New barrel, now FTRB only when pistol pointed down and hand cycled

[warmrain]

Kimber replaced the barrel on my Ultra. I have not shot it yet, but I notice that if the gun is pointed down and hand cycled (and riding the slide) it will not go fully back into battery. To get it into battery after this situation, slight backwards pressure on the muzzle is required.

If the gun is pointed down and cycled without riding the slide the pistol returns to battery.

If the gun is held horizontal or muzzle up and hand cycled (and riding the slide) there is no problem.

Is this a problem? I am concerned about shooting the pistols and wearing the barrel and slide lugs if they are not properly fitted to each other. Then again, perhaps they will wear in...

I am ignorant in this area. Will someone with knowledge please lend a hand.

Thanks,

[1911Tuner]

Probably not a major issue, since the gun functions okay when held normally...but it still should function...no matter which direction it's pointed.
Most likely a matter of the locking lugs engaging a little too early...which is either a matter of the specs between barrel and slide...or the barrel rise timing is too early in relation to the slide's position. About a 98% chance that it's only one lug that's causing it. The problem is, that it also may be the only lug that's engaging horizontally.

See if you can feel a slight hitch when manually cycling the gun slowly pointed straight down. If you can, you can use a sharpie marker to
determine which lug is hitting. It'll be just on the corner, so look closely.
Use a knife blade to scrape a LIGHT bevel on the forward corner of that lug.
All you want to do is just break the corner on a 45 degree angle all the way around the lug. That should create enough clearance to let the slide get far enough forward in relation to the barrel's position to engage the lug smoothly.
Dressing the rear of the barrel hood a thousandth inch or two may also retard the barrel's timing enough to let things work smoothly. Be careful to heep it straight. For that small amount of material removal, I'd suggest a flat, medium India stone and patience.

[Kruzr]

Or, since it's a brand new barrel, try putting some rounds through it before you do anything. Then try it again pointed down.

[warmrain]

Johnny,

Everything you said makes sense, esp. in light of all you;ve taught me lately, though I had no idea that it might be this easy.

Kruzr,

This is what I was wondering... I did put 200 trouble free rounds through it today and in the living room the situation is a little improved, but I can still get it to hanh up when riding the slide down slowly while the muzzle is pointed down. None of my other 1911s have this tendency and I will follow Tuner's suggestion and see where it is hanging up... It seems to be pretty minor.

Thanks Guys!