1911 teardown

[timberghost72]

I'm going to fully disassemble my Kimber 1911 to clean and try to fix some corrosion issues. Its stainless and since I bought it, it continually has pitting, rusting, corrosion issues. I've had it for 10 years or so and have heard of Kimbers with these issues so curious if anyone else has had this happen. Anyways, has anyone taken these fully apart? Are there any tips or tricks I should be aware of when taking apart? Springs flying off into oblivion  .
Also what do you guys use for pitting, corrosion? Most of it is on/in the hammer, some on slide and some on/in barrel. I keep my guns in good conditon and this is the only one with these issues 

Also has anyone replace the sights themselves? I may give this a go too.

[CAMPMEAT]

I'd email Kimber and possibly ask them about correcting it ?

[Bofire]

  :dunno:hmmmmmmmmmmmm, which model?? 5 inch??
Carl

[snowpack]

recoil spring likes to pop off.  I just point down into a towel to catch it if it gets out of my grip.

[timberghost72]

:dunno:hmmmmmmmmmmmm, which model?? 5 inch??
Carl

Yes, full size Custom II SS.

I'd email Kimber and possibly ask them about correcting it ?

It's 10+ years old. Would they take it for warranty? I would think they would say owner issue of not taking care of firearm even though I do. I'll email them either way though. I just waited 2 months to get my XDS back from warranty and had withdrawls  so I'm hesitant on sending another firearm out.

recoil spring likes to pop off.  I just point down into a towel to catch it if it gets out of my grip.

I've field stripped it many times for cleaning so I've launched a few in my days  Luckily those are large enough to find.

[mountainman]

Youtube helps for assembly/ disassembly for first timers..I would give total gun a Froglube bake for the corrosion issue, should cure the problem! have used on guns with amazing results!

[CAMPMEAT]

I just waited 2 months to get my XDS back from warranty and had withdrawls  so I'm hesitant on sending another firearm out.




Off topic. I sent my XDS in 2 months ago. Did they really improve anything except the roll pin addition to it ? Mine is a 45.


Thanks........

[timberghost72]

I just waited 2 months to get my XDS back from warranty and had withdrawls  so I'm hesitant on sending another firearm out.




Off topic. I sent my XDS in 2 months ago. Did they really improve anything except the roll pin addition to it ? Mine is a 45.


Thanks........

It has the roll pin but I don't know what exactly what the fix was. I just got it back so I haven't shot it yet or taken it apart to see what changed. When I shoot it I'll report back. Mines the .45 also.

They are simple to tear down and clean. I nor anyone I know who owns one has had any corrosion issues. My guess is if you have had it 10 years and have never disassembled and cleaned that this is why you are having a corrosion issue.

It has been field striped and cleaned. I'm asking about complete disassembly.

[300rum]

It's called a "Detail Strip".  the best thing to do is have Youtube handy or just search "Detail Strip Kimber" online and you will find a couple of places with pics.  Make sure that you have a couple of hours uninterrupted for your first one! 

The Sear Spring is probably the hardest part to get correct if you don't have any experience with it, that is where pics work better then a video. 

After you are done, make sure that you do your safety checks in dry fire.  After a Detail Strip I always go to the range, load one round, shoot, load two rounds, shoot, then load a few more, checking for double's, etc.

I don't worry about doing a detail strip until there are at least 5k rounds or so down the pipe.  I did one recently on a 2011 with 10k down the pipe and it wasn't very dirty at all which was surprising as I was using Titegroup for the powder.  An air hose does a pretty good job if it is a carry gun and you just want to blow out the lint.

I like putting a light coat of slide glide (lite) on the internals after the detail strip.  I prefer a "grease" more then an oil that will run off.       

[CAMPMEAT]

I just waited 2 months to get my XDS back from warranty and had withdrawls  so I'm hesitant on sending another firearm out.




Off topic. I sent my XDS in 2 months ago. Did they really improve anything except the roll pin addition to it ? Mine is a 45.


Thanks........

It has the roll pin but I don't know what exactly what the fix was. I just got it back so I haven't shot it yet or taken it apart to see what changed. When I shoot it I'll report back. Mines the .45 also.

They are simple to tear down and clean. I nor anyone I know who owns one has had any corrosion issues. My guess is if you have had it 10 years and have never disassembled and cleaned that this is why you are having a corrosion issue.

It has been field striped and cleaned. I'm asking about complete disassembly.

Ok.......thanks

[Bofire]

300RUM gave you good info.
Carl

[12Gauge]

Plunger spring will jump out when removing the thumb safety.  Everything else is piece of cake.
Like some suggested to use you tube if you have never take one apart down to the frame.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I just waited 2 months to get my XDS back from warranty and had withdrawls  so I'm hesitant on sending another firearm out.


Thanks........

Yeah, but you got a free magazine for your inconvenience, didn't you? 

[timberghost72]

Youtube helps for assembly/ disassembly for first timers..I would give total gun a Froglube bake for the corrosion issue, should cure the problem! have used on guns with amazing results!

It's called a "Detail Strip".  the best thing to do is have Youtube handy or just search "Detail Strip Kimber" online and you will find a couple of places with pics.  Make sure that you have a couple of hours uninterrupted for your first one! 

The Sear Spring is probably the hardest part to get correct if you don't have any experience with it, that is where pics work better then a video. 

After you are done, make sure that you do your safety checks in dry fire.  After a Detail Strip I always go to the range, load one round, shoot, load two rounds, shoot, then load a few more, checking for double's, etc.

I don't worry about doing a detail strip until there are at least 5k rounds or so down the pipe.  I did one recently on a 2011 with 10k down the pipe and it wasn't very dirty at all which was surprising as I was using Titegroup for the powder.  An air hose does a pretty good job if it is a carry gun and you just want to blow out the lint.

I like putting a light coat of slide glide (lite) on the internals after the detail strip.  I prefer a "grease" more then an oil that will run off.       

Good stuff. Thanks guys.