So far you are right about that!
Redemption Arc? Raptor II 10mm Flies Today
Kimber Talk Crew,
Today is the day! As I am still searching for a Kimber to settle on for my choice 1911, I sold off my Rapide Scorpius in .45 ACP. After a trip back to the factory and still encountering some issues, the pistol was serviceable but no longer held my confidence. Perhaps my expectations were too high but, at a $1,600 price tag, I guess I had hoped for more.
But, that does not mean I was going to give up.
I picked up this beautiful Raptor II in 10mm recently and I will be taking it out to shoot here today for it's first run. I wanted a 10mm handgun for obvious reasons and felt that it was a good opportunity to kill to birds with one stone. I'll let you know how it goes!
-MP
![Wood Trigger Rectangle Gun barrel Air gun]()
Today is the day! As I am still searching for a Kimber to settle on for my choice 1911, I sold off my Rapide Scorpius in .45 ACP. After a trip back to the factory and still encountering some issues, the pistol was serviceable but no longer held my confidence. Perhaps my expectations were too high but, at a $1,600 price tag, I guess I had hoped for more.
But, that does not mean I was going to give up.
I picked up this beautiful Raptor II in 10mm recently and I will be taking it out to shoot here today for it's first run. I wanted a 10mm handgun for obvious reasons and felt that it was a good opportunity to kill to birds with one stone. I'll let you know how it goes!
-MP
21 - 40 of 56 Posts
So I have shot some Armscor now as well through it and I am beginning to understand the importance of "real" 10mm loads. The S&B stuff is coming out at 1164 fps and the Armscor stuff is 1008 fps ?!? So they really are just sending taller cases through the .40 S&W production line? Either way, even at those anemic velocities I only encountered one FTE out of a box of 50.I shoot budget ammo for ringing steel and punching paper. Except 10mm. SIG is the only cheap 10mm I shoot due to consistency.
For hogs I prefer hotter stuff.
The only Armscor I buy alot of is .22tcm. it has been great so far. Their .45 is meh.
I shoot a ton of Maxx Tech 9mm 115 and 124g. It's fantastic, slightly hotter, and very reliable.
For sighting in, breaking in or testing I only shoot premium ammo so I can do my best to eliminate ammo from the equation of there is an issue.
You need to know if it's the gun or the ammo.
I picked up some Blazer Brass 10mm that advertises 1200 fps. A step in the right direction I assume. Hoping to get through the break in period without divorcing my bank account. Is there a velocity / energy threshold you are generally searching for with 10mm?
Blazer isn't bad.So I have shot some Armscor now as well through it and I am beginning to understand the importance of "real" 10mm loads. The S&B stuff is coming out at 1164 fps and the Armscor stuff is 1008 fps ?!? So they really are just sending taller cases through the .40 S&W production line? Either way, even at those anemic velocities I only encountered one FTE out of a box of 50.
I picked up some Blazer Brass 10mm that advertises 1200 fps. A step in the right direction I assume. Hoping to get through the break in period without divorcing my bank account. Is there a velocity / energy threshold you are generally searching for with 10mm?
SIG v crown, Underwood FMJ, Hornady, and Buffalo Bore all offer full power 10mm ammo.
It's not cheap, but "cheap ammo" shouldn't go hand in hand with "high end 10mm 1911".
Your Ferrari won't run properly on 87 octane Circle K gas.
Thanks for the info. The initial experience I am having with this Raptor II so far has been positive. I think I may have found the right one here. I'll update once I get a chance to run the Blazer.Blazer isn't bad.
SIG v crown, Underwood FMJ, Hornady, and Buffalo Bore all offer full power 10mm ammo.
It's not cheap, but "cheap ammo" shouldn't go hand in hand with "high end 10mm 1911".
Your Ferrari won't run properly on 87 octane Circle K gas.
So I am hoping to get some advice here. I have done some diagnosis but I'd like to hear what the community's thoughts on on this. The only issue I am currently experiencing with the Raptor II now is that the slide tends to lock back on occasion. At first I thought it was my grip interacting with the slide stop. But, I am getting them with a tucked grip and while shooting one handed. My assumption is that the slide stop may have a bur or rough spot interacting with the rounds in the magazine. However, I wanted to see what you all would do to trouble shoot this beforehand in case I am missing something. Also, I might be in love with 10mm.
Just some of my two sense.... S&B in my opinion is one of the worst type, of 10mm ammo you can run. Nothing but issues in multiple 1911s both cheap and high end guns. try running Chip McCormack 9rnd mags
Oh I have since moved on from S&B. I am having the same issue with all types of ammo. Armscor, Blazer, and Sig V CrownsJust some of my two sense.... S&B in my opinion is one of the worst type, of 10mm ammo you can run. Nothing but issues in multiple 1911s both cheap and high end guns. try running Chip McCormack 9rnd mags
PPU is also bad 10mm ammo. I found Magtech and Sig Sauer to work the best for FMJTo be fair, I have not had any issues with the S&B 9mm stuff. But, it's just 9mm so that might be the reason. Any thoughts on Armscor? or PPU? Just seeing if there are any decent "budget" options.
I hate to say it but you might need to send it back.Oh I have since moved on from S&B. I am having the same issue with all types of ammo. Armscor, Blazer, and Sig V Crowns
Could be the slide stop.So I am hoping to get some advice here. I have done some diagnosis but I'd like to hear what the community's thoughts on on this. The only issue I am currently experiencing with the Raptor II now is that the slide tends to lock back on occasion. At first I thought it was my grip interacting with the slide stop. But, I am getting them with a tucked grip and while shooting one handed. My assumption is that the slide stop may have a bur or rough spot interacting with the rounds in the magazine. However, I wanted to see what you all would do to trouble shoot this beforehand in case I am missing something. Also, I might be in love with 10mm.
Could be a magazine issue.
With an old gun, I would tinker with it.
With your new Kimber, I would call Kimber, ask for an RMA, and send it back.
Kimber has incredible customer service.
Send the mag with the gun.
They will have it back in your hands in 10 days.
Pro tip:
Tell Kimber you have shot 2-300 rounds so they won't just tell you to "break it in".
I'll give them a call. I'd prefer not to have to send two guns in a row back to the factory but I guess we'll see. It looks like a pretty common issue. Especially with 10mm.Could be the slide stop.
Could be a magazine issue.
With an old gun, I would tinker with it.
With your new Kimber, I would call Kimber, ask for an RMA, and send it back.
Kimber has incredible customer service.
Send the mag with the gun.
They will have it back in your hands in 10 days.
Pro tip:
Tell Kimber you have shot 2-300 rounds so they won't just tell you to "break it in".
You paid for that sweet warranty...lol.I'll give them a call. I'd prefer not to have to send two guns in a row back to the factory but I guess we'll see. It looks like a pretty common issue. Especially with 10mm.
Don't be afraid to get your moneys worth.
Send it.
😁
Pretty much every company has had issues with 10mm 1911s.
I wonder why that is, honestly.You paid for that sweet warranty...lol.
Don't be afraid to get your moneys worth.
Send it.
😁
Pretty much every company has had issues with 10mm 1911s.
It's a century old platform designed to fire 230g .45 acp FMJ.I wonder why that is, honestly.
Flat nose ammo can't help the situation either.
Got it. Just thought that ammunition design or some other factor contributed.It's a century old platform designed to fire 230g .45 acp FMJ.
It is a part of it.Got it. Just thought that ammunition design or some other factor contributed.
The design had to be modified to accommodate different/modern ammo.
Appreciate the information. I’m not familiar with many calibers outside of military use. Trying to expand my knowledge base!It is a part of it.
The design had to be modified to accommodate different/modern ammo.
My Rapide fires flat nose, found nose, hollows... Try tuning the extractor
Update:
The Raptor II 10mm is running.... flawlessly. The Blazer range ammo is good to go. Running 180 grain bullets at 1200 fps so some legitimate 10mm performance. And that has fixed any FTE or FTF issues I had in the very beginning with the cheaper, lower velocity ammunition. Thanks for the tips on that bad ninja.
Also,
The slide stop was indeed the problem with the premature lock back issue. I contacted Kimber to do my due diligence and told them what I thought the issue was and sent pictures. It sounds like they are just sending me a new slide stop rather than requesting the pistol back but I have not received confirmation yet.
So of course, out my impatience, I polished the rough face of the slide stop that was interacting with the bullets. I figured, I'm probably getting a new one from Kimber anyway and if not they are only $40 or so. I tested the theory out with the recoil spring plug removed and the slide in the "lock" position. Full magazines were indeed pushing the slide stop upward.
After polishing, the bullets no longer interacted with the slide stop upon magazine insertion. And, the empty magazine still locked the slide stop upward. I ran 3 different magazines through successfully after the modification and there was zero premature slide lock. And, the slide locked open on empty every time.
As of right now, I think we have a perfectly operating Kimber Raptor II 10mm and man, I am very happy about that. The pistol itself is an awesome shooter. That 10mm really rings steel. And now I have a back country concealed carry option. Since my 460 S&W doesn't conceal too well. I'll save that hoss for brown bear territory.
Thanks for all of the help everyone!
The Raptor II 10mm is running.... flawlessly. The Blazer range ammo is good to go. Running 180 grain bullets at 1200 fps so some legitimate 10mm performance. And that has fixed any FTE or FTF issues I had in the very beginning with the cheaper, lower velocity ammunition. Thanks for the tips on that bad ninja.
Also,
The slide stop was indeed the problem with the premature lock back issue. I contacted Kimber to do my due diligence and told them what I thought the issue was and sent pictures. It sounds like they are just sending me a new slide stop rather than requesting the pistol back but I have not received confirmation yet.
So of course, out my impatience, I polished the rough face of the slide stop that was interacting with the bullets. I figured, I'm probably getting a new one from Kimber anyway and if not they are only $40 or so. I tested the theory out with the recoil spring plug removed and the slide in the "lock" position. Full magazines were indeed pushing the slide stop upward.
After polishing, the bullets no longer interacted with the slide stop upon magazine insertion. And, the empty magazine still locked the slide stop upward. I ran 3 different magazines through successfully after the modification and there was zero premature slide lock. And, the slide locked open on empty every time.
As of right now, I think we have a perfectly operating Kimber Raptor II 10mm and man, I am very happy about that. The pistol itself is an awesome shooter. That 10mm really rings steel. And now I have a back country concealed carry option. Since my 460 S&W doesn't conceal too well. I'll save that hoss for brown bear territory.
Thanks for all of the help everyone!
21 - 40 of 56 Posts
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