Kimber recoil springs

[dbldown74]

Recently bought a Kimber Ultra Crimson II. Kimber suggests 400-500 round break-in.
After 1800 rounds it suggests replacing the recoil spring. They do not say if they mean the outer, larger spring, both springs or the entire assembly. I'm thinking just the outer spring but not sure.
The outer spring is easy enough but the inner spring looks like trouble waiting to happen.
Suggestions?

 

[kcofohio]

RECOIL SPRING REPLACEMENT–ULTRA CARRY
The custom shop will replace both springs if you send in the complete assembly to Yonkers, however, the double spring assembly is normally replaced as a complete unit.

From the Kimber owners manual. Page 35.

 

[dbldown74]

I guess then my question would be to Kimber, why do they sell 3 packs of just the outer spring? The idea of sending the entire spring assembly back to kimber every 1800 rounds just sounds wrong.
Maybe I should have stayed with Glock.

 

[JTQ]

Maybe I should have stayed with Glock.

Dang, Glock won't let me shoot cast lead reloads in my gun, and they have plastic sights.

Every gun has limitations. Some gun's benefits outweigh their limitations. Only you can make that decision about your own gun.

 

[AustinTX]

Maybe I should have stayed with Glock.

Nah, moving out of the Glock bubble is a great idea. I just wouldn't have suggested heading in the direction of Kimber.

 

[moxie]

Wolff sells the set for $8.99. Just change them out yourself.


http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto Pistols/KIMBER/Ultra-Carry .45ACP/cID1/mID32/dID414

 

[moxie]

These might help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSo1Y9QVJ8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt1uhCiPCAw

 

[dbldown74]

Well it looks like I've been misunderstood.
This is not my first 1911 and even though I have a dremel tool I am not a gunsmith.
My Glocks have LW barrels and will shoot by re-loads. I'm not comfortable with their "safe action trigger" and I know that it's just me.
I've looked at Utube and I do know how to field strip a 1911, even this one.
My question was regarding the 2nd recoil spring. Kimbers, love them or hate them. This is the most I've spent for a handgun, part of a "bucket list" thing. Simply put it's very pretty and the crimson trace green dot makes me a marksman.
I still need to know what spring(s) kimber refers to needing replacement every 1800 rounds or help with replacing the inner spring.

BTW Vietnam 1969-1971

 

[moxie]

Hello, brother!

I wasn't trying to be condescending. I provided the videos because I thought they might be helpful, not knowing your level of experience.

Perhaps calling Kimber might help.

 

[dbldown74]

Not a problem. Glad you said experience rather than expertise. I've learned a lot from Utube but spent hours trying to find information for this. When I found nothing that helped I looked here.
I will call kimber as a last resort but that's like giving in. You know how we can be!!

 

[moxie]

From what I've been able to gather, you might need a special jig to replace the inner spring, so it seems that many people just get Kimber to change out the whole assembly. It does sound dumb, but possibly Kimber has a better solution. Call them. I would.

 

[kcofohio]

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=271754

This guy from 1911forum.com details with some pictures how he replaces his inner spring every 2000 rds. Not sure if I agree with his method of using vise grips.

As far as round count for the inner spring, I haven't seen anything from Kimber. Though, they do sell the outer recoil spring separate. Which leads me to believe that the outer needs replaced more frequent.

I read somewhere that Kimber no longer rebuilds the recoil rod/spring assembly, but that you purchase new ones as a unit.

 

[dbldown74]

Thank You all.
The link to the 1911 forum gave me all I needed to know. A bit of a project but not too bad at all.
Duh. Guess I should have checked the 1911 forum first, must be getting lazy.
Will probably get a spare spring assembly and springs and swap them out for range use as needed.
That will last me quite some time.