[Glocker1984]

Hey all-

I was detail stripping my New Kimber Custom II, and found my plunger tube was loose. Called Kimber and have a new plunger tube assembly coming free of charge. Upon further research I guess Kimbers are notorious for loose plunger tubes. I called a local gunsmith to have it installed; and he proceeded to say, "what the hell is a plunger tube?". So it looks like im going to have to tackle this one myself. The YouTube Vids doesn't make it look to hard with the right tool, which I will be purchasing. My Kimber has 455 rounds thru it so far with only one malfunction.

As I'm still learning all about the platform, what problems can occur with a loose plunger tube?

[faawrenchbndr]

Slide stop and thumb safety problems

[seanmac45]

Chamfer the mounting holes on the INSIDE of the frame. This gives room for the legs to flow into during crimping.

Support the plunger tube with a drill bit to keep it from collapsing while it is being crimped

Put a bead of locktite in the frame under the new plunger tube prior to staking.

After it is done let it set for 24 hours before reassembling.

Check to see if there are any internal burrs that would hang the magazine up once the job is done. If so, they can be filed down.

If you do the above it should last forever.

[faawrenchbndr]

Outstanding tips.......^^^^^^

[FLIPPER 348]

Originally Posted by faawrenchbndr

Outstanding tips.......^^^^^^

...better yet get one of these, toss it in your tool box and your plunger tube worries will be over forever:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Colt-1911-Pi...#ht_500wt_1195


The directions are so easy even an air force vet can do it!

[seanmac45]

Yes indeed, you would need a tool similar to that to perform the task as I described.

You know, where I mentioned CRIMPING.

[okie]

Sorry you are having problems my friend, good luck with the re-staking job

[ca survivor]

ahhhhh Kimber QC.

[faawrenchbndr]

Originally Posted by FLIPPER 348

...better yet get one of these, toss it in your tool box and your plunger tube worries will be over forever:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Colt-1911-Pi...#ht_500wt_1195


The directions are so easy even an air force vet can do it!

Yep,......I would also suggest the plunger tube insert! If used without
one, the tube can be easily distorted.

[rock185]

Hello glocker, the other guys have given good advice, but I'll throw in my .02 worth too. I've owned five Kimbers, lucky I guess, "0" loose plunger tubes. I have encountered loose plunger tubes on a significant percentage of the NIB Colts I've handled and/or purchased in the last 40 years. Problems it can cause? The little plungers and spring assy. tension both the slide stop and thumb safety. One MAJOR problem is, If the tube is loose, it gets increasingly difficult, then near impossible, to push the thumb safety down to fire position. There will be other issues, but I consider this to be a real major one. I use the Brownells vise-grip type tool with the tube support to minimize the chance of deforming the tube. I also have the plunger tube reamer, just in case. I have only had to ream one Colt plunger tube that deformed during crimping. I also degrease and use the red LocTite, as suggested by seanmac. I have never had a plunger tube loosen after restaking it in this manor. The plunger tube staking tools were not cheap, but I have used them over the years a lot more than I would have expected... ymmv

[G schütze]

Originally Posted by ca survivor

ahhhhh Kimber QC.

But Kimber sells more 1911s than anyone, so one bad example slipping through is understandable. So it's OK!

[ca survivor]

Originally Posted by G schütze

But Kimber sells more 1911s than anyone, so one bad example slipping through is understandable. So it's OK!

where did you get that Kimber sells more than other brands ?

[G schütze]

Originally Posted by ca survivor

where did you get that Kimber sells more than other brands ?

The ATF.