Limpwristing or Problem with 1911 (Kimber)?

[TarpleyG]

Almost every match I shoot, I have at least one malfunction where an empty cartridge gets stuck horizontally in the ejection port. The open end rests against the front, top of the ejection port. It requires either a tap/rack/bang or drop the mag and rack to clear. Depends on how bad it is. I am using full power factory ammo either WWB, UMC, or Lawman.

Now, here is where my question comes in. I think I am limp wristing when this occurs because when I really concentrate on my grip I have zero issues. If I am indeed limpwristing to make this happen, is there anything that can be done to help mitigate the situation? I realize limpwristing is poor shooting but sometimes under stress that's what you get. There are no do-overs in IDPA for equipment malfunctions.

Greg

 

[lindermant]

If it doesn't happen when you focus on getting a good grip, then it sounds like the culprit is you (no offense intended). Solution? practice more

Do the FTE's occur when you're shooting one handed (strong/weak hand only), or is it random? Does your Kimber have an external extractor?

 

[TarpleyG]

Oddly enough, I do not recall it ever happening when shooting one-handed, strong or weak. It has an internal extractor.

Greg

 

[lindermant]

darn, I had my money on it being a weak hand only problem

I had similar FTE's with a Colt 9mm 1911. It's an older gun (1972) that I just picked up, and other than a good cleaning and safety function check I didn't mess with anything before my first range visit. I had 5 horizontal FTE's in 200 rounds - man they're a pain to clear.

I'm going to check the tension on the extractor, and put a fresh recoil spring and see if that takes care of the problem.

 

[stans]

It could be a limp wristing problem, but it could also be that the recoil spring is a pound or two more than you need for the ammo you are shooting. The Government model size 1911's require only a 16 pound spring for 230 grain bullets at 800 to 860 feet per second.

 

[TarpleyG]

I am using standard 16# Wolff springs and it happens whether they are new or old.

Greg

 

[N.M. Edmands]

Recoil buffer?

 

[TarpleyG]

Nope. Don't want or need one.

Greg

 

[Robert Hairless]

In no particular order:

Try a new magazine or put an extra power (11 lb.) Wolff magazine spring in one of the magazines that's causing the problem.

Thoroughly clean the extractor, especially under the hook.

Retension the extractor.

Replace the recoil spring.

If yours is one of the 3" Kimbers either make sure your hand is not hitting the lip of the magazine or file off the magazine lip so it doesn't hit.

 

[TarpleyG]

I have a lot of rounds through this gun. I am on at least my 4th recoil spring by now. It is a 5" model. I have tried Wilson and CMC mags and have same results with either. The extractor gets a thorough scrubbing every time I clean it which is about every 300 rounds or so. I have not adjusted the extractor tension as it seems to be extracting properly and dumping cases out about 4 to 6 feet most of the time.

Looks like this may indeed be a software issue after all.

Greg

 

[stans]

Drop down to a 15 pound spring, if your grip weakens just a bit, the lighter spring will usually compensate.

 

[45auto]

As mentioned, lighter recoil springs. Buy a 14 and 15 lb spring.

It should eject with a loose one handed grip IMHO. Try that with the different springs so you don't have to wait for a competition to make it jamb.

I'd still look at the other items other posters mentioned since, in essence, you have a non-working gun for all practical purposes.

Good luck

 

[jaybar]

Thumb drag?

Just a thought - since you said that it only happens with a two handed grip, is there any possibility that your thumb is contacting the slide and slowing it down. This is not an uncommon problem.

 

[TarpleyG]

Thumb drag?

Best suggestion yet...you may be on to something there. I hadn't really considered it but, yes, this may be my issue. I have a match tonight and I will be cognizant of my thumbs.

Greg

 

[Al Thompson]

Helps if you get someone else to watch (a coach type) or better yet video tape the shooting.

 

[Sam]

Ensure the extractor is properly shaped and tensioned and then ensure that the ejector is tight. Ever seen Cooper demo shooting with just the thumb and trigger finger? What wrist.

Sam

 

[1911Tuner]

What Wrist?

Sam nailed it square on the hittin' place. If the gun is right, it should function
when loosely cradled on top of the thumb and index finger with the wrist bent on two planes...upside down, sideways, or under water....through a minimum of two full magazines.

"Limp-Grip Malfunctions" have become a whipping boy for manufacturers and
some pistolsmiths who won't bother to set the gun up correctly...or can't.
Easy to blame the shooter and move on to the next question. If a defensive pistol requires that just the perfect grip be taken in order to function, you really can't trust a snake like that because you can't be guaranteed of being able to GET the perfect grip when you're suddenly UTYAIA.

Just my 2% of a buck...(Rant off)

 

[glazer1972]

My Pre-Series II has never bobbled and will fire upside down and limp wristed holding the pistol with my thumb and first finger and pulling the trigger with my pinky finger.

 

[macavada]

What about cutting a half a coil or a coil off that recoil spring? Maybe running some of the slurry on the frame rails? Have those been mentioned?

 

[stans]

Although Kimbers are tightly fitted, I don't think they are too tight to function properly. As for cutting coils, you can, and you need to if the coils are binding, but I don't think it is such a good idea if you just want a lighter spring.