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The "shell in the face" problem is NOT limited to Kimbers. Rather, I think it's a problem inherent to the basic design. Granted, what with extrator tuning and shaping, it CAN be eliminated.

I've got a Colt Defender that smacks me in the face every now and then, and skiffs the rest off my hair. What I believe is happening is this: As the spent round hits the ejector, its rearward velocity is slowed, transformed into sideways velocity. That's what the ejector does. Unfortunately, the slide is still moving backwards at this point, allowing the front of the ejection port to hit the shell, giving it back some rearward velocity. I consistently find small brass marks on the front of the ejection port of my Colt, and corrosponding dents in the shells.

I am no gunsmith, but I would presume the problem could be related to:
Extractor shape and tension, hanging on to the shell too long or releasing it in the wrong direction;
Ejector shape and length, hitting the shell too soon/late, or hitting it in the wrong direction;
Or a recoil spring that's not quite strong enough, and doesn't slow the slide down soon enough to keep it from smacking the shell backwards;
Or some combination of those three.
Again, I'm not a gunsmith, but these might give you some idea of where to start looking for the problem.

I have carried 1911's for about 35 years in various configurations, commander, officer gov't models and now that i have the Ultra CDP II it's the only one I carry. It's light, conceles easily and shoots like jack the bear. Every manufacture will have a few guns that need to be tweeked to get them to run properly, but from all I have read on this and other forums Kimber will go far out of their way to get any of their guns tuned up and back to the owner in a short period of time. I had no problems with mine and it will eat any ammo I throw at it. I think that it would be a great choice for anyone that wants a small powerful weapon.
I agree with the post about what happens during a range session, LOL

DragonKat,

I don't have a CDP, but I do carry an Ultra Carry II.

Have not had it that long, but I have quickly grown attached to it. No problems thus far and it sure is a lightweight carry. I traded one of my Glocks off and replaced it with the Kimber.... have carried nothing but the Kimber since.

My other guns might be feeling a little lonely lately, LOL !

Shell in the face update: Got a nice call from Dennis (Custom Shop manager) just a few minutes ago and they've sent the gun in for SLIDE replacement. That was the FIRST item that was found to be "not up to specs."

To let you guys know, I don't like to scorch manufacturs (and wouldn't have posted what I did unLESS someone asked for my opinion). All I did was share MY experience to this point. I really hope they address all the issues with the pistol because I LOVE it! Now that I'm forced to carry my S&W 1911Sc, I appreciate the CDP even more. It's PERFECT for carry!! The Scandium is WAY big in comparison...to the point of being bulky? Anyway...

Dennis admitted that they "have a lot of problems with the Ultras" because of it's slide speed.

Let's give credit where it's due! Dennis is GREAT! He'll not let the pistol leave their facility until HE'S gone over it PERSONALLY and agrees that it's the $1,000 pistol that it SHOULD be. They are checking every aspect of it..."top to bottom" and it will be test-fired by a PERSON (which may be why the problem wasn't found before a customer got it).

I'd say they're takin' some shortcuts in testing @ Kimber. If they tested thoroughly before it LEAVES the factory, it might not have to return! Sounds like ya' have maybe a 50/50 chance of getting an Ultra with no problems. If you already HAVE one...either it's already BEEN sent back to the factory for repair OR.....you got lucky?

I'll sure be glad to get mine back! Just LOVE shootin' that little puppy!

He's been around long enough that you did not offend. Hope you did not take offense to his YOU SURE MAKE IT HARD FOR US THAT ARE SIMI BLIND TO READ. (I would have used bold but don't know how on here.)

Not a problem. Just thought I'd toss out something for his brain to "chew on" in it's spare time. Kinda thought they wouldn't have put those different sizes and..."textures" of fonts up there — if they weren't intended for use? But...I've been wrong before.

Hey! Have a good one!

PPM wrote:No, I don't. I tend to use it to stress things. But, in consideration of YOUR preferences, I'll decrease the size and get rid of the bold. There! That should be better for you. After all, I wouldn't want to...offend you.

I was not offended. There are simple etiquette rules for posting. Not typing in all-caps or all bold. You used the large text, bold, in three posts on this thread. You may choose to post however you prefer, it is your option to express yourself however you decide. If you prefer to express yourself in the extreme by either very large, bold text, or tiny text go right ahead.

I tend to not put much faith in extremes, be they one way or the other.

Have a nice day.

Anygun

What's that saying?...." 'nough said."

Thane wrote:The "shell in the face" problem is NOT limited to Kimbers. Rather, I think it's a problem inherent to the basic design. Granted, what with extrator tuning and shaping, it CAN be eliminated.

I've got a Colt Defender that smacks me in the face every now and then, and skiffs the rest off my hair. What I believe is happening is this: As the spent round hits the ejector, its rearward velocity is slowed, transformed into sideways velocity. That's what the ejector does. Unfortunately, the slide is still moving backwards at this point, allowing the front of the ejection port to hit the shell, giving it back some rearward velocity. I consistently find small brass marks on the front of the ejection port of my Colt, and corrosponding dents in the shells.

I am no gunsmith, but I would presume the problem could be related to:
Extractor shape and tension, hanging on to the shell too long or releasing it in the wrong direction;
Ejector shape and length, hitting the shell too soon/late, or hitting it in the wrong direction;
Or a recoil spring that's not quite strong enough, and doesn't slow the slide down soon enough to keep it from smacking the shell backwards;
Or some combination of those three.
Again, I'm not a gunsmith, but these might give you some idea of where to start looking for the problem.

Fixed it for ya.

I knew you meant "ejector" in the above, but it could have (unintentionally) misleading to someone.

And I agree with your post. Th e problem can be fixed with a little tuning.

Thanks for pointing that out, Flint. I've fixed the original post now.

(darngrumblemutterwordsgettingconfusedasItypesputtergrumble)

:-p

The Kimber Ultra CDP II is the gun I'm squirreling the money away for. Highly concealable, highly reliable, lightweight, ambedextrous safety, and night sights. Now that's what I call a .45!

Hoss

My EDC gun is a Kimber Ultra Carry II in .45ACP. Three inch barrel, short butt.

No problems, once I got rid of a faulty Chip McCormick magazine. I'm still working on shooting as accurately as the gun is capable of.



I recently bought a Kimber Compact 4" in 9mmP. At least as accurate as my Ultra Carry, but it has a FTE every 4-5 rounds. I'm working with the gunsmith at Dury's to correct it.

I don't find recoil or controllability to be an issue for the Ultra. OTOH, my 17 year old son find the Ultra to be a handful and loves the 9mm.

YMMV one heck of a lot.

Bill

I'll trade you staight up for my CVA Muzzle Loader. It doesn't conceal very well and it only shoots about one round a minute (if you don't have arthritis and coordination problems) It does propel a 54 caliber lead ball with enough force to knock down an Arkansas deer...permanently. I'll wait here for your answer.