[nickcarr]

Hi Guys,

I picked up my Pro-Carry last night. This is my 2nd Kimber. My first was a $1300 custom full size, but I wasn't very impressed with it, so I traded it back in. I was looking for a .45 once again, so I decided to give Kimber another chance.

I have yet to shoot with my Pro Carry, but I'm wondering if anyone has made any mods to their pistol? If so, can you pass them along (especially if they are really cool.)

Not that I'm going to go out and screw with my new 45, but I was thinking about what I 'could' do - if I felt cocky.

-Nick

 

[MasterMind]

I own a Pro CDP which comes from the factory with all of the bells and whistles. If I was going to take a standard gun and customize it, I would definetly look at having the front strap checkered and the slide melted. The melt treatment really makes the gun for me. Even my custom gun needs a trigger job. You can't go wrong with a good, crisp trigger in any 1911.

 

[nickcarr]

MasterMind, have you seen the Pro Carry in person?

A. The trigger is fabulous. I'm really impressed with the trigger job on this stock pistol. It's very, very crisp.

B. The front strap checkering really ate up my hand on my other Kimber custom. I'm very glad *not* to have that feature.

Can you elaborate on the melt treatment? I'm sure I've heard of that, but I haven't read anything into it.

Also, after reading several posts on this and other forums, the CDP pistol seem to get un-impressive reviews -- so I went with the Pro Carry.


-Nick

 

[Howardk]

I don't know if these mods are cool, but I did the following: short trigger, thin grips, MMC rear sights and fiber optic front, Nowlin lockworks, S&A magwell, ambi safety, Aftec extractor, skateboard tape on the front strap and Brown-style beavertail.

 

[nickcarr]

Howard,

It sure sounds cool! Do you have any pics handy? I'm curious see what the final results is...

-Nick

 

[Howardk]

Don't have any pictures, but it still looks like a classic Pro Carry SLE. The mods were all done for function not looks. Short trigger, thin grips and Brown-style beavertail--small hands; ambi-safety -- left-handed; MMC adjustable sights -- corrects different POA due to different reloads; fiber optic front sights--old eyes; Nowlin lockworks--more convenient than sending it out for a trigger job; Aftec extractor--corrected ejection problems w/ original extractor. These days, I'm much more into function than looks.

 

[nickcarr]

Howard,

Thanks for the info. I just ordered an Aftec extractor for my Pro-Carry. I finally received my Brownell's catalog, so I'm looking around a bit.

Hey, when I was at the range, I noticed that sparks were coming from the rear of the slide/hammer. Is this normal? It didn't happen all the time, but every 10 rounds or so, this would happen.

After popping out the extractor, I noticed that the shaft is very dirty. Is this considered 'normal wear'?


Thanks
-Nick

 

[nickcarr]

Howard, did you replace the firing pin? I was looking at replacements, and the only thing I saw that might be an upgrade, was a titanium versus stainless steel.

The stock firing pin looks like a Wilson Combat - at least the picture is identical.

Any suggestions there?


-Nick

 

[173abn]

SLIDE MELTED?? : CONFUSED

 

[PK]

www.clarkcustomguns.com

 

[Str8_Shot]

Nick

I suggest that you shoot your Kimber a lot more just to get the feel of it. Then if you want to change it you will know what you like or want based on experience.

From your description it sounds like your Kimber is very good right out of the box, so very little should need to be done. Though based on my personal biases, I would recommend different sights. I really dislike Kimbers stock sights. They are somewhat functional, but to me they are not cool and they do not make it easy to rack the slide one handed. i would replace the stock sights with Novak's, or my favorite MMC adjustables. My next recommendation would be a set of nice grips, either a set of good Ajax wood grips, or something really cool like Stag, or the new carbon fiber.

My last recommendation would be to get 2-3 cases of Winchester ammo, and then send your Kimber to Thunder Ranch, or Gun Site. If you are unable to attend one of these training sessions with your Kimber, Im sure someone here would be happy to see that it was properly escorted during the training.

------------------
Str8_Shot

The best handgun for self defense, is the one you have with you.

 

[Howardk]

Nick,

I didn't replace the firing pin since it worked fine. (There's no reason to replace a firing pin unless it wears out--after many 1000s of rounds.) The Aftec extractor cleared up my feeding problems, but I wouldn't have spent the money if I didn't have a problem in the first place. My philosophy is that if there isn't a problem leave the gun alone. My biggest problems with 1911s come when I try to "improve" a gun that already works. Almost inevitably the gun stops being reliable.

I can't comment about sparks coming from the rear of the slide since it never happened to me. It's normal for the extractor to get dirty and it should be cleaned periodically. If it gets very dirty very fast, you might want to consider changing to a cleaner ammo.