Love the username, I left Bragg in 86 and I think I've STILL got sand from Sicily DZ in some of my old boots!
The recoil system isn't quite as fragile as it looks, but Kimber DOES sell replacements. (A little expensive, but that's what happens when you depart from 1911 interchangability.)
I suppose there are at least a couple different recoil systems the pistol could be modified to accept, but the cost would probably not be worth the slight advantage (if any) you would get out of the conversion.
As far as how long it will last, go ahead and shoot that puppy! I have an Ultra Elite that I've fired thousands of rounds out of with nothing but some wear to the finish on the frame rails.
One word of advice though.
Carry hardball ammo in your pistol. Over time, some HP rounds (depending on bullet geometry) can literally gouge a groove in the feed ramp and trash your frame.
Use hardball and you'll never have to worry about it.
(Lead SWCs are fine also)
The recoil system isn't quite as fragile as it looks, but Kimber DOES sell replacements. (A little expensive, but that's what happens when you depart from 1911 interchangability.)
I suppose there are at least a couple different recoil systems the pistol could be modified to accept, but the cost would probably not be worth the slight advantage (if any) you would get out of the conversion.
As far as how long it will last, go ahead and shoot that puppy! I have an Ultra Elite that I've fired thousands of rounds out of with nothing but some wear to the finish on the frame rails.
One word of advice though.
Carry hardball ammo in your pistol. Over time, some HP rounds (depending on bullet geometry) can literally gouge a groove in the feed ramp and trash your frame.
Use hardball and you'll never have to worry about it.
(Lead SWCs are fine also)