custom II

[JJ45FAN]

Hi folks, I just traded my SA mil spec in on a new custom II. It is the older model with the internal extractor, and after about 200 rnds I love how it shoots, no failures of any kind so far. Oh I did replace the full length guide rod, first thing with a standard rod and plug. My question is this, is the small plunger that raises out of the frame to move the firing pin block when the grip saftey is depressed, is it supposed to stick out of the frame any when the grip saftey is not depressed? The reason I'm asking is mine is hanging up on the firing pin block when I try to disasemble the pistol, the only way i could get the slide off is to remove the mainspring housing pin which allows the grip saftey to swing out enough to drop the plunger down & remove the slide. I know what your going to say and I was not pressing the grip saftey during disassembly. Other than that i love the gun, it is my 2nd kimber and won't be my last. Any help or ideas would be appreciated, thanks.

[mikikanazawa]

Yes, that little pin is to lift the firing pin block.

If it's up while your hand's not on the grip safety, a little shake will drop it back down. Usually the spring from the pin block pushes it down. Nothing keeps it up... just stiction. A lot of oil on the frame will aggravate this.

Oddly, switching to wiping the frame and slide with an oily rag (actually, a CLP-y rag) and wiping dry seems to have had the effect of reducing wear on my firearms. I used to be one of those guys with lube dripping from my range bag.

[JJ45FAN]

I tried giving it a little shake, I even gently pushed down on the pin itself & it seems to be down as far as it will go. I'm wondering now if the pin itself might be to long?

[Kruzr]

Its more likely that the nibs on top of the MSH are a bit too thick. To check this, slip the MSH down and see if the push rod falls when the GS moves out. If the push rod falls, then the tabs are keeping the Grip Safety from going all the way back and letting the push rod fall. Use a file and very slowly and carefully (the MSH is plastic) take a little material off the faces of the tabs that stick up and are the rests for the GS. Keep trying it until the push rod is flush with the frame and not below it (or you went too far.)

If this isn't the problem, then you need to remove a little from the top of the push rod and be sure it has a radius on top.

Or, if it's new, you can send it back to Kimber and let them deal with it or have the dealer where you got it send it back.

[JJ45FAN]

Thanks for the heads up on the MSH. Thats how I had to get the slide off, was by sliding down the housing, as soon as the grip saftey swung out a little the push rod droped down & all was well. I'll try taking a little off the top & try that. Thanks again.

[Kruzr]

I wouldn't shorten the push rod unless I was sure it wasn't being caused by the MSH and GS first. See if the GS is hitting the top of the MSH. If not, its the nibs and you need to make them thinner on the flat side where the GS rests.

[JJ45FAN]

Thanks for the help. I filed a little off the flat sides of the nibs onthe MSH, now everything is working fine.