Hi there. Total Cluster of a problem here.

A few weeks back, I was at the range shooting my Kimber Rimfire Target. This is the dedicated 22 LR, not the conversion. While shooting, the extractor plug evidently came loose, shot out the back of the slide with the spring, and got lost in the dirt. The extractor assembly on these pistols consists of four parts (1) extractor, (2) pin, (3) spring, (4) plug. I was able to recover all of the parts except the plug.

So I shipped the pistol back to Kimber. The original owner had apparently had trigger work, etc done (I did not know, but I appreciated it). This meant Kimber would not work on the pistol unless I paid for them to take the pistol back to factory specs, which would cost $450. Yeah Right. So they shipped the pistol back to me.

At this point, however, they told me they could mail me the correct parts to fix it myself. I was, of course, miffed, because the only reason I mailed them the gun in the first place is because they said they could not mail me the parts. Whatever, okay, fine; please mail me the parts. The first package evidently got lost in the mail. So I called back, and they sent another one. Okay, great, got it.

Not so fast. The bloody parts are three times bigger than the originals. WTF. Call them back. Apparently there were design changes since the time my pistol was built, and they no longer have any of the original parts for my pistol. Seems like they should have noticed this from the beginning.

If there is any saving grace in this, it is that, out of all the not very helpful people I spoke with from Kimber, there was one extremely helpful woman who works for Kimber in Montana.

So here is the problem and my question (finally) - can anyone recommend a business / gunsmith who might have the correct plug for my extractor? It seems simply to be a screw that screws into the back of the slide to contain the spring, pin, and extractor.

Any help is appreciated. Please ask questions if anything is unclear.

Roofers sometimes use some powerful magnets with wheels on them to pick up all the roofing nails after putting a new roof on. Have you considered using one of them to see if you can find the part? Assuming it was steel, of course. It seems like a long shot, but I'm surprised you were able to find three out of the four parts.

I got lucky one one part stayed in the gun, one fell out on the bench, and the spring was easy to spot in the dirt.

This happened a few months back and is still shaking out. With the rain, etc, we have had, I'm sure the plug is long gone.

My only thought currently is to try to find some other kind of screw that simply fits the threads.

Aw, that's the pits. Guess you'll Hafta try to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

Any other advice?

Lee's Gun Parts
www.leesgunparts.com/
Gun Parts, current and obsolete, new and used, retail and wholesale.
3401 W Pioneer Dr, Irving, TX 75061
(972) 790-0773

Give these folks a call, they have a kazillion gun parts. They might can help you.

thanks. I'll call them Tuesday

Very unlikely to find any gunsmith that has that sitting around. You could check with Numrich's, Brownells, Midway USA, and gunbroker also has folks selling harder to find parts. However, I would probably take Kimber to task. If they were willing to fix the older model whether or not it had work done means they have access to the parts, obsolete or not. You may just have to work your way up the ladder for customer service.

Yeah, I tried that with Kimber. They were not going to fix the old slide, they were going to replace it with a new one (i.e., one with the new/bigger parts).

Have you checked with a gunsmith about having the part made?

I'm not familiar with this gun so I'd have to ask on how available they might be used. If you can find one used, perhaps the shop owner would allow a Smith to take measurements if needed.

The more negative I hear about Kimber service, the less I'm inclined to ever buy one of their products. Ruger, Winchester, and most other would likely give you a small part like that or at least offer up a solution.

Wish you luck.....