aluminum 1911, steel ramp replacement? ...

J

jborushko

New member
gots me a kimber pro-carry 2 (aluminum frame) and having feed it 5000 rounds 1000+ of that federal HST hollow points, the aluminum feed ramp in chewed up and no longer feeding hollow points reliably -i've already checked all other possibilities, i KNOW its the ramp-

anyway, i've seen the steel ramp inserts on the brownell's website http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26868/Product/1911_AUTO_FEED_RAMP_INSERT

how are these installed? obviously you mill out the old ramp and fit the new one, but how is it held in? do you pin it? or is there someother way of holding it and we have to get creative?

EDIT: i've looked for a ramped barrel but no luck - so unless somebody can point me in the right direction...
thanks for the help!

as we all know the aluminum frames are notorious for getting the feed ramps eaten away over time of feeding them hollow points, the anodizing on the ramp gets worn down leaving the soft aluminum open to abuse. im hoping to salvage my main carry piece.

i love my Kimber so i dont want to make it a ball round range gun only.

its deeper than the picture makes it look, but you can see the wear to the aluminum
reedfamp.jpg
 
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Here's a possible source of ramped barrels, but it would still have to be cut in. Sorry to see your Kimber suffering like this. Good luck.

http://www.kingsgunworks.com/newcatalog/page10.html

PS: There is no harm in trying to salvage the ramp yourself using a (dare I say it) Dremel tool. A less-is-better touch with a small stone (going up into and throating the barrel a bit if necessary) is worth a try. Quite honestly, you've got nothing to loose.
 
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polishing an anodized aluminum feed ramp is not fees-able as it will remove the anodizing that protects the aluminum even more than it already is (which is what caused the problem to begin with)

i would have to re-anodize the whole frame and the price makes that not a good option- but still an option (lol then i could anodize the frame something stupid like color GOLD, that would be funny). and i would still have this problem again in the future. im pretty set on either replacing the ramp with steel or finding a ramped barrel - thought the later has shown no results at all - thanks for the link thought ill check it out!

EDIT: i called Kings and they dont have a ramped barrel
 
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polishing an anodized aluminum feed ramp is not fees-able as it will remove the anodizing that protects the aluminum even more than it already is (which is what caused the problem to begin with)
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True, I'm aware of this, but thought you might want try a stop-gap solution. Also give Nowlin http://www.nowlinguns.com a try. They are willing to build barrel to your specs.
 
I believe the steel insert is secured by a screw that's threaded-in from the left side, the head being hidden by the slide stop. Evolution Gun Works used to install them, but I don't think they're doing in-house gunsmithing any more. I believe they will refer you to their former 'smith, though.
 
ramp

Sir;
Do not put a ramped barrel in a single-stack 1911. You'll have feeding problems.
I use a "plunge mill" of ramp diameter and cut it clear out. Then I insert a piece of drill rod, secure it with a pin (really not necessary) and mill the top off and shape it to standard feed ramp dimensions - works forever!
Harry B.
 
I feel your pain...

I bought a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry about four years ago. The previous owner (or his "smith") had "polished" the ffed ramp with predictable results. :mad:

After some research and reading this thread (complete explanation and pics included):
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=146569&highlight=ramp+insert

I spoke with Chuck Rogers at Rogers Precision. He sounded like he knew what he was talking about so I sent it to him. In addition to milling the frame and installing the ramped insert, I asked him to Cera-Kote my frame black.

I was very impressed with the workmanship, and the turnaround time was reasonable as well. I don't remember the price but that goes to prove the saying about "the regret of poor quality remains long after the joy of a low price has gone". Whatever the cost, it was worth it. This was, and still is, my favorite pistol.

I added a set of wood grips and some night sights and Voila! Poor man's Ultra CDP.

I cannot speak highly enough of Chuck Rogers and Rogers Precision. His process will give your favorite pistol new life.
 
Confused

Do not put a ramped barrel in a single-stack 1911. You'll have feeding problems.
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Mr. Bonar, can you elaborate please sir?
I own 2 Para's and both came with ramped barrels new from the factory.
Is your comment specific to replacement of an originally non-ramped barrel?
I have been told for years this practice improved feeding in single-stack 1911's.
 
The eternal quest for the lighter 1911 does come at a price.

An alloy frame ramp can withstand a lifetime of round-ball feedings, but if the end product user insists on relegating the weapon to a jacketed hollow point diet, then this is the eventual disease.

You know it. We know it. Kimber knows it. The plastic gun makers know it.

If a good and nobly designed plastic/alloy gun is constructed with steel slide rail inserts, any stand-up manufacturer would be better served to make the gun with a steel ramp insert as well.

Alas, very few pistoleers are truly aware of such a detail, and the capitalist desire for a manufacturer's profit supersedes the obligation for creating a durable product.
 
Of course, the typical handgun gets "a box of shells" a year through it, so that crummy aluminum frame will last only two or three lifetimes. :)
Nobody should have just one 1911 anyway, so get a steel-framed gun for most of the shooting, and then the alloy gun gets most of the packing. I've had my Commander for ten years, and have probably put fewer than 500 rounds through it, while putting 30,000+ rounds through two steel-framed guns. The Commander's always worked, so I've had no need to shoot it a lot to "prove" that it will work.
 
i do have more than one 1911 (nine actually). i like to practice with my carry piece with my carry ammunition, often. but i feel confident that after getting a steel ramp put in. will be back to blasting holes in no time.
 
Okay.... I just read this post, and you guys had me FREAKING out! :eek:

I just ran to the safe and pulled out my Kimber Ultra Carry II. I needed to see the feed ramp! Well, mine has a ramped barrel...:confused: I was expecting to see an aluminum feedramp all buggered up.

Did Kimber realize the problem and change to a ramped barrel? Or did someone repair mine before? (I did buy it used several years ago.)

PS> sorry if i hijacked the thread. I'm was paranoid about my feedramp though!
 
i believe that the ULTRA- carry only comes in 3" and therefore only comes with a ramped barrel. mine is a PRO-carry II, which is 4" barrel - i dont know if they changed to a ramped barrel later on. but i bought mine about 3 or 4 years ago. so *shrugs*
 
yes, mine is definetaly ramped.... phewwwwww! Thats too bad for the others. Hopefully someone out there still does these repairs though.
 
Why not Kimber

I have not yet experienced this disease in my Tactical. But after Kimber willingly installing replacement night sights on my used pistol without charge, I would not hesitate to send them mine for solution. I don't believe that this is the right frame for heavy range shooting. On the other hand, I shoot the dickens out of my Glock 34.
 
i believe that the ULTRA- carry only comes in 3" and therefore only comes with a ramped barrel.
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Nope. I have owned one Ultra Carry with the ramped barrel, and one that required the ramp insert I mentioned in post #7 above.
I also have an Ultra CDP with the alloy ramp--if I shoot it enough, one day I'll have to get the ramp insert done to it as well.
 
well the part is ordered from brownell's. it is a EGW part so *shrugs*

ill let everyone know how it turns out when it comes in and i have time to run my frame through the mill!
 
Ramp insert

I have a Mitchell Arms frame which has no ramp, it's cut for a ramped barrel. Does anyone have the dimensions of the EGW ramp insert and instructions?

Lacking the EGW insert, what size drill rod should I instead? Any pics would be helpful.
 
if it has no ramp..

you would be better off putting a ramped barrel in(and less expensive.
there is no metal to back the ramp insert so additional work would have to be done to secure the insert. check Nowlin for the barrels:D
 
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