My Kimber is feeling better- maybe even cured

A

ATTICUS

New member
I told a guy at a local gun shop about my Kimber problems. He told me that he had the same problem and gave me a few suggestions. This morning I stripped the pistol down to the metal again. I buffed
the ramp with Flitz for about twenty minutes-then treated the ramp and mag release with Tetra lube. Next I removed the extractor and flexed it (outward)a few times with my hands putting a little more pressure on it each time. I re-assembled the pistol carefully lubing he whole gun but paying particular attention to the rails. I went to the range and put 100 roungs of Fiochi ball through it WITHOUT A SINGLE FTF. I used 5 mags of varying quality (even a 10 round Wilson)NO FTF's. This is a new experience for me with this pistol. I know that this is a baby step, but I plan to continiue the process until it will feed anything, with any mag.
Was it the extractor you think? Now at least I can shoot the pistol as I upgrade. Thanks folks!

[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 30, 2000).]
 
Hi, Atticus,

Extractor tension is important, but also take a look at the bottom of the extractor just back of the hook. That area should be smooth and ramped so the rim of the cartridge feeds up under it easily. This is a much overlooked area which often needs work.

Also, make sure the breech face is smooth. The top of the rim has to ride up on it as the slide closes. If that area is rough or has tooling marks, there can also be feeding problems.

A good tool for polishing the feed ramp is a little Dremel polishing drum which can be loaded with any polishing compound. Also some emery cloth or paper on a dowel rod can be used and is cheaper than the Dremel.

(For a more aggressive approach, the Dremel sanding drums are OK, but it is easy to take off too much and leave the ramp with grinding marks which could be worse than it was before.)

Jim
 
Thanks Jim, I appreciate the advice. I'm beginning to realize that unless a guy is independently wealthy these days, he must be proficient at plumbing, wiring, carpentry, and now gunsmithing (whether he wants to or not). I'm thankfull for sites like this and for people like yourself.
 
Glad to hear you got it working. As Jim said, extractor tension is important. Keep in touch, so we know everything is OK.

------------------
John
 
Hi, Atticus,

I think one thing that ticks me off is that the Model 1911 design is 90+ years old (1911 was year of adoption - design was around before that), and some makers still can't seem to get it right. I guess as long as the suck... er, valued customers, keep buying them and keep eating the "break in" story, the makers will continue to produce what they are producing now.

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top