1911 Replacement Parts?

[SonomaHunter]

I bought a used Kimber CDPII Compact about a month ago. The condition of this gun is like new. I couldn't pass up the deal I got on it. I've only shot about 150 rds threw this Kimber and it was without problems until today.

Today I was enjoying myself, doing some shooting at the indoor range. I had put about 30 rds threw the Kimber and everything functioned perfect. Somewhere around the third magazine, while shooting, the magazine dropped from the gun. My first thought was that it didn't lock in place properly. So I picked it up and tried to reinsert it. Again the magazine dropped from the gun. At this point I knew it was bigger problem. I turn the gun over to the right hand side and half of the Magazine Catch (part #19) was gone. On the left side it looked like the usual button. On the right side just a hole and spring sticking out. I looked on the ground and found the missing, broken back part of the Magazine Catch. I took the gun to the range master and he had never seen a Magazine Catch break like mine did. The range master assured me that it was an easy cheap fix. I went home, checked Kimber's website and they're out of the stainless Magazine Catches. Now I'm also a little worried that the MIM parts in my Kimber are cheap. First off I want to fix the Magazine Catch and then I'll think about replacing the all the other parts.

What are the best aftermarket parts for my Kimber CDPII?
Where can I find them?
(particularly the Magazine Catch)
And sould I replace the whole Magazine Catch System?
(the Spring and Catch Lock still look good)

[SonomaHunter]

The best answer I've found through other sources is MidwayUSA. They have a large variety of 1911 parts. Thanks anyway!!!

[gschoelles]

I like Brownells too

Brownells Search : Handgun Parts - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

[tailslide]

Brownell's is huge and has been around a long time, but very expensive. Midway is also huge and more reasonable about prices.

[SonomaHunter]

Thanks guys, I was getting a little impatient. Today I called Kimber and made a complaint. They quickly offered to send me a new Magazine Catch. They offered to install it for me too. I kindly requested they just send me the replacement part and I will install it.

It seems like a fluke failure, considering it's not even a stressed part. I'm still a little worried about the other MIM parts on my Kimber.

[Karatediver]

1911s are great for aftermarket parts. There are a ton of them on the market and they are relatively easy to change out on your own. My brother recently converted a 1911 from 38 Super to 9mm. He did it all on his own just ordering a few parts off the internet. He has no gunsmithing experience, mechanical training, or anything like that and had no problems making the changes. John Moses Browning created a real nice firearm that just about anyone can change out the parts on.

[sealbeach]

Originally Posted by SonomaHunter

Thanks guys, I was getting a little impatient. Today I called Kimber and made a complaint. They quickly offered to send me a new Magazine Catch. They offered to install it for me too. I kindly requested they just send me the replacement part and I will install it.

It seems like a fluke failure, considering it's not even a stressed part. I'm still a little worried about the other MIM parts on my Kimber.

I would be willing to bet that part was never installed correctly from day one. It had never been actually correctly engaged, so it finally just fell out. Those don't just fall out if it was installed in the first place.

[SonomaHunter]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

I would be willing to bet that part was never installed correctly from day one. It had never been actually correctly engaged, so it finally just fell out. Those don't just fall out if it was installed in the first place.

You may be correct. Though, the Magazine Catch didn't just fall out, the main part the catch/button itself, completely broke into two pieces. Picture a Magazine Catch installed on a right handed 1911. Imagine the gun is pointing down range in front of you. Now lets say the release button side of the gun is west and the right hand side of the gun is east. The magazine catch split from north to south, just east of the center. Half of the catch, the button side stayed in place on the gun, with the catch spring and lock in tacked. The spring and lock were under tension, retained by the frame, visible inside the empty hole. The other half was missing and found on the ground. Maybe that will help you paint a clear picture.

I will add a picture when I have time.

[SonomaHunter]

[Sky_DiveR]

Personally, I think you just got a defective part. My Raptor II is going on 800 rounds and the only thing I've ever done to it was change out the plastic mainspring housing and polish the chamber/feed ramp to feed my lead reloads better but nothing has broken yet (not even the external extractor everybody is claiming is junk). I think the MIM parts thing is just blown out of proportion. *shrug*

But, if it makes ya feel better, I guess you could change out all the MIM parts to Ed Brown or Wilson Combat. I don't think those parts are MIM.

[SonomaHunter]

My new Mag Catch arrived today. It only took about a week to get here. I popped it in place and everything seems to be working fine. I will hopefully do some shooting later this week for futher testing.

Thanks again for all the input.