Trouble with my Kimber.

[silvereye21]

I have a Custom Classic, and a Kimber mag, on the last round it wont lock the slide back. The first few mags were fine. I've cleaned it, lubed it etc. My friend loaned me his Springfield Armory mag, and that worked a lot better, except once out of like 15 mags. My kimber mag works fine in his SA. I am very confused. I do have metal after market grips not sure if that has anything to do with it. Any opinions or suggestions on what this could be from? I have put about 300rds out of it, I bought it 2nd hand from a trustworthy source that said before me it had like under 100rds down it. This gun is basically brand new.

Also, sometimes I have to pull/pry the mags out.

 

[meth0d]

Sounds like mag issues, try a Wilson Combat or Chip McCormick? I'd try putting the original grips back on too if you think that might be interfering.

 

[Soxfan9]

Does it have a recoil buffer (blue plastic thing on the guide rod) installed? If so take it out and see if that works.

 

[M1911]

It could be magazine related, or it could be slide-stop related. Where are you located? I've got Wilson Combat mags that we could try.

 

[Sprocket]

check the depth/length of the screws holding the grips on - I'll bet they're a touch long...

 

[silvereye21]

No recoil buffer. Checked the grip screws, they are not potruding at all. Im located in Lee (Berkshire county). Was planning on getting some mags, that's where my money is. I've narrowed my choices to wilsons, chip, or colt, suggestions welcome. From what I've researched I hear 7 rounders are the way to go. Thanks for helping me out, Im only 2 months into the world of 1911.

 

[terraformer]

No recoil buffer. Checked the grip screws, they are not potruding at all. Im located in Lee (Berkshire county). Was planning on getting some mags, that's where my money is. I've narrowed my choices to wilsons, chip, or colt, suggestions welcome. From what I've researched I hear 7 rounders are the way to go. Thanks for helping me out, Im only 2 months into the world of 1911.

Kimber makes very good mags these days. It's a brand new design. YMMV.

 

[drgrant]

No recoil buffer. Checked the grip screws, they are not potruding at all. Im located in Lee (Berkshire county). Was planning on getting some mags, that's where my money is. I've narrowed my choices to wilsons, chip, or colt, suggestions welcome. From what I've researched I hear 7 rounders are the way to go. Thanks for helping me out, Im only 2 months into the world of 1911.

Don't go too crazy on mags. Buy like one of each and see what works. My newer kimber is so f**ked up that wilsons don't even fit properly in it. (don't get me started, lol)

BTW, I've seen the slide lock problem before, and it's usually mag related, although sometimes getting a different slide stop can help. On the old Kimber CCT that I had, that I stupidly got rid of, I had a Kings extended slide lock fitted to the gun and it worked better than the factory one did in terms of locking back with every mag I used.

I would just try different mags first to see what works.

-Mike

 

[terraformer]

I should clarify, I use these Kimber mags in Colt Mk IVs (all series 80s). YMMV with other guns.

 

[M1911]

If you were closer, I'd meet up with you and let you try my Wilson 7 round, Wilson 8 round, Wilson ETM, and Chip McCormick mags. Personally, I think the ETM mags are the best, followed by the Wilson 7 round mags, the Wilson 8 round, and with the Chip McCormick mags in the distance and fading fast.

 

[bbarer]

My Colt (Combat Elite series 80) will only work with Wilsons (and I use the 8 rounders no problem) My Caspian Custom uses anything except Chip McCormack of which I have had nothing but problems with. For my money Wilsons are well worth the added cost IF your are using the gun for competition (or self defense) and reliability is of key concern...

 

[JimB]

Does it have a recoil buffer (blue plastic thing on the guide rod) installed? If so take it out and see if that works.

i had a chat with a gunsmith, those buffers can screw things up.

 

[Business End Customs]

install Tripp upgrade kits in your mags

 

[Gammon]

If you have to "pry" the mag out of the gun the mag follower isn't making proper contact with the slide stop. The follower is overriding the slide stop which forces you to pull it back over the slide stop when removing the magazine. Since the follower didn't make proper contact with the slide stop it didn't lift the stop to catch the slide, thus the slide returns to battery on the last round. This is all due to a mismatch between the mag follower and slide stop. It can be cured by changing the slide stop, mag, mag follower or all of the above. I would experiment with a few slide stops; try borrowing from your friends. I have had my best luck with Metalform mags and have been using them for over 20 years with no problems.

 

[silvereye21]

Used my friends slide stop and my gun functioned flawlessly. I was checking out midways selection of slide stops, and they range from $15 - $60. Is this one of those get what you pay for areas?

Also, I did end up getting one Wilson ETM mag. I love it, and once I get the slide stop I will finally get to enjoy my 1911. Every trip so far has been "what the hell is wrong with my gun."

 

[Gammon]

Used my friends slide stop and my gun functioned flawlessly. I was checking out midways selection of slide stops, and they range from $15 - $60. Is this one of those get what you pay for areas?

Also, I did end up getting one Wilson ETM mag. I love it, and once I get the slide stop I will finally get to enjoy my 1911. Every trip so far has been "what the hell is wrong with my gun."

Not necessarily. Your problem is fit, not quality. If your gun works with a specific slide stop (your buddy's) I would use one of those. The problem is not solved yet, as the "fit" problem could still be the mag follower. Experiment with as many different mag styles as possible before you spend any $. If you can find them at a decent price, try some Metalforms; they make the mags for Colt that cost so much. I have found that a high price does not guarantee that you are buying the best mag. I have been using eight round SS Metalform .45 mags (with the orange plastic follower) for over 20 years with no problems.

 

[FSTC]

Problem with a Kimber, Haven't heard that before.

 

[Gammon]

i had a chat with a gunsmith, those buffers can screw things up.

I have been using buffs for over 20 years and have experienced very few problems, actually none that could be blamed on the buff. The usual "problem" is that the buff disintegrates in a relatively short time. This is usually due to a problem with the pistol, not the buff. I have used the same buff for over 3000 rounds with no failure and the buff I removed looked like it could have gone another 3000 rounds. I change them because they are cheap, not worn out.