Kimber 22 conversion kit for 1911s

[aghauler]

Well my recently ordered from Midway Kimber conversion kit arrived today.
That's the good news. The bad news is it is NOT a drop in fit on a Rock Island Armory 45ACP Tactical frame. The slide will not slide if the take down lever is installed, and it the pin will only go half way through the frame and that's very difficult. The slide binds up tight and would not function if shot. I tried to call Kimber but they're closed until Monday. I also tried the Kimber kit on my Argentine Systema but it wouldn't even go on the frame. $318 delivered I had hoped for better results. Certainly not going to pay more to have a gunsmith fix it. I'll give Kimber a chance to come up with an answer before shipping it back to Midway.

[keenkeen]

Try it on another brand 1911...SA or Kimber or SIG, etc.

I am gonna guess it will fit and work...

[orangeusa]

I'm going out on a limb, but the Kimbers sure looked like rebranded Ceiner kits (to me).

Nothing wrong with Ceiner - I have two of them for 92FS Berettas.

One thing to try is that weird little washer on the guide rod needs to be pulled back (towards the rear of the gun) to fit properly.

If you take OUT the guide rod and barrel, will the slide fit on your gun?

.

[aghauler]

Try it on another brand 1911...SA or Kimber or SIG, etc.

I am gonna guess it will fit and work...

Not possible, only have the RIA, Argentine Systema and a mint Ithaca that ain't getting messed with.

[aghauler]

I'm going out on a limb, but the Kimbers sure looked like rebranded Ceiner kits (to me).

Nothing wrong with Ceiner - I have two of them for 92FS Berettas.

One thing to try is that weird little washer on the guide rod needs to be pulled back (towards the rear of the gun) to fit properly.

If you take OUT the guide rod and barrel, will the slide fit on your gun?

.

No washer on the guide rod, soild metal. If I leave the barrel out the slide moves freely, if I assemble the slide, recoil spring and guide, and the barrel, it still moves freely. If I just put a punch in the take down lever hole it still moves freely. BUT if I attempt to put the take down lever back in, it "may" only go in halfway with effort! I've looked through that take down lever hole and it seems the same diameter all the way through. I'll see what Kimber says next week. This is unfortunate because it's agreat idea and the silver slide looks pretty good on the RIA matte black frame.

[Haplo]

Can you use your stock takedown lever?

[dpop24]

Guess its time for a new 1911 so you can use your conversion kit !

[Sanch116]

had same problem

I had the exact same problem when I got my kit. All I did was call up Kimber and explained the problem I was having. I mentioned that the instructions state that you should use the included slide stop, but he told me those are old instructions and the kit doesn't come with one anymore. He asked if the gun was milspec and I said yup. So he went ahead and sent me a new slide stop for free. It still didn't work, but I took a dremel to the pin and made the diameter smaller. Works fine now. If you line up the holes of the frame and barrel link, you'll see the barrel link hole is offset a tiny bit. Sits higher than it should.

[aghauler]

Guess its time for a new 1911 so you can use your conversion kit !

Naw, I'd return it and invest in a C&R High Standard!

[aghauler]

I had the exact same problem when I got my kit. All I did was call up Kimber and explained the problem I was having. I mentioned that the instructions state that you should use the included slide stop, but he told me those are old instructions and the kit doesn't come with one anymore. He asked if the gun was milspec and I said yup. So he went ahead and sent me a new slide stop for free. It still didn't work, but I took a dremel to the pin and made the diameter smaller. Works fine now. If you line up the holes of the frame and barrel link, you'll see the barrel link hole is offset a tiny bit. Sits higher than it should.

I think you got it nailed, the take down lever pin on my M 1927 would go in easier but still the slide would not slide. The pin has more mileage on it than the RIA for sure. I see what you're saying about the offeset. I'll try to call Kimber tomorrow and then warm up the dremel tool. Once you got it to move freely did you have any function issues? Thanks for the tip!

[MA2]

Wow, never thought slide would advertise drop-in, on a 1911.

My TacSol conversion dropped (pretty tight fit) into both my Rock and Springfield frames...but I rather have it not fit, so it can be fitted a little tighter.

GL with fix.

[Munny$hot]

I had the exact same problem when I got my kit. All I did was call up Kimber and explained the problem I was having. I mentioned that the instructions state that you should use the included slide stop, but he told me those are old instructions and the kit doesn't come with one anymore. He asked if the gun was milspec and I said yup. So he went ahead and sent me a new slide stop for free. It still didn't work, but I took a dremel to the pin and made the diameter smaller. Works fine now. If you line up the holes of the frame and barrel link, you'll see the barrel link hole is offset a tiny bit. Sits higher than it should.

I also had the same problem on my Kimber TLE RLII. I just removed the slide stop pin and worked it into the conversion barrel with a little oil. It took about 10-15 minutes to free it up.

[aghauler]

I also had the same problem on my Kimber TLE RLII. I just removed the slide stop pin and worked it into the conversion barrel with a little oil. It took about 10-15 minutes to free it up.

The pin goes into the block on the bottom of the barrel freely, only with the barrel assembled with slide and on the frame does it not want to go in easily. If it does the only way to get the slide to move is with heavy force or rubber mallet. I had thought about shaving down the pin but didn't want to alter original parts just for the conversion unit.

[borgangel]

I actually had the same issue as well on my Kimber Stainless II. But for some reason it worked fine on my uncle's SA Loaded. So I just sold it to him and turned around and bought a Sig 1911-22

[1nickatnite1]

Return it and get the advantage arms kit. Its made in CA and works perfect on my Colt. The AA kit also holds the slide open on the last round, which is a feature i don't believe the kimber kit has.