I've got a Kimber M84 Select Grade in 308 Win I won in a raffle this spring. I already own am 84 Montana in 257 Roberts so I'm no stranger to this platform.

I like everything about this neat little rifle and it actually shoots Hornady 150gr Superperformance ammo into 3/4" at 100. BUT....the damn bolt is a real pisser to close. I'm talking on an empty chamber... It takes more than twice the effort to close the bolt than lift it on an uncocked firing pin.
It takes more effort to close it than my cock on close No4Mkii Enfield...and that's saying something! Of the two dozen or so bolt guns I own nothing takes this much effort to close...and its the same amount with or without ammo BTW.

Now its still under factory warranty and I'm sure they'd sort it out if I sent it back. But is there anything simple I can check or do before I have to box it up and go through the hassle?

I checked the headspace with my .308 no-go and go gauges and everything is good there. Timing? Secondary lug too long?

Thanks in advance.

JKS

check the scope base screws on the front ring ... back them out and try again

I appreciate your reply but it was like this before I ever mounted a scope. I'll double check. I was kinda hoping that shooting it would loosen things up a bit to no avail.

Just read, with or without ammo.
Remove the firing pin assembly and try it; report back.

I had a similar problem last summer with a Nesika. It turned out that the threads on the nose of the bolt shroud were galled, making it difficult to open and close the bolt. I replaced the bolt shroud and now I keep it well lubed. Something to check.

I had similar problem on a MRC 1999 stainless, cocking piece needed some grease, was dry from factory and starting to gall.

OK...took off the bolt shroud and firing pin assembly and the whole thing closes like butter. Also, with the safety in the middle position the bolt closes with ease. Lastly, the safety is also rather difficult to engage from the full forward position on a cocked bolt.

...Opinions?

Yes, my opinion is that is why they raffled it off; it didn't work right.
Another opinion is that you need someone who knows how to fit Model 70 type safeties, to work on it. You can make it unsafe if you get the timing off.
Third opinion and one assumption; your threads are good, since it closes normally with the safety in the mid position.
That narrows it down to 3 other things.

Kimber sent me a shipping label today so hopefully they can sort it out. Hey! I've got $40 in this rifle...gotta make it work!

Just thought I'd update everyone. Kimber sent me a shipping label last week and I shipped the gun on Wednesday. I saw it was delivered to Kimber in Alabama on Friday August 21st. I got an email on Monday the 24th telling me the rifle had been repaired and is being shipped back. UPS delivered it this AM. The gun is fixed and is a peach to cycle now and the safety is very nice--positive but much easier to engage. Just like I like them.

The invoice said they: "Replaced firing pin assembly and adjusted bolt", "adjusted protrusion and safety per factory specs", and "test fired with 1 mag of Winchester 180 gr power points 5 rounds." The following services were also performed: A complete gun check and QC inspection. I had adjusted (not modified--just used a hex key per the instructions) the trigger down myself to about 2.5 pounds and surprisingly they didn't mess with it!

No charge for shipping or repairs and 8 days door to door. While the ideal situation would have been no need to send it back in the first place, I have no complaints about the quality or speed of the service and am impressed with that.

As I said...I have $40 in raffle tickets in the rifle (not counting scope and mounts) and its an $800 gun... So I'm a happy camper. It shot great with Hornady Superperformance 150 gr and that's not even letting the thin light barrel cool down between shots. Its gonna be a great little deer thumper!

Thanks for everyone who tried to help. Happy happy happy.

;Nice when things work out well.

Dave

Good report! Thanks.

My buddy has a little issue with one but he's waited so long to send it back that I doubt he'd luck out with the same speedy service.

He's only had since LAST OCTOBER to take care of it so I cannot feel badly for him if he has issues on his hunts.

I've had the shipping box and materials in my shop since November. I guess I can throw it all away now. I guess if it's not important to him it shouldn't matter to me ..but..... LOL

Zeke