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I've got a Kimber Custom II TLE that I bought used a few years ago. It's a full size 5" all steel 1911. It was from the run where they used the external extractors. I bought the gun from a friend for a fair price and had had it for several years. I didn't get the original documentation and didn't realize that there were specific recommendations as to certain maintenance things like when to replace the recoil spring. I just cleaned it and lubed it and ran it. It was a great performing pistol right up until I was at a range session and it repeatedly would FTE. On closer inspection, the extractor was laying on the shooting bench! I decided to send it in under warranty as I assumed it was all stock.
I got a call from Kimber a couple days ago. They determined that there had been some internal mods done and that the springs weren't replaced at appropriate intervals and various other issues, so there would be some charges for the service.
I was prepared for something like this and was surprised when the total charges were going to be about $110.00 including return shipping. It had cost me $173.00 to ship it UPS overnight insured back to them!
They also noted that there were issues with the slides with external extractors, so they would have to build and fit a new slide with the internal extractor for my pistol and that would be done at no charge under warranty
I was also advised that for about an additional $100.00 they would do a factory 3.5lb trigger job.
I approved both charges. I should receive a nearly completely rebuilt Custom II TLE with a mostly new trigger group and an all new top end for a total investment of about $385.00.
It was always a fine shooting pistol until the extractor fell out, so I'm pretty excited about getting it back with that liability removed. I've also got a better understanding as to the maintenance requirements of a 1911, so I can minimize wear and tear moving forward.
I sent it off several months ago, so Kimber's service hasn't exactly been speedy, but they seem thorough and I'm excited to be getting my 1911 back soon!
I got a call from Kimber a couple days ago. They determined that there had been some internal mods done and that the springs weren't replaced at appropriate intervals and various other issues, so there would be some charges for the service.
I was prepared for something like this and was surprised when the total charges were going to be about $110.00 including return shipping. It had cost me $173.00 to ship it UPS overnight insured back to them!
They also noted that there were issues with the slides with external extractors, so they would have to build and fit a new slide with the internal extractor for my pistol and that would be done at no charge under warranty
I was also advised that for about an additional $100.00 they would do a factory 3.5lb trigger job.
I approved both charges. I should receive a nearly completely rebuilt Custom II TLE with a mostly new trigger group and an all new top end for a total investment of about $385.00.
It was always a fine shooting pistol until the extractor fell out, so I'm pretty excited about getting it back with that liability removed. I've also got a better understanding as to the maintenance requirements of a 1911, so I can minimize wear and tear moving forward.
I sent it off several months ago, so Kimber's service hasn't exactly been speedy, but they seem thorough and I'm excited to be getting my 1911 back soon!
why did they even bother with those? As a cost-saving measure? Well, it looks like the money "saved" comes at the expense of the people who buy those guns. I'm just glad the only Kimber I own is one of the internal extractor models.
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