SA 1911 feeding issues

[esartori]

So i recently picked up a used mil-spec 1911 operator and went to the range. I put about 100 rounds through and had about 10 FTFs throughout the session.

Upon receiving the gun, i took it apart, cleaned and lubed it with ballistol and tetra grease (and it was immaculate from the previous owner so it was almost overkill).

I also used a new Chip McCormick power mag+ as well as the stock mag and had FTFs with both (especially on the last round but some with rounds throughout the magazine load count).

I did use factory 230gr ball ammo from federal and noticed it was fairly dirty ammunition. So maybe some residue build up on the feed ramp/throat could have caused some of the issues.

Also I know I bad grip could have caused feeding issues but I always keep a proper grip as high on the grip as possible.

Really the only things I am not sure about are the extractor (which is clean and seems like it gets a good grip on the casing) and the recoil spring. Because it is used, and I think has over 1000 rounds, it could be weak. Should I replace it with a stronger spring? (like an 18.5 lb spring?)

If anyone else knows what could be wrong/what I am missing let me know. I am not a gun smith in anyway but am comfortable with firearms. Id like to know if there are any common, easy fixes before I drop it off at a smith.

[stphnman20]

Yea polish the feed ramp and get a new spring..

[J-cat]

Does it cycle the rounds from the mag when you hand rack the slide or does it hang-up as well?

[OneSevenDeuce]

Where did the mags come from? I mean, obviously the factory mag came with the gun, but was the Chip McCormick yours or the previous owners? Any magazine can start to fail and that has been the problem more often than not when I have had issue with my SA. A weak mag spring can often be the issue.

If it is a fairly new gun with few rounds through it before you got it, it may not have been fully broken in yet. 1911s seem to be particularly susceptible to issues during the break in period. I don't think it would be a recoil spring issue after only 1000 rounds, but if you aren't really sure of the round count it could be either one. Weak spring, or not fully broken in spring.

[oddjob]

Clean it and don't do anything to it.

Use several different mags (Wilson, factory & etc).

Use several different types of ball ammo.

If it still malfunctions.... try to take a picture of the malfunction & post it here.

If the mags & ammo are good look at the breech face of the slide (where the firing pin comes out and strikes the primer). Make sure its smooth and no burrs are present.

Then check the extractor. Take the slide off (field strip). Slip a live round under the extractor just as if it picked up the round from the mag. Lightly shake and make sure the round stays put. It might take a little tuning. My GUESS is its the extractor. Its an easy fix.

Check this link...Lots of good tips here!! http://www.brazoscustom.com/Home.htm

Good luck!!

[esartori]

It works ok when hand racking (can't remember if any hangups when doing this) and the mag was brand new. But I will try the extractor to see its fit with a round. And I know this gun was the owners favorite and so I assume it worked great. He lost it when he got in trouble w his wife and so he had to put it up for consignment but offered to buy it back already so I think its good.

[oddjob]

I believe Springfield Armory has a lifetime warranty. You could call them & ask questions or maybe send it to them.

[Mute]

What kind of ftf are you getting and is it consistent in how it fails? A better description will help us narrow down what may or may not be the cause of your problems.

[esartori]

Mainly it jams about halfway into the barrel and the slide locks up halfway or partially open. So I have to rack the slide back to free the round.

[oddjob]

My guess is the extractor.

[himurax13]

Have you taken the barrel out? Do your round drop in nicely below the barrel hood?

[Mute]

As oddjob said, probably the extractor has too much tension. If you do the extractor test mentioned earlier, the cartridge you have a ver small amount of movement. It shouldn't flop around all over or be so locked in by the extractor that it doesn't move at all. The easiest way to test it is, of course, is with a tension gauge

[esartori]

Ok well I don't have a tension gauge but I guess I can have a gun smith look at it. Weird because I didn't touch the extractor other than to clean it a little (without removing it).
But I can try that test u mentioned with a live round. Thanks

[Chief-7700]

Ok well I don't have a tension gauge but I guess I can have a gun smith look at it. Weird because I didn't touch the extractor other than to clean it a little (without removing it).
But I can try that test u mentioned with a live round. Thanks

Pull the extractor out of the gun some gunk may be in the extractor tunnel.

[Greenbeanz69]

My advice, don't bother your time or money on it, you don't have to. Send it to SA to fix. They have wonderful customer support, they'll check the rest of the gun out for you and fix anything else on it they see amiss.