Unable to remove slide on Kimber

[caliberetta]

I have a Kimber Ultra Carry II which I recently upgraded with Smith Alexander Main Spring Housing/Magwell. Today I tried to field strip the pistol for cleaning and suddenly I'm not able to remove the Slide. It's something I've done many times before, so I'm pretty sure the new MSH/Magwell has something to do with it.

The slide will not come off the frame, as if the Grip Safety is being pressed. Does anyone have any insight on what to do to resolve the problem? Thanks in advance

[drkphibr]

If you punch out the MSH pin and let the MSH slide down a bit (1/2-1/4 inch), you'll find that should now be able to work the slide back. I'm guessing there is too much pressure on the disconnector. Try putting the old MSH back in and when you have the slide off, push down on the disconnector to see the resistance. Then put the new MSH on and (with the slide off so you can depress the disconnector from the top of the frame to see the difference in resistance. I'm betting you notice some difference. My .02 from a similar experience.

[caliberetta]

^^ I'll be trying that out -- thank you drkphibr

[L-2]

Since the grip safety activates the firing pin safety, some aftermarket mainspring housings (MSHs) will cause the grip safety to be slightly more depressed vs. the stock MSH.

It's typical for an aftermarket MSH to then need the top "ears" filed/fitted until the firing pin safety's "pushrod" is sitting even with the frame instead of sticking out of its hole.

With that said, finally check to ensure the firing pin is completely unblocked before the hammer falls.

Here's an article which describes more than I know: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=301653

[Pardini]

Can also try pushing up on the end of the Beaverton forcing the grip safety against the MSH then pulling on the slide.

[Motosurgeon]

Take the slide stop out

[caliberetta]

Thanks for the tips guys. I got it to work!

Since the grip safety activates the firing pin safety, some aftermarket mainspring housings (MSHs) will cause the grip safety to be slightly more depressed vs. the stock MSH.

It's typical for an aftermarket MSH to then need the top "ears" filed/fitted until the firing pin safety's "pushrod" is sitting even with the frame instead of sticking out of its hole.

With that said, finally check to ensure the firing pin is completely unblocked before the hammer falls.

The above is exactly what I did. I filed off the "ears" or "tabs" at the top of the MSH to relieve the Grip Safety enough so that the pushrod at the top of the frame is flush with the frame, allowing the slide to come on and off.

For future reference, here's a pic of the top of the MSH and the area of the tabs I filed off:



The whole thing took me about an hour and a half to figure things out and make sure everything was put together right (I am also new to 1911). But once you know what to do, the whole thing should be about 15-25min.

Happy Kimber now:




Thanks to helpful Calguns members.