Introduction to me and my Ultra II Raptor

[scuba200ft]

Hi, My name is Shawn, I am 36 years old, a Leo, and I live in Tampa....Just kidding....

I have been lurking for a while around here and the 1911 forum, as after 6 years of not CCW'ing, I renewed my license with the intent of becoming a gun toting maniac once again. My kids are now 4 and 2 and I found myself, at times, wishing I had a little protection with me, just in case. I still had in my safe a Sig 229 in .40, but I recalled not really carrying it as much as I should, and ended up most times carrying a pony pocketlite, which I no longer own. Make a long story short, I acquired last month a Kahr PM9 on the reccomendation of a few different people, including people here. Have had about 10 FTF and another 30 or so times that the slide did not return full to battery in the first 400 rounds. Needless to say, it currently doesnt make me all warm and cozy about depending on it.

My thoughts went to, "well, lets see what is out there is a single action .45", which led me to here and the 1911 forum, and reading about 3" Springfields and Kimbers. I ended up buying a Raptor II Ultra 1 week ago today. In the first 300 rounds, I have probably had 50 FTE's and FTF's. NO *****. I wish I were kidding. I am really at a loss right now. The Sig I own NEVER had a single issue, from day one. ANd the numerous Glocks I have owned have always ate whatever I threw at them. My thoughts were "well, you are a little older, making a hell of alot more money, lets get the best out there". Clearly, cost has nothing to do with reliability. I will be calling Kimber on Monday to have a little "discussion", but beyond that, I am probably going back to Sig or Glock. I really want to like this Raptor, but right now, quite frankly, I am pretty pissed off.


I know, its been sais a million times around here, dont buy a 3" auto, well, it appears to be the truth. What would you do at this point?



Shawn

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scuba200ft/1e7af311.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scuba200ft/c6f8fa7e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scuba200ft/aa716657.jpg

BTW, here is one of my other hobbies, I collect and play U.S. Charvels and Jacksons, among others......another obsession that makes gun buying look like a pittance ...LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scuba200ft/327c6025.jpg

[Kruzr]

Sounds like what happens when a 1911 needs lubrication. If you lubed it WELL, then check the extractor adjustment. It's an internal so it's easy to adjust.

[scuba200ft]

I cleaned it thoroughly last nite, before going to put another 200 rounds through it today. Same issue. The smith at the range looked at it today, thought he had it licked, filed down burs, filed something on the pin, same result.


I am not the whining type, I am more the type to throw the damn thing in the bay and swear off a brand for life.



Shawn

[940glocktime]

nice guitars!,i have a strat myself with a seymour duncan double in the rear that i routed myself..buy a colt if you want a 1911, or ed brown ,wilson,or other high end 1911,kimber is the mim king...:)

[scuba200ft]

Originally posted by Kruzr
Sounds like what happens when a 1911 needs lubrication. If you lubed it WELL, then check the extractor adjustment. It's an internal so it's easy to adjust.

I do clean really well, and lube. I wish I knew how to do adjusting like that, but I leave it to the pros.

Not to mention, why the hell do I need to adjust a $1000 "custom shop" gun?


Shawn

[scuba200ft]

Originally posted by 940glocktime
nice guitars!,i have a strat myself with a seymour duncan double in the rear that i routed myself..buy a colt if you want a 1911, or ed brown ,wilson,or other high end 1911,kimber is the mim king...:)

Where in Central FLA are you? Whats a "mim king"?



Shawn

[Maximaking]

MIM = metal injection molding. It's just cheaper way of making parts. Some say they are not as durable. They are used in all newer Kimbers. Personally I've had problems with the thumb safties and thats it. As for your Kimber and PM9, find someone at the range, ask them to put a mag or so down range with it. I'm sure they will be glad to. You may just not be use to the grip that is needed on such a small pistol. This in no way says anything about you being a bad shooter if it's the case, but the smaller the semi auto the more tightly you need to grip it and hold your wrists to ensure reliable operation. This is just one last thing to check prior to dumping the Kimber. I love both my Kimbers my only real big gripe is the finish is horible. They need to learn a thing or two from Glock. But try letting someone else shoot it and see what the results are. Do not get too discouraged in the first 500 rounds as Kimbers do need to break in some.

Todd

[1k9]

"Do not get too discouraged in the first 500 rounds as Kimbers do need to break in some."

Everytime I here or read this I have to laugh
;z

[sheepdog]

Back to Kimber for warranty work problem? Sounds like an extractor sickness. If Kimber won't fix it, maybe have a good 1911 smith, NOT just a gunsmith, go over it. Sounds like it needs a good extractor-correctly installed.
Opinion only, I'm not a gunsmith. And anything under 4 inches in a 1911 scares me, anyway...and I'm not sure about 4s anymore...

[freepatriot]

I have had no problems with my full size 1911, I encourage people to try them for CCW.

[dirksterG30]

Welcome, Shawn.

I'm sorry to hear about you problems. If you really want to get a 1911 for CCW, how about a 4" barrel? I haven't heard of 4" 1911s having nearly the problems that 3" 1911s have.
My Springfield Champion Loaded 1911 (4" barrel) has been very reliable.
I have 1 stovepipe during break-in, and that was it; it's been 100% reliable since then, and I have over 1000 rounds through it.
If Kimber won't fix it, maybe have a good 1911 smith, NOT just a gunsmith, go over it. If it were my gun and Kimber wouldn't fix it, I think I would be done with Kimber.

[Mic]

I have a seris 80 colt Officers Model that feeds everything. (It will feed empty brass from a mag) I have never done anything to it, it just worked from day one and continues to work.

[freepatriot]

I forgot to say #wav

[sheepdog]

Okay, wait, I thought this was a normal, internal extractor...looked like it to me on the Kimber site, though I thought all their new guns were external. If it is external, I would send it to Kimber, though I have heard some negative rumblings about their customer service.

[scuba200ft]

The Raptor is internal on the Ultra II, external on the rest. Kimber is in the process of making this right. After a well placed and worded email sent today, I have had quite a good response actually.

They tell me it is just a small adjustment of the extractor, that they could walk me through it, or take the gun and have it back to me in a couple of days.



Shawn

[NeverMore1701]

I'm eager to see how this turns out, as I intend to aquire an Ultra II Raptor after I'm well out of my current financial hole. I just find the style to be rediculously appealing, to the point I'd buy it just for slide and frame, and have a smith replace everything else.... Good god I can't believe I said that.;g

[ILikeFtLbs]

What kind of ammo are you shooting? Weight/type of bullet? My 3inch SA micro comp is totally reliable with some ammo and useless with other types. Also, have you used the factory mags in the gun? Those look like Wilsons, and they are great mags, but sometimes the compact 1911s are too picky to change.

[scuba200ft]

I have gone through too many combinations to list. All with the same result.

I have been assured up one side and down the other by the actual designer of this model, that all will be well when I get it back.

It went out overnight today, and am supposed to have it back in a week. To be honest, I am quite impressed by the special interest many at Kimber have taken in my issue.

[LittleLebowski]

Good man, you gave them a chance to correct the problem. I have 2 Kimbers and they've been flawless. Keep us updated.

[scuba200ft]

You know I will. I will crucify them if this does not go well. I think I made that crystal clear in my email to them. It is just unacceptable to have to send back a "custom shop" gun for adjusting.



Shawn