Kimber 1911 very stiff to rack first round..need help

[camron882]

so i have about 600-1100 rds through it(used prior) and it still is VERY stiff to rack the first round. is there a fix for this? Please help its kinda frustrating lol..what would cause this?

[thegamettt]

have you tried different magazines?

[camron882]

have you tried different magazines?

its the same with kimpro, wilsons, and chip mccormick.

[Merc1138]

Lack of arm strength? What other 1911's are you comparing it to when you decided it's stiff when chambering a round?

[camron882]

Lack of arm strength? What other 1911's are you comparing it to when you decided it's stiff when chambering a round?

lol no on the arm strength, but i compared it to a para 1911.

[thegamettt]

so if you rack through all of them, the rest are easier?

[PRCABR4Christ]

cock the hammer, then rack the slide...no really...the "first round" is harder to rack because you're trying to cock the hammer with the firing pin stop...IMO you should should work on racking it by yourself to develop more muscle, but cocking the hammer will relieve some of the force required

is this a "carry" or "ultra" model? If so, the spring is strong because you have a shorter slide, therefore more spring is required to keep the gun from battering itself.

[PRCABR4Christ]

so if you rack through all of them, the rest are easier?

they would be, as you don't have to cock the hammer for follow up racking

[nuocsoi98]

are you pinching with three fingers and pulling back or grabbing with your whole hand and pushing back?

and yeah, just cock the hammer first although you should just be able to w/out

[camron882]

so if you rack through all of them, the rest are easier?

when the hammer is cocked yes

[Black Majik]

Also one more thing to check besides overcoming the mainspring, Sometimes the push rod on the Swartz safety can protrude out too much from the frame. It can make for racking the slide a PITA. Thus, don't press down on the grip safety when chambering the first round.

[InGrAM]

Is your Para 1911 in 9mm by any chance? If it is then there is your answer, a .45 1911 is much more difficult to rack than a 9mm 1911.
Also if it is a commander or similar length 1911 is will be harder to rack than a 5" government.

Like others have said try cocking the hammer before racking the slide.

[camron882]

yes if the hammer is cocked then its a BREEEZE..i normally grab with my thumb and index finger. its only when the hammer is not cocked that it is a PITA. i just grab and pull as hard as i can i guess until it loosens up...its a fullsize TLE/RL II

[nuocsoi98]

well there you go, anything with a hammer will be easier to rack once you cock

as with your pinching and pulling vs grabbing and pushing, it's whatever you're more comfortable with just keep in mind you have a more positive grip using your whole hand as opposed to just your thumb and index so i'd suggest trying that out

it takes a little more time but i personally would rather power stroke and make sure i get a full rack

[kanikas]

keep in mind you have a more positive grip using your whole hand as opposed to just your thumb and index

Agreed, a better grip will make the slide easier to rack.