First thoughts on the Ultra CDP II at the range

[ordu]

Today I was at the range, mooching off the whole FOG phenomenon to break in my CDP.

My first impressions, besides aesthetics, were that when the thing would actually fire, it was like a dream.

First, Kimber really needs to be taken to task for providing such awful magazines for such a high priced item. Chinese prison labor could produce a better quality product than the magazine that came with the weapon. And seriously, 1 magazine? Is there a steel shortage? FTF's every time I fired the thing. FemaleInstructor(Thank you J!) loaned me a Wilson mag and things improved dramatically. I fired 300 rounds through the thing, approx. 280 through the Wilson and had maybe 25 FTFs.

It goes against everything I know about firearms but I'm taking it on the word of people who have forgotten more about shooting than I'll ever know that these things need to break in. It's just so the opposite of everything I've ever experienced.

But boy, when it fires it is a thing of beauty.

Thanks to CCWI and gang - I would have never even known about the CDP otherwise.

* It was also meeting the some of ya'll at the range. Hope to see you soon.

[Mad Geek]

Sounds sweet!

One needs to approach anything Kimber with caution. They will make you spend money as if you had it to begin with.

And as far as listening to advice, you're in with a VERY good crowd.

[El Gato]

for my Ultra carry II... shot it again tonight... along with my steel commander, the XD and the P 45 Kahr... I gotta say, for the small guns the Kimber rules... beats the Kahr hands down and they are the same size... the Kahr is slightly more accurate and consistent grouper but the Kimber is awesome at light speed multiple shot Ninja type firing sequences...
Still like the steel framed commander and the XD better... but again they weigh more...
The kimber mag has been flawless for 300-400 rounds... as are the Novak mags...
Mostly winchester and reloaded ball...
Waiting on the purchase of the dillon 650 to really crank up the round count... and maybe a night sight for the front sight... then I'll have to start carrying the dang kimber....It has sucked me into the Kimber Zone!

[Trinity]

Originally Posted by ordu

Today I was at the range, mooching off the whole FOG phenomenon to break in my CDP.

My first impressions, besides aesthetics, were that when the thing would actually fire, it was like a dream.

First, Kimber really needs to be taken to task for providing such awful magazines for such a high priced item. Chinese prison labor could produce a better quality product than the magazine that came with the weapon. And seriously, 1 magazine? Is there a steel shortage? FTF's every time I fired the thing. FemaleInstructor(Thank you J!) loaned me a Wilson mag and things improved dramatically. I fired 300 rounds through the thing, approx. 280 through the Wilson and had maybe 25 FTFs.

It goes against everything I know about firearms but I'm taking it on the word of people who have forgotten more about shooting than I'll ever know that these things need to break in. It's just so the opposite of everything I've ever experienced.

But boy, when it fires it is a thing of beauty.

Thanks to CCWI and gang - I would have never even known about the CDP otherwise.

* It was also meeting the some of ya'll at the range. Hope to see you soon.

Yeppers - the Wilson mags are the only way to go - My Kimber mag is sitting in a drawer loaded with hollow points - if I ever have to actually use it - I'll be in big trouble anyway!

I've had FTF issues with my Kimber Ultra Carry II as well, but not as much since I've broken it in. I do admit though, there is the thought in the back of my mind that I do hope it fires when I actually DO need it.

Congrats on the new piece...enjoy!

[Dan M.]

It goes against everything I know about firearms but I'm taking it on the word of people who have forgotten more about shooting than I'll ever know that these things need to break in. It's just so the opposite of everything I've ever experienced.

But boy, when it fires it is a thing of beauty.

Have faith, ordu. Mine was very similar, but it has evened out very nicely. I May, I used it in one of CCWI's courses out at Burro. Shot 400 rounds of WWB without cleaning of any kind and it wasn't until into the mid 300s that I started getting a few jams because of the gunk. At this point I think I've got something like 1300 rounds through it. I am very happy with this gun.

[RAD-G27]

Originally Posted by ordu

Today I was at the range, mooching off the whole FOG phenomenon to break in my CDP.

My first impressions, besides aesthetics, were that when the thing would actually fire, it was like a dream.

First, Kimber really needs to be taken to task for providing such awful magazines for such a high priced item. Chinese prison labor could produce a better quality product than the magazine that came with the weapon. And seriously, 1 magazine? Is there a steel shortage? FTF's every time I fired the thing. FemaleInstructor(Thank you J!) loaned me a Wilson mag and things improved dramatically. I fired 300 rounds through the thing, approx. 280 through the Wilson and had maybe 25 FTFs.

It goes against everything I know about firearms but I'm taking it on the word of people who have forgotten more about shooting than I'll ever know that these things need to break in. It's just so the opposite of everything I've ever experienced.

But boy, when it fires it is a thing of beauty.

Thanks to CCWI and gang - I would have never even known about the CDP otherwise.

* It was also meeting the some of ya'll at the range. Hope to see you soon.

I really do not understand all of the FTF/FTE's that everyone seems to be having with the Kimbers, to me, that would be unacceptable even from a cheap POS. I have the Ultra CDP II and a Pro Carry II and have not had even one issue with either one. The Pro Carry I purchased used, so it was already broken in, but the CDP II was new. I've put over 700 flawless rounds through the CDP II with the original factory mag. The first 300 rounds, I only loaded the mag with 5 rounds, the next 400 were fully loaded. I used a combination of WWB and Remington 230 ball ammo. I did pick up two Wilson mags but have not used them yet. I also put through a few mags with JHP ammo with no issues as well.

[rickr96]

Originally Posted by Trinity

I do admit though, there is the thought in the back of my mind that I do hope it fires when I actually DO need it.

I said the same thing to Greg and others last night at his class... I really like the Ultra, butt It's a confidence thing.

I've not had a failure in the last 1000 rounds, but I had so many in the first 1000 that everytime I shoot it I think, "Will it happen again?"

It's great gun. Most accurate gun I've ever shot. But the break-in period plays heck with the confidence factor.

I will trust in those of you who've carried and shot longer then me... What you guys tell me and my own recent experice is that the issues may only be associated with the break in... But as an extra insurance policy, I will continue to practice FFT and FFE drills on a regular basis... That way, maybe I'll be ready if it ever happens if/when I really need it.

[Glock32]

Target type accuracy requires tight tolerances on a 1991 type pistol. The CDP II is a very tight gun. i don't own one myself, but I have other accurized 1911s. They all show more or less the same symptoms.
I have a BarSto build Combat Commander with a ramped, hand fitted barrel that was so tight that it had about 50 failures to go into battery in a row when I first shot it. I thought they screwed up my gun and I was not happy.
I lubed the heck out of it at the range and kept shooting. It took more than 200 rounds before it started cycling. I have about 3 to 4,000 rounds through it and the gun is a dream. I have not had a failure in forever and it is one of my favorite pistols.
If you want something that works straight form the box, there is plenty of stuff out there. It takes a lot to make a 1911 accurate. They were not born that way. keep shooting it, keep cleaning it and use good quality mags. Kimber puts out a nice gun. Mine work like a champ.

[Akzl]

I'm at 900 rounds and only had one FTF last night. Greg's advice on the break in has been on the money. Did anyone find a Wilson Combat seven round mag still in the package last night at the end of the night on the range? Got home and cleaned my CDP and was missing one. Thanks

[RAD-G27]

Originally Posted by Glock32

Target type accuracy requires tight tolerances on a 1991 type pistol. The CDP II is a very tight gun. i don't own one myself, but I have other accurized 1911s. They all show more or less the same symptoms.
I have a BarSto build Combat Commander with a ramped, hand fitted barrel that was so tight that it had about 50 failures to go into battery in a row when I first shot it. I thought they screwed up my gun and I was not happy.
I lubed the heck out of it at the range and kept shooting. It took more than 200 rounds before it started cycling. I have about 3 to 4,000 rounds through it and the gun is a dream. I have not had a failure in forever and it is one of my favorite pistols.
If you want something that works straight form the box, there is plenty of stuff out there. It takes a lot to make a 1911 accurate. They were not born that way. keep shooting it, keep cleaning it and use good quality mags. Kimber puts out a nice gun. Mine work like a champ.

OK, that explains why my Ultra CDP II has been perfect out of the box for the first 700+ rounds, it's a factory defect POS. Not tight enough. I'll have to send it back to Kimber to be tightened up so that I too can experience the FTF's

[OCRancher]

I have about 800 rounds throughmy Ultra CDP II and I have had no FTF's with it. I used Wilson mags from day one and shot the heck out of it for 500 rounds without cleaning it.

Now, my Warrior, whole different story. It finally has become reliable, but the first 500 rounds were a nightmare. Changing mags, and watching for my thumb possibly bumping the slidelock lever were key. And a few hundred rounds to loosen it up.

[RAD-G27]

Originally Posted by OCRancher

I have about 800 rounds throughmy Ultra CDP II and I have had no FTF's with it. I used Wilson mags from day one and shot the heck out of it for 500 rounds without cleaning it.

Now, my Warrior, whole different story. It finally has become reliable, but the first 500 rounds were a nightmare. Changing mags, and watching for my thumb possibly bumping the slidelock lever were key. And a few hundred rounds to loosen it up.

See above, it's not tight enough and should go back to the factory.

[RAD-G27]

Originally Posted by OCRancher

I have about 800 rounds throughmy Ultra CDP II and I have had no FTF's with it. I used Wilson mags from day one and shot the heck out of it for 500 rounds without cleaning it.

Now, my Warrior, whole different story. It finally has become reliable, but the first 500 rounds were a nightmare. Changing mags, and watching for my thumb possibly bumping the slidelock lever were key. And a few hundred rounds to loosen it up.

See above, it's not tight enough and should go back to the factory.

[OCRancher]

Originally Posted by RAD-G27

See above, it's not tight enough and should go back to the factory.

LOL, yeah, must be defective.

[Beechcraftpilot]

Don't take that sucker apart before you send some rounds through it. Unless you have a defective one thats loose. I made that mistake, and it was a miracle I got my kimber back together. Jeez