[Magic Prepper]

Hey KT crew,
I just wanted to know if any current or past Kimber 1911's in .45ACP with 5" barrels had a ramped barrel rather than a frame ramp?
Thanks!
MP

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Hey KT crew,
I just wanted to know if any current or past Kimber 1911's in .45ACP with 5" barrels had a ramped barrel rather than a frame ramp?
Thanks!
MP

MP, to the best of my knowledge, all 5" (Custom) Kimbers in .45 ACP have frame-ramped barrels, at least all mine do, and all that I've seen since they started producing them in the 90's. If any do indeed exist, they join the list of other Kimber "unicorns". But ramped barrels are pretty much the norm in 9mm as you most likely know.

 

[Magic Prepper]

MP, to the best of my knowledge, all 5" (Custom) Kimbers in .45 ACP have frame-ramped barrels, at least all mine do, and all that I've seen since they started producing them in the 90's. If any do indeed exist, they join the list of other Kimber "unicorns". But ramped barrels are pretty much the norm in 9mm as you most likely know.

Do most of the 10mm models have ramped barrels? And, do you think the .45's would be well served to have ramped barrels? I just wonder if that would help the issues I had with hollow point ammunition.

 

[MCMLXIII]

Do most of the 10mm models have ramped barrels?

Yes - Kimber 10MM 1911's have ramped barrels... As for your hollow point feeding issue, there are many variables for that. A properly tuned 1911 should feed an empty case. Before chasing a solution, the pistol needs to be broken in with a minimum 500 rounds of FMJ ammo. Then start polishing feed ramps, changing magazines, adjusting extractor tension,, etc. The possibilites and combinations are numerous, but the issue can be solved over time...

 

[46QJI]

Ramped barrels are typically more finicky than non ramped when it comes to feeding the .45acp, especially in the 3-4” 1911. Kimbers are generally pretty reliable, unless you get one that slipped pass QC that shouldn’t have.

 

[Steve in Allentown]

And, do you think the .45's would be well served to have ramped barrels?

Absolutely not.

Ramped barrels are typically more finicky than non ramped when it comes to feeding the .45acp . . .

I agree with @46QJI. If you have a standard barrel .45 that won't feed, look at the geometry of the frame ramp, the extractor, and the magazine for the solution.

• The feed ramp angle is spec'd at 31½° with no +/- variance.
• The depth of the feed ramp as measured from the top of the frame rails should be no less than .375".
• The extractor's hook-to-breechface distance should be no less than .075".
• The extractor's deflection should be .010" +/- .002.
• The magazine must be of known quality.

Get these five things right and most of the potential feed way malfunctions will go away. Of course, there are more variables in play than just these four but these basics must be met before trying to diagnose feeding problems.

 

[Magic Prepper]

Absolutely not.

I agree with @46QJI. If you have a standard barrel .45 that won't feed, look at the geometry of the frame ramp, the extractor, and the magazine for the solution.

• The feed ramp angle is spec'd at 31½° with no +/- variance.
• The depth of the feed ramp as measured from the top of the frame rails should be no less than .375".
• The extractor's hook-to-breechface distance should be no less than .075".
• The extractor's deflection should be .010" +/- .002.
• The magazine must be of known quality.

Get these five things right and most of the potential feed way malfunctions will go away. Of course, there are more variables in play than just these four but these basics must be met before trying to diagnose feeding problems.

Thanks for all of the great information. Definitely very eye opening!

 

[Magic Prepper]

Yes - Kimber 10MM 1911's have ramped barrels... As for your hollow point feeding issue, there are many variables for that. A properly tuned 1911 should feed an empty case. Before chasing a solution, the pistol needs to be broken in with a minimum 500 rounds of FMJ ammo. Then start polishing feed ramps, changing magazines, adjusting extractor tension,, etc. The possibilites and combinations are numerous, but the issue can be solved over time...

I ended up letting go of my Rapide in .45 after a trip to the factory and all of the above changes were made. I just didn't want to have to work that hard on a $1600 gun while shooting close to $700 worth of ammo just to find out it still didn't like to work all of the time. Even with some FMJ's. I would have some good strings of 100-200 rounds and then back to "oops". So that's why I was curious since I know some other 1911 manufacturers use ramped barrels. However, this all gave me great information and insight into what I will be looking for in the future.