Kimber Ultra CDP II - question for Kimber experts

[MadMac]

Went to the range today. I took my EDC - my Kimber Ultra CDP II (9mm) and my home defense handgun - a Sig P226, also in 9mm. I took along 200 rounds of Blazer Brass ammo and my Speer Gold Dot SD ammo.

When I first got my Kimber, I worked it in according to directions, and after a few FTFs, in the first couple hundred rounds, it started running like a top after I had put 500 rounds down range, along with 50 SD loads. I made it my EDC at that point. When I go to the range, I usually put 150 rounds of ball ammo through the Kimber and fifty through the SIG. The P226 has always been a flawless shooter, and so I feel the ammo is better spent going through the Kimber.

After shooting 20 Gold Dots from the Kimber, I proceeded to work through my regular 150 rounds of practice ammo. Today, I had two FTFs in consecutive magazines after shooting about 120 rounds down range. They were both the second cartridge in the stack. After dropping the magazine and reinserting it, I was able to fire off the rest of the magazine with no problems.

I am a little concerned. Should I simply continue to fire ammo through it to loosen it up, or is it time to have someone look at it?

I really like the Kimber, and it is scary accurate - even at a distance. Ideas?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[bstrawse]

I have three Kimbers that I carry - a SIS Pro, an Ultra CDP II, and a Custom CDP II -- all fire pretty seamlessly without issues (once I got through the breakin period).

I carry them without hesitation.
b

[MasterGuns]

I'm no expert, but I would consider bringing a light lubricant spray with me to the range if I was shooting that much at a time. Read this good page from Cylinder & Slide on 1911 lubrication and see if following the suggestions helps any. Unless you were lubing as you went, I gotta think it was pretty dry and fouled.

[MadMac]

I'm no expert, but I would consider bringing a light lubricant spray with me to the range if I was shooting that much at a time. Read this good page from Cylinder & Slide on 1911 lubrication and see if following the suggestions helps any. Unless you were lubing as you went, I gotta think it was pretty dry and fouled.

Thanks for the link and the advice. I will exert more effort in keeping her lubed. The Blazer Brass ammo does seem to leave a mess. Thanks!

[cz2075bd]

The CZ 2075 RAMI 9mm is a mechanically similar firearm to your Kimber, in fact the recoil springs are interchangeable between these two guns. In the CZ world, the standard treatment for this issue could include some or most of the following:

1) Increase recoil springs resistance to 18 or 21 lbs. (18 lbs is Wolff part #51818).
2) Clean more frequently and oil slide liberally
3) Clean and dry-lube the magazines
4) Replace magazine springs with +10%
5) Polish feed ramp
6) Polish slide stop

Of course, vet any of these suggestions off a Kimber board first, but I put the Kimber 18lbs recoil spring set in my RAMI and it solved a lot of problems.

[MadMac]

Great advice, as always, folks. Many, many thanks to you fine people at DC.

I will focus more on good lubrication and have my local pistolsmith look at the springs and extractor. This handgun is soooo sweet, I would hate for it to become a safe queen.

[Defensive Arms]

I have three Kimbers that I carry - a SIS Pro, an Ultra CDP II, and a Custom CDP II -- all fire pretty seamlessly without issues (once I got through the breakin period).

I carry them without hesitation.
b

I've owned three Kimbers, and all of them shot reliably, even during the break-in period.

I used 180-grain hardballs, and have had only one malfunction.

I also carry them without hesitation, and consider them to be better 1911's than any of the Springfields and Colts I've owned over the years.

[Rcher]

I too suspect that maybe your slide didnt have enough lubrication on it. I had this issue once-in-a-while until I change my slide lube to grease. Now, mine has been ultra reliable since.

[MadMac]

I too suspect that maybe your slide didnt have enough lubrication on it. I had this issue once-in-a-while until I change my slide lube to grease. Now, mine has been ultra reliable since.

Great idea. I am headed back to the range today with 100 more rounds for Mr Kimber. Will report back.

[BigLaw]

Put a Wolff recoil spring in it. I was having the same problem and the spring fixed it. No problems at all. I use Wilson mags also.

[MadMac]

Thanks for all the advice. I will put a Wolff recoil spring in her as well.

I took her back to the range today - flawless 100 rounds of American Eagle ball ammo. I also discussed it with the guys at the gun shop. I will pay more attention to the lubrication, upgrade the springs to Wolff and the mags to Wilsons, and I will be a happy man.

The P226 is so reliable, it's boring.

[Silk]

Grease on the slide might do it. Every since I switched to Miltech grease, I've had much fewer FTEs and FTFs.

Oh, and I NEVER have any failures with my Sig P228. Like you say, it's kinda boring on that front.

[TX-JB]

+1 on the Wilson mags. The only problems I ever had with my Kimber, were with the factory mags...

[automatic slim]

Maintainance of your magazines is as important as on your weapon. I second Wilson mags because they can be easily disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. I would clean them everytime you clean your gun.
Making your gun as friction free as possible also helps. A polished feed ramp and slide rails help slicken things up in addition to proper lubricant.
As for the 18# spring, I'm not sure. I remember both Bill Wilson and Ken Hackathorn recommending this in a .45 1911, but a 9mm??? Not saying it's wrong, just something to check.

[MadMac]

Great advice. The last two trips to the range were 100%. I have been keeping better track of the lubrication. I have one Wilson mag (the ten rounder as they have yet to make one for the 9mm commander-sized frame), and I can disassemble and clean it like my Sig mags. The factory mags require me to run a patch around the top woth a toothbrush.

I appreciate the advice, guys.