Kimber customer service

gadabout · August 22 2018 03:11:32 PM MDT

I lost my return spring end cap on my Kimber Target II 10mm 1911 type gun and customer service is sending one out no charge. Very nice I think as the cap should be attached to the spring as it is on other guns I have. Good service anyway. Craig

Grenadier · August 22 2018 03:16:21 PM MDT

I recently had a good experience with Kimber customer service as well.

Graybeard · August 23 2018 09:13:58 AM MDT

Quote from: gadabout on August 22 2018 03:11:32 PM MDT
I lost my return spring end cap on my Kimber Target II 10mm 1911 type gun and customer service is sending one out no charge. Very nice I think as the cap should be attached to the spring as it is on other guns I have. Good service anyway. Craig

They sent me a replacement slide stop for free when I called and told them I broke one and it was my fault!!

Gadabout, are you fairly new to 1911s? You really don't want a recoil spring with a permanently attached spring cap on a 5" 1911. The reason they're fairly cheap and available is because they fit in almost any makers gun, regardless of a full length guide rod or a GI guide plug.

Since I'm guessing you field stripped the gun outdoors and used the barrel bushing wrench in the box. Did you fire the spring cap off to somewhere you couldn't find it? If any of that is near correct, I'm glad you didn't hit yourself, or anyone else, in the face.

Try turning the the bushing until the spring cap pops up and the bushing sits on the flat shoulder of the cap, that will hold it in. Then put your thumb over the cap and turn the bushing the rest of the way. Let the spring cap up slowly and grab it with your fingers on the sides. Easier to not launch them into space that way.

sqlbullet · August 23 2018 11:03:21 AM MDT

I am unaware of any 1911 with a standard recoil spring assembly that has an recoil spring plug attached to the spring.

Mr. Browning even anticipated the need for a field accessible part and designed the plug and spring so the plug could be replaced by a spent 45 ACP cartridge. That doesn't help us as much since we shoot 10mm, however, at most public ranges a 45 ACP spend cartridge could be easily located.

Most full length guide rod assemblies have some provision for making the recoil plug captive during disassembly. If that is desired, just get one and install it.

gadabout · August 23 2018 02:17:40 PM MDT

My Tanfoglia 41AE has a thing connected to the spring end as when I sent to them for a conversion to 9mm they sent everthing except the spring end. I ended up not needing to change the spring anyway as very fast I decided to use it in 41AE. Using JHP in most guns I don't have to clean very often anyway. Hey received the spring end thingy today so case closed. Thanks Kimber!!! Craig

gadabout · August 24 2018 11:52:43 AM MDT

Ok you all will love this!! I tried to put the spring and bushing type thing in at home and could not do it. ${$default_sad_smiley}$ Very bad design if you ask me. Took it all to my machine shop and put the Kimber in a vice and worked the thing on no problem, took about 30 seconds. Now the thing that locks everything together was a different story. Had it in right but wouldn't go the final 1/8" Finally got it but I don't know how. Now the Kimber shot great as did the Sig 320. Good day all in all and I will never disassemble the Kimber again so that won't be a problem. He He!! Craig

sqlbullet · August 24 2018 02:42:22 PM MDT

Here is a diagram to help you with the actual names of 1911 parts:

https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/uploads/1911parts.jpg

Useful since most modern auto-loaders derive from the Browning tilting barrel lockup design, so usually similar parts have similar names on all semi-auto handguns.

I can't imagine needing a vice to re-assemble a 1911. Perhaps you might want to watch a few youtube videos to pick up some technique? Not sure that just choosing to not field strip and clean is the best course of action.

gadabout · August 24 2018 02:52:49 PM MDT

I was going for humor on the not stripping down for cleaning and for everyone's info I have about 20 of these guns I have handled over the years but the Kimber is the worst I have ever dealt with, with the spring end thingy. I love the kimber but took it apart to switch to 22 with a kit that Kimber sold me. The need for the 22 never arose so I decided to convert it back is all. I just don't shoot 10mm as often as I do other rounds. Craig

Graybeard · August 24 2018 03:37:43 PM MDT

Quote from: sqlbullet on August 24 2018 02:42:22 PM MDT
Here is a diagram to help you with the actual names of 1911 parts:

https://www.danwessonforum.com/wp-content/uploads/1911parts.jpg

Useful since most modern auto-loaders derive from the Browning tilting barrel lockup design, so usually similar parts have similar names on all semi-auto handguns.

I can't imagine needing a vice to re-assemble a 1911. Perhaps you might want to watch a few youtube videos to pick up some technique? Not sure that just choosing to not field strip and clean is the best course of action.

Hey Sqlbullet, did you spot the mistakes in that diagram? ${$default_cheesy_smiley}$