Marui Hi-Capa - Kimber Custom TLE/RL II High Capacity

[ILLusion]

This build was based on a Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa due to the many reasons this platform can provide. Although not a direct 1911 replica, this replica is built on the Hi-Capa platform primarily due to the high ammo capacity and large gas resevoir this GBB can handle.

The Kimber Custom TLE/RL II type of 1911 combat pistol has been issued to many law enforcement and military agencies worldwide. Many features, from its full 5-inch barrel, match grade components/barrel/bushing/chamber, extended thumb safeties, high ride beavertail grip safety, beveled magazine well, Kimber tactical rail for accessory mounting and match grade barrel for accuracy and long life all provide the many facets that make a Kimber pistol the most sought after service pistol throughout all levels of law & military enforcement, from standard police agencies all the way up to military operators performing in international theatres.

The name "Kimber" carries the idealism and attitude of quite possibly the finest service firearms IN THE WORLD, and is the reason why I have chosen this name as the one among all to replicate, despite this pistol being built on a 2011 platform rather than a single stack 1911. Because of this, there are some glaring fundamental differences that will not make this an "accurate" model, but instead, the idea of the Kimber Custom TLE was carried over to this platform to create a new model.

Out of the box, Kimber pistols are known to shoot accurately, consistently and precisely when you need it, every time you need it. There is a very specific reason why LAPD SWAT and USMC SOCOM DET-1 decided on the Kimber Custom II as their combat pistol of choice. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me and I sought to reach for those same characteristics in the combat pistols I was building for airsoft use, even if my life did not depend on it.

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The designation "TLE" stands for "Tactical Law Enforcement", and the TLE is identical except for markings to a special model that was designed for use by the LAPD SWAT team. I wanted something very "tactical" for this build, which is why this line caught my eye as the starting point for this build.

The Warrior and Desert Warrior are models based on a special version of the Custom that was built for the USMC SOCOM, known as the Kimber ICQB.
Those models are quite special, and if I were to even attempt to build something like that, I'd do it proper with a single stack pistol for an even more accurate build (like the Kimber Warrior I've already built.) Wanting to keep it simple, I stuck with the standard TLE/RL II.

The "RL II" designation indicates that this is a RAILED model, versus the standard Custom TLE which has no rail frame. Again, wanting a very tactical and practical model, being able to attach a light or laser aiming module was a requirement for this build. The integrated rail assures that a laser sight would not ever lose its zero due to any wobbling of a rail that is simply screwed on.

Simple features such as front and rear serrations on the slide for fast and easy slide racking in any scenario and a smooth rounded top for a snag free, fast and smooth pistol draw are some of the beginning features that make this pistol so tactical and practical.




Colour matched grip and frame lead to multiple features that create a highly effective combat weapon.



Integrated rail frame allows the attachment of light amplification modules and laser aiming modules to enhance and increase combat effectiveness of the weapon.



An adjustable aluminum trigger allows the user to fine tune the trigger pull length to minimize the amount of pull required before the hammer breaks. This trigger is tuned to perform at peak levels. As far as this trigger is allowed to travel, it does 100% of its duty and the trigger break has already been tuned to trip with a solid and succinct break.

Also, this trigger is combined with a custom trigger stirrup to take up and reduce all pre-slop associated with most trigger customization jobs. CNC wire cut from a single solid piece of 304 stainless steel, this custom trigger bow will not bend as easily as the original Marui unit. Also, because there is no break in the loop (like the original piece), this creates an extremely solid interface between the trigger and the sear.

This trigger stirrup also has a feature that minimizes the distance that the trigger must be pulled before the sear/hammer breaks.



The entire set up has been rounded out internally, with a high precision single stage steel hammer set that increases the trigger feel, hammer breaking point and hammer smoothness to create a uniquely smooth yet succinct "surprise break" that aids in increasing accuracy through prevention of flinching by the shooter.

The combination of all of these harder metal components (trigger to stirrup to sear to hammer) all provide greatly increased feedback of the hammer feel directly to the shooter's finger, which aids in being able to pull off very fast and accurate double taps.



This 1911 type barrel setup uses a unique straight barrel setup, very much like the standard 1911 to maintain a constant barrel position throughout the entire slide movement. Matched with ALL STAINLESS STEEL components, the barrel, barrel bushing, spring guide and spring guide plug all lend to a high performance set up.

Match grade fitting between the slide to the barrel bushing to the outer barrel to the inner barrel results in absolute minimum movement between the components. This creates more accurate shots, as the inner barrel never strays far from where the sights are aligned.



The entire setup has been combined with the practical and comfortable Tanio Koba "Fingerfits Tactical Grip", completely colour matched with the unique frame that matches with the Kimber "TLE/RL2" style markings.

This grip provides accurate and consistent indexing of hand on grip positioning whenever drawing the pistol for fast and accurate target acquisition.

Although it is not an accurate style for a Kimber build, this tactical grip is the only option any shooter should be using if building a tactical type of Hi-Capa build.



A low profile magazine release button combined with a single sided safety lever provides the ultimate in low-profile handling.

Final touches such as this complete it as the "high speed low drag" combat effective pistol that this build aims to be.



Going further, the combat sights this pistol uses provides a low drag three dot system for fast target acquisition and minimal combat gear interference.

The smaller dots provides a more precise yet solid sight picture.






To round off the package as an effective combat weapon, a flush-mounted lanyard loop has been integrated in to the pistol to allow the operator to attach an appropriate lanyard so that the pistol can never be lost in the midst of combat.



Allowing the build to be that much more realistic, final finishing touches such as these markings round out the package to make it appear that much authentic to the original product.





This build uses a "dry lubrication" concept I've been working with. It's done by mixing fine graphite powder (dry) in to a grease base (I used white lithium) and then coating all moving parts with this mixture. Once all contacting/moving parts are coated in this mix, I proceeded to work the gun through all cycling functions non-stop for a good hour or two. I fired up an episode of The Unit and watched it while I continued racking the slide non-stop the entire time. The fine graphite powder works its way in to all the small divots, cracks, seams, etc and also polishes any restricted areas to create an ultra smooth surface. Once fully worked in, all of the excess grease is wiped as clean off as possible. The fine graphite powder should remain behind and "stuck" in all the imperfections of the surface, but the result is an ultra smooth movement with NO GREASE whatsoever. The benefit of doing this is for a lower maintenance gun:

1) No new lubrication is required
2) If there's no grease, then dirt can not be attracted, if no dirt is attracted to the system, then there's no cleaning/maintenance required!


I hope you have all enjoyed reading about this pistol as much as I have enjoyed building it.





Pistol Base:
Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa

Magazine:
2x 28 round magazines
2x KM/Head 1950 High Flow Valves - Enhances shot velocity and consistency

Externals:
- ILLusion Kinetics Aluminum Slide, Kimber Custom TLE/RL II, CNC Machined 6061
- ILLusion Kinetics Straight Barrel, .45 ACP, Stainless Steel
- ILLusion Kinetics Barrel Bushing, Silver, Stainless Steel
- ILLusion Kinetics Spring Guide Rod, Silver, Stainless Steel
- ILLusion Kinetics Guide Rod Plug, Silver, Stainless Steel
- ILLusion Kinetics Adjustable Trigger, 3-Hole
- ILLusion Kinetics Steel Hammer, Oval
- Freedom Art Mid-Frame, RL II Style, Olive Drab
- Tanio Koba Fingerfits Tactical Grip, Olive Drab
- Nine Ball Combat Sights

Internals:
- ILLusion Kinetics Adjustable Trigger Stirrup
- ILLusion Kinetics Steel Hammer Strut
- ILLusion Kinetics Steel Sear
- ILLusion Kinetics Steel Valve Knocker
- Nine Ball Dyna Piston Head
- Guarder 150% Enhanced Recoil Spring
- Guarder 150% Enhanced Hammer Spring
- Firefly Hop Up Bucking ( Soft Type )
- Tanio-Koba HOP Twist Barrel
- Airsoft Surgeon Nozzle
- RCC Power Up Cylinder Bulb

Performance Readout:
Conditions: Shot with Madbull Precision 0.25g BBs with Propane

FPS Shot String:
316.6
315.8
314.6
312.7
309.3
305.6
309.7
303.7
303.7
301.7

High Velocity = 316.6 fps
Low Velocity = 301.7 fps
Average Velocity = 309.3 fps
Average Deviations = 4.5 fps
Energy Output = 1.10 Joules
Equivalent fps in 0.20g = 345.9 fps





Feel free to fire away with any questions.

[Dracheous]

Mmmmmmm I want it, but I fear the price you'll PM me for it hahaha.

But seriously that is a seriously sweet pistol

[Point_Man]

Incredible. I love my Kimber LAPD Swat Custom II and Desert Warrior. This is just really...practical. I like the clean lines.

[hull_b]

now that it badass

[panzergrenadier]

That's Beautiful! I want one... and I'm not even a pistol kinda guy

[Desmodus]

Gorgeous pistol... great job man!

[RacingManiac]

Is that the new frame or the Guarder/Koba frame? That was also the first one I've seen with the 9Ball sight.....looks very good....

I also like that guiderod with hex head built in....If I were to build another 1911 I'll have to get that...I had to drill and tap my PDI guide rod for the 1911+comp to install(and loctite) a hex setscrew to let me torque down the 2 piece rod properly...

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

Is that the new frame or the Guarder/Koba frame? That was also the first one I've seen with the 9Ball sight.....looks very good....

It's neither... it's a Freedom Art frame. The Tanio Koba tactical chassis comes in black only.

The 9ball combat sights look good, but are a real pain in the butt to install. A lot of filing is required to get them to fit any slide, which is why I never bothered using these too often.

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

I also like that guiderod with hex head built in....If I were to build another 1911 I'll have to get that...I had to drill and tap my PDI guide rod for the 1911+comp to install(and loctite) a hex setscrew to let me torque down the 2 piece rod properly...

I don't know why PDI creates their guide rod setups the way they do in their compensator kits. It's a real hindrance to work on the pistol because of it.

I can get the guide rods machined to any length you require. Just let me know what you need.

[RacingManiac]

Right now I don't have a need for one. The Limcat come cross drilled on the 2 halves that I can tighten, but the PDI ones doesn't but I took step to correct that. The SV has one piece guide rod....

But as with the airsoft money burning in ones pocket...the situation changes week to week....

[ILLusion]

To add, this build uses a "dry lubrication" concept I've been working with. It's done by mixing fine graphite powder (dry) in to a grease base (I used white lithium) and then coating all moving parts with this mixture. Once all contacting/moving parts are coated in this mix, I proceeded to work the gun through all cycling functions non-stop for a good hour or two. I fired up an episode of The Unit and watched it while I continued racking the slide non-stop the entire time. The fine graphite powder works its way in to all the small divots, cracks, seams, etc and also polishes any restricted areas to create an ultra smooth surface. Once fully worked in, all of the excess grease is wiped as clean off as possible. The fine graphite powder should remain behind and "stuck" in all the imperfections of the surface, but the result is a polished smooth surface for ultra smooth movement with NO GREASE whatsoever. The benefit of doing this is for a lower maintenance gun:

1) No new lubrication is required
2) If there's no grease, then dirt can not be attracted, if no dirt is attracted to the system, then there's no cleaning/maintenance required!

See original post, I've added a full parts list.

[ShadowNet]

Another amazing work done by ILLusion! I WANT! By the way, what holster is that?

[RacingManiac]

Btw, can the name get any longer?

[megaman]

zomgs thats is siiiiiik!
i would sleep with that under my pillow!

[safx]

Looks good bud. Why not get your own
Kimber combat (wedge/teardrop) sight
machined? Or simply use the Bomar that
comes with the TM 5.1, since the Kimber
target pistols come with them in RS.

Another small thing I noticed was your
chamber doesn't have the notch cutout,
to observe the rim of a loaded round.
Would make a nice touch to have that.

[Shirley]

Building another gun... That's a really bad habit Brian..
Anyways, like always, another sexy hi-capa.