Problems with my Kimber

[14 GT-500]

This is my 1st post so hopefully someone can tell me what might be going on with my Kimber Eclipse Custom II.
The problem is at least 1 round in a mag will fail to feed, and the slide stays all the way back like I just empty the gun. And It happens with ALL the Ammo, Underwood 180 and 155, Sig 180,Rem 180 and plus all my reloads with 180's and 800X , Bluedot,Unique, and Alcan 7 powder.
I bought this pistol in Jan of this year and have about 400 rounds through it but it has been doing this all the time since day 1, and to top it all, I also bought a Colt Delta Elite right before Xmas 2015 and have fired the same loads with out a hitch!! even the hot stuff Underwood and some of my hot reloads the Colt eats them right up!!
Also when I put in the Colt mag in the Kimber it still does the same thing!!
What is going on?? I really like the Kimber but right now I would take the Colt hands down over the Kimber.

[The_Shadow]

14 GT-500 welcome to the forum!  many of the 1911's have had the very issue you described.  Some have been magazine related and others other things to due with ammo impulse during recoil.  Here are some videos that may point to solutions;

[Mike_Fontenot]

When I got my 10mm Kimber Eclipse Custom II about three years ago, I had some premature lock-backs (which is what I THINK you are describing).  I called them and they sent me a different slide-lock, and I didn't have that problem any more.  When that IS the problem, you can usually see a little copper on the bottom of the inner slide-lock lobe (if you're shooting copper-jacketed bullets) when you field-strip the gun after shooting it.

Also, be sure that you aren't inadvertently pushing up on the slide-lock during the cycling ... that can also cause the problem.

[Wolfie]

Mine did the same thing, I sent it back to Kimber. Make sure you take pictures, they will scratch up the gun and try to blame you.

Once back it has ran great.

[14 GT-500]

Thanks for all the  helpful tips guy's. I sure will take note of them. I guess I am disappointed right now in the way the gun functions, it sure look's sharp and is darn accurate. I should have also told you that I load only 5 rounds in a mag at a time as I only like to shoot just 1 row in a box at a time. I kind of thought that after 400 rounds or so the gun would work it self out of it. Maybe send it back into Kimber I guess.

[sqlbullet]

The problem is at least 1 round in a mag will fail to feed, and the slide stays all the way back like I just empty the gun.

Just to confirm, is the slide stop engaging the slide when this occurs, or is the slide jammed?

If it is the slide stop, have you tried switching them between the Colt and Kimber?

Assuming the slide top IS engaging the slide, then what you have here is simple physics most likely.  The gun recoils up, and your hands pull it back down.  There isn't a strong enough divot/groove or slope to the slide stop to allow the plunger to keep if from moving, so newtons laws cause it to engage prematurely.

If that is the case, then you just need to alter the slide stop to have more positive engagement when in the "down" position.

[14 GT-500]

Um you might be on to something there about the slide stop. In a hour or so when the sun comes out I want run some 800X reloads through the Chrono  so will look into that MORE. I will also take the Slide stop from the Delta and put it on the Kimber and then see what happens.
Will report back.    P.S I kind of like using the Kimber as a test Mule before I run them through the Colt.

[14 GT-500]

Well guy's.
I took out the Kimber and ended up more frustrated !!! I was shooting some Sig factory ammo and 3 of my casing have a VERY ragged V shape cut on both sides of the brass, it seems to me like the slide wants to close before the brass clears, I also had that happen once yesterday with my reloads. Also getting brass marks in the front and back of my ejection port.
I did put in the slide stop pin from my Colt .45 Gold Cup and still had problems. I am thinking about sending the gun back or call Kimber 1st.
On another note I chrono  the Sig ammo @ 1383 fps!!! that's right!! some almost hit 1400 fps !! My 800x load went 1350 fps and 11.2 grs of Alcan 7
hit 1150 fps good plinking load, about what the Rem stuff is, and 6.5 grs of Unique over a 200 gr cast bullet gave me 853 fps through the Colt Gold Cup which was very nice shooting.   P.S don't ask me to send pictures as I don't even have a cell phone !!

[sqlbullet]

I am in the airport on Manila waiting on my flight to Hong kong->Delhi, so I can't post pictures.  Search my posts for mangled and you will see I had this problem too. 

It is caused by insufficient extractor tension.  Google adjusting 1911 extractor tension and you should get some good videos.

[14 GT-500]

Thanks sqlbullet, I will check that out.

[ram1000]

I had a FTF problem with my Eclipse 10mm only more so.  It would FTF about 3 times for each magazine I loaded and that made it real hard to fire the 600 rounds Kimber wanted through it before they would look at it.  In fact one of the people at Kimber asked my what did I expect- it is a 10mm not a 45.  I finally talked to someone that allowed me to send it back and they pretty much fixed it except for the last round in a some magazines.  I now trust the gun to shoot at the range. 

[sqlbullet]

Last round in the mag bolt over base ftf are usually a poorly fit, not adjusted, extractor or a weak mag spring.

[4949shooter]

Wow I was thinking about a Kimber 10mm, but these stories are making reconsider it.

[sqlbullet]

These experiences are why I think the RIA offerings are such a great deal.  Less money, similar (though more frequent) issues, better CS getting them resolved.

If you want a high chance of problem free, step on up to the DW.

[4949shooter]

These experiences are why I think the RIA offerings are such a great deal.  Less money, similar (though more frequent) issues, better CS getting them resolved.

If you want a high chance of problem free, step on up to the DW.

I just might do that.

Though I haven't heard of many problems with the Kimber TLE II in 10mm.