Range Report - Kimber Micro 9 CSE

[Acronym Esq]

Wife recently got her plastic and has been enjoying carrying my Colt Pony 380 (DAO brother of the Mustang). She's always wanted a Kimber, so we hit the Cabela's sale on the Kimber Micro 9 CSE for $600.

I'm disappointed that the beautiful Kimber Micro 9 CSE hasn't given us the performance we require. Shots in order:
50 x Monarch; 4 FTF; 1 FTB
50 x Herters; 1 FTB
50 x Monarch; 2 FTF
50 x Federal; 2 FTB
60 x UMC; 1 FTF
12 x Critical Defense; 1 FTB

I feel like I gave it a fair chance. I'm disappointed. I talked to Kimber today, and they were receptive to sending it back. I'll probably do that.

Her favorite holster company Flashbang doesn't have a mold for it.

The gun came with one mag. $80 of ammo tested in 6 round bursts punctuated with a slow reload is not much fun. I've checked 5 B&M stores who don't have mags for it. 3 days ago Kimber didn't have mags for it either, but they finally got the flush mount mags in stock today. Still no progress on the +1 extended pinky mag.

While I was trying to figure out how to get a good grip during the first 100 rounds, the slide bit me 4 times. I can't remember the last time a gun bit me. There's something wrong when the guy on the grip end of the gun is bleeding.

We actually read the manual. Apparently the recoil spring is only good for 1500 rounds.

I really want to like this gun...

Acronym 12/1/2016 8:56 PM

[longhorn86]

A couple of thoughts..

With all do respect to your wife, is there a chance of "limp wristing" causing some of the FTF's? This is something I have seen with smaller frame pistols.

Secondly, and I'm sure that some of the 1911 platform guys will weigh in, don't 1911's need an extensive break in period to "settle in", so I have read

[casp625]

What on earth is an FTB??

Failure to Battery?? If this is the case, I'm guessing OP's FTF is Failed to Fire and not Failed to Feed..? Just a guess.

[Bitter Clinger]

What on earth is an FTB??

Failure to Battery?? If this is the case, I'm guessing OP's FTF is Failed to Fire and not Failed to Feed..? Just a guess.

" Fail to Bang"?

[mupepe]

The recoil springs are notoriously light on these guns. They come with an 8 lb spring when the competitors at the same size ship with a 12 lb spring. I had the same issues when I got mine and the 12 lb spring cleared it up completely.

Do a quick google search for "Kimber micro spring too light" and you'll see it's a fairly common problem with the model.

[RPBrown]

I have stated many times here my thoughts about Kimber. I have owned 2 in the past. Both were lemons, even after being sent back to the factory. Kimber finally reimbursed me for them both. In as much as I really like the looks of most of them, I will not own another Kimber.

With that said, I have several friends that have them and swear by them. I have shot theirs without a hiccup. My conclusion on Kimber is if you get a good one, its a real good one, but if you get a bad one, its a real bad one. JMHO

[Acronym Esq]

With all do respect to your wife, is there a chance of "limp wristing" causing some of the FTF's? This is something I have seen with smaller frame pistols.

I don't think she's limp wristing, but it's possible.

Some day soon, I am going to intentionally limp wrist a bunch of my guns. If limp wristing is a real thing, I should be able to experience it on demand.

Secondly, and I'm sure that some of the 1911 platform guys will weigh in, don't 1911's need an extensive break in period to "settle in", so I have read

I have heard that too, but I don't know what the definition is either. I posted here in the hopes that several 1911 guys would say, "Oh yea, that's normal for a 1911." I haven't seen those posts yet. AndyC said the exact opposite.

When I look at the failures in order, it sure does look like there is a break in. Most of it's trouble was early on. I would be more comfortable with the break in hypothesis if it cleared up in the last 75 rounds.

What on earth is an FTB??

Sorry. In my mind, Failure to Feed leaves round fully or partially exposed with the ejector port more than 1/2 open. Failure To go into Battery means it just didn't close up tight and lock. FTF feels like a pretty solid failure. FTB feels like it almost made it, and perhaps it was operator error (ride the slide, ride the slide lock, limp wrist, dirty gun, etc).

My conclusion on Kimber is if you get a good one, its a real good one, but if you get a bad one, its a real bad one. JMHO

I like that thought a lot. "Real Bad One" makes me think of failure every mag. I'm not there. I would have less internal debate with myself about complaining/returning if it was that clear.

I started looking for suspects. The feedramp has two imperfections. The obvious one, and the one showing up as a discoloration 2 mm down the feed ramp from the chamber. I can feel the discoloration with my fingernail. Attempting to attach a picture for any comments you guys have.

Feedramp close up

Acronym 12/2/2016 9:10 AM

[uthornsfan]

Ill disagree with AndyC.

If you havent put 500+ rounds through it then you should go shoot some more.

Also, you mag springs might be weak causing your feeding problems.


Also, are you running her wet or dry? Try both pr the opposite of what you are currently doing.

[Bitter Clinger]

I have a Kimber Solo and it was EXTREMELY FINICKY for the first 250 rounds or so. There is a warning regarding ammunition selection that Kimber provides with that pistol and which I followed to the letter:

USE ONLY RECOMMENDED AMMUNITION
Solo is designed to function optimally using premium hollow-point self-defense factory ammunition with bullet weights of 124 or 147 grains.
EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

• Federal® Hydra-Shok® JHP
• Remington® Golden Saber™ HPJ
• Hornady TAP® JHP
While other ammunition may perform well, lighter bullets and inconsistent pressures that can be found in lower-quality ammunition may lead to decreased slide cycle time and compromise function.

I still hate shooting it, but it is the most concealable pistol I own and it has finally become reliable. The slide must be racked with very clear intention.

[rotor]

I don't know about you guys but I want a gun that shoots well right out of the box. If it need 500 rounds to break it in let the factory shoot the 500 rounds. If it is a .380 it needs to shoot all .380 and not just select brands. How can you put your life in the hands of a gun that needs breaking in like that? How do you know it is broken in at 500 rounds? Maybe it fails at 561 rounds. I have a Glock 43 and a S&W bodyguard and have never had any failures from day 1 and there are magazines available everywhere. My local gun store is always trying to push Kimber. Probably a higher profit margin. They look nice but I have no personal experience with them. Glock says not to shoot lead but go with fmj. I can live with that. I can't live with a manufacturer that says only certain brands are acceptable or weights are acceptable.

[treadlightly]

Got to say, I really like my Kimber Ultra Carry, or whatever it's called. As a short action 1911 it doesn't like to feed certain bullet shapes. That single action trigger sure puts the rounds where they belong, though.

[Texbow]

I followed the break in period (500 rounds) suggested by Kimber for my Ultra Covert plus upgraded my magazines and it has run perfectly since. I also do not use cheap ammo. I think the tolerances on some of the quality 1911's dictate the 500 round break in period. I chalk it up to the simple nature of the 1911's design and a necessary process if you enjoy the gun.

My semi plastic guns (M&P's) work perfectly right out of the box and are not so finicky when it comes to ammo BUT once you have achieved and proven reliability with a quality 1911 IMHO there is not comparison. Shooting the small frame Ultra Covert is like driving a sports car and the M&P's are like driving granddads big Buick.

[RPBrown]

I have or have had just about every 1911 platform pistol made. Right now I have a total of 22 of them in my safes. They range from a $350.00 Armscor to a $3500.00 Les Baer. I have not had an issue with any of them except the 2 Kimbers. I have put at least 1000 rounds through each of them.
I will say though, that when I get a new gun of any type, I give it a thorough cleaning and oiling. I also inspect them thoroughly for flaws, nicks, & burrs. On some I have polished the feed ramp before shooting.
This same ritual was performed on both Kimbers before they went to the range. I really would like to find one of the "real good ones" because I like the looks of a few of them.

Now, looking at the picture you posted, looks like you could polish the feed ramp, removing the burr and that may take care of your issue.