Replace Kimber Eclipse Recoil Spring

[sfc123]

I have read over the manual about 8 times and I can't wrap my mind around how to deal with the guide rod in order to replace the recoil spring. Does anyone have a series of pictures or video showing how to do it and get it back together?

This is my first Kimber and the first time I've had to do this.

Thanks.

 

[Hawk]

If it's the "Ultra" model, I'd like to hear how it's done as well. When I replaced mine with Wolff I had parts flying everywhere. It was like replacing the spring on the striker of a P7-PSP.

The second time I just bought the whole assembly from Kimber.

 

[LotI]

My Kimber Eclipse Custom II (5") has a full-length guide-rod. Yours?

Put on safety glasses, remove magazine, empty gun, leave hammer back but slide forward and turn the barrel bushing with the tool they gave you counterclockwise from the back of the gun. If you turned it the wrong way it will stop before the plunger is free.

Still have the glasses on? Once it's just off-center, turn it by hand and keep that plunger under your finger to keep it from flying across the room. If all you want is the recoil spring out, just pull it off the guide rod.

 

[Kruzr]

I have read over the manual about 8 times and I can't wrap my mind around how to deal with the guide rod in order to replace the recoil spring. Does anyone have a series of pictures or video showing how to do it and get it back together?

This is my first Kimber and the first time I've had to do this.

Thanks.

There are 3", 4" and 5" Eclipses. Each has a different guide rod and spring system. Which is yours?

 

[sfc123]

Mine is the Eclipse Pro II 4"

 

[Kruzr]

To change the 4" spring, you first need to take it out using the L shaped (paper clip) tool so you've got the rod, with the spring and plug captured as an assembly. I use a vise and open it just enough to let the guide rod through but not the plug. You can use the edge of a table but be careful. You push down on the guide rod head to take the tension off the tool. Take the tool out and let it up slowly. The plug will come off and the spring can be taken off the guide rod just like a gov't. spring/rod.

Do the reverse and make sure you put the tool in so that it will be up when you put the assembly back in the gun.

For Hawk with an Ultra, you do the same thing to get the outer spring off. You then use a soldering iron to heat the center of the guide rod head to loosen the thread locker. Use a padded jaw vise or pliers or vise grips on the small end of the guide rod. Then with another pair of pliers you unscrew the guide rod head.

The inner spring is good for about 5000 rounds. You should change the outer one every 1800 - 2000 rounds.

 

[BigV]

Check this out:
http://www.theindoorrange.com/Kimber/KimberII_Disassembly.pdf

 

[Kruzr]

Check this out:
http://www.theindoorrange.com/Kimber...isassembly.pdf

A good guide for detail stripping a 5" Kimber Series II.