Kimber range report [Archive]

Civilian

11-14-2005, 21:04

My new (to me) Kimber TLE II arrived Saturday, so Sunday I took it to the range. Shot beautifully for about the first 80 or so rounds than had a FTE. Then a FTF. Then another FTE. Right in a row. Felt the barrel and it was bone dry. Rails looked like they had been oiled, but I hadn't done it myself, so I wasn't sure how much or when. I concluded there wasn't enough lubrication in the thing stopped shooting (actually stopped shooting the Kimber and went back to my G23, which always performs like a champ).

After I returned home, stripped them both down and gave them both a good cleaning.

Question: Should I be concerned? I bought this gun used and the seller said he had about 1200 rounds through it. It looked pristine, though, so I assumed it had been well taken care of. It looked well oiled, too. My mistake not to strip it down and oil it up, but I was eager to get the range and how much difference can it make anyway? I found out, I guess.

Might this problem be something more than just lack of lubrication? It went from functioning flawlessly to almost total shutdown. This normal for a 1911?

ShipWreck

11-14-2005, 21:12

I would not worry yet. Take it out to the range again. But, you ALWAYS take a gun apart and oil it when you buy it - either new or used.

Heck, I take care of all my guns, but if I haven't shot a gun in a while, I always disassemble it and throw some oils on the rails right before I go to the range.

Kruzr

11-14-2005, 21:54

Lube it up good and try again. Don't be skimpy with the oil. It's very hard to overoil a 1911. Just keep the lube out of the chamber and ramp area.

aglocker1911

11-15-2005, 06:20

Internal or external extractor? You're well past Kimbers "magioc" 500 round break in mark so lube may be your answer. You may also want to do a search here and at the 1911forum on Kimbers for some more possible answers. A lot of history is out there on series II Kimbers, and trust me, not all of it is "internet rumour". Good luck.

BRAVHART

11-16-2005, 05:35

I hope you read the book that came with it. Doesnt sound like your conducting your break-in the recommended way. Not trying to be a jerk here. Reread the break in procedure and then continue.

Kimbers need to be broke in properly.:)

ShipWreck

11-16-2005, 06:20

Yes. You must do certain chants as you take it apart the first time. And, if you don't sleep w/ it under your pillow the first night, you are screwed :P

aglocker1911

11-16-2005, 06:20

I thought he said the gun already had 1200 rounds thru it, how much more "break in" should be required according to the manual he needs to re read?

BRAVHART

11-16-2005, 07:33

Opps.. I`m the jackass. Hold on while i remove my foot from my mouth.

Civilian

11-16-2005, 08:45

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like oil is the answer. From reading the 1911 boards, it sounds like lube is nearly as important as ammo for a 1911 to work.

As for the arcane Kimber break-in ritual, I did the chant and made the sacrifices, but it turns out I got the ritual slightly messed up and now not only is my gun malfunctioning but there appear to be undead zombies roaming the streets of my town.

ShipWreck

11-16-2005, 09:29

Originally posted by Civilian

As for the arcane Kimber break-in ritual, I did the chant and made the sacrifices, but it turns out I got the ritual slightly messed up and now not only is my gun malfunctioning but there appear to be undead zombies roaming the streets of my town.

Oh well, let the neighbors worry about it now :P