I broke my 1911 help me.

[alvincullumyork]

So I couldn't leave well enough alone and strip my Kimber all the way down to basically the frame as per these instructions ( http://digitalmalice.com/Series%20II%20Disassembly.pdf ) and cleaned and oiled. I then proceeded to put it back together using these directions ( http://digitalmalice.com/Kimber%20Se...20Assembly.pdf ). I then did a basic function test and every thing worked except the thumb safety. With the gun cocked and locked I can squeeze the trigger and it will dry fire and the thumb safety goes down. Is this something that I can fix or am I going to need to send it off?

[sff70]

When the thumb safety is engaged on a cocked hammer, the lug on the safety is supposed to keep the sear from moving, particularly if pressure is applied to the trigger.

Did you buy this gun new? How old it it? Has anyone hacked it up? Did someone install ANY aftermarket parts (including those advertised as "drop in")? Did it fail in this same manner prior to disassembly/reassembly?

Possibility 1: you put it together wrong. One suggestion: be sure that the left leg of the leaf spring is on top of (aft of) the sear, and not under (forward of) it.

Possibility 2: you have a poorly fit thumb safety.

You really need to get it to someone who knows what they are doing (and/or Kimber) for inspection and diagnosis of the problem, for a potential fix.

Of course, until it is fixed, do not let live ammo come anywhere near this pistol.

Keep us updated.

[ThirdWatcher]

You really need to get it to someone who knows what they are doing (and/or Kimber) for inspection and diagnosis of the problem, for a potential fix.

I concur. IME, most 1911 parts do not 'drop in'. If you're going to carry a 1911 (and I do), you gotta have a gunsmith who is good with 1911s to work on it. After a mishap like yours, I swallowed my pride and carried my duty 1911 (which now consisted of several parts in a box) to a pistolsmith recommended by a fellow officer (and 1911 aficionado). He put it back together better than it was originally assembled. (He is now on my Christmas List.)

I own other types of auto pistols which are easy to work on (H&K's & Glocks) but I leave my 1911s alone.

[bgoode]

If it worked before you did what you did you put it together wrong I am guessing. Restep your steps again.

[alvincullumyork]

Did you buy this gun new? How old it it? Has anyone hacked it up? Did someone install ANY aftermarket parts (including those advertised as "drop in")? Did it fail in this same manner prior to disassembly/reassembly?


Keep us updated.

I am the first owner and I haven't put any aftermarket parts in it and this is the first time this malfunction has happened. i tore it apart and put it back together per those directions at least a dozen times to no avail. I am going to try and find someone who knows what their doing. Anyone know anybody around Corvallis Oregon who knows anything about 1911?

Thanks for the help in advance.

[theJanitor]

So with the hammer COCKED, the thumb safety UP, and the grip safety DEPRESSED, you can pull the trigger and the hammer drops? When the hammer falls, the thumb safety goes DOWN, by itself?

[alvincullumyork]

So with the hammer COCKED, the thumb safety UP, and the grip safety DEPRESSED, you can pull the trigger and the hammer drops? When the hammer falls, the thumb safety goes DOWN, by itself?

correct

[nogoodnamesleft]

When you reassembled, did you re-install the detents and plunger spring (located on the left side of the frame)? Those are the parts that would help to "hold" the thumb safety in the up (locked) position.

Although, I can't understand how the hammer could be released from the sear if the thumb safety were fully up and the sear and hammer were installed correctly, as the safety physically blocks the sear from movement. Now, if the safety didn't have the detents pushing on it, then the safety could move to down with less force and allow the sear to release the hammer.

[sff70]

Judging from the update, sounds like you need a new thumb safety fitted to the pistol.

Suggest you contact either Scott Springer Rob Shepherd.

Both are within a reasonable drive of Corvallis and do 1911 work.



http://www.springerprecision.com/

http://www.m9guns.com/

[alvincullumyork]

When you reassembled, did you re-install the detents and plunger spring (located on the left side of the frame)? Those are the parts that would help to "hold" the thumb safety in the up (locked) position.

I did remember to put the detents and spring back in, surprisingly I only had three left over parts when I was done.

Judging from the update, sounds like you need a new thumb safety fitted to the pistol.

Suggest you contact either Scott Springer Rob Shepherd.

Both are within a reasonable drive of Corvallis and do 1911 work.



http://www.springerprecision.com/

http://www.m9guns.com/

Thank you very much for the two links and I have a line on another guy but it kinda sounds like he does mostly hunting rifles so if he falls through I will try Rob.