kimber 1911 jamming FTF/FTGIB

[Dirty506]

so i am new to the 1911 world but love the gun. unfortunately it has been jamming periodically. i have tried wilson, CMC, and the kimber mags and its been happening with them all so its not likely that thats the problem. the round strips off the mag but it jams up going into the chamber. it jams at an angle with the nose up in the chamber and even hitting the back of the slide wont put it into battery. sometimes smacking the mag works other times i have to rack it but other times it takes dropping the mag and ejecting the round. i'll be able to post some pics when i get home. i have put 500 rounds thru it now and its still doing it. it happens with my reloads 185grRN and 200grFP as well as factory 230gr FMJs. i know my reloads need to be tuned a little better for it but it shouldnt be happening with the FMJs. i plan on getting a wolff spring but i dont know if that would fix it. to me it seems like the rounds are feeding at to extreme of an angle and thats what is jamming it up but i am no expert. maybe having a gunsmith mess with the feed ramp angles if all else fails? i'll do whatever i need to before permanently altering the gun itself. any input/solutions/advice? thanks in advance calgunners

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

any marks/burrs on the feed ramp? does it only do this with the 1st round of the mag or at random? If you pull the slide back and let it go does it still do it?

[Smoker03]

What model is it? Are there any copper marks on the slide stop? Pic's would help. I'm guessing since you are thinking of going to a wolf spring, it is a 4" Pro/Commander model.

[jonzer77]

Call Kimber and let them know and they will probably pay for the shipping to them so they can work on it. Don't let a gunsmith work on it because it may void the warranty. Hopefully you have a backup gun and if you don't it's a great excuse to buy another gun

[Oceanbob]

My guess would be an out of spec Extractor.

Number 2 guess would be a weak recoil spring.

All of my feed ramps are polished.

[Dirty506]

no marks or burrs on the feed ramp or anywhere for that matter very well machined gun it seems. it happens at random but more so with the first round. if i pull the slide back and let it go sometimes it fixes it sometimes it doesnt smacking the mag seems to work better though.

its a kimber custom II. the base model. and there are copper marks on the slide stop and it has been locking locking the slide to the rear with rounds still in the mag do to it being to big and the rounds in the mag engage the slide stop but i know how to fix that no problem so thats not an issue. and as far as the spring goes i just looked and i didnt see a wolff recoil spring for a 5" model. any recommendations on springs??

i plan to call kimber if i cant get them fixed myself but will use kimber before a smith.

as far as the extractor i'm not to savvy in that area. what problems oculd the extractor cause and what are the fixes?

[Dirty506]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=535991

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=508948

these springs seem legit i trust wilson and have heard great htings about wolff.
good?

[jonzer77]

Wolff makes really good springs.

For your reloads check out this link.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=114067

About halfway down the guy does a good job of determining the max oal that is specific to your gun. They are talking about a cz sp-01 but the idea works for every gun. I am still fairly new to reloading and I seem to learn something new all the time.

[Kruzr]

Don't change your recoil spring and when you do, stick with a 16# spring. It sounds like it certainly could be an extractor tension issue. The round has to slip up under the extractor as it chambers. The extractor should not snap over the edge of the round.

If you don't know how to check it and adjust (bend) it, then find an experienced 1911 owner to show you how. This is something that every 1911 owner should know how to do since it will come up in the life of the gun.

Kimber doesn't typically pay for shipping unless it is a safety related problem.

Where are you located?

[ojisan]

I would look at the extractor tension and fit first.
Then, breech face clean up.
Could take only minutes to fix.
Your location?
(It's nice to add your general location to your profile, CA is a big place).

[redcliff]

Yes both those would be extra power recoil springs and of excellent quality.

However, your slide stop is going to need some massaging if you're getting pre-mature slide lock with factory ammo and have copper on it.

I recommend you send it back to Kimber with a detailed note explaining the issues you're having and let them fix it and do a proper extractor tune.

First thing I would do is discuss the issue with the dealer you bought the pistol from; they can ship the pistol back to Kimber cheaper than you can and if they care about customer retention they shouldnt charge you to do so.

If they won't help you'll need to call Kimber at 914-964-0771 ext 267 to get a Return Authorization. Ask them where to obtain a Product Return Form which must accompany the pistol back; I don't see it listed on their website. Additionally you will be required to pay for overnight shipping (and I would insure it) back to Kimber via UPS or Fedex, and it must be sent from a distribution center, not a satellite wrap and pack or Kinko's etc.

The problems with Kimber slide stop's and improper extractor tuning have been ongoing ones for years; I have no idea why they don't get their act together and is the reason I quit recommending Kimber to my friends several years ago. Kimber 1 year warranty with YOU paying return costs versus Springfield Armorys LIFETIME warranty and they pay the shipping. Kimber needs to spend less money on advertising and more on customer satisfaction imho.

[Dirty506]

i'll have to note where the extractor is in relation to the round next time it does it to see if that could be the issue. i am located at fort irwin nearest town is barstow. i owuldnt feel comfortable messing with the extractor myself at first being that i havent even seen it done but if shown i would be fine with it. i'll hold off on the spring for now but i will probably end up changing it out soon anyways since i am coming up on 1000 rounds soon i already shot 500 and havent had the gun a week yet. but right now i will look into the extractor. keep sendin the ideas thanks guys

[redcliff]

I would look at the extractor tension and fit first.
Then, breech face clean up.
Could take only minutes to fix.
Your location?
(It's nice to add your general location to your profile, CA is a big place).

And I agree with your diagnosis ojisan, it's just the slide stop issue that prevents me from just giving a link to extractor tuning discussions/diagrams.

[Kruzr]

If you are having premature lock back, call Kimber, they will send you a new slide stop. They had a run with the tab too long and they are well aware of it. You can then file back the one you have and end up with two.

If you decide to send the gun back, do not go through your dealer unless you are prepared to wait. You will get a much faster turnaround if you send it yourself. If the cost of shipping is too much, then go the dealer route and be patient.

Here is a link on how to check and adjust the extractor. It isn't hard.

http://blog.wilsoncombat.com/calibers/45-acp/extractor-tuning-tips-by-bill-wilson/

[xxINKxx]

I notice in my custom II I start getting a few random FTFs when my gun gets real dirty in the chamber. I do a quick scrub and re-lube and it's great again until the next 500 round mark

Hopefully you figure it out