Colt Gold Cup shell ejection issue

[rogervzv]

I own a Series 70 Gold Cup 45. I bought it new in 1982. Frankly, it has probably only fired around 300 rounds in its life. 20 years ago I thoroughly cleaned and lubed it, and put it in the gun safe. Last weekend, 20 years later, I took it out, cleaned it, re-lubed it, and went to the range. This is background stuff.

At the range, I fired 21 rounds (3 mags). On 3 or 4 occasions on the third magazine the shell casing ejected into my forehead rather than off to the right. I cannot recall this ever happening before, but then again it has been 20 years. Good thing I was wearing eye protection.

Anyone have any thoughts about this? I plan to take it to the range again soon and put more rounds through it to see how recurrent the problem is.

[Voo]

I would think check the following in this order:

1) extractor -proper tension
2) ejector - proper angle
3) ammo - brass variations do occur

Your 1911 runs, so it doesn't seem like a deal breaker. All the same, it's something that is readily correctable.

As for the eye-protection, you SHOULD always wear it while shooting. I don't know how many times I've been hit with splatter on a 20 yard pistol range. Brass coming right back at your face is bad enough, but I always worry about ricochets. I've been sliced a few times to never want to go onto a shooting range without full eye-protection. Kudos that you had them on.

[Miltiades]

Recoil spring?

Perhaps a new recoil spring would cure it? Wolff Springs is a good source.

Wolff Gunsprings website

[rogervzv]

Thank you for the replies. Yes, eye and ear protection are fundamentals.

Miltiades, thank you for the link to Wolff's. I have bookmarked it. Very interesting.

Guess I will shoot some more rounds out of my Colt this Sunday using only good new ammo. (Some of the stuff Sunday was old.) If the problem recurs, I guess I'll be taking it to a Smith.

[redcliff]

The knowledgeable posters above have provided great information.

As you're aware, empty cases heading toward your face are a result of the cartridge case hitting the ejection port on the way out, and getting kicked rearward by the slide.

This is caused by either an ejection angle issue, or an ejection timing issue. Ammunition, extractor tension, ejector angle and recoil spring all come into play.

What ammunition were you shooting? Assuming it was 230gr hardball I'd consider replacing your recoil spring. Gold Cup's used to ship with both a light and heavy recoil spring, one for target ammo and one for hardball. A recoil spring thats too light can cause ejection timing issues. A 16# recoil spring would be the correct one for 230gr hardball ammo, although some people like 1 or 2 lbs heavier.

Also, since it's easy to correct, I'd check the extractor tension also as this can affect ejection angle issues. With the slide removed and barrel out, slide a loaded cartridge into place under the extractor hook and against the breach face. The extractor hook should be at the centerline of the case. The loaded round should stay in place while lightly shaking the slide in any direction. More vigorous shaking should cause the cartridge to release.

If an extractor tension problem is indicated there are instructions online on extractor tension adjustment, or post here and I'm sure someone will give you guidance. http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm has some information by Bill Wilson.

[rogervzv]

Thank you for all the information. I actually learned a lot about this from all of you, and in the process decided that diagnosing and fixing the issue is above my pay grade. So the 45 is now at the local gunsmith, and I am temporarily without my 45...

Gonna be a long 1-2 weeks!

[Wherryj]

I own a Series 70 Gold Cup 45. I bought it new in 1982. Frankly, it has probably only fired around 300 rounds in its life. 20 years ago I thoroughly cleaned and lubed it, and put it in the gun safe. Last weekend, 20 years later, I took it out, cleaned it, re-lubed it, and went to the range. This is background stuff.

At the range, I fired 21 rounds (3 mags). On 3 or 4 occasions on the third magazine the shell casing ejected into my forehead rather than off to the right. I cannot recall this ever happening before, but then again it has been 20 years. Good thing I was wearing eye protection.

Anyone have any thoughts about this? I plan to take it to the range again soon and put more rounds through it to see how recurrent the problem is.

My father has a Colt Delta Gold Cup Match that insists on firing the odd casing down the front of the shirt of whoever fires it. As with your's it is somewhat random and he's never been quite able to get it to stop-even after taking it to a shop.

Perhaps he needs a better shop...

[zfields]

sounds like a gun to me.......

[R.Mac]

Nice Voo. Nice Redcliff. Love to see replies like these. Real help not cantankerous blah blah.