1911 and Glock issues at range

[Mute]

As cindynles so correctly mentioned, last round feed issues are typically magazine related on 1911's. The weak spring can fail to force the last round up under the extractor hook, especially if the extractor tension is on the tight side.

A second issue, inertia feed can also occur. With inertia feed weak magazine springs (especially combined with worn recoil springs, or magazines which have been oiled internally) can cause the last round to slide forward as the pistol recoils out from under it due to inertia and it then is in front of the extractor hook, causing a failure to return to battery fully. If the problem reoccurs next range session try to see where the cartridge rim is in relationship to the extractor hook.

Unfortunately Wilson 47d's are known to have an overworked magazine spring due to the length of the magazine tube being on the short side for an 8 round magazine which then necessitates a spring that is too short that is compressed too much and wears rapidly. Tripp Research makes a conversion kit for them that reduces magazine capacity to 7 rounds with new follower and spring. 47d's can also suffer from feed lip spreading/cracking.

After 38 years of 1911 shooting with about every magazine type available I only purchase Tripp Research Cobra Mags or Chip McCormick Power Mag+ magazines if I want 8 round magazines. Wilson also now produces the ETM magazine to directly correct the deficiencies of the 47d magazine (read the description they have for the ETM some time and you can correlate the improvements they made with the problems that occur with the 47d). If I ran Wilson Combat I'd discontinue the 47d (along with their extended slide stop abominations). I'm sure the legion of 47d fans will now attempt to burn me at the stake, but they seriously need to try some of magazines mentioned and compare the quality.

Pretty much the same conclusions I've come to after decades of running 1911s and quite a few of those with every brand of 1911 magazines one can find. I suggest you heed redcliff's advice.

[Fherot]

The inertia issue sounds like it, the rounds were infront of the extractor hook wedged partially into chamber.

I couldn't recreate the malfunctions by hand cycling magazines with dummy rounds hmm. The magazines might have slight amount of oil inside from using milcomm wipes a couple months back. Ill take them apart and wipe down.

Ill try the Tripp/Chip McCormick magazines next time.

Edit- found the problem: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=211590

Looks like I need the Tripp super 7 kits and start buying different magazines. My Act Mag and MecGara have been flawless. Go figure wilson combat...

[redcliff]

The inertia issue sounds like it, the rounds were infront of the extractor hook wedged partially into chamber.

I couldn't recreate the malfunctions by hand cycling magazines with dummy rounds hmm. The magazines might have slight amount of oil inside from using milcomm wipes a couple months back. Ill take them apart and wipe down.

Ill try the Tripp/Chip McCormick magazines next time.

Edit- found the problem: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=211590

Looks like I need the Tripp super 7 kits and start buying different magazines. My Act Mag and MecGara have been flawless. Go figure wilson combat...

You won't be able to reproduce the inertia feed problem with hand cycling. The last round literally stays in place in space due to inertia (the resistance of an object to a change in it's state of motion or rest) while the pistol recoils rearwards which puts the cartridge in front of the breach face and extractor.

Here is a picture of it happening, with credit to Log Man at the 1911 forums for the photo. Notice how the slide is at the rear most extension of it's travel but the last round is forward in front of the breach face/extractor and sliding up the feed ramp.

[Fherot]

You won't be able to reproduce the inertia feed problem with hand cycling. The last round literally stays in place in space due to inertia (the resistance of an object to a change in it's state of motion or rest) while the pistol recoils rearwards which puts the cartridge in front of the breach face and extractor.

Here is a picture of it happening, with credit to Log Man at the 1911 forums for the photo. Notice how the slide is at the rear most extension of it's travel but the last round is forward in front of the breach face/extractor and sliding up the feed ramp.

Thanks for pointing out the problem and the Short comings of the wilson 47D's. I'm glad I went to range to test all my magazines again since my 1911 has become my new bedside gun. Would have sucked to discover the issue at a bad time at 3am...

I ordered 5 Tripp kits to swap out with the springs and followers in my 5 47D's.

In the future I think I will buy the standard 7-round flush steel base plate Wilson's for $20.

[Fherot]

Update: I don't think the Glock was malfunctioning... I don't know if I was gripping too hard or my stupid tight button up shirt that was digging into my arms when in firing stance was cutting off blood or what. I believe I was gripping too hard and my finger was going numb, literally couldn't pull trigger on reset till I relaxed and straightened it then squeezed again.

My inner forearm muscle has been stiff all day next day.

Anyone get this?? Weird and first time for me.

[Fishslayer]

Unfortunately Wilson 47d's are known to have an overworked magazine spring due to the length of the magazine tube being on the short side for an 8 round magazine which then necessitates a spring that is too short that is compressed too much and wears rapidly.

Yup. Exact problem I had with the two I bought. Problem went away when I replaced the springs & followers with 7 round items. Probably got close to $40-ish per mag in them. Overpriced & overrated IMO but a lot of people seem to like 'em. I'll stick with my cheap Checkmates.

From the Gospel According to JMB...

And the profaning of the internal parts didst render it unworkable when the dust of the land fell upon it, and these profaners didst try and fit more rounds of ammunition into the magazines than the holy number of seven, appointed for the .45.

[negolien]

I like the shooting stars from chip they are decent yet affordable. They have never failed me in IDPA to this day. After almost 3 years It may be time for a change though I haven't noticed any issues I assume the springs wear out eventually.

[Fherot]

Yup. Exact problem I had with the two I bought. Problem went away when I replaced the springs & followers with 7 round items. Probably got close to $40-ish per mag in them. Overpriced & overrated IMO but a lot of people seem to like 'em. I'll stick with my cheap Checkmates.

From the Gospel According to JMB...

Atleast you didn't have to spend that on 5 magazines like me... Never again will I bother with 8 rounders. For the money I spent on mags + 5 7-round fixes I could have had like 11-12 Checkmates or Metalforms.

[redcliff]

Atleast you didn't have to spend that on 5 magazines like me... Never again will I bother with 8 rounders. For the money I spent on mags + 5 7-round fixes I could have had like 11-12 Checkmates or Metalforms.

You should try the Tripp Research 8 round magazines before writing 8 round magazines off. They're simply the finest built 1911 magazines of any capacity which I've ever used. I have a few with the alloy base plates and they're especially nice