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Post by HighCotton on Apr 23, 2020 9:39:07 GMT -5
As posted in another segment, I've got this Kimber Rapide 1911 in 10mm. I've now shot 4 different types of ammo, just shy of 200 rounds. That's on top of the 100 rounds the unhappy previous owner, supposedly shot through the pistol. All ammo is FMJ. The only problem I am experiencing is a failure to feed. Some ammo does perform a little better, but the FTF is always a matter of the case on the newly fed bullet not fully chambering. The case that fails will always be about halfway into battery. Simple shove or tap on the back of the slide and I'm good to go again. It's not a certain numbered round in the mag. Like, it's not always the last or say second to last round. That is very random. Armscor shoots the best with 2-3 failures per box of 50. Sellier & Bellot, Magtech, and PPU are all worse at over 6 rounds a box. I've disassembled the gun numerous times for cleaning and inspection. I've watched quite a few videos referncing similar issues and tips to remedy them. Feed ramp "seems" ok. Extractor "seems" ok and properly tuned. Recoil spring and guide rod look ok. Magazine seems fine. I only have one mag and I believe it is the Kimber factory mag, but not 100% sure on that.
Here are some of my thoughts on a plan of action: Have somebody else (and possibly a good gunsmith) check it out. Have somebody else shoot the pistol. Purchase at least one other magazine. I've been using Rem oil as a light lube after cleaning. Maybe a different oil or lube? Purchase another extractor. Purchase another full length guide rod. Purchase the die set and start handloading my own.
I know I could send it back to Kimber but I'd rather not fiddle with that as a first resort. I'm trying to cover the simple basic options first. I'm open to ideas and suggestions here!
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Post by drfleck on Apr 23, 2020 10:48:51 GMT -5
I dont know much about 1911 style pistols so I cant help you there. But if I were in your shoes I'd at least try some new mags. Then probably have a smith check it out if the mags didnt fix it up. Good luck. Sweet looking gun btw. Hope you get her running strong.
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Post by dbd870 on Apr 23, 2020 13:08:12 GMT -5
When Kimber first came out they made a great product; however as time went on that was no longer the case. Hadn’t heard much about them in several years so I kept my mouth shut. It seems nothing has changed - that’s unfortunate
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Post by jjas on Apr 23, 2020 14:40:28 GMT -5
I've read in the past that Kimber tells their customers that they need to run their new guns for 500 rounds as it's built to tight tolerances and needs to be broken in and the issues should stop.
If a bit of break in doesn't solve the issue, call Kimber.
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Post by stevein on Apr 23, 2020 15:09:24 GMT -5
Quick check is to pull the extractor out and see if there are chips gunk or junk in there. Easy to do just be sure you do not launch the firing pin. I usually do mine while doing a detail cleaning. Depress the firing pin until the little plate slips past the firing pin. I usually put my thumb over the cut in the back of the slide and continue to push the plate out. Clean the extractor, firing pin and spring and the corresponding holes. Lightly oil and reassemble.
While you have the slide off see how well the case rim slips under the extractor.
I would not polish feed ramps unless you have done that before. That is a job best left to someone schooled is that.
Try a different mag. Brownells and others sell a 1911 mag lip tool that forms perfect lips.
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Post by genesis273 on Apr 24, 2020 13:42:16 GMT -5
I would start with the magazine spring. Take the magazine apart and clean it really well. Some light oil on the walls won't hurt anything either. Then do some inspection of the extractor.
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Post by mgderf on Apr 24, 2020 16:00:40 GMT -5
I would start with the magazine spring. Take the magazine apart and clean it really well. Some light oil on the walls won't hurt anything either. Then do some inspection of the extractor. Best advice so far, but not enough. Instead of Remoil on the rails, try a heavier lube. This is a new(er) gun, and tolerances will be tight. I use either Permatex engine assembly lube, or better yet, I really like "Lubriplate" engine assembly grease. Lubriplate actually makes a gun grease, but I can buy the engine assembly grease at Auto Zone, and it's cheaper than Remoil. Until the gun gets broken in, you need to run it "wet". Do NOT skimp on the lube no matter what you use. Talk to some 1911 competition shooters. They all run their race guns "wet". I have a lowly RIA (Rock Island Arms) 1911 in 10mm. I use Lubriplate on the rails and gun oils on the trigger, firing pin channel... Mine is new too, with less than 500 rounds through it, but it has never missed a beat. My guess is that you are getting too much friction between the mating metal parts. Slick it up and fire some more rounds. If you can find them, try running a box of Buffalo Bore 10mm. It's hotter than most factory offerings.
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Post by esshup on Apr 25, 2020 0:29:43 GMT -5
A couple of years ago I had problems with guns functioning when using Rem Oil and stopped using it, instead switching to a home brew that I got from a guy that shoots a lot. It's worked very well for me since, and stays on the gun during storage too.
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Post by stevein on Apr 25, 2020 2:44:35 GMT -5
I would start with the magazine spring. Take the magazine apart and clean it really well. Some light oil on the walls won't hurt anything either. Then do some inspection of the extractor. Best advice so far, but not enough. Instead of Remoil on the rails, try a heavier lube. This is a new(er) gun, and tolerances will be tight. I use either Permatex engine assembly lube, or better yet, I really like "Lubriplate" engine assembly grease. Lubriplate actually makes a gun grease, but I can buy the engine assembly grease at Auto Zone, and it's cheaper than Remoil. Until the gun gets broken in, you need to run it "wet". Do NOT skimp on the lube no matter what you use. Talk to some 1911 competition shooters. They all run their race guns "wet". I have a lowly RIA (Rock Island Arms) 1911 in 10mm. I use Lubriplate on the rails and gun oils on the trigger, firing pin channel... Mine is new too, with less than 500 rounds through it, but it has never missed a beat. My guess is that you are getting too much friction between the mating metal parts. Slick it up and fire some more rounds. If you can find them, try running a box of Buffalo Bore 10mm. It's hotter than most factory offerings. I wish my Bullseye 1911 had grease zerks to lube the rails.
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Post by greyhair on Apr 25, 2020 19:29:42 GMT -5
I have a Taurus .45 1911, same issue. Remoil helps a little. I have some "moose milk" I may try. Water soluble grease a buddy gets from where he works.
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Post by mgderf on Apr 27, 2020 6:40:22 GMT -5
I have a Taurus .45 1911, same issue. Remoil helps a little. I have some "moose milk" I may try. Water soluble grease a buddy gets from where he works. I also have the Taurus 1911 in .45acp. I keep mine lubed up, again, with Lubriplate engine assembly grease, and have done this since the day I bought it. I have approximately 600 or so rounds through it now, including factory offerings and my own hand loads. I have yet to have the first failure to feed or eject. Not one single problem with mine, shy of enough time behind the trigger. I'll say it again. Run your 1911 "wet", especially during the first few hundred rounds.
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Post by HighCotton on Apr 27, 2020 11:16:25 GMT -5
I have a Taurus .45 1911, same issue. Remoil helps a little. I have some "moose milk" I may try. Water soluble grease a buddy gets from where he works. I also have the Taurus 1911 in .45acp. I keep mine lubed up, again, with Lubriplate engine assembly grease, and have done this since the day I bought it. I have approximately 600 or so rounds through it now, including factory offerings and my own hand loads. I have yet to have the first failure to feed or eject. Not one single problem with mine, shy of enough time behind the trigger. I'll say it again. Run your 1911 "wet", especially during the first few hundred rounds. So I've taken some of your advice, as well as others posting here. I haven't found any Buffalo Bore yet. For that matter, I'm only finding foreign made Ammo so far. That is raising some doubt as well. I cleaned and lubed the pistol using this, since I have it in my kit and I've used it for years on other guns: She's shown a definite improvement with less than half the previous failures! Specifically, I have liberally lubed the rails on both the slide and the frame along with the barrel hood and the barrel/bushing end. Is this sufficient? Or am I missing an area?
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Post by mgderf on Apr 27, 2020 16:27:07 GMT -5
Sounds like you're right on track. That LSA brings back memories. Even some good ones. LOL
I think it might still be a little lighter than the Lubriplate, but a big improvement over Remoil. Just keep it clean and "wet", and I bet she'll smooth out nicely with another couple hundred rounds.
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Post by swilk on Apr 27, 2020 18:46:15 GMT -5
When Kimber first came out they made a great product; however as time went on that was no longer the case. Hadn’t heard much about them in several years so I kept my mouth shut. It seems nothing has changed - that’s unfortunate Bought a Kimber 1911 in 10MM a few years ago and out of the box it would not feed. Been a few years and my memory is fuzzy but I think I tweaked the extractor spring with the help of a video and all is well now. Pretty gun but for that much money it should do everything it's supposed to do without me having to fix it.
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Post by HighCotton on Apr 28, 2020 8:04:24 GMT -5
When Kimber first came out they made a great product; however as time went on that was no longer the case. Hadn’t heard much about them in several years so I kept my mouth shut. It seems nothing has changed - that’s unfortunate Bought a Kimber 1911 in 10MM a few years ago and out of the box it would not feed. Been a few years and my memory is fuzzy but I think I tweaked the extractor spring with the help of a video and all is well now. Pretty gun but for that much money it should do everything it's supposed to do without me having to fix it. Thanks. Very helpful. I've watched a few of those videos and wondered about the extractor. However, I have not done any "tuning" to mine...yet! I'm on a little different track after the latest rounds. I've noticed that the Armscor which is US made is giving me the best results. As mgderf recommended Buffalo Bore, I'm looking for any other Ammo made in the USA for a little more to compare. Do you by chance recall what ammo you shot, or if it had any bearing on the results?
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Post by swilk on Apr 28, 2020 10:36:35 GMT -5
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Post by mgderf on Apr 28, 2020 13:32:56 GMT -5
HighCotton, Underwood ammo is American made, and it's good stuff, but a little salty. I also have some 180gr JHP PPU (Privi Partisan) ammo, made in Serbia. Label says PPU, but says Privi Partisan on the back. I don't remember just how accurate the PPU is, but I know it fed well enough. I do know that the PPU ammo is generally pretty cheaply priced, but I've had good luck with it in many different calibers.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
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Post by mgderf on May 20, 2020 18:30:04 GMT -5
So, H.C., Got any updates on that 10mm Kimber? Inquiring minds want to know...
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Post by HighCotton on May 21, 2020 16:05:24 GMT -5
So, H.C., Got any updates on that 10mm Kimber? Inquiring minds want to know... So work has been crazy busy with a lot of travel. And a really tough family situation in the mix. If all goes well, I should have a chance to work out a few options with the Kimber over this weekend. Hope to have an update in the next few days!
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Post by HighCotton on May 25, 2020 13:36:33 GMT -5
I called Kimber customer service and they were very supportive and helpful. They suggested that I first try running some American made ammo. If the problem persisted, they would be glad to take a look at the gun. So I purchased some Sig and Blazer. The ammo ran better. But I still had 2 FTF per 25 with each brand. I decided to have a few buddies at the range look at the gun and nobody really had any ideas that we had not already tried. The most prevalent suggestion was that I need to run the gun quite a bit "wetter!" Then I dropped down to Scroggin's in Martinsville and had Marcus check her out for me. He's always been good to me and I appreciate his opinion and expertise. He broke her down in a few seconds and immediately noted a few burrs on the "upper" ramp. I had not even noticed that. He checked the extractor and quickly concluded it was close to perfect. We did a quick polish and I was on my way. Meanwhile, I've been thinking about the possibility of handloading my own. And, it occurred to me that I might just try to put a Factory Crimp on some ammo and check results from there. Before rolling with the Rock Chucker, I measured the ammo I had in stock for Lip diameter (at the crimp point) and COAL just for future reference. I also wanted to note any performance results. With my son in town from Virginia for the holiday weekend, we started on the process. I ended up crimping 25 rounds each of the Blazer and Sig. And I had another 35 rounds of the various "leftovers" from the foreign ammo including some a friend had given me. Here are some shots and notes: Jarod on the press: Notes on the ammo measurements: I tried to get a close up of the difference on the Blazer ammo, before and after the 3/4 crimp: To top it off, I disassembled the gun and lubed her up as wet as I've ever run it with some Lucas gun oil: So, we just got back from the range and I couldn't be happier with the results. 85 rounds and not one single Failure to Feed. She ran flawlessly! Now, I'm not sure if the factory crimp was the primary solution!? Or was it a bit of polish on the upper ramp!? Or that I ran it wetter than before!? And I kept her at some pretty rapid fire, with a barrel so hot I could barely touch it!? I'll have to look at my notes, but I believe this is somewhere around 600 rounds through the gun so far. And I now have the gun broke in enough that I don't need the Barrel bushing wrench to disassemble. I think I'll purchase some more S&B since it is the cheapest and crimp that ammo. I'll run some more of that and keep her pretty wet as y'all suggested and see what happens from there.
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