On 11/10/01, I purchased my first Kimber, it was an Ultra Shadow LE II serial number # KUSLEXXX (http://kimber.infopop.net/3/OpenTopic/s/729299964/a/ga/ul/1912956372/limitedshadow.pdf). I bought it to replace my former CCW, which was a Springfield Custom Compact 1911.
I have always heard great reviews about Kimbers, and I really liked the size and weight of the Ultra Shadow. I took it to the range on 11/17/01 and although I was highly pleased with the accuracy, the reliability seemed extremely problematic. I was firing two different brands of quality factory 230gr ball ammunition (Winchester and PMC). Out of the first 80 rounds; 5 FTF’s occurred when the round nose-dived in the feed ramp. I also encountered 7 additional failures when battery did not fully lock up on the round. Since the primary purpose of this Kimber was to be my CCW, I decided to feed 7 rounds of Corbon 185gr hollow points, three out of 7 stovepiped. Additionally, the grip screws on the slide release side seemed to loosen after the initial 100 rounds.
I called the Custom Shop the next morning and I was advised that this was a normal occurrence and to feed 500 rounds through it to sufficiently break it in. I felt this to be a little excessive but I obliged. They also stated that Corbons did not typically feed through Kimbers and to try a more rounded hollow point. After I cleaned and oiled it, I proceeded to the range where I fired an additional 100 rounds of PMC factory 230gr ball and encountered 28 additional failures. The resident gunsmith also encountered the same nosedive problem. He suggested that I contact Kimber and request a new magazine with a stronger spring. I called the next morning and a replacement magazine was sent to me.
I cleaned and oiled it and proceeded to the range again to employ an additional 150 rounds of PMC factory 230gr ball and I encountered the same issue with the replacement Kimber Magazine as well as a Colt, Chip McCormick and Wilson magazines. Using the Wilson 47 OX magazine, I only encountered 1 nosedive.
On my last trip to the range on 11/26/01, after I cleaned and oiled the Kimber, I fired 100 rounds of PMC factory 230 grain. Again encounted more failures (see table below for break down), and the same grip screws backed out again.
Breakdown of failures for rounds 350 to 450:
Round # Type of failure Magazine
366 Slide locked open with 1 round remaining in magazine. (See Exhibit C) Wilson 47 OX
374 Nosedive Kimber factory
398 Slide locked open with 2 rounds remaining in magazine. Kimber factory
417 Slide locked open with 5 rounds remaining in magazine. Kimber factory
437 Battery not fully closed on live round in chamber. (1 round remaining in magazine) Wilson 47 OX
449 Battery not fully closed on live round in chamber. (1 round remaining in magazine) Wilson 47 OX
I have encountered multiple types of failures:
1) Nosedives (20+)
2) Stovepipe (3)
3) Slide lock open with rounds still in magazine (4)
4) Battery not fully closed on live round in chamber. (20 +)
5) Grip screws backing out (twice)
Yesterday, I contacted the Custom Shop and advised them of my issue. The gentleman advised me to send it back for analysis. He asked if this was my first 1911 as the Ultra’s were temperamental and proper hand placement was a must. This seemed to concern me as I am very familiar with 1911’s and have been carrying compacts in condition 1 as my primary CCW for at least 10 years. I pay particular attention to my hand placement. If the Ultra is that temperamental I am not sure if it will serve me well as a CCW.
I do have the faith in the Custom Shop, but I am concerned that the Custom Shop will not put a sufficient number of rounds through the Kimber and the error conditions will not be encountered. Again, this is to serve as my primary CCW and I am concerned that I will not have the confidence in this Kimber to protect my life.
I posted this in the Unofficial Kimber forum and one gentleman suggested that these problems could be attributed to my stance and grip. I pay particular attention to the way I shoot, interms of hand placement. I do shoot weaver style and it was suggested to me that I should keep both elbows locked. I am open to more suggestions about my stance, but should a CCW be so finicky? I would think that I should be able to shoot in almost any position if I had too..like my Sig 226/ Glock 19 and others...
Thanks for your feedback and suggestions.
I have always heard great reviews about Kimbers, and I really liked the size and weight of the Ultra Shadow. I took it to the range on 11/17/01 and although I was highly pleased with the accuracy, the reliability seemed extremely problematic. I was firing two different brands of quality factory 230gr ball ammunition (Winchester and PMC). Out of the first 80 rounds; 5 FTF’s occurred when the round nose-dived in the feed ramp. I also encountered 7 additional failures when battery did not fully lock up on the round. Since the primary purpose of this Kimber was to be my CCW, I decided to feed 7 rounds of Corbon 185gr hollow points, three out of 7 stovepiped. Additionally, the grip screws on the slide release side seemed to loosen after the initial 100 rounds.
I called the Custom Shop the next morning and I was advised that this was a normal occurrence and to feed 500 rounds through it to sufficiently break it in. I felt this to be a little excessive but I obliged. They also stated that Corbons did not typically feed through Kimbers and to try a more rounded hollow point. After I cleaned and oiled it, I proceeded to the range where I fired an additional 100 rounds of PMC factory 230gr ball and encountered 28 additional failures. The resident gunsmith also encountered the same nosedive problem. He suggested that I contact Kimber and request a new magazine with a stronger spring. I called the next morning and a replacement magazine was sent to me.
I cleaned and oiled it and proceeded to the range again to employ an additional 150 rounds of PMC factory 230gr ball and I encountered the same issue with the replacement Kimber Magazine as well as a Colt, Chip McCormick and Wilson magazines. Using the Wilson 47 OX magazine, I only encountered 1 nosedive.
On my last trip to the range on 11/26/01, after I cleaned and oiled the Kimber, I fired 100 rounds of PMC factory 230 grain. Again encounted more failures (see table below for break down), and the same grip screws backed out again.
Breakdown of failures for rounds 350 to 450:
Round # Type of failure Magazine
366 Slide locked open with 1 round remaining in magazine. (See Exhibit C) Wilson 47 OX
374 Nosedive Kimber factory
398 Slide locked open with 2 rounds remaining in magazine. Kimber factory
417 Slide locked open with 5 rounds remaining in magazine. Kimber factory
437 Battery not fully closed on live round in chamber. (1 round remaining in magazine) Wilson 47 OX
449 Battery not fully closed on live round in chamber. (1 round remaining in magazine) Wilson 47 OX
I have encountered multiple types of failures:
1) Nosedives (20+)
2) Stovepipe (3)
3) Slide lock open with rounds still in magazine (4)
4) Battery not fully closed on live round in chamber. (20 +)
5) Grip screws backing out (twice)
Yesterday, I contacted the Custom Shop and advised them of my issue. The gentleman advised me to send it back for analysis. He asked if this was my first 1911 as the Ultra’s were temperamental and proper hand placement was a must. This seemed to concern me as I am very familiar with 1911’s and have been carrying compacts in condition 1 as my primary CCW for at least 10 years. I pay particular attention to my hand placement. If the Ultra is that temperamental I am not sure if it will serve me well as a CCW.
I do have the faith in the Custom Shop, but I am concerned that the Custom Shop will not put a sufficient number of rounds through the Kimber and the error conditions will not be encountered. Again, this is to serve as my primary CCW and I am concerned that I will not have the confidence in this Kimber to protect my life.
I posted this in the Unofficial Kimber forum and one gentleman suggested that these problems could be attributed to my stance and grip. I pay particular attention to the way I shoot, interms of hand placement. I do shoot weaver style and it was suggested to me that I should keep both elbows locked. I am open to more suggestions about my stance, but should a CCW be so finicky? I would think that I should be able to shoot in almost any position if I had too..like my Sig 226/ Glock 19 and others...
Thanks for your feedback and suggestions.