Problems with my kimber.........UPDATE 2/27
Hey guys,
I am new to the site and recently perchased a Kimber Custom II TLE/RL . I am 29 and this past year I just started to get into shooting so a lot of this is new to me. I wanted to purchase a handgun for home defense and for range shooting and am even interested in getting involved with IDPA. I rented several guns (USP 40, Berreta 9mm, Glock 9mm and 45, Springfield 45, Desrt Eagle 50, Nighthawk 45, and the Kimber Custom II TLE/RL). I could tell right away that I wanted a 1911 based 45 and I wanted something higher than entry level. So I purchased the Kimber new in the box and I have been very happy with the gun but have noticed a frusterating problem.
Yesterday at the range, my second time at the range with this particular gun it was jamming on me. The first time at the range I had no problems after I put 50 rounds of Independence FMJ ball ammo through it. Yesterday I put about 100 rounds of Remington FMJ ball ammo through it and it started jamming after the first clip was thru it. I would say once per clip i would get a jam. I noticed that most of the time the problem was the first round of the clip. When the slide was back I would put the clip in (I have one factory kimber and two 8 rnd Wison Combat clips) when I would hit the slide release with my thumb this would happen.
I would be able to easily clear the jam by pulling the slide back and except for two other occasions the clip would feed the gun without any problems. If I were to put a clip in with the slide forward and cock it back manually I never had a problem with the first round. Now I should also state that I did clean the gun after my first time at the range and am usually pretty thorough. I went about using the gun at the range and clearing it when i had a problem figuring that the gun might have gotten dirty quickly or too hot so I let the gun cool with the slide back.
When I got home I tried cycling rounds into the chamber still having problems with the gun cooled off. Infact this is what would happen to the round after a few jams.
Notice the difference in size. So I am sorry to bug you guys as a new member to the site but I have a few questions.
1. Am I doing something wrong?
2. Did I cause problems by cleaning the gun before I had fired the recommensed 150 "break in rounds" through it (done so because I always like my firearms to be clean, and I wasnt sure when I was going to be able to hit the range again.)
3. Am I shooting bad ammo, if so what is the perferred ammo to shoot with this model?
4. Where do I go from here?
The occasional jam I can except, I believe that when firind this big of a round that there is a lot of residue and the gun gets dirty rather quickly. But after spending over $1000 I would expect to not have any problems with a new firearm. Do not get me wrong I selected Kimber and particularly this model because I think that it is one of the best guns on the market. However, in an emergency that jam could have been bad, very bad. Any input, advice, or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Brian
I am new to the site and recently perchased a Kimber Custom II TLE/RL . I am 29 and this past year I just started to get into shooting so a lot of this is new to me. I wanted to purchase a handgun for home defense and for range shooting and am even interested in getting involved with IDPA. I rented several guns (USP 40, Berreta 9mm, Glock 9mm and 45, Springfield 45, Desrt Eagle 50, Nighthawk 45, and the Kimber Custom II TLE/RL). I could tell right away that I wanted a 1911 based 45 and I wanted something higher than entry level. So I purchased the Kimber new in the box and I have been very happy with the gun but have noticed a frusterating problem.
Yesterday at the range, my second time at the range with this particular gun it was jamming on me. The first time at the range I had no problems after I put 50 rounds of Independence FMJ ball ammo through it. Yesterday I put about 100 rounds of Remington FMJ ball ammo through it and it started jamming after the first clip was thru it. I would say once per clip i would get a jam. I noticed that most of the time the problem was the first round of the clip. When the slide was back I would put the clip in (I have one factory kimber and two 8 rnd Wison Combat clips) when I would hit the slide release with my thumb this would happen.
I would be able to easily clear the jam by pulling the slide back and except for two other occasions the clip would feed the gun without any problems. If I were to put a clip in with the slide forward and cock it back manually I never had a problem with the first round. Now I should also state that I did clean the gun after my first time at the range and am usually pretty thorough. I went about using the gun at the range and clearing it when i had a problem figuring that the gun might have gotten dirty quickly or too hot so I let the gun cool with the slide back.
When I got home I tried cycling rounds into the chamber still having problems with the gun cooled off. Infact this is what would happen to the round after a few jams.
Notice the difference in size. So I am sorry to bug you guys as a new member to the site but I have a few questions.
1. Am I doing something wrong?
2. Did I cause problems by cleaning the gun before I had fired the recommensed 150 "break in rounds" through it (done so because I always like my firearms to be clean, and I wasnt sure when I was going to be able to hit the range again.)
3. Am I shooting bad ammo, if so what is the perferred ammo to shoot with this model?
4. Where do I go from here?
The occasional jam I can except, I believe that when firind this big of a round that there is a lot of residue and the gun gets dirty rather quickly. But after spending over $1000 I would expect to not have any problems with a new firearm. Do not get me wrong I selected Kimber and particularly this model because I think that it is one of the best guns on the market. However, in an emergency that jam could have been bad, very bad. Any input, advice, or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Brian
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cannot offer too much but I do know that my Kimber does not like Remington UMC ball ammo. Many FTE/FTF's with it. Loves the more expensive ammo though. Winchester white box ball ammo was fine. 0 -
A buddy of mine had a problem similar to yours, the pistol was sent to Kimber and the chamber was bored/polished out a bit. After that, it worked perfectly.
You are supposed to keep it clean. UMC is decent ammo, and should work well in a $1000+ pistol. Shoot the 150 break in rounds, try some different ammo, if it still malfunctions send it back and explain exactly what is happening.
Throw the rounds with setback/telescoping bullets away, they can cause extra pressure and damage you $1000 malfunctioning pistol. Good luck.0 -
Kimbers need about 800 rounds through them just to break them in. 0 -
Welcome first of all, and secondly this would be an ideal post in the ask the experts forum. I would take a guess that the difference in the thickness of those two rounds may have an impact on how your bullets are seating in your magazine, and in turn how they feed into the chamber, escpecially if the clip is new because the spring inside would force all rounds up toward the chamber with just slightly more force and also cause rounds to seat in the mag. cooked, If that makes any sence. Try leaving the clip one round less than full and also tapping the mag lightly before placing it in the gun. If these ideas don't work....well...try everyone elses ideas too cause it's just more reason to shoot![:D] 0 -
Had 5 failure to feeds in my 500 rnd. pack of Rem. UMC. Bought 500 Blazer FMJ's and not a single problem. Honest. I think it is just the UMC. This was in a Ultra Raptor II. 0 -
Had a similar problem with my Kimber Target 9mm. It had approx. 850 rds thru it. Would not shoot a mag without jamming with all ammo. I tried different mags. with same results. Sold it. 0 -
Polish the feed ramp. 0 -
try downloading 1 in the magazine, and see if it still happens that last round put into the mag can be pretty stiff, as well as the new recoil spring your going to have this problem with a new kimber, a min of 500 rounds is needed to break it in
you say your pretty thorough at cleaning it, did you take it down to the bare frame and clean it?, this is what a 1911 needs, i do mine about every 1,000 rounds
DO NOT FIRE THOSE DAMAGED BULLETS
don't worry about heat or cooling it down it can handle it, practicing for i.d.p.a. i would throw 15 full magazines down range at the rate on 1 every 15/100th of a second with .70 for a reload it would heat up pretty darn good, and remember ANY MALFUNCTION IS UNACCEPTABLE0 -
Shipped it back to Kimber UPS overnight insured with a "fuel surcharge" for the whopping total of $85.. I guess now its the waiting game......... 0 -
I hope it works out for you. $85 American must be a hard pill to swallow. 0 -
I just got it back today. The gun was test fired and then taken apart. Dennis at Kimber reamed and polished the barrel chamber and adjusted the slide stop. He then test fired the gun again. He has recommended cleaning the pistol with weaponshield, FP10, or breakfree. I cant wait to get some more rounds through it. Dennis stated that if I have any more problems to contact him immediately, and to only fire winchester white box, federal, or remington through it. It was nice to see a company stand behind its product.
-Brian0 -
ECC is correct. The incredibly tight tolreances the have given Kimber their well deserved reputation means rounds downrange to break them in. This isn't a Ruger!FTF's will begin to diminish after 500 rounds, and this gun likes to be CLEAN!!!!! And did I mention, clean the gun. And for sure you will want to keep this gun clean.
BTW, it's a magazine, not a clip.0 -
When I was trained, we were taught to always "slingshot" the slide when loading a fresh, fully loaded magazine, not by using the slide stop. The only time we used the slide stop was to lock the slide open when clearing a stage 2 malfunction ie; Lock (the slide open), rip (the mag out), cycle (the action 3 times), tap (in a fresh mag), rack (the slide again), ready (to fire again if necessary)
or to release the slide with an empty gun.
We never used the slide stop to chamber a round.0 -
quote:Originally posted by GUNFUNCO
When I was trained, we were taught to always "slingshot" the slide when loading a fresh, fully loaded magazine, not by using the slide stop. The only time we used the slide stop was to lock the slide open when clearing a stage 2 malfunction ie; Lock (the slide open), rip (the mag out), cycle (the action 3 times), tap (in a fresh mag), rack (the slide again), ready (to fire again if necessary)
or to release the slide with an empty gun.
We never used the slide stop to chamber a round.
BINGO!!!!!!!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Raupleminze
Shipped it back to Kimber UPS overnight insured with a "fuel surcharge" for the whopping total of $85.. I guess now its the waiting game.........
Hmmm....next time you encounter a problem like this just ask the manufacturer if they'll give you their fedex account number to pay shipping. You shouldn't be spending $85 to get a new $1000 pistol to function properly.
I had a problem with a new Dan Wesson 1911 about a year ago and shipped it back for a little more love. They didn't offer to pay shipping, but they about couldn't give me their FedEx number fast enough when I asked.
Anyway, I hope they sorted out your problem. Let us know how it goes.0 -
I put 150 rounds of Winchester white box through it today and it was like butter, no jams.............. 0 -
In the Kimber manual it will tell you to never use the slide release to chamber a round.... 0 -
I just took it to the range on Sunday and put another 150 rounds of Winchester White Box 230g FMJ thru it and had somewhere between 15-20 FTF's. It was a strange feeling looking down the sights, firing, and then seeing the tip of a bullet sticking straight up blocking the sights. As you guys can imagine I am mad as hell after spending this much money.
I sent the following letter to Dennis the Kimber Rep and am still awaiting a reply:
Dennis,
A few weeks back I received my Kimber back from you,
If you do not remember it was a Kimber Custom II
TLE/RL that was having several FTF's when putting a
new magazine in and pressing the slide release. Your
company worked on it, and shipped it back. Upon
receiving it I stripped, cleaned, and lubricated it.
I then went to the range and fired two boxes of
Winchester white box 230g FMJ and the gun fired
flawlessly. I also placed an order for the Weapon
Shield lubricant that you recommended and once again
stripped, cleaned, and lubricated the gun. On Sunday
I went to the range to fire 150 rounds through the gun
to finish the break in period. Once again shooting
Winchester white box 230g FMJ I began to have several
problems. The gun probably had approximately 15-20
jams during the 150 rounds. These jams were different
from the last time. Before sending it back to you
before I was able to clear the jam by just pulling the
slide back and moving on to the next round. On Sunday
when it would jam I would have to drop the magazine
out and then pull the slide back, some times with
quite a bit of effort. The unfired round that jammed
would then fall out of the bottom of the frame. This
would happen with the factory Kimber magazine and both
of the Wilson Combat magazines. On a few occurances I
would be shooting and looking down the sights and
after I fired I would be looking at the tip of a
bullet jammed straight up blocking my front sight. As
soon as I got home the first thing I did was strip,
clean, and lubricate the gun and it is still having
problems. I also noticed that when I put the magazine
into the gun it does not fit as snug or as tight to
the frame as when I got the gun back from you. I take
a lot of pride in buying an American product, and
buying what I thought to be top of the line but I am
beginning to have my doubts. Not to mention I had to
listen to me friends at the range saying Glock this
and Glock that and that I could have bought two Glocks
for the price I paid for my .45. Personally I dont
like Glocks, but I am starting to admire their
reliability. As I said at this point Dennis I have
about 500 rounds through the gun and am enclosing
pictures of what has been happening. I am wondering
what we can do to resolve these problems. I have been
following the owners manual, shooting premium
ammunition, even using the recommended lubrication and
I am still having problems. Is there such a thing as
"lemons" similar to cars? What can we do to resolve
this problem? Like I said I have faith in American
products and take pride in owning an American made gun
which I believe to be of high quality but my faith
could prove to be fatal in an emergency. I have
noticed that if I slap in the factory Kimber magazine
and pull the slide back to chamber a round this would
happen.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x34/raupleminze/?action=view¤t=IMG_7325.jpg
Then in order to clear the jam I would eject the
magazine and the next round would look like this, I am
unsure if this is normal or not.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x34/raupleminze/?action=view¤t=IMG_7324.jpg
When I would attampt to chamber another round this is
what would happen.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x34/raupleminze/?action=view¤t=IMG_7326.jpg
So I decided to switch over to the Wilson combat 8
round mag. As soon as I put this magazine in with the
slide already back it would start to chamber a round
with the slide lock engaged as shown in the image.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x34/raupleminze/?action=view¤t=IMG_7327.jpg
When I would attempt to chamber a round the followinf
would happen.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x34/raupleminze/?action=view¤t=IMG_7328.jpg
Please advise me as to how to solve this problem?0 -
id want them to pay the shipping back also [:0][B)][B)][:(!]
I was thinking about getting a kimber but after what iv been hearing im not sure I will now [:0]0 -
The next time you need to send a firearm back to the manufacturer ask them to send a call tag to cover shipping even if they want you to pay shipping tell them you will cover the cost of the call tag.
They can ship that pistol for under 10.00 with their discounts.0 -
sold my Kimber and got another Springfield...been happy ever since. 0 -
Seems to be that Brazilian 1911's are quite popular. 0 -
I have a pro carry that will not feed reliable with the kimber mag, but will do fine with Wilson mag. Does it fail with both mags? 0 -
It was failing to feed with all three mags. One of which is a factory Kimber and the other two are Wilson Combat low profile mags. 0 -
If I read it right you say it fails on the first of a full magazine? 0 -
Yes and if I pop a wilson combat mag in with the slide back it just about chambers a round by itself without releasing the slide..........
I cought a lot of heat from my friends at the range after how much I spent considering that I could have just about bought two new Glocks for that price. As said I am still waiting for Kimber to respond to my email, as they did not respond today. Unless I am made quite happy about this I am thinking about going with another 1911 based pistol, any ideas???????0 -
I have a Pro Carry and an Ultra Carry. During the first 400 to 500 rounds for each I had maybe 10 failures to feed total. I suspect most were due to limp-wisting the pistol, as it does not happen anymore. Perhaps the Kimbers loosened up or I tightened up. Either way, both are 100% today. 0 -
I wouldn't give up on the Kimber yet.
I have seen the same thing and different magazines worked but certain mags would not feed the first round.
Here is a good test to see if it the magazine.
Load 7 then 6 then 5 and then 4 and then 3 and see when it will chamber a round on the first.
If it is only with the seven rounds then I would try different magazines until one worked.
I know that sounds like a pain but some of those high end 1911s are finicky about magzines.
Also I assume you sent the pistol back to Kimber with the original magazine?
When you get in contact with Kimber again ask them if they used your magazine when they tested the pistol.
Then see if they will send you magzines in exchange for the one that doesn't work.
Just a few Ideas I would try.0 -
Had I read all the reviews at Firing line on Kimbers I would never have bought my Custom II.
There is no question Kimber's quality control went south after going from a small custom gun maker to a big time production manufacturer.
However, my C-II it has been flawless.
I had shot mostly CCI brass at first (about 150 rounds), not a single failure of any kind, and now use mostly lead SWC target loads (lighter recoil, fun).
I only had some problems with rounds I tested with not enough crimp or too short to see where my window for failure was. But, that was intentional to know what I had to do so it was perfect.
Once I settled on the correct OAL I have not had any FTF at all (My flawless Glock also had problems with too short OAL.
I have since put over 300 rounds of lead rounds with no cleaning at all. I like testing too see how far I can go with a dirty gun and since I use Bullseye powder (known to be dirty) I would say the comparison of my experience and your is stark and if I were yo I would be pissed.
I would insist they pay the shipping.
Any more problems and put it on GB and consider it a lesson.
As a side note a guy at the range brought his brand new Kimber to the range and it sounded just like your failure reports.
He was unhappy.
He was very unhappy!!
After much research I now would but an H&K before the Glock or Kimber particularly to protect myself.
However, this particular Kimber C-II is perfect and I would trust my life with it as well as my Glock.
When it comes to protecting your life: 100% Uber Alles!!!
Wulfmann0 -
I should also mention I use Kimber mags and the Mec-gar ones which are super!!
But, I also have an old GI mag of unknown maker that works prefect,, they all do.
According to my gunsmith, known for his 1911 work locally, there should be no problem with any 1911 and 230gr ball ammo or there is something wrong with the gun. many older mags have problems with anything but ball but ball is the tester as that works fine in the mags
Wulfmann0
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