1911 question

[rabbitstew]

Hi friends. I'v got a 1911 kimber that I'v been putting though some rigorous testing of ammo and magazines. In my testing I'v found that my gun really hates 10 round high cap mags. I seem to get feed failures all the time vs. rarely with a rounded 7 rd. "rounded" follower mag from "kings gun works". I'v tried chips and a $50 wilson's... Still no luck. So could it be the mag spring pressure thats giving me ftf's due to the fact that 10 rounders have a significantly heavier pressure??? Could it be that my gun likes rounded followers?? (hard to find). Should I raise my recoil pounds (using an 18 now). Any help would be wonderful.

[rabbitstew]

Anyone out there ????

[s10rick]

I too am curious about the same thing regarding Kimbers. The experts will chime in here shortly to answer question

-Rick

[hawk1]

Hi friends. I'v got a 1911 kimber that I'v been putting though some rigorous testing of ammo and magazines. In my testing I'v found that my gun really hates 10 round high cap mags. I seem to get feed failures all the time vs. rarely with a rounded 7 rd. "rounded" follower mag from "kings gun works". I'v tried chips and a $50 wilson's... Still no luck. So could it be the mag spring pressure thats giving me ftf's due to the fact that 10 rounders have a significantly heavier pressure??? Could it be that my gun likes rounded followers?? (hard to find). Should I raise my recoil pounds (using an 18 now). Any help would be wonderful.

Not sure what Kimber you are shooting or how many rounds have been through it so far. If has been broken in sufficiently, 500-750 rounds then I would go back and check the under sides of the feed lips on the mags. De-bur and/or polish up a bit to reduce the friction of stripping the round out of the magazine. Any chance you are "limp wristing" the pistol? How about lube?
I'm surprised that the Wilson mags didn't work for you.

[Miltiades]

Mag spring?

My guess would be that the mag spring is not strong enough, rather than the recoil spring on the gun itself. A vertical stack of 10 .45 rounds is pretty heavy, requiring a much stiffer spring to elevate the top round into position as the gun cycles. If the gun runs fine with 7 or 8 round mags, I'd say your recoil spring is good.

[jlh95811]

What kind of feed failures? Not feeding at all? Jamming halfway into the chamber at an angle?

Also is the mag tight when inserted or does it hang loose?

[rabbitstew]

My guess would be that the mag spring is not strong enough, rather than the recoil spring on the gun itself. A vertical stack of 10 .45 rounds is pretty heavy, requiring a much stiffer spring to elevate the top round into position as the gun cycles. If the gun runs fine with 7 or 8 round mags, I'd say your recoil spring is good.

The firearm is sufficiently broken in and limp wristing is not an issue. In regards to:

"A vertical stack of 10 .45 rounds is pretty heavy, requiring a much stiffer spring to elevate the top round into position as the gun cycles".

wouldn't that require me to have a heaver re-coil spring to chamber the round from a heaver mag spring. The 7 round mag that works flawlessly seems to have a lighter spring than the 10 rd. Are there any modifications that I can do to help with 10 rd. feeding?

[rabbitstew]

What kind of feed failures? Not feeding at all? Jamming halfway into the chamber at an angle?

Also is the mag tight when inserted or does it hang loose?

Usually the slide is halfway open, and not sliding into the extractor. BTW Extractor tension has been adjusted and feed ramp polished.

[jlh95811]

Usually the slide is halfway open, and not sliding into the extractor. BTW Extractor tension has been adjusted and feed ramp polished.

Next time you shoot it set in down on a table or something to keep it steady. This will also hold the mag up if it is loose. If that fixes the issue than you have the answer you seek. Either shooter error or mag issue. If it still does it then we must keep searching.

[randy]

I've seen many many times a 10 round mag not work. I would use one for playing a game or plinking but not for anything serious.

Check your extractor, if you having problems with a Kings 7 round mag not working then check the tension on the extractor.

If you are shooting factory ammo then the 18 pound spring is perfect.

Make sure the gun is clean and lubed.

[hkfooey]

I have a TLEII/RL and it works on all magazine - 7, 8 or 10 rounds.

Made are both WC and CM. Works fine for me.

[buffybuster]

Overall in my experience, standard 7-rd mags or 8-rd mags w/ 7 rds loaded have been the most reliable. 7+1 loading is the most reliable to me.

8-rd mags with 8 rds loaded is slightly less reliable especially when you load 8+1. Then the slide puts pressure on the top round which can cause coil bind. To get 8 rds in a 7-rd body, compromises must be made in the follower and spring to get that additional space. As a result, some 8-rd mags work better than others.

10-rd mags have all the issues of 8-rd mags with increased mass of the ammo on the spring. Also, unless there is an absolute stop on the mag body you could push the mag too far into the magwell if you're loading during slidelock.

YMMV

[Tactical Support]

I with factory tuned 1911's see this alot. I personally use them in testing only due to the proven track record of failures.

The 10 round magazines tend to really put the 1911's already difficult feed cycle to the test. Having the top rounds nose dive is common, and if the gun is not set up right, you can end up with feedway stoppages. Ramp,throat, extractor and a few other variables can come into play.

Spring rate is also critical in these longer tubes, as the heavy column of rounds has a longer way to go.

My experience with 10 round magazines is one of mixed success, and it's a big gamble for a comparatively small gain.

I am located @ Ammo Bros if you are seeking professional help.

[smokingloon]

why type of ammo are you using?

[rabbitstew]

Mostly white box 230 grain.