Kimber FTF

t33j · Feb 12, 2010

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Hey guys... I've got a problem and wanna know if anybody can help me out.

I've been having feed problems with my Kimber Stainless Target II. I had 3 FTFs today. They were between 2 different Kimber magazines, so I don't think that's the issue. 2 occurred on the last round in the mag, one occurred on the 2nd to last round in the mag.

In all cases, the slide traveled forward all but about a tenth of an inch or so. (pictured) Investigating what could be going on inside, I found that the grip safety pin hits (and is supposed to slide past) the firing pin block on the slide (pictured) for the point at which I was having trouble. Racking the slide with the grip safety depressed, I could feel what I described above. I felt nothing while racking the slide without the grip safety depressed.

Anyone experienced this or know what to do about it?

grip safety pin

firing pin block

GlockMeisterG21 · Feb 12, 2010

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Call Kimber and see what they say. This may or may not be related but you have an External Extractor and it was a flawed design that caused many issues. Kimber has since discontinued the EE and will replace the slide for free. I had issues with my Tactical Custom II EE and they took great care of me.

t33j · Feb 13, 2010

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Nice. I haven't had any extraction problems but I'll mention it on the phone.

I'm not the original owner. Do you know if that'll be an issue?

Rich Keagy · Feb 13, 2010

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It looks more like a 'failure to return to battery'.
Reloads? Factory?
My Kimber has never had problems with factory ammo.

Anthony_I_Am · Feb 13, 2010

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I hope you get it worked out. Thats a shame on such a nice iron.

t33j · Feb 13, 2010

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Ammo was 230gr Federal American Eagle FMJ
Had the same problem with 1 of 3 Federal Tactical HST 230gr +P JHP rounds

old dog · Feb 13, 2010

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FWIW, I've had this experience with my compact Kimber but only with handloads that were a bit soft. I have also had failure to feed when chambering a round. If the full power of the spring is not used it won't strip off a round.
Not a big problem if I'm careful but I'm still thinking about selling it.

Hell, let's be honest. It's an appealing gun but I bought the little bugger on a whim and I've never been deliriously happy with it.

okboomer · Feb 14, 2010

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Also, how many rounds on your springs?

I found out that Kimber recommends replacement of 2 of the 3 springs at about 2500 rounds ... Kimber's website says that if you send the gun in for servicing, they will replace all three springs for you.

old dog · Feb 14, 2010

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Fewer than 100 rounds.

Also, I can't overlook the fact that I'm no longer a young man and my hands lack the strength I once took for granted.

okboomer · Feb 14, 2010

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Yeah, this getting old crap is annoying ... I gotta rest more often, I rest badly from aches and pains ...

Whether you are the original owner of the gun or not, I would still think Kimber would be the way to go ... if there was a White Paper on the gun, they may fix it for free ... you might check their site to see if they talk about it.

Rich Keagy · Feb 14, 2010

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Have someone else fire the gun at the range. That will remove doubt.

SpyderTattoo · Feb 16, 2010

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Typical Kimber. They're not what they used to be.

Kelly Ash · Feb 17, 2010

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Ive experiencea similarissue with Kimbers as well as other makers but not convinced we have the saem issue. Are you able to nudge the slide forward into battery at all?

In my case the issue was the disconnector creating excessive pressure on the indention on the slide when trying to return to battery, sometimes the gun was dirty other times clean. I would have to apply pressure to the rear of the slide and push the slide into battery. I polished up both the rear face of the disconnector and the leading edge of the indention on the slide and it slide right into battery every time from then on.

Good luck. I hope this helps. Let us know what you do and how it works for you.

Rich Keagy · Feb 17, 2010

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Nothing wrong with Kimbers.
You might stop by M1911 org and check out the Kimber forum, or 1911Forum.com, they have a Kimber section too.
Keep it clean (esp. the chamber) and cartridge-gauge any reloads you make.
You'll be fine.
How many rounds have you put through it so far?
I love my Gold Match II.

Rich

t33j · Feb 19, 2010

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Called 'em. After describing the problem, the lady on the other end asked that I send it in. She said that they were pretty liberal when deciding what is covered under warranty. I cleaned every piece of the thing after the last time I fired it, so I think maybe I'll take it to the range once and then decide.

t33j · Feb 26, 2010

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I was taking my guns out of the safe, emptying the mags of the +P JHPs and putting in the cheap range ammo when I noticed something about my Kimber mags...

As I was pushing the last round of of the top mag, I encountered some resistance. After I popped it out, it occurred to me that the little button looking thing on the magazine follower is what could be causing my feed problems. Granted, I have had FTFs with both mags but about twice as many with the top mag.

Summit_Ace · Feb 26, 2010

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Kimber builds their guns very tight, they will not even take a gun back for this type of issue until you have put at least 500 rounds through it. I believe it says something to this effect in the owners manual. This is not to say it is a bad product by any stretch. I am the proud owner of a Kimber ultra carry II and love their guns, I would however think twice about trusting your life with it till you have put several hundred rounds through it with zero malfunctions. MHO

Todd

wally1120 · Feb 26, 2010

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I used to have a Kimber Eclipse Pro 2 and I hated that thing so badly, I had nothing but problems from it. And the new supposable greatInternal Extractors on 1911s don`t help with anything at all, I feel they have just as many problems. If I were to get another 1911 that wasen`t working out right, I would take it to a gunsmith for some minor tweeking of parts, And if that didn`t work I would sell the POS and NEVER buy another 1911 in my life time.

t33j · Feb 26, 2010

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Only put about 50 or so rounds through it this evening but with 0 malfunctions. I have another gun which is my every day carry. This is a range toy and OC event gun.

GLOCK21GB · Feb 27, 2010

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wally1120 wrote:

I used to have a Kimber Eclipse Pro 2 and I hated that thing so badly, I had nothing but problems from it. And the new supposable greatInternal Extractors on 1911s don`t help with anything at all, I feel they have just as many problems. If I were to get another 1911 that wasen`t working out right, I would take it to a gunsmith for some minor tweeking of parts, And if that didn`t work I would sell the POS and NEVER buy another 1911 in my life time.

I have had a total of 3 - 1911's in my life. All of them I really liked, never had issues with any of them, sold them because years ago I was broke and needed the moola.

Kimber Custom 2 ...VERY NICE
Kimber Compact ....NICE
Smith & Wesson ....NICEST.

Now I have 1 - Glock34 / 9mm <<< Luv it.

Kimber FTF

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