Kimber Break In Question

[LongHairedRedneck]

Already have Wilsons on order, but will keep those in mind.

[Aggie_engr]

Oh ya, I forgot to mention that I obtained wilson mags as soon as I learned about them. They are tough mags and have lasted through the repeated beatings of being released out of the gun and hitting the dirt/gravel in IDPA matches. They are easy to take apart and clean and have worked flawlessly for me. Good choice!

[Stupid]

Why should the citizen consumer expect any less?

My thought exactly, which was why I promptly sent mine back to be fixed.

[LongHairedRedneck]

I went to Kimber's website to e-mail them with my problems but no e-mail address for customer service only for catalog requests or some other crap. So they will be getting a phone call first thing tomorrow morning to see what needs to be done about my problem.

[WEC]

I have a couple of questions:

1. What model Kimber? Series I or II?
2. If it is a series II, does it have an external or internal extractor?

I've had some problems with a couple of Kimbers in the past but they were due to inferior magazines and/or external extractors in a series II pistol. I still stand by Kimber's quality and hope your problems disappear and soon.

[LongHairedRedneck]

I have a couple of questions:

1. What model Kimber? Series I or II?
2. If it is a series II, does it have an external or internal extractor?

I've had some problems with a couple of Kimbers in the past but they were due to inferior magazines and/or external extractors in a series II pistol. I still stand by Kimber's quality and hope your problems disappear and soon.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=34990

[gemini]

MoJo offered the best advice and a link to help you. Have you adjusted the extractor tension yet?
And if you have, did you shoot the gun to see if it cured your problem? You ordered Wilson magazines,
great. They are nice and should function fine. BUT, without eliminating the three main causes of 1911
hiccups you may be wasting your money. Most guys that own 1911's either know or learn how to make
minor adjustments. Whether they own Colts, Springfield, Kimber, RIA or whatever.
Maybe a 1911 is not a good fit for you. There are plenty of other styles of pistola that you might be
happier owning. From personal experience I will tell you that NOTHING shoots or feels as good as
a properly tuned 1911. They can be finnicky, but once you find the diet of mags and ammo your
shooter likes best......wow.
If you had other problems with a new 1911, bad barrel, defective slide, broken ejector, etc etc then
I would be the first one telling you to send it back to the manufacturer for repair/replacement.
Again, good luck. I'm sure Kimber will adjust your pistol. Probably take 2 weeks to get it back, but
they will try to fix it.

[LongHairedRedneck]

Just talked with Richard at Kimber and he agreed that something is not correct. Its headed back to them on their dime, should have it back in a few weeks.

It's a brand new pistol so it should not be malfunctioning, it's their mistake so they have to fix it.

[LongHairedRedneck]

Just got my Kimber back today. The Extracor was replaced and for some reason I also got a new set of laser grips. I was very pleased with how Kimber handled the situation.

[slinco]

I recently purchased a Kimber Eclipse Ultra II, I now have about 300 rounds thru it and I have never had a problem. FMJ and 2 types of JHP, they all fed and cycled perfectly. Stock mag was great as well as the 2 Wilson mags I bought with it. I think this gun is perfect right out of the box-time will tell. I feel perfectly comfortable using this as my primary carry gun despite the 500 round break in recommendation. Loves me a Kimber!

[BigPa]

You can talk all about "break in period" that you want. If I pay $1200 it better be reliable from day one......And no I am not a 1911 basher. I don't care what it is....

[HankB]

I want to add my two cents about the "Break In Question." I do not own a Kimber so I have no axe to grind. I believe that the "500 round break-in period" suggested by Kimber is being misinterpreted by the handgun consumer.

My premise is that a handgun should work out-of-the-box. If the consumer is using the magazine supplied with gun and following the manufacturer's recommendations for ammunition and can not get one box of ammo through the gun without getting multiple FTFs or other malfunctions the handgun is defective. They should not be expected to have to fiddle the magazines and ammo trying to make them work.

Seriously, with today's CNC machining there shouldn't be so many burrs and toolmarks on the pistol that the shooter has to fire 500 rounds to polish things up, i.e., "break it in." Sure, you expect it will smooth up some with use, but if the blasted thing is a jammamatic out of the box, something is seriously wrong.

. . . Before you send any 1911 back....1. adjust the extractor 2. check for proper magazine function 3. make sure you're not limp wristing. DO NOT try to polish the feed ramp etc . . ..

I disagree - unless the "problem" is as simple as (for example) lack of lubrication, I don't see why I should have to mess around with a brand new gun I just shelled out something over a grand for just to make it work. If it won't work reliably with quality ammo - including a test with name brand hardball - it ought to be FIXED under warranty.

[vinnier6]

i love my kimber, but i will only carry a glock...i will only trust my life to a glock...they just work

[gigag04]

Just got my Kimber back today. The Extracor was replaced and for some reason I also got a new set of laser grips. I was very pleased with how Kimber handled the situation.

I think this post needs to be highlighted in some way. Seriously...this is amazing service IMO.

Yeah it should work right out of the box. I think Kimber agreed and thats why you are fixed now and have some awesome new laser grips.

I loved every Kimber I've owned or shot. Due the simple law of averages not everything that goes out the door will be flawless...but it will get fixed by them. Their share of the 1911 market is HUGE and those most vocal with a product are often those with a bad experience. This doesn't negate that experience but I'm willing to bet there is a often silent majority that owns a kimber and never has issues with them.


In either case glad they took GREAT care of you.

[Keith]

Own a CDP Pro and mine has been flawless also. I only use Wilson mags. Ive never shot the gun with the Kimber mag. The reason was when I compared the 2 diff mags the Wilsons are clearly better made. Thats my only Kimber complaint there mags should be a better quality for what the guns cost. I would buy another Kimber anytime.