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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I wouldn't say I gave you heat! Just made an observation on the price of a Glock vs Kimber...
If it makes you feel better, it is a pretty gun.
JK.0 -
It had the same issue with all mags, and three different shooters. Maybe next time we go, we could try several different types of ammo. Could it be the shape or profile of the particular type of round? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by esendele
I wouldn't say I gave you heat! Just made an observation on the price of a Glock vs Kimber...
If it makes you feel better, it is a pretty gun.
JK.
No, not you Ed. It was more guys from the department. Believe me I heard all about my $1000 jamming handgun on shift, even from people that werent there.0 -
What I've learned in the last two years is that your should never use your slide release to load a round. Your always rack the slide giving a greater chance to feed and chamber(This is for all guns). One thing that I found that worked in my Kimber Custom TLE II is upgrading the stock 16 Pound recoil spring to a new 18.5 pound recoil spring. It really helped reducing the chance for a failure when feeding. OH and I've put over 1000 roundw of ammo through my kimber in one day of training and never had one failure and I did not clean in between. 0 -
Is it possible that you are using a "clip" in a firearm designed to utilize "magazines"? Just messin u around man. But i do hate that.Welcome to the jungle man. WE LOVE QUESTIONS LIKE THIS. NEVER be scared to come here or to "Ask an expert" with questions... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tazzer
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]
Let your buddy DENNIS know that we all here at GB have been reading about this NIGHTMARE, and in order to save any kind of favorable reputation, he needs to pay your shipping of that gun back to Kimber, and send you a BRAND-NEW. Different pistol, of the same make/Model...
I should say DEMAND! Either that or a FULL REFUND.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Raupleminze
Believe me I heard all about my $1000 jamming handgun on shift, even from people that werent there.
LOL!!!
damm that really sucks
but I have to laugh at you 1911 guys
Every time I am at the range and there is some guy over in the corner with handfuls of tools n brushes and oil and cleaners ect.
working feverishly trying to get his 1911 (no matter the make) to function
all the while I am over there banging away with the Ruger. And after I pack it up (guys still in the corner, he managed to fire about three shots but still nothing remotely close to a full mag.) I go home with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I don't know why, but I do.
Sorry again that really sucks, hope you get things worked out.0 -
Trade it in on Springfield.There's been alot of talk about the lack of quality control at Kimber lately. 0 -
sell it and buy those two glocks. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Odawgp
quote:Originally posted by Raupleminze
Believe me I heard all about my $1000 jamming handgun on shift, even from people that werent there.
LOL!!!
damm that really sucks
but I have to laugh at you 1911 guys
Every time I am at the range and there is some guy over in the corner with handfuls of tools n brushes and oil and cleaners ect.
working feverishly trying to get his 1911 (no matter the make) to function
all the while I am over there banging away with the Ruger. And after I pack it up (guys still in the corner, he managed to fire about three shots but still nothing remotely close to a full mag.) I go home with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
I don't know why, but I do.
Sorry again that really sucks, hope you get things worked out.
I know alot of people bash Ruger too but I have had well over 3000 rounds through my P95 without a single malfunction-using ball and hollowpoint ammo--didn't need any 1000 break in period to get it to work either. I owned a older Argentine Colt 1911 years ago that had been customized and that darn gun always had FTF problems no matter what kind of magazines I used in it. I still like 1911's though but sheesh for $1000 I would expect that firearm to go load-go bang and eject every time right out of the box--thats probably why I own more revolvers than autos lol.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dano
I've shot brand-new pistols many times, and they all fired perfectly, w/o any need for "break-in".
Having said that, I'm not a believer in "breaking-in" a firearm. I keep them clean and use premium range and carry ammo.
Some autos are sensitive to "limp-wristing". In a nutshell, that means not keeping your hand / wrist locked tight enough.
Try other brands of ammo, and work on your hand / wrist control. [:)]
+1 1911A1s require a solid wrist even while dropping the slide.
You say you tore it down. Did you remove the extractor while cleaning? Your last three photos show that the extractor isn't engaging the cartridge while picking it up from the mag. Extractors need to be tuned and shouldn't be messed with unless you know what you are doing.0 -
Dang, I have given some serious thought to expanding my collection to include a Kimber but not so sure now. I tend to agree with fishkiller that you should get ole Dennis to make this right or refund your money, all of it, including shipping AND I also agree, he needs to know you are discussing this with your peers on GB and a lot of people are waiting to see how Kimber handles this mess. I guarantee I won't be buying one until I see it resolved to YOUR satisfaction.
Not to disrespect the Kimber name but certainly it's under fire here and I am rather anxious to see how they respond.
BTW, I love my XD for carry reliability. It ain't as cute as your Kimber but I have yet to have a FTF with any ammo fired. I use quality ammo even at the range but also carry with Hydrashoks and they all fire great in my rather plastic looking SA XD .450 -
There is a lot to be said about how you hold your piece...Looks like you have more problems than this, but I can cause a FTF in two of my handguns at any time simply by changing my wrist. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tackelbox
What I've learned in the last two years is that your should never use your slide release to load a round. Your always rack the slide giving a greater chance to feed and chamber(This is for all guns). One thing that I found that worked in my Kimber Custom TLE II is upgrading the stock 16 Pound recoil spring to a new 18.5 pound recoil spring. It really helped reducing the chance for a failure when feeding. OH and I've put over 1000 roundw of ammo through my kimber in one day of training and never had one failure and I did not clean in between.
I concur. Working at the range, I've seen S&W 1911's and Sig 1911's jam as result of the users trying to use the slide stop as a slide release. Everytime I've walked up and shown them how to correctly load the firearm from slide lock.
My TLE has preformed flawlessly.0 -
Too bad you sent it off so soon. I would've took a cleaning kit and done did 500 rounds (at least and more would've been better). When it jams I'd clean it out and start again. I would've also kept a note with which magazine gave me the jams (if it was mag related) and how many rounds in between jams.
I suppose when one drops that kind a coin one expects their monies worth. Then again "A Grand" doesn't get you much these days.0 -
I dont mean add injury to insult, but I spent $379 on a brand new RIA 1911 and love it. Granted I've only put 100 rnds through it so far. So I won't no how things really work for at least a couple more trips to the range. 0 -
bumping this thread...
was your problem resolved ??
I'm looking to buy a Kimber Tactical Pro for CC and am very intrerested in your solution and KImber's response.0 -
I've been considering a new Kimber 1911, after nearly 50 years of exclusively buying Colts - except for one SA - I have never experienced this problem with the Colts, using Colt mags.
Please let me know your outcome.
I would be using it for concealed carry, and can't except an unreliable weapon upon which my life, and the lives of others depend.
This is a VERY hot issue for me.
Thank you.
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by drjew
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!!!!!!!!
Ja,
I was thinking he was "riding" the slide back to battery position instead of racking and releasing.0
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