Kimber External Extractor Problems

[SemperFi83]

Hi All:

I recently posted this on another, less active board and thought the folks here might be able to help...

I am a .45 shooter and recently bought my first Kimber (Tactical Custom). This is the first government model I have had with an external extractor. It is also the first pistol I have had with this problem...it frequently fails to go fully into battery. But when I ease back on the slide slightly, the rim of the round slips up under the extractor.

I have had the ramp throated and polished, but every time it happens, it seems it is the rim of the cartridge catching under the extractor, rather than the nose hanging up in the throat or chamber.

What is everyone else's experience with Kimber external ectarctos, and is it the extractoe I should be worried about? By the way, this happens with 3-4 brands of factory ammo, reloads of different lengths, etc... Thanks in advance for any help. I would like to keep the gun but only if it is reliable...

 

[cerberus]

My external extractor Kimbers

I have two with the external extractors a Ultra Carry II and Tac Pro II both are working very well after the normal Kimber breakins "around 500 rounds of 230gr Ball FMJ Ammo." I have read about others that have had problems with the external extractors. Some have sent them back to the Custom Shop at Kimber and they have replaced the extractors. I understand there are some with a new grip designs this is just what I have read. I have not used the Kimber Std. Mags and have used both Wilson and(Ed Brown made by Metalform.) If you have shot around the 500 mark of 230gr Ammo. and you are keeping your gun clean and using a good Lub. on slide and still having the ejector problems. I would call the Kimber Custom Shop and talk with them about the problem. Then I am thinking they will ask that your gun be sent in for repair.

 

[rbernie]

It's probably not the extractor, and may instead be the firing pin safety plunger hanging up. This is certainly not an uncommon issue, and has hapened to two of my 'Series II' Kimbers. In most cases, the problem actually goes away after awhile, as the plunger and it's hole within the slide lose their sharp edges. Alternately, you can always stone a bevel on the plunger and chamfer the edges of the slide hole, to avoid the need for a less-than-graceful break in period. I cured mine via combination of lubrication and use.