Springfield 1911 fail to feed

[kevinj0101]

I purchased a Springfield A1 1911 GI model a few years back and I keep getting a nagging problem. About every other magazine I shoot through it I get a jam, mostly but not always on the last round of the magazine. When the pistol was new I figured it would clear itself up over time but 500 or so rounds later I still get the problem here and there.

Had anyone else experienced this? I have tired many brands of ammo and it does not seem to matter, along with a couple different brands of magazines. I love how the gun shoots, it just fails to feed about the last .5 inches every so often.

[OneSevenDeuce]

I would almost bet the farm it's the mags fault.

[Jn316]

Got pics of this FTF? Is it w/the same mag? or w/different mags ?
Would help to see it

[ojisan]

The last round in a magazine is held in a different position against the feed lips because it is held there by the follower.
All prior rounds are pushed against the feed lips by the next round below.
This alters the feeding angle, different for the last round.
This is an old problem, it varies with the follower type used.
I'm not fond of the flat steel top followers at all, they seem to last-round-jam a lot.
Some flat top followers have a dent or dimple sticking up in the middle of the flat.
This is to try and more closely match the feed angle of the upper rounds.
I tend to avoid the flat follower designs....although I have a couple of cheapo flat follower mags that work just fine.
Buy a quality mag like a Wilson or whatever and see if it fixes the problem.

[kevinj0101]

I have 2 mags that came with the pistol, 2 Shooting star, and 2 that were bought at a gun show that have no brand name on them. But that would make sense that it does it with all the magazines as all three brands i have have the flat top as you say.

I don't have any pictures, just try and imagine the round has made it halfway into the chamber, all you have to do is give the slide a nudge and it feeds the rest of the way.

I would have thought this sort of potential problem would have worked its way out now after almost 100 years but you learn something new everyday. At least its not as bad as some aftermarket mags for a mini 14. When I find a different style magazine I will have to give it another go back to back with my current ones.

[TayR_1911]

I had the same problem with the same mags your using on my kimber. It's the mags. Switched and haven't had any problems yet. The last round kinda edges it's way forward, and when it's about to be fed into the chamber it pops out and when the slide comes back, it wedges it facing straight up. Sound like the same problem

[TayR_1911]

Ojisan pretty much hit the nail on the head. Try a different mag. Solved my problem

[shooting4life]

After market mags should fix the problem

[willssmithing]

If what you are describing is correct, this is called a three point bind, and is caused by
Extractor tension is too heavy
Too much extractor clocking, caused by a too loose firing fin stop
incorrect clearance between breech face and extractor hook
Incorrect breech face dimensions
Barrel not properly throated
Very rough breechface
Very sharp f/p hole
Not enough bevel on disconnector track( this is the part of the slide thar strips the round out of the magadine) sharp and is dragging on the round below; slowing the chambering process
Or a combination of one or two more of these.

[ojisan]

^ all this is what is typically done in a "Reliabilty Package" by a gunsmith...plus a few more things.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I had a similar problem with my Springfield 1911 I got some wilson combat mags and the problem went away I would get some good aftermarket mags and give it a go also it never hurts to have extra mags

[chucksolo69]

Not necessarily the mags guys. I had the same problem with my Springfield GI except mine wouldn't feed the last round of ANY magazine, period; this even happened on high end Chip McCormack mags. The last round would always hang up and I would have to push the slide into battery with my thumb. I sent the gun to SA on a Monday and got the gun back on that Friday. SA installed a new extractor, throated the barrel and polished the feedramp for me, all at no charge. Gun has worked fine ever since. They paid shipping postage both ways too.

[Ledbetter]

I changed all my mags to Wilson followers, even the McCormicks. Much Much More Reliable.

[Colt]

Post # 9 pretty much nailed it. If I were you I would, in order (stoppig when problem goes away):

See if extractor is clocking
Check extractor tension
Check mag feed lips
Change mag springs
Try different mags
Have it looked at by competent 'smith, or send it back to factory to fix if that's an option.

good luck

[eastershawn]

i had the same problem with a loaded model, i wasnt sure if the gun had to be broken in or what, but i ended up buying some chip mccormic mags so that i could have 10 rounds and i havent had the problem since, so i think it was the mags