1911 issues....help

[r8dr rider]

My SA Loaded 1911 won't go full battery sometimes when shooting. It usually happens on the last shot. It not the mags cuz it happens on all the mags (SA and Chip Mc). I've also tried different ammo too. If I change out the recoiled spring to a 17lb will this help it? Any input is appreciated.

[DVSmith]

give is some history of the gun.

Is it new? have you made sure it is properly cleaned and oiled? when you say "full battery" I picture the slide slightly short of closed but the round in the chamber and the base under the extractor, or do you mean something else? How far out of battery is it?

[joefreas]

How many rounds are on the current recoil spring and extractor? When was the last time you removed and cleaned the extractor?

[r8dr rider]

Guns about 4 years old. Less then 1k rounds. Like all my guns I keep it very cleaned and lubed. How you picture it is exactly what happens. The slide doesn't go all the way forward. When i manually cycle the slide the round comes out. The odd thing is it doesn't happen all the time and its only started happening recently. I figure a new spring might give it enough power to push it into full battery.

[joefreas]

Do you remove the extractor and clean out the extractor hole? You could try a new Wolf spring. Dawson Precision sells them as a kit that comes with a new firing pin spring for about $20.

[AeroEngi]

Guns about 4 years old. Less then 1k rounds. Like all my guns I keep it very cleaned and lubed. How you picture it is exactly what happens. The slide doesn't go all the way forward. When i manually cycle the slide the round comes out. The odd thing is it doesn't happen all the time and its only started happening recently. I figure a new spring might give it enough power to push it into full battery.

I think it could be a combination of 3 things: First, there could be a possibility that you might be limp-wristing. I know my friend has caused my SA TRP to fail to return to battery by limp-wristing. It never does that when I shoot it. Second, your recoil spring may be worn out/wearing out. Don't up the weight on the recoil spring, if you want to replace it, just get a new, standard 16 lb spring. Third, your extractor may not be properly tensioned. Either it has too much tension on it or your extractor may be clocking.

[joefreas]

It sounds like the spring is weak or the extractor isnt moving to clip the round.

[r8dr rider]

^good info Thx. But if I cycle the slide and the live round ejects that means the extractor clipped the round correct?

[joefreas]

^good info Thx. But if I cycle the slide and the live round ejects that means the extractor clipped the round correct?

Yes and no. The extractor can still be clipping the round but if it is binding it will push the round to the side preventing the gun from going into battery. This usually happens when something is stuck in the extractor hole preventing it from flexing over its full travel. Also a waekened slide spring may not have enough force to depress the extractor.

[KandyRedCoi]

send it in, i heard they have awesome customer service

[Press Check]

Since the last round has the least amount of compression from the magazine spring pushing it up, the failure to return to battery (FTRTB) is probably occuring from the extractor tension being too tight. In short, there's not enough magazine tension to seat the rim of the case under the extractor.

That could be one of a few different issues that create this problem.

[hornswaggled]

What ammo at you shooting? 230gr?

[Press Check]

send it in, i heard they have awesome customer service

They do!

[ojisan]

Too bad the OP is so far away.
It's not likely that a 1911-knowledgable CalGunner is in his area to give it a quick fix.

[r8dr rider]

^lol