[Freedom1]

Hi,

I just bought a Pro Crimson Carry II, 4" barrel. I love how it looks, and the laser on it is cool, and the feel and all. But I'm relatively new to guns and have a few specific questions about this handgun. I hope you can help.

1) I wish to buy additional magazines, and from what I have read, Wilson Combat seems the way to go. But regardless of the brand, I cannot figure out if this gun I just bought is a full size magazine, or compact, or something else? The 4" barrel causes me to believe it is not full size, but I'm not sure.

2) The Kimber magazine that came with it, actually I can put 8 rounds into it, but when I then insert the magazine into the handle with 8 rounds in it, it will not go in all the way. The Kimber website states in one place it has an 8 capacity, and when you click the detail of this gun, the next web page states it has a 7 capacity. So the Kimber website is misleading, and I don't know the truth.

Furthermore, a guy doing a review on Youtube of this very gun, says his stock magazine holds 8 rounds, but likes the Wilson Combat mags better. So apparently he can get 8 rounds into his exact gun. See at 2:57 here:

What would hinder the magazine I have from going all the way into the gun, if all 8 rounds fit into the magazine? How does the gun "know" that it has too many rounds in it? It does appear as though my gun will only work with 7 rounds in the magazine. Do you know for sure?

3) There is no allen wrench in the box for taking off the grips when the batteries need replacing. Is that a special size tool that should be in the box, or is it normal for people to just go buy or use their own allen wrench tool?

4) My thumb does not reach the slide catch, and think maybe I bought on impulse because I was enamored by most of what this gun has. I have to turn the gun at an angle in order for my thumb to reach that lever. Does anybody else have issues with where the slide catch lever is, and how do you deal with it being so awkwardly placed, too far forward from the handle?

5) Lastly, the laser appears to be aiming a little to the left of the fixed sights, and when I turned the top hole on the laser clockwise (should move the laser to the right, correct?) it did not seem to move. Then I turned the hole 4 clicks, and it would not turn to the right any more. I did not force anything, but I think that it was at its maximum clockwise rotation, so I clicked it back to where it was. I kinda figure letting a "pro" at a gun range help me out.

But, at a distance of about 50 feet, what would you expect the laser dot to move left or right by each click on the windage dial (i.e. 1", 2" to the left or right, respectively) while being viewed on the white wall 50 feet away?

Thanks to anybody who can supply me some answers.

 

[vetsvette]

1) It is a Commander size pistol. Full size frame with a 4" barrel and a shorter slide.
2) It comes with a 7 round mag. If you force an 8th round in it and try to insert it with a closed slide the spring cannot compress enough to allow the mag to lock. The mag in the picture is a Wilson Combat 47D which is an eight round mag. They are what I use in my Pro CDPII which is the same size pistol as yours.
3) You supply your own allen wrench.
4) If you are shooting with a two hand hold, try using the thumb of your off hand to release the slide. Or, you can just slingshot it.
5) Check the Crimson Trace website for detailed instructions on your laser grips.

 

[Freedom1]

Thanks

Vetsvette,

I searched Google and YouTube to see what slingshotting is, but did not see a very good video on it. The camera angles on various videos were never focused on the left side of the gun where the lever release is when reloading, and furthermore were not in slow motion to show what was going on anyway. Just some super experts loading and reloading very fast. Once they put the new magazine into the gun, they started firing so fast I could not tell how they got the slide to go back to "fire" position.

My question is, even when you slingshot, does not the catch lever cause the slide to halt in place and then still needs to be released by using the thumb on your right hand, or does this slingshot method somehow allow the slide to chamber a round and then go back to firing position without engaging the catch somehow?

Also, the Kimber Owner's manual reads that you should not slowly guide the slide back into place. But when I read that my thinking was that regardless of how you want to get in the habit of releasing the slide quickly, a lot of the times you'll just end up slowly putting it back in place. That seems like a bad habit that will need to be unlearned.

Thanks much for all your other answers, too, and to both of you.

 

[farruggio]

My question is, even when you slingshot, does not the catch lever cause the slide to halt in place and then still needs to be released by using the thumb on your right hand, or does this slingshot method somehow allow the slide to chamber a round and then go back to firing position without engaging the catch somehow?

The slide will only catch on an empty magazine. For the record, I never use the slide stop as a release. I always slingshot instead, and I think it's a good habit to develop, IMHO.

Cheers!

 

[Freedom1]

Ahhhh, thanks Farruggio.

That definitely addresses the issue. I did not know that. Thanks!

 

[Nellybelle]

I normally slingshot the first round of a full magazine initially. I then use the slide stop lever to release the slide and chamber the first round of subsequent magazines.

I have on occasion locked the slide open, insert a full magazine and then used the slide stop lever to move the slide forward and chamber a round.

Either way the weapon is designed to operate. Safety being paramount, I suggest you be very careful and practice both methods several times until you find the method that you are most safe and comfortable with. Don't be afraid, be cautious and safe.

 

[Insta-Gator]

<thread resurrection>

As a new Kimber user with the Crimson Trace grip, I find this thread informative. Also I'd like to note that my batteries were running low (bright fading to weak beam) so I call Crimson Trace about the Batteries For Life program. It was very quick and easy. In three days I had a set of batteries in my mail box. No fuss, no hassle.

I need to read up on how to adjust the laser. 50' seems too far way. I expect I would only use the laser in a defensive, low-light situation. I prefer using the normal sights.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Sighting In Your Laser Sights | Crimson Trace Lasergrips

 

[v35b]

CT usually sets there lasers to 25 feet remember the laser is to the right of the barrel there fore it will only be exactly on point at one place in space thought at 25 feet it is very small by 50 feet it could be a few inches off.
I would suggests you find a NRA firearm instructor that knows the 1911 platform to learn the gun and how to shoot it correctly .

 

[pbsdaddy]

WARNING! WARNING! The following is personal opinion only. Take it for what it's worth.
1. If you find you have to move your grip on the gun to operate any of it's functions, you need to make other arrangements. An extended slide release seems to be the likely choice here.

Kimber America | Pro Crimson Carry II

2. Kimber says the mag capacity is seven. My guess is there is some confusion somewhere caused by another Kimber comment saying something like, "carrying capacity of 8". That would be the total rounds in the weapon. 7 in the mag and 1 in the chamber.

3. Wilson mags are very good and will work well with this weapon. The Kimber Kim tac Pro mags are also very good and work very well with this weapon.