I replace the inner recoil spring in my Ultra every 2000 rounds. A new recoil rod assembly from Kimber is close to $50.00. You can buy an inner and outer recoil spring from Kimber or Wolf for a little over $10.00. It is probably a good idea to have a spare guide rod assembly in your range bag, but it's not necessary to buy the entire assembly every time you need to replace the inner spring.
I figured I would share how I change the inner recoil spring for those interested in replacing theirs.
CAUTION: Before starting any work on your 1911 Ultra remove the magazine and hand cycle the slide to remove the round that may be in the chamber. Once that is done Visually and physically inspect the firearm to make sure it is not loaded.
Use attached pictures along with the steps below to replace the inner recoil spring:
Disassembly:
1. Detail strip your Ultra.
2. With guide rod assembly removed from the gun, remove outer recoil spring.
3. Compress inner recoil spring by placing guide rod seat on your work surface and pushing downward on outer guide rod cup. (part that inner recoil spring is inside of)
4. Once inner spring is compressed, use a pair of smooth jawed Vice Grips clamped to guide rod to hold inner spring compressed. Vice Grips need to be tight enough to prevent guide rod from spinning while performing step 5 but not tight enough to damage guide rod.
CAUTION: Inner recoil spring is under pressure. Use caution while removing guide rod base plate.
5. While holding guide rod tightly with Vice Grips, use a Cresent Wrench to unthread guide rod base plate. If base plate is difficult to remove it may be necessary to heat it up to free up thread locker.
Reassembly:
1. Clean any thread locker from threads of the guide rod and base plate.
2. Apply a drop of medium thread locker onto threads.
3. Reassemble guide rod assembly and thread base plate onto guide rod.
NOTE: It is not necessary to over tighten the base plate. Over tightening will cause the guide rod to slip in the Vice Grips and score the guide rod.
4. Reassemble the firearm and function test.
Hopefully somebody will find this information useful and will be able to save some money.
Mike Darr
I figured I would share how I change the inner recoil spring for those interested in replacing theirs.
CAUTION: Before starting any work on your 1911 Ultra remove the magazine and hand cycle the slide to remove the round that may be in the chamber. Once that is done Visually and physically inspect the firearm to make sure it is not loaded.
Use attached pictures along with the steps below to replace the inner recoil spring:
Disassembly:
1. Detail strip your Ultra.
2. With guide rod assembly removed from the gun, remove outer recoil spring.
3. Compress inner recoil spring by placing guide rod seat on your work surface and pushing downward on outer guide rod cup. (part that inner recoil spring is inside of)
4. Once inner spring is compressed, use a pair of smooth jawed Vice Grips clamped to guide rod to hold inner spring compressed. Vice Grips need to be tight enough to prevent guide rod from spinning while performing step 5 but not tight enough to damage guide rod.
CAUTION: Inner recoil spring is under pressure. Use caution while removing guide rod base plate.
5. While holding guide rod tightly with Vice Grips, use a Cresent Wrench to unthread guide rod base plate. If base plate is difficult to remove it may be necessary to heat it up to free up thread locker.
Reassembly:
1. Clean any thread locker from threads of the guide rod and base plate.
2. Apply a drop of medium thread locker onto threads.
3. Reassemble guide rod assembly and thread base plate onto guide rod.
NOTE: It is not necessary to over tighten the base plate. Over tightening will cause the guide rod to slip in the Vice Grips and score the guide rod.
4. Reassemble the firearm and function test.
Hopefully somebody will find this information useful and will be able to save some money.
Mike Darr
