The Kimber rapide black ice is a precise firearm made for personal protection and sporting purposes. Additionally, this firearm has a number of highly practical features, including a lighted sight, a superb grip, and others.
However, if you have one, there are several frequent issues you might have.
Kimber Rapide black ice problems include being jam prone, hard recoil, stiff slide, and failure to feed. Do not be alarmed; all of these issues may be resolved.
Instead of a Kimber rapide review in this article, we’ll be learning about some typical issues. I’ll also go through solutions so you may use this gorgeous rifle to its full potential and avoid these difficulties.
Features & Specifications of Kimber rapide black ice:
| Height | 5.25 inches |
| Weight | 38 ounces when empty |
| Frame | Stainless steel |
| Sight | Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night |
| Grip | Black Rapide G10 grips |
| Trigger | V-Cut aluminum |
Common Kimber Rapide Black Ice Problems and Solutions
In this section, we will be looking at some of the common problems of Kimber’s Rapide black ice problems and how to solve them.
Quick Overview of the Problems and Solutions
| Problems | Solutions |
| Slide gets locked | Keep the gun properly cleaned |
| Jam prone | Change ammo/magazine, if that does not work send it to Kimber for repair |
| Feeding problem | Switching to a different magazine should resolve the problem |
| Hard recoil | Start with different ammo and change the recoil spring if needed |
| Stiff slide | Change the spring |
1. Slide Gets Locked:
When the slide gets locked on this gun, it becomes very difficult to get it to its normal position. You will need to push with excessive force to get it in the right position.
Mostly it happens due to dirt accumulation. But there could be mechanical issues, too. You need to take action depending on the root cause.
The Fix:
First, you will have to hard press the slide stop to get the slide in position. Give a good look around the slide, safety lock, magazine eject button, and ramp. Any anomaly there could cause this problem and you will need to send it to Kimber to fix it.
However, if you keep the gun clean, polished, and lubed you are less like to have this experience.
2. Jam Prone:
This is such a broad problem that any element might contribute to it. On top of that, there are different various elements that cause jamming on this piece. This gun tends to get jammed in very different ways
So, it becomes very hard to pinpoint a single point of failure. It is indeed very frustrating to experience jamming for the price you pay for the gun.
The Fix:
When firearms jam, the most common causes are ammunition, magazines, and extractors. So, experiment with altering them and shooting in various combinations.
If this does not resolve the issue, it is most likely a design error, and you should contact the manufacturer.
3. Feeding Problem:
Failure to feed is another problem many users faced with this gun. This problem is very common as there seem to be many claims. Failure to feed is usually caused by a magazine, extractor, or recoil spring.
Despite the fact that this is a frequent problem throughout the break-in stage. If it continues, you should take action.
The Fix:
To check if the problem lies with the magazine, do the following.
- Close the slide.
- Place a fully loaded magazine in the seat.
- While pulling up on the magazine, press down on the slide stop to allow the slide to come forward at maximum speed.
- If the first round gets out of the mag feeds properly then replace the OEM magazine.
And to check the extractor:
- Take out the extractor.
- Close the slide.
- Place a fully loaded magazine in the seat.
- Push down on the slide stop to allow the slide to go at full speed.
- If the first round from the mag feeds properly, the extractor is the issue.
If this does not cure the problem, send it to Kimber for repair because it isn’t much you can do.
4. Hard Recoil:
The recoil of this gun is comparatively harder than its counterparts. Especially if you are switching from a carry pistol. But there are ways to improve the recoil kickbacks.
There are only a few options left for you if you wish to adjust the recoil. As it is part of the design, so it is not easy to interfere with the intended design of the manufacturer.
The Fix:
Kimber did a great with its grip. Thanks to the grip the gun is not likely to slip even when shooting with sweaty palms.
You can try changing rounds to see which one helps the most. Also, changing the recoil spring will produce the best result.
5. Stiff Slide:
Every part of this gun is very tightly coupled. This is the reason the slide has got stiff. You will notice that if you shake the gun, it does not make a single sound.
Although overall it is good for guns to be tightly coupled, loading a stiff slide is always annoying. Especially, if you are using it for personal defense, then this problem could be the difference between life and death.
The Fix:
The solution lies with the recoil spring. Kimber used strong recoil with this gun so in turn, the slide got stiff. Changing the spring would make the slide lose. But you have to be careful if you are doing it at home.
You could change the spring so that can absorb more power. This simple action will make the slide easier to pull.
However, beware when doing so, as it could introduce automatic feeding problems if not done correctly.
Also, keeping the gun well-lubed and polished will reduce stiffness.
User Feedback on Kimber Rapide Black Ice
The Kimber Rapide is a great choice for both personal defense and sports purposes. But it is not a gun for beginners. You should have an experience with guns and ammunition beforehand to get the most out of this gun. The cool finish, smooth operation, great accuracy, and comfortable grip make it a great companion.
One user on 1911forum asked for a review as he liked the gun as was thinking of getting one. Most responses on the thread from other users were very much positive.
But there are others who faced different problems with this gun. One such example is this kimbertalk thread. Many users too faced the same problem responded in the thread and shared their solutions.
If you have a good understanding of how guns work and how to take care of them, then it could be a good choice. In case you are starting out with this gun, then tread slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Kimber Rapide a good gun?
Yes, it is. At 15 yards, the RAPIDE regularly produced small groups with no faults. When coupled with the TFX Pro sights, the rifle offered quick target reacquisition and had a delightful feeling in the hand.
Is Kimber Rapide Black Ice A 1911?
With stepped cocking serrations, a beautiful two-tone Kimpro finish, and a DLC-coated barrel for enhanced durability, it is 1911 that is absolutely distinctive.
What is a Kimber Rapide?
For self-defense and sporting purposes, the Kimber Rapide Semi-Auto Pistol is an incredibly dependable sidearm.
What year did the Kimber Rapide come out?
Rapide first came out in 2019.
Are kimbers good 1911?
There are several excellent 1911s available, but the one made by Kimber is one of the best.
Is it OK to dry fire a Kimber 1911?
Yes, it is safe to dry-fire Kimber centerfire pistols.
Conclusion
Kimber Rapide is a great gun that offers a lot to its user. But you will have to know how to handle it as it is not a gun for beginners.
There is no such thing as a problem-free gun, and the Kimber rapide is no exception.
The elements that set it apart from the competition are comfort, accuracy, and performance.
After the break-in phase, the pistol becomes buttery smooth. Most of your difficulties will arise during this period.
Kimber rapide black ice problems can be solved with minimal effort. And once you’ve resolved these issues, you’ll see why it’s considered one of the greatest.
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