[Insta-Gator]

I see the Ultra's tend to have ramped, bushingless bull barrels. The Pro's are bushingless, but don't show as being ramped on the web site. The Custom's are neither ramped nor bushingless.

What is the difference between ramped and non-ramped? Does that mean that when the bullet is being fed into the chamber, on the ramped barrel the bullet does not make contact with the frame in any way? I've noticed on my Custom that the bullet strikes the angled part of the frame before it makes contact with the angles lower lip of the barrel.

Is one type preferable to the other? I would think, over the years, a ramped barrel would preserve the frame and if it gets worn, could be easily replaced.

Enlighten me.

 

[pbsdaddy]

Yes, ramped barrels have the ramp added to/built into the lower side of the barrel. Non-ramped use the frame as a feeding ramp and the barrel mouth may or may not have an incline.
I don't know if one concept is better than the other. Many modern guns use one or the other. Browning's, for instance, have always had ramped barrels. The Ruger LCP has a ramped barrel and a slight bevel on the upper frame, leading into the feed ramp. The Ruger LC9, on the other hand, has the ramped barrel but does not have the same beveled frame piece.
Those guns that have a more vertical grip angle lean more toward a reduced barrel ramp and are heavy on the beveled frame. One might think that is the answer. However, as you said, some 1911's have ramped barrels and others do not.
Personally, like you, I see an advantage to the barrel ramp but for different reasons. I see it as an element that is more user friendly, (adjustable), than frame ramps.

 

[Insta-Gator]

I agree. I've heard of people having their barrel/ramp polished or such to facilitate smooth feeds and battery during operation. I'd hate to alter the frame of a gun, if it can be avoided.

Sweetie may receive an official request from me to order an Eclipse Ultra when the tax return arrives. I'm pretty sure she won't be totally surprised.

 

[Insta-Gator]

The answer was "yes"

 

[Mike240]

All of Kimbers 9mm guns regardless of size use ramped barrels. The ramp is narrower and controls the narrower bullet and cartridge better. I believe all alloy guns should be ramped barrels regardless of caliber to reduce impact on the frame ramp.

On 5" 45 steel guns the frame ramp/barrel ramp combination is very reliable provided the frAme ramp angle and depth is correct and the gap between the frame ramp and start of barrel ramp is close to spec. The advantage to the ramped bArrel 5" 45 gun is that there is more lower support to keep things locked up tighter thereby more accuracy. But there is more machine and fitting required.

The polishing of the rAmps may or mAy not be needed but once done and working it is not something to do over again and again. One will eventually change the geometry of the ramps and make feeding worse. Custom guns have a mirror sheen because customers expect that attention. Smooth is needed. Mirror sheen is not.

 

[PorscheVille]

My Pro model does not have a ramped barrel. The ramp is part of the frame and end of the barrel has a bevel. I also have an aluminum frame, but am not the least bit concerned about wear. I believe that if aluminum was problematic it would not be used by Kimber. My ramp is pretty shiny so I don't feel I need to polish it further.

 

[Insta-Gator]

My Pro model does not have a ramped barrel. The ramp is part of the frame and end of the barrel has a bevel. I also have an aluminum frame, but am not the least bit concerned about wear. I believe that if aluminum was problematic it would not be used by Kimber. My ramp is pretty shiny so I don't feel I need to polish it further.

Yeah, my CCCII is the same. But it doesn't stay shinny long after I start shooting. After range time it's pretty easy to see where the bullet strikes the frame/barrel as it's being fed. Mostly I was curious about why Kimber uses a ramped barrel in the Ultra and not on the other models.

The cheap skate in me thinks I have enough guns. The gun-aholic in me disagrees.

 

[Islander]

No such thing as enough guns!

 

[Dude22]

No such thing as enough guns!

Amen my brother from another mother.

 

[PorscheVille]

Yeah, my CCCII is the same. But it doesn't stay shinny long after I start shooting. After range time it's pretty easy to see where the bullet strikes the frame/barrel as it's being fed. Mostly I was curious about why Kimber uses a ramped barrel in the Ultra and not on the other models.

The cheap skate in me thinks I have enough guns. The gun-aholic in me disagrees.

Well, I always wonder how a compact grip and a full size grip can both hold 7 rounds. So, I figure if the grip is shorter, the magazine has to go further into the frame, necessitating that the ramp and end of the barrel share the same space. Obviously, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.....

 

[Insta-Gator]

Well, I always wonder how a compact grip and a full size grip can both hold 7 rounds. So, I figure if the grip is shorter, the magazine has to go further into the frame, necessitating that the ramp and end of the barrel share the same space. Obviously, I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.....

I'm a sucker for good quality bullshit. I'll buy your explanation. It's as good as any.

 

[Mike240]

The standard govt model frame is list at 7 round capacity as that is the original design. Obviously many use 8 round mags and that is accomplished through devel style collapsing followers, concave followers or slightly longer tube bodies.

Without these same features the compact would a round down as well.

 

[Ultraman]

My Pro model does not have a ramped barrel. The ramp is part of the frame and end of the barrel has a bevel. I also have an aluminum frame, but am not the least bit concerned about wear. I believe that if aluminum was problematic it would not be used by Kimber. My ramp is pretty shiny so I don't feel I need to polish it further.

FYI, Ed Brown puts a steel insert in their aluminum guns to prevent potential damage to the feedramp. Not certain if it's necessary for "normal" use, but they do it.

 

[Mike240]

FYI, Ed Brown puts a steel insert in their aluminum guns to prevent potential damage to the feedramp. Not certain if it's necessary for "normal" use, but they do it.

I didn't know that. EGW sells a steel ramp insert to repair damaged frames.

 

[PorscheVille]

FYI, Ed Brown puts a steel insert in their aluminum guns to prevent potential damage to the feedramp. Not certain if it's necessary for "normal" use, but they do it.

Sounds like Ed Brown lacks confidence in his aluminum frame! Ha. Just sayin.....

 

[Ultraman]

I didn't know that. EGW sells a steel ramp insert to repair damaged frames.

Yep, make sense to me...and at the Ed Brown price point preventing soft aluminum damage in that area seems proactive for all the benefits of light weight carry and the ability to put more rounds through it. Nothing wrong with aluminium frames and I see this as a big plus.