If it ain't broke....

2

224

New member
Well, I had my first problem with my Kimber today (read on first Kimber haters!).

I've always found Wilson mags to be of very high quality and while I hadn't had a problem with the mags supplied by Kimber I decided to use the Wilsons.

I also had a Wilson slide stop in my parts box which I decided to swap out. I haven't had a problem with the stock slide stop, the Wilson did have sharper grooves on the knob which I found easier to engage with my thumb. It was also "machined and heat treated" etc., so what the hey.

I swapped out the slide stop, grabbed the Wilson mags and headed for the range. In the first two hundred rounds I experienced numerous failures to feed, as well as a couple of double feeds. The slide stop also locked back on a partially full mag several times.

I switched back to the Kimber mags and kept shooting. No more feeding problems, but the slide stop locked back several more times through the next hundred rounds. I then switched back to the Kimber slide stop and the problems miraculously disappeared!

This isn't a pitch for Kimber, nor is it a slam on Wilson. I happen to think that Wilson is a good company. Their mags are of good quality, they just don't work in this pistol. Like the old saying goes, if it ain't broke...

BTW, anybody need some Wilson mags ?
 
I can't explain the magazine problem. However in regards to the slide stop, if you have the Kimber Carry, the Wilson stop is 1/32" longer then it should be. The stop will have problems due to its extra length, causing it to pop up before the mag was empty. It will ride too high most of the time. You can fix that by filing the rear of the stop a bit shorter, and increasing the angle slightly

[This message has been edited by Svt (edited February 27, 2000).]
 
It's not clear from your post 224, but did you try the WC mags with the Kimber slide stop installed? Just curious as I have never had a problem with the WC mags.

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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
 
SVT is right, either remove material from the rear of the slide stop, or cut cut a detent, these parts are sold as direct replacements,(drop In) more offeten they are not, you should contact a qualified gunsmith if you should have any problems.SC <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Svt:
I can't explain the magazine problem. However in regards to the slide stop,but if you have the Kimber Carry, the Wilson stop is 1/32" longer. The stop will have problems due to its extra length, causing it to pop up before the mag was empty. It will ride too high most of the time. You can fix that by filing the rear of the stop a bit shorter, and increasing the angle slightly

[This message has been edited by Svt (edited February 27, 2000).][/quote]
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

My pistol is the standard Custom Classic not one of the compacts. I am going to try the Wilsons with the Kimber slide stop installed before I get rid of them. I ran out of ammo before I thought to do that :(

Since I didn't have any trouble with the stock slide stop I won't monkey with the Wilson unless I start to. Back in the parts box it goes for now. It was more a case of "let's see what happens..." than an attempt to fix a problem.

Thanks for the advice.
 
I have a Kimber Custom Classic S/S, I swapped out the slide stop for a Wilson extended slide stop, and use Wilson 8 rnd. mags. I've never had a problem. The Wilson slide stop dropped in. Keep experimenting! :)
 
The feed lips (open part) of the mag were too wide apart - Double feeding
Locking slide open - No detent notch for the slide stop plunger to catch on & or the projectiles were rubbing the slide stop inside the gun whilst feeding up & getting caught thereby engaging it... :(
As you said "If it aint broke" ;)

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"The Gun from Down Under !"
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I decided to follow everyones advice before giving up on the Wilsom mags. Yesterday I put the original slide stop back in my Kimber and headed for the range. I fired 300 rounds through the gun using the Wilsons without a single malfunction.

Thanks guys !
 
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