New Wolff recoil spring in Kimber Compact.

[DWright]

Just got my new Wolff spring in my Older Kimber 1 Compact. Boy what a difference. It now feeds everything, and the slide locks back when empty as it should.
I bought it from a friend that bought it new and never fired it. I was disappointed when it had the above problems, as the original spring was junk, as I learned here on the forum.
Makes me wonder what the heck they folks at Kimber were thinking. Do they even test shoot what they build to see if it works?
Just wanted to say what a great forum this is. Lot's of valuable info!

:appld:

[Xshooter]

Do they even test shoot what they build to see if it works?
Just wanted to say what a great forum this is. Lot's of valuable info!
:appld:

Glad your problem was solved by a simple spring replacement. I've been fortunate to have purchased more than a few Kimber pistols brand new. Each one came, out of the box, with evidence (powder residue) that it had been test fired at the factory.

[Rick McC.]

All of mine were "noticeably test fired" too.

Personally; I've had no problems with the Kimber recoil springs, and have used the as replacements in my Stainless Pro (four inch slide and barrel like your Compact).

Take care,

Rick

[BadaBing11]

DWright,

Did you notice if the Wolff Spring was longer than the one in your Kimber and had more coils?

Thanks,

Jeff

[DWright]

DWright,

Did you notice if the Wolff Spring was longer than the one in your Kimber and had more coils?

Thanks,

Jeff

Yes it is. The Wolf spring is half again longer with twice the coils, but not near as large around. The Wolff is just large enough to go over the guide rod. At first I was concerned, because the original one would not even let the slide move fully rearward enough to lock the slide back, without me really reffing on it.
I was certain the new spring would be even worse because of it's length, but this was not the case. It has a lot more power, and operates the slide much better. I think the original was too large around and would bind up somehow to keep the slide from moving rearward enough.
But as I mentioned, mine is a first run, Kimber '1' Compact, without the Swartz safety. I don't know what springs the newer ones have, or if they have the same problems that mine did.
We do have a newer Pro-Carry at the shop. I'll pull it apart and have a look see, then report back.

[BadaBing11]

I have a Pro II and just replaced my spring with a Wolff.

It appears the same in every way except it is about 1 1/4" longer than the original and has 5 or 6 more coils. It is actually rated at less than the Kimber Springs at 20lbs ( vs 22 for the Kimber .) However it feels much heavier than the Kimber spring when I rack the slide.

Was wondering if maybe they sent me the wrong recoil spring.


Jeff

[DWright]

Ya, I think the original spring in yours is different than the one I have. Kimber probably figured it out sometime after mine was made. The Wolff springs hold their power even when the slide is nearly closed, which is why it feels heavier when raking back the slide.