Polishing feedramps on alloy frames

[austinpt]

I have a first gen Kimber CDP Pro (4 inch commander style w/ alloy frame), which I've been having intermittent feeding problems with since I got it several months ago. Total round count is ~1500 now. I've eliminated grip, ammo, magazines and recoil spring buffer pad as culprits. I know a lot of the Kimber feeding problems have been solved w/ polishing the feedramp and chamber throat, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that this isn't always a good idea for alloy framed guns. Opinions?

- Thanks

[niemi24s]

Don't know about alloy frames, but you should post a pic of your cleaned feed ramp. That way we can see what it looks like and (perhaps) offer an opinion on polishing.

Regards

[wichaka]

With most 1911's, the bullet comes in contact with only the very top portion of the frame ramp.

In the last 5-10 years, have seen very few guns that need the ramp polished, as they come that way from the factory now.

[kcshooter]

4 inch commander style... I've eliminated ... recoil spring buffer pad as culpritsThe shortened slide stroke combined with a shock buff is very likely to cause feeding issues. Even if it isn't causing the issue you're having, it can cause an issue, and more likely than not, it will.

Alloy frames are generally anodized, removing the anodized coating will expose metal that is much too soft. I'd strongly recommend not doing this.

Dump the shock buff asap, as it isn't needed anyway and is likely to cause an issue in anything less than a 5" 1911, and check extractor tension. This is often an issue out of the box. You can go to the technical area here to find out how to do that.

How did you eliminate the magazines? What magazines are you using?

[Hawkmoon]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that this isn't always a good idea for alloy framed guns. Opinions?
Polishing the feed ramp is NEVER a good idea with an alloy frame. It's not necessary, and if you polish through the (very thin) layer of anodized material, the underlying alloy is much softer and more susceptible to gouging.

[austinpt]

that may be the issue, then, as a good portion of the black anodized material has worn off. here's the "short" history: bought the gun used, supposedly had a few hundred rounds thru it. It's a first generation Kimber, probably late 90s/early 2000 birthdate. First test fire of ~100 rounds mixed handloads, wadcutters, JHP and factory ammo using McM power mags, it ran flawlessly. At some point, it began having feeding issues, sometimes 2 or 3 rounds into firing, sometimes during the loading process (slingshotting it). Have done the following: switched to wilson 47d mags, and changed the McM followers out with Wilsons (more b/c of the devel follower/damage to alloy frame issue); replaced the extended Ed Brown mag release I had installed with the original, along w/ a wolff mag release spring; using a wollf XP (22#) recoil spring; removed the shock buffer; spent a long time on the range w/ a friend, shooting my reloads, his reloads and factory ammo; weak hand, strong hand etc (it's not my grip). had a smith take a look at it, thinking it might be extractor issue, but he said it was "fine" (although I have my doubts about this guy, may find a new smith). continues to have the feeding problem intermittently - some days it runs great, 100-200 rds w/ 0-1 misfeeds; other times (ie idpa match today), it's 1 misfeed every 5-10 rds (2 or 3 per stage today). I was thinking next steps - wilson hardcore extractor; jp enterprise elevated mag catch or polishing job. sounds like polishing job is out. suggestions?

thanks, and sorry for the lengthy reply. will try to post pics of feed ramp if i can figure out how.

[austinpt]

apparently my computer-photo-loading skills are on par with my shooting skills. Photobucket and I ain't gettin' along. So.......would a steel feed ramp insert be an option? or is there a way to re-anodize?

[egumpher]

apparently my computer-photo-loading skills are on par with my shooting skills. Photobucket and I ain't gettin' along. So.......would a steel feed ramp insert be an option? or is there a way to re-anodize?

Hello,

You can alway put a drop of oil on the feed ramp to see if it fixes the problem.

You can apply Aluminum Black but only after you remove the existing Al-oxide layer.

Are you certain that the pistol was anodized black or just painted black?

I recently had my Colt Lightweight Commander frame hard-coat anodized with color black. I did this because hardcoat is much more durable than the factory finish. The anodizer informed me that the Colt feed ramp was chrome finished.

Here is a picture of my "unpolished" feed ramp. You can see the copper build-up where the bullets contact the feed ramp.

On my pistol the bullets contact the center of the feed ramp not the top as previously mentioned.


LTWT-Commander feedramp w/bullets hitting the center of the ramp...it eats everything.
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_6392.jpg

Rgds
Eric

[austinpt]

that's similar to what mine looks like, just not that much wear yet. not sure if it's painted black or anodized. how much did the anodizing cost? and how does that compare to having a steel insert (in terms of feed reliability)?

thanks

[Hawkmoon]

apparently my computer-photo-loading skills are on par with my shooting skills. Photobucket and I ain't gettin' along. So.......would a steel feed ramp insert be an option? or is there a way to re-anodize?
Photobucket seems to be doing some maintenance on their site or server(s). Give it a day and try again.

A steel ramp insert is always an option, if you can find a gunsmith skilled enough to do that work.

[niemi24s]

IIRC, EGW sells steel ramp inserts and will install them for you. Don't know if that applies to a steel insert in an aluminum alloy frame, however.

Regards

[log man]

IIRC, EGW sells steel ramp inserts and will install them for you. Don't know if that applies to a steel insert in an aluminum alloy frame, however.

Regards
The AL alloy frame is why they make them to begin with.
http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_48&products_id=48
LOG

[niemi24s]

Hi Log:

Now I know. Thanx.

After the frame is cut to accept the insert, how is the insert secured in place in an alloy frame? Welding? Loctite?

[log man]

Hi Log:

Now I know. Thanx.

After the frame is cut to accept the insert, how is the insert secured in place in an alloy frame? Welding? Loctite?
Welding, no, I believe they pin them in place, and Loctite with primer could be used in that process, a good question for Geo. Smith.

LOG

[pdangeruss]

After the frame is cut to accept the insert, how is the insert secured in place in an alloy frame? Welding? Loctite?


When researching my alloy Kimber feed ramp a few months back I found this thread on another forum that has pictures and explains the installation process pretty well:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=146569&highlight

(posted by Chuck from Rogers Precision)

This method utilizes a coating of JB Weld and a set screw hidden under the slide stop. I think this is how EGW does it, but don't know that for sure, I haven't sent mine off to them yet.

[austinpt]

great link, pdangeruss, thanks. what problems were you having w/ your kimber?

[pdangeruss]

great link, pdangeruss, thanks. what problems were you having w/ your kimber?

My problem is with hollow points removing the anodizing. It's completely gone and was very quickly (100 rounds). I haven't sent it off yet for an insert as it still feeds very reliably. I was researching it out because although it still feeds well, I know it won't continue this forever with the anodizing gone.

[austinpt]

my anodizing went pretty quickly as well, but mine's not feeding (round nosers) well. think I'll give EGW a call

[OD*]

The anodizer informed me that the Colt feed ramp was chrome finished.

Rgds
Eric
That's interesting Eric, did he tell you how Colt only chromed the feed ramp?

[gfavaron]

Sometimes I get the impression that folks are shooting far too many rounds thru their alloy guns. I have a 1952 LW Commander that is my primary carry weapon that is just dead reliable, but it hasn't been shot all that much. I have a steel Commander for fun on the range. Too me, the LW is just super for carry but probably hasn't the durability to withstand thousands of rounds of range fire. Its a trade off - lightweight vs durability.

[egumpher]

That's interesting Eric, did he tell you how Colt only chromed the feed ramp?

Hello,

No he didn't explain how Colt could have chromed the feedramp he just complained that was tough to remove. I noticed that the original feedramp had a different finish than the rest of the pistol. It was more clear/silver than the everywhere else.

Here is a before picture of the XSE's feedramp before I had the frame hardcoated: (I refinish it because the rails were wearing not the feed ramp)

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_5349-2.jpg

Here is a picture after:

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff327/ewgewgewg/IMG_6392.jpg

Rgds
Eric