200 rounds and after that it ran flawlessly. Give Tripp Research Cobra mags a look. Pricey but I credit them with helping my RIA and Kimber run as well as they do now...

[DArBad]

Check your extractor tension. Also check that it is not clocking, that the firing pin stop plate is not loose.

As a matter of principle, on all my 1911s, I check extractor tension out of the box before even firing for the first time.

[L-2]

While it may be typical of Kimbers and any specific 1911, I don't like failures to feed or extract.

Things I'd initially consider with this new TLE RL/II are:

-use gun oil for now. At this time, I wouldn't want grease, even light grease, possibly slowing down the slide.
-extractor adjustment and look for whether or to what degree the extractor is clocking. I realize nobody should have to do this, but that's the way it can be with a new production 1911. Some of this is experience; trial & error; luck; and it can get expensive and time-consuming to keep adjusting and test-firing.

Let us know how it goes! Off to the range now.

[ABR]

When I bought my TLE I noticed it was very tight. I removed the recoil spring, lubed the snot out of it and racked the slide until it smoothed out. Probably a few hundred cycles. I ran it very wet at the range the first time out and no issues. I also seated the mags for a few days (stock 7 round and Kimber 8 round Tac mag). Let us know how it shakes out on your next range trip.

[cundiff5535]

I have to say the production 1911s are what indeed cause people to have the perception of the 1911 being finicky and picky....I personally just can't stand reading stuff like this.

Anytime I am looking for a bargain 1911 that I want to run it starts with a Wesson. I do not own any production guns any longer but will say once you get to try a Brown, Crafter, Hawk, or Wilson.... Those issue go away.

For the money ($1300 or so bucks), there are better choices than a production 1911 that can and should be had. If buying a semicustom or full boat custom, different story and different gun in terms of performance... And btw, worth every penny

In saying that, the major of guns I personally own age 1911s all have been built by best in class smiths and all run 100% of the time... Literally there is no break in period or special stuff you have to do

I say sell the Kimber and buy a Wesson... Or better yet, sell the limber and what ever your other 1911 is and buy a Crafter.

[Johnny.23]

Yeah, I really love 1911s and this kimber looks and feels amazing! So maybe after 500 rounds the pistol should be broken in? I'm going to check the extractor tension as well. I hope this type of problem is normal for new kimbers! Thanks everyone!

[myk]

I have to say the production 1911s are what indeed cause people to have the perception of the 1911 being finicky and picky....I personally just can't stand reading stuff like this.

Anytime I am looking for a bargain 1911 that I want to run it starts with a Wesson. I do not own any production guns any longer but will say once you get to try a Brown, Crafter, Hawk, or Wilson.... Those issue go away.

For the money ($1300 or so bucks), there are better choices than a production 1911 that can and should be had. If buying a semicustom or full boat custom, different story and different gun in terms of performance... And btw, worth every penny

In saying that, the major of guns I personally own age 1911s all have been built by best in class smiths and all run 100% of the time... Literally there is no break in period or special stuff you have to do

I say sell the Kimber and buy a Wesson... Or better yet, sell the limber and what ever your other 1911 is and buy a Crafter.

Can you get those higher end guns with a rail and night sights at the same price? Thise are the features that sold me on the TLE RL II. Also, my general understanding is that any modern 1911 has the potential to require a break in period...

[Johnny.23]

Can you get those higher end guns with a rail and night sights at the same price? Thise are the features that sold me on the TLE RL II. Also, my general understanding is that any modern 1911 has the potential to require a break in period...

I was going to get a sig 1911 railed, but as soon as I saw the kimber I was sold such a beautiful pistol especially in the stainless. Such a great value, so after the break in period your kimber runs fine now?

Thanks!

[myk]

My TLE RL II started behaving around 100 rounds and aftermarket mags. Honestly if I had to do it again I'd pass on the 1911 platform, but I am in love with the TLE RL II. Looks better than any other gun ever made IMO and fits my tiny hands perfectly...

[DArBad]

Yeah, I really love 1911s and this kimber looks and feels amazing! So maybe after 500 rounds the pistol should be broken in? I'm going to check the extractor tension as well. I hope this type of problem is normal for new kimbers! Thanks everyone!

I am a relatively new comer to the Kimbers myself as I used to own Colts and Springfields. I've learned to tune my extractors and make it a habit to check them as a routine because of the those two brands.

The latter 3 Kimbers I owned came shooting reliably out of the box.

[jeffrice6]

Contact Kimber, they'll take care of you!

[Bill Steele]

The advice on learning how to check and tune your extractor is good. Also knowing what to look for on the firing pin stop to assure the extractor is not clocking around (that is, rotating which makes the slot not line up with the rim of the cartridge) is also good.

One last piece of advice is I always run premium ammo through it for the first few hundred rounds or so (in my case my reloads, which are also a known quantity). Also clean and lube it after every range session for the first 400-500 rounds.

It isn't that your gun should be allowed to not cycle WWB or Magtech, but in its early days it might be a little more finicky than it will after 4-500 rounds, no need to also be running marginal ammo which makes an jntersection and causes a stoppage. SGAmmo sells boxes of 50 rounds of the premium stuff fairly reasonably, give a few boxes of gold dots or HST's a try before you start shipping guns across country.