People use a variety of handguns or firearms for hunting and self-defense. Kimber is a well-known American small arms manufacturer that creates a variety of semi-automatic pistols.
The Rapide model, like all other full-size Kimber handguns, is an unusual variation of the 1911 platform.
You may encounter problems such as feeding failure, ejecting failure, weak night vision, and many more.
Moreover, Kimber is one of the most well-known producers of America’s iconic pistol in the world. In this article, I will address some Kimber Rapide problems and attempt to identify solutions.
Features & Specifications of Kimber Rapide:
Action | Semi-Automatic |
Variant | Dawn, Scorpius, Black ice, (DN, NS) |
Calibers | 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP |
Magazine Capacity | 8 + 1 rounds |
Frame | Stainless steel finish |
Barrel | 5 inches |
Sight | Tru-Glo TFX Pro |
Grips | Black Rapide G10 grips |
Trigger | V-Cut aluminum |
Common Kimber Rapide Problems and Solutions
Problems | Solutions |
Failure to feed magazine | Polish the feed ramp/ change faulty extractor |
Frozen firing pin | Fix by lock and tighten the small set screw under the sight in place. |
Failure to extract and eject | Removing all debris from the extractor channel with a spray cleaner will fix the issue. |
Push Rod Sticks up Above Frame | Allow the grip safety to sit further back in the frame. This will let the push rod fall further into the frame. |
Dim night sights | Install the correct front sight. |
1. Failure to Feed Magazine:
There is also a consistent trend in which most FTFs occur during the break-in time. Despite the fact that this is a common issue during the break-in period. If it persists, you must take action.
Failure to feed, or FTF, is a regular issue with this rifle. Many angry customers are ranting about this issue on the internet. If online platforms are included, more than half of the participants had the same problem.
The Fix:
You should try changing the magazine and polishing the feed ramp to see if it works. If the problem persists afterward, test the extractor.
Perform this simple test to see if the extractor is the source of the feeding issue.
- Take out the extractor.
- Close the slide.
- Place a fully loaded magazine in the seat.
- Remove the slide
The extractor is to blame if the handgun chambers each round. It might have too much tension, too much deflection, bad geometry, or a combination of these problems.
2. Frozen Firing Pin:
There were several instances where a round failed to fire. The cartridge would either have a very light firing pin strike or none at all.
The pin usually freezes by the moisture created by the heat and cold cycle of the environment.
But the moisture is not the only one. It can also be caused by internal component failure. So, it checks both ways if your firing pin freezes.
The Fix:
Before a large hunt, disassemble the bolts, break loose everything, clean dry, and reassemble. That way, there is no moisture to freeze.
If that does not work, then remove the firing pin and inspect for broken safety parts or a broken firing pin. If it becomes stuck, take it to a gunsmith. They fixed it by tightening the small set screw under the sight.
3. Failure to Extract and Eject:
After each firing, the bullet casing should be allowed to exit the chamber. When the casing becomes trapped within, it fails to expel.
The issue might be with the gun’s internal components, magazine, ammo, or all of them.
The gun works properly for a short time before failing to eject, resulting in horizontal and vertical stovepipes. As the problem worsens, the gun begins to fail to extract.
The Fix:
Remove the slide, disassemble the firing pin block, take out the firing pin and spring, and then remove the extractor. Use a spray cleaner to remove all the debris from the extractor channel.
Use Hoppes to soak a Q-Tip, and then cloth the area. Reinstall the components after running a clean Q-Tip through the channel.
4. Push Rod Sticks up Above Frame:
It is challenging for some people to remove the slide from the gun. The push rod that engages the FP safety plunger in the slide stands up above the frame with no stress on grip safety.
The Fix:
Allow the grip safety to be positioned further back in the frame. This will allow the push rod to fall deeper into the frame. Remove the grips and field strip the pistol.
A rubber band around the grip safety and only removing the Mainspring Housing is a shortcut. But you are better off removing the Mainspring housing, the thumb safety, the grip safety, the hammer, and the sear spring completely.
5. Dim Night Sights:
Another significant issue that Kimber Rapide users frequently face is the low impact point with the dim rear sight. The tritium doesn’t glow, and the adjustable rear “night” sight only functions during the day.
As the tritium does not glow well, you will have difficulty shooting the target in the dark. This problem will put you on the backfoot severely if you are considering this as a personal defense weapon.
The Fix:
The only option you have is to install new a sight that you feel up to the mark with. Although you will have to spend a few bucks, for the shooting improvement it will grant you, the investment will be worth it.
Customers should get in touch with Kimber to install the proper front sight and a replacement rear sight, as the inserts are dull, in order to solve this issue.
User Feedback on Kimber Rapide
People appear to have differing opinions on Kimber Rapide. While some believe it is trouble-free and seamless, others assert that problems just can’t be avoided. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the Kimber Rapide is a reputable, one of the world’s finest 1911 semi-automatic pistols that are clearly designed for operational dependability.
People appear to have mixed thoughts about Kimber Rapide. Contrary to some unfavorable evaluations from kimbertalk , the general consensus agrees that the firearm is a contender for practical shooting and is no slouch on the range.
Some say it is indeed smooth and flawless. While others have trouble figuring out why it won’t feed. No matter how many rounds are in the magazine or where they are in the magazine, every bullet hangs up.
Additionally, this one is primarily designed for personal safety and hunting. Hence, how they utilize it also affects the user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Kimber Rapide?
The Kimber Rapide Semi-Auto Pistol is an incredibly dependable sidearm that can fire quick, accurate bullets for self-defense and sporting purposes.
Is the Kimber Rapide 1911?
The Rapide is a one-of-a-kind 1911 with stepped cocking serrations, and slide lighting cuts for faster lock time.
When did the Kimber Rapide come out?
November 13, 2019.
Does Kimber have a lifetime warranty?
Kimber firearms are warranted against material and workmanship defects for one year from the date of original retail purchase as new merchandise.
Conclusion
What inferences about the weapon have you made as a result of reading Kimber rapide problems?
Almost any firearms model from every manufacturer can occasionally have problems. Even if the problems listed above are limited to certain guns, you may not want to take the risk of it not working as a self-defense tool when you need it.
Kimber defines success in terms of product quality and customer satisfaction. If your luck is good, you’ll receive excellent service and flawless performance from Kimber Rapide. On the contrary, you might have to deal with a variety of issues all the time.
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