[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Kimber Reliability (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 2/7/2010 8:39:36 AM EDT
|
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring
My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. |
|
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Short 1911s never work very well. The timing of the mechanism is all wrong and nobody has been able to overcome the problem. The 1911 is a full side pistol,you should plan on carrying your Sig from now on. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Short 1911s never work very well. The timing of the mechanism is all wrong and nobody has been able to overcome the problem. The 1911 is a full side pistol,you should plan on carrying your Sig from now on. Ive heard that but its a 4 inch barrell. Still to short |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Short 1911s never work very well. The timing of the mechanism is all wrong and nobody has been able to overcome the problem. The 1911 is a full side pistol,you should plan on carrying your Sig from now on. I disagree- properly set up a short 1911 can run okay, but you need to be anal about changing the spring on time (about every 900 rounds). However, I don't think I'd use a short production 1911, but that's just me 
OP, what magazines are you using? |
|
Try looking at the extractor and spring. Replace same with Ed Brown, et al and see if it helps. Mine still hiccups once in a while and I am too lazy to take it apart.
I had a SA that had a few FTE and I sent it back. The extractor grabs like the grip of death now and I'm sure that was the issue. 1911s are a PITA to get running 100% - not that it's a lot in itself, but assembly, disassembly can get old fast. |
|
Quoted: I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. I have an Ultra CDP II. Never had a problem. |
|
For clarity's sake, this was a failure to FEED, correct?
If so, I'd start by suggesting the weapon be well lubed. My observations are that the majority of 1911 problems occur because of a dry gun. As with most firearms, it will run far longer dirty and wet than it will dry and dirty. Clean your gun, lube well. If this doesn't cure your FTF problems, I'd look at your mags next. Hope this is helpful. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Short 1911s never work very well. The timing of the mechanism is all wrong and nobody has been able to overcome the problem. The 1911 is a full side pistol,you should plan on carrying your Sig from now on. My Ultra CDP II has been 100% reliable, from everything from cast reloads to defensive ammo. Probably have about 3K rounds through it. YMMV. I guess I got lucky. |
|
Quoted:
Try looking at the extractor and spring. Replace same with Ed Brown, et al and see if it helps. Mine still hiccups once in a while and I am too lazy to take it apart. I had a SA that had a few FTE and I sent it back. The extractor grabs like the grip of death now and I'm sure that was the issue. 1911s are a PITA to get running 100% - not that it's a lot in itself, but assembly, disassembly can get old fast. Im not having a FTE its a FTF problem on occasion. But yes Im leaning to a spring. Ed Brown you say |
|
Quoted:
For clarity's sake, this was a failure to FEED, correct? If so, I'd start by suggesting the weapon be well lubed. My observations are that the majority of 1911 problems occur because of a dry gun. As with most firearms, it will run far longer dirty and wet than it will dry and dirty. Clean your gun, lube well. If this doesn't cure your FTF problems, I'd look at your mags next. Hope this is helpful. Weapon clean & lubed, mag = wilson combat. and yes FEED problem |
|
Sell Kimber but glock, its the only way to be sure. If I want a gun to open carry and show off then ill carry a 1911 if I want a reliable carry pistol then ill carry a glock. If I ever want a boat anchor ill buy a Kimber. Heaven forbid Kimber ever makes a glock knock off Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned.  Full size 1911's are FAR more ready to carry than most arm chair commandos think. We have a full time gunsmithing shop and rarely get them in for repair. We also have have a dozen or so full size 1911's that have NEVER malfuntioned. The short barrel 1911's and the heavily customized ones seem to be the culprit, in the cases we have seen. Matter of fact, my dad and brother in law just bought some plain jane GI springfields last week. We shot the ever living piss out them to break them in Friday morning and not a single hiccup at all. 1911's are very very very reliable pistols.
|
|
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. Dont shoot yourself in the foot
|
|
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. The empty can makes the most noise. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. Full size 1911's are FAR more ready to carry than most arm chair commandos think. We have a full time gunsmithing shop and rarely get them in for repair. We also have have a dozen or so full size 1911's that have NEVER malfuntioned. The short barrel 1911's and the heavily customized ones seem to be the culprit, in the cases we have seen. Matter of fact, my dad and brother in law just bought some plain jane GI springfields last week. We shot the ever living piss out them to break them in Friday morning and not a single hiccup at all. 1911's are very very very reliable pistols.So you suggest a full size to carry |
|
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. Or get a Sig 220 |
|
Quoted: I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. What is it doing exactly? Is it just failing to chamber the round completely? Was this the gun's first time out? |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. Full size 1911's are FAR more ready to carry than most arm chair commandos think. We have a full time gunsmithing shop and rarely get them in for repair. We also have have a dozen or so full size 1911's that have NEVER malfuntioned. The short barrel 1911's and the heavily customized ones seem to be the culprit, in the cases we have seen. Matter of fact, my dad and brother in law just bought some plain jane GI springfields last week. We shot the ever living piss out them to break them in Friday morning and not a single hiccup at all. 1911's are very very very reliable pistols.This... I've never had a bad 1911. One of my best was a Colt Officer's ACP... go figure... Try a different mag. I suggest Wilson, McCormick, etc... Also try different loads. You never know... |
|
There’s a lot to know about 1911’s.
Spend some time on the 10-8 forums, it’s LEO to post, but you can browse without being a member. In a nutshell you have at best a hobby grade 1911. Shorter guns will never be as reliable as 5” guns. All Kimber II’s have Swartz safeties and are prone to clicks rather than bangs. Your best bang for the buck is a Les Baer or high end Springfield. I have two Wilson Combat’s that are very good guns, but more money. Once you get into Wilson’s, Baers, or Nighthawk quality guns I wouldn’t believe anyone who ranks one above the other unless they had some very specific credible reasons. And yes a Glock 9mm or any S&W M&P would serve you extremely well. Sorry for the bad news. Emory |
|
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. buy a glock. it will cost you less $$ than what you'll pay to get a 8 shot to function well. |
|
Quoted: I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Shoot about another 1000 rounds through it. Use some higher reliability mags like Wilson. Replace the crappy parts as they break. I've never had a problem out of mine, but it happens for certain. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. What is it doing exactly? Is it just failing to chamber the round completely? Was this the gun's first time out? Fail to chamber completely, approx 500 rnds through it |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. The empty can makes the most noise. The empty can makes no noise. The saying is" the half full (or half empty) can makes the most noise" .....according to my Korean friend
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. The empty can makes the most noise. The empty can makes no noise. The saying is" the half full (or half empty) can makes the most noise" .....according to my Korean friend My Korean friend really thought the patch was a Chicken head. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Short 1911s never work very well. The timing of the mechanism is all wrong and nobody has been able to overcome the problem. The 1911 is a full side pistol,you should plan on carrying your Sig from now on. I disagree- properly set up a short 1911 can run okay, but you need to be anal about changing the spring on time (about every 900 rounds). However, I don't think I'd use a short production 1911, but that's just me
OP, what magazines are you using? i disagree as well. they CAN be good guns. i have a SA ultra compact that has NEVER had an issue. they are however a bit more finicky in general and can be more prone to issues if not setup properly. |
|
Quoted: Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. We have a winner... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. What is it doing exactly? Is it just failing to chamber the round completely? Was this the gun's first time out? Fail to chamber completely, approx 500 rnds through it Failure to return to battry (FTRTB) can be a symptom of limp-wristing. Is it possible that you werent really holding the gun correctly, trying to achieve a better grouping pattern? I'm guilty of it sometimes, myself. I'll let the gun "sit" in my hands rather than hold onto it tightly , trying to achieve a better group. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Get one of these. 1/3 the price, 100X the reliability. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4338224426_16d4d064ca_b.jpg Anything else is just a "nickle plated sissy pistol". Or a boat anchor, as many 1911 owners have learned. Full size 1911's are FAR more ready to carry than most arm chair commandos think. We have a full time gunsmithing shop and rarely get them in for repair. We also have have a dozen or so full size 1911's that have NEVER malfuntioned. The short barrel 1911's and the heavily customized ones seem to be the culprit, in the cases we have seen. Matter of fact, my dad and brother in law just bought some plain jane GI springfields last week. We shot the ever living piss out them to break them in Friday morning and not a single hiccup at all. 1911's are very very very reliable pistols.With BALL ammunition. |
|
Short 1911s never work very well.
Bullshit. I've carried a Kimber Ultra Compact for years, have over 5000 rounds of reloads, ball, and defensive rounds through it and had ONE malfunction. A squib reload that I screwed up. I use Hornady XTP bullets with nickel-plated brass and Chip McCormick 8 round mags. I tried Glocks and the trigger pull was horrible. I couldn't keep a 3 shot group COM at 7 yards rapidfire. Likje dragging a pitchfork handle through a gravel pit underwater. However before I got the Kimber I tried out a ParaOrdinance Warthog .45 compact. It was a POS jammatic. Never fed one entire mag reliably. So not all 1911s are created equal but I take the SA trigger feel and natural pointing and take the time to set up a reliable package. |
|
Kimber's are pure shit unless you are willing to spend a thousand or so on gunsmithing. I am pissed at them because I owned several, sent them back to them to fix and they never did fix shit. I call that shit. I originally owned them because they looked cool and you could accessorize them ( ivory grips, etc). I have since learned that NOBODY carries them for CCW and NO cops use them. Look at what cops carry. GLOCKS!!!! There is a reason for that.
End of rant. I feel that I should get a 9 for this rant because I did include swear words and some CAPS. |
|
Really?
Quoted:
Short 1911s never work very well.
Bullshit. I've carried a Kimber Ultra Compact for years, have over 5000 rounds of reloads, ball, and defensive rounds through it and had ONE malfunction. A squib reload that I screwed up. I use Hornady XTP bullets with nickel-plated brass and Chip McCormick 8 round mags. I tried Glocks and the trigger pull was horrible. I couldn't keep a 3 shot group COM at 7 yards rapidfire. Likje dragging a pitchfork handle through a gravel pit underwater. However before I got the Kimber I tried out a ParaOrdinance Warthog .45 compact. It was a POS jammatic. Never fed one entire mag reliably. So not all 1911s are created equal but I take the SA trigger feel and natural pointing and take the time to set up a reliable package. |
|
Quoted:
Kimber's are pure shit unless you are willing to spend a thousand or so on gunsmithing. I am pissed at them because I owned several, sent them back to them to fix and they never did fix shit. I call that shit. I originally owned them because they looked cool and you could accessorize them ( ivory grips, etc). I have since learned that NOBODY carries them for CCW and NO cops use them. Look at what cops carry. GLOCKS!!!! There is a reason for that. End of rant. I feel that I should get a 9 for this rant because I did include swear words and some CAPS. Yep, okay. Reason why my father has put a few thousand rounds through his with no issues. Must be a piece of shit. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Short 1911s never work very well. The timing of the mechanism is all wrong and nobody has been able to overcome the problem. The 1911 is a full side pistol,you should plan on carrying your Sig from now on. Baloney. I have a Kimber Ultra CDP that has NEVER had a FTF or FTE. |
|
Quoted:
Kimber's are pure shit unless you are willing to spend a thousand or so on gunsmithing. I am pissed at them because I owned several, sent them back to them to fix and they never did fix shit. I call that shit. I originally owned them because they looked cool and you could accessorize them ( ivory grips, etc). I have since learned that NOBODY carries them for CCW and NO cops use them. Look at what cops carry. GLOCKS!!!! There is a reason for that. End of rant. I feel that I should get a 9 for this rant because I did include swear words and some CAPS. You getting suckered in to spending too much more on gunsmithing isn't Kimber's fault.
|
| I have a Kimber with a 4" barrel. Don't remember the last time it jammed. I belive it jammed once or twice while breaking in. It's my carry piece as well. I would never carry anything else. I have about 3k rounds through it. It's still very accurate nad as I said 0 jams. The only problem is that I have to replace the spring every 800 to 1000 rounds. Even with a bad spring it still loaded and shot, all I had to do was push the slide forward slightly. As stated before I'd look into the mag first. |
|
Quoted:
I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II. Shot yesterday and 2nd round was FTF using Rem 230 gr JHP. Then I shot about about 50 rds of Win 230 gr FMJ with 1 FTFspring My question is what mods can I do to make this carry piece more reliable. I would hate to have a SHF situation with 2 perps and have a FTF while concentrating on the second target. What are the modifications I could have done to make this carry weapon 100 % ie polish feed ramp, more robust spring etc. Untill I get this resolved I guess I will carry my Sig 245 which has NEVER had a hiccup. Yeah baby. That's the ticket. 
|
|
Quoted:
Kimbers are NOT reliable. I have had several CDPs. Pure shit. Factory can't fix them. Buy a Glock and don't look back. Compelete BULLSHIT. Maybe you are just a limp wrister? 
My main carry gun is a 4" Kimber Pro CDP II. Yes, they do have a break in period and may be picky when it comes to certain JHP's. With that said, get your self some Kimpro Tac mags. I use these exclusively with Golden Saber JHP's and have never had a problem. Haven't had any problems at all with FMJ ammo. Went to the range a week or two ago with my brother (also has 2 full size Kimbers) and we went through 400 rnds of ammo with not one single hiccup. (I've got over 2k rnds down the pipe of mine now and trust my life with it.) Change the recoil spring when they say and it's all good. Can't speak about the 3" guns as I have never shot one. But the 4" and full size guns are GTG. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Kimber Reliability (Page 1 of 3)
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.