How To Clean Your Kimber Stainless II

Cleaning kimber stainless ii header

Cleaning and Disassembling the Stainless II – Gov. .45

The Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45

Typically in the gun cleaning posts, we try to give some background on the firearm, before we jump into cleaning. Because we just did a detailed review of the Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45, please visit that if you would like to no more about this excellent 1911! So, let’s jump right into “How To Clean Your Kimber Stainless II”.

Handgun Cleaning Supplies

Gun cleaning supplies

Below is a list of cleaning supplies you will need to clean your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45. Keep in mind that if you don’t have them all, it is better to do as much cleaning as you can and follow up when you restock whatever you were missing.

To clean your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45, you will need the following cleaning supplies:

  1. Gun cleaning solvent: A suitable gun cleaning solvent will help break down and remove fouling or debris from your gun’s barrel and other parts. Look for a solvent specifically designed for firearms.
  2. Gun oil: After cleaning, you will need to lubricate your gun to prevent rust and corrosion. Good gun oil will also help to protect and maintain your gun’s moving parts.
  3. Cleaning patches: You will need cotton or microfiber patches to apply the cleaning solvent and oil to the gun’s barrel and other metal parts. An old cut-up T-shirt will substitute.
  4. Cleaning rod: A cleaning rod will help you apply the cleaning patches to the barrel and other hard-to-reach areas of your gun. Or pull through rope cleaner.
  5. Nylon brush: A nylon brush will help you remove stubborn debris or fouling from your gun’s barrel and other metal parts. This isn’t mandatory but helps with stubborn deposits.
  6. Q-tips: Q-tips are useful for cleaning the smaller, harder-to-reach parts of your gun, such as the slide rails and trigger group. Pipe cleaners or a patch on the end of one of your picks will substitute.
  7. Cleaning mat: A good cleaning mat will provide a soft surface to work on and help protect your gun from scratches and other damage. Obviously not mandatory but it will be worth it.

Cleaning kits are a great way to get all your cleaning supplies in one stop.

Good Gun Cleaning Habits

Maintaining good cleaning habits for your handgun is essential for ensuring its longevity and performance. Here are some tips to help you develop good handgun cleaning habits:

  • Clean your handgun regularly
  • Use the right cleaning supplies
  • Follow manufacturer instructions: Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your handgun. Handguns require different cleaning methods, and you don’t want to damage your firearm using the wrong way or technique.
  • Be thorough: Take the time to thoroughly clean all parts of your handgun. Pay special attention to areas that are prone to build-up or difficult to reach, like the barrel, the firing pin channel, and the extractor.
  • Find a designated cleaning spot.
  • Store your handgun properly: Proper storage of your handgun can also help prevent the build-up of contaminants and debris. Store your handgun in a dry, secure location and keep it away from moisture, dust, and other contaminants.

By following these good cleaning habits, you can help ensure that your handgun remains in excellent condition and performs reliably for years.

Clearing Your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45

Clearing your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45 is an essential step before cleaning it. This ensures that the firearm is safe and free from any live ammunition. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly clean your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45 for cleaning:

  1. Make sure your firearm is pointed in a safe direction and your finger is off the trigger.
  2. Remove the magazine from the firearm by pressing the magazine release button and pulling it out of the magazine well.
  3. Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure that there is no ammunition present.
  4. Pull the slide back and visually inspect the chamber again to confirm that it is empty.
  5. Engage the slide stop by pushing it up, which will lock the slide in the open position.
  6. Visually inspect the chamber again to ensure it is empty, and then physically check the chamber by running your finger along the inside of the barrel to confirm that there is no ammunition present.
  7. Once you have confirmed that the firearm is empty, release the slide by pressing the slide stop lever down.
  8. Pull the trigger to de-cock the firearm, and remove any accessories such as the grips, sights, and barrel bushing if necessary.
  9. You can now proceed with cleaning your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45 using your preferred cleaning kit and method.

Remember, safety is paramount when handling firearms. Always follow these steps to properly clear your firearm before cleaning, and make sure to store it in a safe and secure location when not in use

Removing Barrel and Associated Parts

Barrel Bushing, Recoil Spring

The first step is to remove the spring retaining cap and spring. To do this, you will follow the steps below.

  • Use a bushing wrench to grip the barrel bushing.
  • Rotate the bushing wrench clockwise to move the bushing to the recoil spring cap ridge (see image 3 above). You must stop on the ridge so the cap and spring don’t go flying!
  • Once you reach the ridge of the recoil spring cap, push it down with your thumb (see image four above) and twist the bushing clockwise. Once the bushing clears the ridge, the spring and cap will want to fly across the room. Keep pressure on the cap and slowly guide it to relieve the spring tension. With a full-size 1911 and uncaptured spring, the spring is under a bit of pressure. It’s very manageable, you just don’t want to be caught off guard.
  • Once there is no tension on the cap from the spring, remove the cap.
  • Pull the spring out being mindful that the flat side of the spring comes out last, and goes in first.
recoil spring Kimber Stainless II
Note: the left side of the spring is flat; it is the side that goes back in first on reassembly

Remember, If you are unsure about any aspect of disassembling or cleaning your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45, seek guidance from a qualified professional.

Remove Slide, Guide Rod and Barrel

The next step for disassembling the Kimber Stainless II, is to remove the slide, barrel bushing, and barrel.

  • Pull the slide back and align the notch with the slide stop; once aligned, push the slide stop from the opposite side to pull out for removal. This may take adjusting the slide back and forth slightly to find the spot that will allow for the easiest removal. The slide stop should easily push out with your finger when you are in the right spot. You don’t want to force this.
  • Once the slide stop is out, push the slide forward off the frame
removing slide
  • Pull the guide rod out the back of the slide.
  • Now turn the barrel bushing counter click wise until it stops. You can now pull the bushing out of the slide.
  • Once the barrel bushing is removed the barrel can be pulled out the front of the slide.

Wiping Down and Cleaning the Parts

field stripped Kimber stainless II

Your Kimber Stainless II is field stripped and ready for routine cleaning. Below is the order I like to clean; you can change this up based on your liking, but to ensure complete cleaning, I recommend you clean in the same order every time. This way, you get a rhythm and are less likely to skip a step.

Before and as you clean, inspect your parts for heavy wear or anything out of the ordinary. Make a mental note on wear so you can adequately lubricate those areas.

Prepping Barrel, Spraying Parts

The barrel is one of the places where you have the least visibility to ensure it’s clean, so I always start by spraying the bore cleaner to break everything up. I will set it aside and move on to spraying down the other parts with CLP.

Wiping Everything Down

After spraying everything down with CLP, it is time to start the cleaning process. Again, I recommend using patches or a cotton rag for general cleaning. It is also a good idea to go one part at a time until it is clean. For example, start with one group of dirty parts and move them to a new pile of clean parts.

There will be times you find stubborn deposits. Further, some areas are a bit harder to reach by hand. These areas may require Q-Tips, bronze brushes, picks, or pipe cleaners. In particular, the rails should be cleaned with something that gets close enough to the inside of the rails to clean them adequately.

As each part is clean, you should be able to wipe them down with a patch with CLP on it and not see visible residue. Ultimately you will have a group of all parts cleaned except the inside of the barrel.

Cleaning Inside the barrel

For the inside of the barrel, you’ll need a rod (or cleaning rope), a bore brush, a slotted tip, patches, bore cleaner, and a light lubricant. The steps for cleaning are below.

  • Attach the bore brush: Take the bore brush and attach it to the cleaning rod.
  • Apply solvent: Dip the bore brush into the cleaning solvent and apply it generously to the bristles.
  • Insert the brush: Insert the brush into the barrel and push it through the entire length of the barrel.
  • Scrub the bore: Move the brush back and forth through the barrel several times to scrub away any dirt, debris, and fouling.
  • Remove the brush: Remove the brush from the barrel and inspect it to ensure that all the fouling has been removed.
  • Insert the cleaning patch: Attach a clean patch to the cleaning rod and insert it into the barrel.
  • Swab the bore: Push the patch through the barrel to swab away any remaining solvent and debris.
  • Repeat the process: Repeat this process with a clean patch, until patches are coming out clean and the bore is clean.
  • Clean Off Bore Cleaner: Once bore cleaner patches are coming out clean, run a dry patch or a mop tip through the barrel.
  • Lubricate the barrel: Apply a light coat of gun oil to the cleaning patch and run it through the barrel to lubricate it.

Light Coating CLP or Gun Oil

Once the cleaning is completed, lubricate your Kimber Stainless II because it helps to protect the parts against unnecessary wear, rust, and corrosion. In addition, the lubricant helps to reduce friction between metal components, which can cause excessive heat and wear and result in malfunctions or even permanent damage to the firearm.

The lubrication process is identical to the cleaning process, except using a patch with a light layer of gun oil. Again, I recommend starting with a clean unlubricated group of parts and moving them to a lubricated group as you go to ensure you get all the parts.

Reassembly

The reassembly process after cleaning and lubricating your Kimber Stainless II is almost the opposite process of disassembly.

  • Insert the barrel into the slide coming in from the front of the slide to the back of the barrel
  • Insert the recoil spring back into the slide front end towards the front of the slide
  • Replace the barrel bushing from the counterclockwise side and turn clockwise.
  • Ensure the barrel eye is in the upright position and with the slide laying flat guide the frame onto the slide. Keep in mind the slide stop pin will be inserted through the barrel eye.
  • Carefully align the slide onto the frame rails and slide it all the way back until it clicks into place.
  • Insert the slide stop into the hole on the slide and push it all the way through the frame until it clicks into place.
  • Take the recoil spring and insert it into the hole at the front of the slide on the guide rod. FLAT SIDE OF SPRING FIRST.
  • Take the recoil spring plug and insert it onto the spring hole at the front of the slide until it is fully seated. It will be under spring pressure, so quickly move to the next step.
  • Turn the barrel bushing so it contains the spring plug.

GREAT JOB! You just learned how to clean your Kimber Stainless II!

Stainless II – Gov. Cleaning FAQs

How often should I clean my Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45?

You should clean your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45 after each use to ensure that it functions properly and prevent corrosion and dirt and debris build-up.

What cleaning supplies do I need for my Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45?

You will need a gun cleaning solvent, gun oil, cleaning patches, a cleaning rod, a nylon brush, Q-tips, and a cleaning mat to clean your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45 properly.

Can I use any cleaning solvent or oil on my Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45?

It is important to use cleaning solvents and oils that are specifically designed for firearms. Using the wrong products can damage your firearm and potentially cause safety issues.

How often should I lubricate my Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45?

You should lubricate your Kimber Stainless II – Gov. .45 after each cleaning and before each use. This will help to protect the firearm from corrosion and ensure that it functions properly.

Author

  • Michael Hodgdon

    A firearm, shooting, outdoor, and hunting enthusiast for over 35 years. Thank you all for the suggestions on topics you would like to see; we'll keep posting as you keep sending them in. Please comment; we will try to answer all comments quickly.

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