Modifying Kimber TLE II With Aftermarket Parts

[kft101]

Hi, guys.

I have a blued Kimber TLE II with the Series II safety system. I am interested in modifying it with some aftermarket parts and wanted to double check with you guys to see if it can actually be done before I buy the parts and go ahead.

First, I would like to replace the factory main spring housing with the Guncrafter main spring housing with the built in lanyard loop. I'm also considering an ambidextrous safety.

Second, I would like to replace the slide and barrel group with something else. I still have the TLE II slide with the external extractor. It has not caused me any problems or malfunctions, but I would like to do something in terms of a more classic style slide assembly (no front slide serrations, limited "tactical" or "elite" or "super duper bad guy killer" word markings). I'm looking at a stainless or carbon steel Les Bauer or Caspian slide with a match barrel from Brownell's. Or maybe even the enhanced Colt 1911 slide, barrel and matching parts that Brownell's offers.

So can I go ahead and do these things to my TLE II or will the Series II safety system not allow a different main spring housing and slide assembly?

I appreciate anybody's help in this.

Thanks much.

Ken

[Ruggles]

The MSH will be no problem at all for you to swap. The other stuff is alot more involved and expensive. Almost anyway you break it down I think you would be better off keeping the Kimber and using your "upgrade" money to buy a 1911 with the features you want.





Hi, guys.

I have a blued Kimber TLE II with the Series II safety system. I am interested in modifying it with some aftermarket parts and wanted to double check with you guys to see if it can actually be done before I buy the parts and go ahead.

First, I would like to replace the factory main spring housing with the Guncrafter main spring housing with the built in lanyard loop. I'm also considering an ambidextrous safety.

Second, I would like to replace the slide and barrel group with something else. I still have the TLE II slide with the external extractor. It has not caused me any problems or malfunctions, but I would like to do something in terms of a more classic style slide assembly (no front slide serrations, limited "tactical" or "elite" or "super duper bad guy killer" word markings). I'm looking at a stainless or carbon steel Les Bauer or Caspian slide with a match barrel from Brownell's. Or maybe even the enhanced Colt 1911 slide, barrel and matching parts that Brownell's offers.

So can I go ahead and do these things to my TLE II or will the Series II safety system not allow a different main spring housing and slide assembly?

I appreciate anybody's help in this.

Thanks much.

Ken

[kft101]

Thanks for the info on swapping out the MSH, Ruggles.

But where I'm at and at this point, it is way easier for me to build on the current pistol I have rather than go through buku paperwork, fees and bureaucracy to purchase a new pistol. So does anyone know if it is possible to just buy the parts to build a complete slide / barrel assembly from Brownells the way I want it and just hot swap onto the Kimber TLE II frame, or will the Series II safety system preclude me from being able to do that? I seem to have read that if I wanted to do something like this, I will have to remove the Series II safety system from the lower frame...or just file down that plunger thing that sticks out from the system...


The MSH will be no problem at all for you to swap. The other stuff is alot more involved and expensive. Almost anyway you break it down I think you would be better off keeping the Kimber and using your "upgrade" money to buy a 1911 with the features you want.

[amd5007]

As to a new slide, have Kimber replace the external extractor slide with the tradition extractor slide. They seem to do a lot of those. The mainspring housing should work without a problem.

[AMMO HEAD]

KFT101, don't know exactly why you want to replace barrel and slide. I can understand the ee slide thing, which Kimber will do for you. But a whole barrel/slide assembly requires TIME--CASH--TIME--GUNSMITH--TIME. If cash isn't a problem, go for it. Can't argue about aftermarket shopping. I took stock last night of my entry level Custom II and found out I had $300.00 + in it for stuff I really didn't need--just wanted. Do what HAS to be done and enjoy!! :appld: ps remember any new slide you use HAS to be set up to use the Kimber SWARTZ device. De-activating a factory safety device could cause you trouble down the road and is definitely a NO-NO if you use the gun for IDPA.

[kft101]

Thanks for the response and information.

I do like spending the time and modifying stuff to my liking. I'm thinking of doing a dual-tone stainless steel on the blued frame.

So I guess I will need a slide that can make use of the Swartz safety system, eh? Does anybody know if any of the aftermarket slide makers that meet the requirement? Caspian, Les Bauer, etc?

Thanks again for the info, guys.

Ken

KFT101, don't know exactly why you want to replace barrel and slide. I can understand the ee slide thing, which Kimber will do for you. But a whole barrel/slide assembly requires TIME--CASH--TIME--GUNSMITH--TIME. If cash isn't a problem, go for it. Can't argue about aftermarket shopping. I took stock last night of my entry level Custom II and found out I had $300.00 + in it for stuff I really didn't need--just wanted. Do what HAS to be done and enjoy!! :appld: ps remember any new slide you use HAS to be set up to use the Kimber SWARTZ device. De-activating a factory safety device could cause you trouble down the road and is definitely a NO-NO if you use the gun for IDPA.