Range Report: Kimber Tactical Custom II

[PlayLoud]

Well, the 10 day waiting period is finally over, and I took my new (used) Kimber to the range today.

I bought a box of reloads (they said they were reloaded by the factory or something) when I wanted to load up my new Wilson Combat ETM mags for a few days before I used them. I decided to go ahead and shoot those off, buying factory rounds after that.

Well, I got through a few mags with zero problems. Then when I released the slide stop to chamber the first round of a new mag, the round failed to fully chamber. This happened a few more times on the first round of a mag (on both of my two Wilson ETMs, and my factory Kimber mag), and it happened only one time while firing.

It happened a couple times on the second box of ammo, which was factory.

Now I have to figure out what is causing this. The pistol is used, it was clean when the day started, and all rounds were FMJs.

Does anybody have any ideas as to what the problem may be?

[Buddhabelly]

Well, the 10 day waiting period is finally over, and I took my new (used) Kimber to the range today.

I bought a box of reloads (they said they were reloaded by the factory or something) when I wanted to load up my new Wilson Combat ETM mags for a few days before I used them. I decided to go ahead and shoot those off, buying factory rounds after that.

Well, I got through a few mags with zero problems. Then when I released the slide stop to chamber the first round of a new mag, the round failed to fully chamber. This happened a few more times on the first round of a mag (on both of my two Wilson ETMs, and my factory Kimber mag), and it happened only one time while firing.

It happened a couple times on the second box of ammo, which was factory.

Now I have to figure out what is causing this. The pistol is used, it was clean when the day started, and all rounds were FMJs.

Does anybody have any ideas as to what the problem may be?

Did you slap the mag hard to make sure it's fully seated?

[PlayLoud]

I don't recall slapping the mag hard, though I am fairly sure it was fully seated.

[cyclenut]

How many shots have been through it since it was used? Could it be a weak recoil spring?

Edit: any wear on the feed ramp?

[PlayLoud]

Well, the guy who sold it to me said only 200 rounds have been put through it, though I sure that was a load of crap. These are the first shots through it since I bought it.

I was going to replace the recoil spring tomorrow (the range I was at today didn't have one), just in case, though I don't know enough about guns to know if that would cause what happened.

[1911Operator]

It could possibly be the recoil spring, I got a kit from Wilson Combat that came with 2 springs and some buffers. I put the weakest spring into it and it just sucked. easy to chamber right after cleaning but after that FTF all the time! then I switched to the heaviest one and I did NOT have any problems other then it was a lot harder to pull the slide back because of the heavy spring. so I just stayed with the standard spring. I just wanted to experiment with my springs. I found out more then I knew before, even though the package was $30 because it came with a guide rod too. so I dont have regrets buying that kit. I would recommend getting a heavier spring , take the barrel off and polishing up the ramp really well. First rub the ramp down REALLY good with FINE steel wool and then clean it off. After polish it with some metal polish and apply it to the ramp, wipe off and do it a few times over! I bet if you did that you will not have any problems. I clean my barrel every 300-500 rounds that way, and with the standard/heavy spring , I have never had any feeding problems or anything go wrong! try it out, and let me know how it works for you.

[cyclenut]

This guy had a similar issue though it was the last round of the mag:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showpost.php?p=1031631&postcount=2

Could be an extractor issue or it just didn't like the ammo you were using. If you can, try polishing your feed ramp.

[PlayLoud]

Can an aluminum ramp be polished (I would never do this myself. I would take it to a smith).

[1911Operator]

Can an aluminum ramp be polished (I would never do this myself. I would take it to a smith).

where do you have aluminum? it should be connected to your barrel and be made of steel too!

[PlayLoud]

I thought the ramp was on the frame.

[Black Majik]

There are three things I can blame it on.

1) Crappy reloads. Use factory loaded ammo, it can be the reloaded ammo gummed up your gun. Clean it and shoot factory FMJ.

2) Weak recoil spring. Try slingshotting the rounds, did it chamber?

3) Over-tensioned extractor. Check your tension, how is it holding your round when you do the jiggle test?


Lastly, how does the feed ramp look? It isn't gouged is it?

[1911Operator]

I thought the ramp was on the frame.

some 1911 have them and some dont. The higher end ones have the ramps on the barrel. since you have the kimber tactical II im guessing your is a higher end 1911 with a ramped barrel. Is the frame aluminum, I have a 1911 operator with a aluminum frame. The rounds have rubbed part of it off but just a little. but the barrel is ramped and my feeding problem was easy to fix.

[PlayLoud]

There are three things I can blame it on.

1) Crappy reloads. Use factory loaded ammo, it can be the reloaded ammo gummed up your gun. Clean it and shoot factory FMJ.

I thought about that. It's been cleaned, and only factory from now on. Results tomorrow.

2) Weak recoil spring. Try slingshotting the rounds, did it chamber?

I don't know what slingshotting rounds is, but I will be replacing the recoil spring tomorrow.

3) Over-tensioned extractor. Check your tension, how is it holding your round when you do the jiggle test?

I don't know what a jiggle test is.

Lastly, how does the feed ramp look? It isn't gouged is it?

The feedramp has part of the anodized finish removed, but it is smooth (not gouged)

Embedded.

[Black Majik]

The Kimber Tactical doesn't have a ramped barrel.

[cyclenut]

Slingshot - Instead of using your slide stop to load the round, pull back on the slide to release the slide stop and let go.