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FTF on last round only

10659 Views 25 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  ca survivor
So here's the scoop. 5" kimber eclipse target II, completely stock except for a recoil buffer installed. The gun has about ~500 flawless rounds through it, almost all WWB. Last time I took it to the range I had a ftf on the last round with 2 wilson, 1 kimber and 1 chip mccormick mag. The gun was clean (clean = spotless, I'm anal about cleaning it). The last round would ride up the feed ramp and get lodged half way into the chamber at a sharp angle. I checked oal of the rounds and they were consistant with other boxes of WWB that I had.

I brought the gun home, cleaned it and took apart the mags for the first time. They were pretty clean, the Wilson mags were almost new and had been shot maybe 4 times before.

I'm going to take the clean gun and mags to the range again and see if I still have the problem. If I do, what should I start with? I'm looking for troubleshooting things I can do while I'm at the range.
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I have found the buffers cause more problems then they are worth you are shorthening the stroke of your pistol. Try it with the Buffer if it is ok leave it if not remove the buffer and see if it happens.
what is the angle is it a 3 point jam? it could be a couple things mags are the first ..Also remove the shock buff then try

are you sure you are not riding the slide with a thumb i doubt this .

it could be a ill fitted barrel and at worst a wrong angle on the feed ramp on the frame ..

need some pics they help a lot
Pictures always help in resolving problems, good points Bud.
I have a buffer in my SA and it has not caused any problems, but i would also try without the buffer and see how things go.
On many pistol they cause more problem then they are worth really, not all but most. If John Browning had designed it with a buffer then I would not say a word.
I always say to take the buffer out .. do i use them sure on range guns in a carry gun never .. As Vic said they cause more problems in some guns than they are worth
The first thing I would have checked is the magazines/magazine springs but since you said it did it on the last round with 2 wilson, 1 kimber and 1 chip mccormick mag then I'm gonna agree with the others and say pull the buffer and try that first.

Good luck and keep us posted :)
Zack Phillips
I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them up here. It is a range gun, I never carry it. The odd thing with the situation is that I never had a problem through the 500 or so rounds I put through it then all of the sudden I started having problems without changing anything or letting it get dirty.

What is a "3 point jam"? If it's when the lip of the casing gets caught on the top edge of the chamber then yes, that's what was happening.
its when the round wedges into the barrel slide and mag all at once .. usually a Mag cause a 3 point jam but not always .. still pull the buffer and shoot it again since you have other mags to try and it was still doing it .. i have 1 gun that will not run with a buffer at all
What is a "3 point jam"? If it's when the lip of the casing gets caught on the top edge of the chamber then yes, that's what was happening.
3-Point jam is simply when the round is binding between the breechface, barrel throat and the underside of the chamber.

As mentioned, pics would help a lot.

Zack Phillips
Or Call it a Bolt over Base Feed if you like .. i prefer 3 Point Jam .. Meaning your Fubar'ed in a gun fight
First off, hi y'all, first post (here).

The last round would ride up the feed ramp and get lodged half way into the chamber at a sharp angle. I checked oal of the rounds and they were consistant with other boxes of WWB that I had.
I have a Kimber Tactical II that did that for the first time around rd 300, only on the 1st or last round. after 1500 rounds, it would do it 3-5 times in a 100 rounds. When it first started, I could smack the back of the slide and it would ride it in (Forward assist on a 1911??). Eventually, it got to where that didn't work anymore.

I sent mine into Kimber. They polished the chamber and feed ramp, and told me not to use McCormick mags (Actually, they didn't give me back my Kimber mag that I sent with the gun.) But they did replace my whole slide so kudos to them.

I'd say wait and see if it persists.
First off, hi y'all, first post (here).



I have a Kimber Tactical II that did that for the first time around rd 300, only on the 1st or last round. after 1500 rounds, it would do it 3-5 times in a 100 rounds. When it first started, I could smack the back of the slide and it would ride it in (Forward assist on a 1911??). Eventually, it got to where that didn't work anymore.

I sent mine into Kimber. They polished the chamber and feed ramp, and told me not to use McCormick mags (Actually, they didn't give me back my Kimber mag that I sent with the gun.) But they did replace my whole slide so kudos to them.

I'd say wait and see if it persists.
Was yours a external extractor model?
That explains a lot and i suppose we should as the OP is this a External Extractor Model?
You got through the factory break-in anyway. If you send it back they' will probably replace the ejector and extractor or maybe give you a new barrel.
At Kimber I have only delt with the custom Shop, yet they were always very helpful. They have even sent me parts for free after telling them my concerns on FLGR's.
Sorry for the late follow up.

I went back to the range. Had the same problem with clean mags so I removed the recoil buffer. Problem solved. Weird how it didn't start until after a lot of rounds through the gun. Maybe the spring started to weaken or something.

Anyhow, thanks for the input. I'm glad it's functioning 100% again.
Glad to hear it. You may be right about the spring.
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