Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles A Kimber Bolt Head's-Up... Preventative Measure

Don't know if this has ever been discussed, but I experienced something yesterday I've never seen with any of the 10 or so Kimber MT's I've owned.

Had a small, threaded, set-pin back-out, not allowing the bolt to cycle.

I took the pin out, degreased it, blue loc-tighted it and re-set it. A dab of nail polish on top sealed the deal.

I doubt I'll ever have another problem, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Certainly wouldn't want to have discovered the issue with a 340 bull staring at me...

The set screw shown holds the screw at the back of the bolt in place, which adjusts firing pin protrusion. If it backs out, you can have light strike issues. Good call on loc-tighting the set screw in place!

Is that the set-screw that allows you to adjust firing pin protrusion?

Should mention that it would be wise to shoot the rifle and make sure the firing pin protrusion is still as it should be, before taking it hunting.

PG, am definitely testing it this week... hopefully no issue.

Again, never seen this before, but I'd recommend anyone with a Kimber loc-tighting it.

Brad,

Thanks for the heads-up. I just checked mine and it's tight. I am taking your advise and going to hit it with some loc-tite.

GK

I found mine loose. I had to adjust the firing pin protrusion because it wouldn't fire. After loc-titing it, it has never loosened up again.

Thanks for the information. I will add this to my Kimber Bolt Action maintenance checklist.

Because I am a Kimber owner may I ask what other items you have on your "Kimber Bolt Action maintenance list?

Jim

Brad,

Experienced the exact same thing in both my 7-08 and 257R. Fix was the same as yours with no problems since then.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/7876556/1

Good heads up there Brad....I'll have to check mine out.

And just so TAK doesn't have to say it I'll do it for him.

"Thats why you don't buy a piece of crap, no good shooting Kimber."

Thanks for sharing. Will check mine. I did happen to check the function on mine before heading up the mountain Saturday morning and it would not cock when cycling the bolt. It had been exposed to an excessive amount of snow and wet the day prior (a story in itself), and was in the teens that night. Bottom line, a little heat (~1 min) from my pack stove to the trigger and back of action and it worked fine. Couple hours later in the very cold temps and it went off on a nice bull. That little check, and noticing it did not cock, saved me a bull.

Checking all my KImbers tomorrow.

Thanks for the tip, guys.

32-20 warned me about this a few months ago when I first bought my Kimber. Mine wasn't falling out, but not exactly tight after ~150 rounds. Used some blue loc-tite.

Anyone know what the normal pin protrusion spec is?

Best prevention is not to buy a Kimber. That is one of the lamest designs I have ever seen. Even the Savage is far more positive and can't come loose or inadvertently change. I wonder, did Kimber patent that design, or is it protected by the shear stupidity it displays.

You can flame me, but I've seen too many Kimbers go south at the range.

Firing pin protrusion on any rifle should be .040"-.060".

I had a few light primer strikes when I first bought mine. Read about the fix here. Adjusted the firing pin and all was well for about a year then it happened again. Checked and the screw had loosened again. Fixed it a 2nd time and did a better job if securing the screw and have had zero issues since. Mine never backed out enough to prevent the bolt from cycling.

Admittedly a quirk on Kimbers that should not be there. But easily taken care of, and Kimbers are worth the trouble IMHO. All rifles have their quirks. We all learn to live with them.

Rug3,

I am new to the Kimber Montana having recently purchased one here that was listed in the classifieds. I have followed the various discussions from Kimber owners and approached my purchase with some caution. I asked another member who has extensive experience with these rifles for advice that would get me started in the right direction with a new unproven rifle. What follows is condensed from that exchange.

Giving credit to Shortactionsmoker the short list is: check mag box front and back for seating depth,check front action screw length, check length of front scope base screw and finally bedding quality. We can now add the bolt screw to the list.
Perhaps I should have used the term "trouble shooting".

My thanks to SAS for sharing his knowledge. I as well appreciate what Brad has shared in this thread.

I did this to two of my formally owned Kimbers. Its good you brought it everyones attention, Brad. I'm sure they will need your address to get the check to you!

Oh I was SHOCKED that Kimber designed and shipped such a rifle! Kimber Montana owners are about as deluded as rack-grade 1911 nuts. Both are convinced that the Kimber is a "free lunch", IE a $2500 gun for less than half the money. You pay your money and you take your chances.

no its a cheap fly weight gun with all the possible issues of buying something on the cheap end of the scale.....and mine is still always the first gun i reach for even if its not the most accurate gun i own....