A Question for All Kimber CDP Owners

[KimberDude]

The Kimber manual recommends to change the recoil spring every 800 rounds. I have currently put 1200 rounds through my Kimber Compact CDP II and have not yet changed the recoil spring. Realisticly, how many CDP owners here have religiously changed their recoil spring every 800 rounds? Will it harm the firearm, since I did not change it 400 rounds ago? If not, how often do you CDP owners change your recoil spring? Thanks for your guys' help in advance!

[Dan M.]

1700 rounds through my Ultra CDP, have not changed any springs.

[libertarian]

I'd think that recommendation would be different for the different barrel length guns, since they each use a different spring configuration, but I'm sure we'll hear from the kimber expert soon enough...

[rickr96]

Close to 2500 rounds through mine.... What's a recoil spring?

[Mtn. Medic]

For my Ultra, the spring comes as an assembly and runs close to fifty skins.

I'll think about changing when it starts acting up.

[maldos]

Ultra CDP II about 1500 rds....what recoil spring... I don't even clean it! It's a Kimber, it just keeps running....

Seriously, I'll change it when I start seeing feeding or cycling problems. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. I have a Browning Hi Power with a 25 year old recoil spring (which I recently replaced just because the glide rod needed replacing) never had malfunctions or cycling issues.

[Poogsdad]

I have over 3000 rounds through my Ultra Carry and about 2500 through my Custom CDP.

I have experienced no problems or issues. I have been considering the purchase of another recoil spring/guide assemby as a spare, however.

I am far from being an expert on Kimbers, however. This a good question. I am sure one of our Kimber SMEs will be able to give a definative answern however.

Thanks,

[CCWInstructor]

When the slide does not have enough energy to go fully forward, replace the spring.

It's like cars, the manual say oil change at 3,000 miles, most people do it at 5 to 7 K.

[sholling]

All of the Internet stories that I've read Compact CDP owners say that the Compact CDP is far more sensitive to a worn recoil spring than any other size Kimber. I'd stay on top of that one and change it at least every 1000.

[sealbeach]

If you change it at 1,000 rounds you will probably be just wasting a lot of money for nothing. You should get a lot more mileage out of that spring, I suggest buying one from Kimber, keep it handy--when (if) you have several thousand rounds through, you can change it out, see if you feel any difference, if not, just keep your other spring as a spare. I strongly suspect you will not need to change if for MANY MANY thousands of rounds.

[KimberDude]

Okay, guys. Thanks for the advice and replies. So I guess I will replace the spring when the slide has difficulty going forward, right? I should purchase a replacement spring and have it on hand. What do you all think?

[Mtn. Medic]

It sounds like the compacts eat springs faster than the other Kimbers.

Speaking for myself, I rarely fix things before they are broke. But on the other hand, it's not that hard to part with $7.95.

I'd probably order two springs, save a couple of dollars on the shipping and keep them on hand.

[WKC]

Do you want to wait till you have a stoppage on your carry gun before you do preventive maintenance?

[Mtn. Medic]

Are you asking me?

[WKC]

I am throwing that question out to all.

I can see using the if it ain't broke, then don't fix it philosophy on a range gun. But a carry gun?