1911 Ejector Peened

[cindynles]

I just noticed that the ejector on my 1911 is peening. This is a Springfield Loaded with approximately 4000 rounds through it. 90% of the rounds through it are my USPSA loads (230gr LRN with 4.9gr of W231). It hasn't affected function of the gun. Is this something I should be concerned about? Should I dress the ejector down or maybe send it to Springfield? Or should I just leave it alone until I see some impact to ejection?

[ojisan]

If the groove in the slide where the ejector runs has minimal clearance to the ejector, the peening may cause some slide binding or drag.
In this case dressing it would be a good idea.
If the groove is generous in size and there is no ejection problem, I would not bother with it for now.
Most ejectors are of a softer steel so they won't crack and break under repeated impact like a harder / more brittle steel would.
Being soft, they will peen like this.
The peening may slow or stop as the parts wear in to their preferred shape.

[cindynles]

I broke out the mic and measured the ejector at the widest point on the peen (0.059") and the extractor channel, (0.093"). It looks like I have plenty of clearance so I will probably leave it alone for now. Its just strange that I never noticed this before. I clean the gun after every range session. Maybe I am just being paranoid / OCD.

[Gunsmith Dan]

Normally the 3 reasons a ejector gets peened like that are:

1) Excessive dry cycling of live rounds (live round much heavier that empty case) or dummy rounds.

2) Extractor holding case too tightly (normally with this problem your case only ejects a short distance out of the pistol and the extrator will show signs of rounded hook edge).

3) Someone banging around inside with tools and not watching what they are doing.

or sometimes it is all 3 together.

Unless I am forgeting something the slide channel should not be causing the problem since the slide goes back to expose the ejector, as opposes to the ejector being exposed and sliding into the channel.

[cindynles]

Normally the 3 reasons a ejector gets peened like that are:

1) Excessive dry cycling of live rounds (live round much heavier that empty case) or dummy rounds.

2) Extractor holding case too tightly (normally with this problem your case only ejects a short distance out of the pistol and the extrator will show signs of rounded hook edge).

3) Someone banging around inside with tools and not watching what they are doing.

or sometimes it is all 3 together.

Unless I am forgeting something the slide channel should not be causing the problem since the slide goes back to expose the ejector, as opposes to the ejector being exposed and sliding into the channel.

Thanks for the info. I'll check the extractor tension. Do you think I should dress the ejector down?

[Josh Smith]

Thanks for the info. I'll check the extractor tension. Do you think I should dress the ejector down?

You know, if it's not binding or causing other problems, I wouldn't.

If it makes you feel better, then by all means go for it!

It's an extended ejector (I'm assuming a Government-sized pistol) and it could lose that nose while still working properly.



Only reason the extended exists is due to the Commander. Originally designed for 9mm for military trials against the Beretta and others, the Commander has a shorter stroke than does the Government. This necessitates the longer extractor to kick the shell out.

On a Government model, the extended extractor is usually fitted for increased reliability in the event of a short stroke.

Josh

[cindynles]

Good point. I'll leave it alone until/unless I see problems.

[redcliff]

When was the last time you changed the recoil spring?

[cindynles]

When was the last time you changed the recoil spring?

About 1500 rounds ago. I put in a 16.5 LB recoil spring. 90% of what I shoot are my USPSA major loads, but they are not that hot (230gr Bear Creek, 4.9gr W231, 760fps).

[redcliff]

About 1500 rounds ago. I put in a 16.5 LB recoil spring. 90% of what I shoot are my USPSA major loads, but they are not that hot (230gr Bear Creek, 4.9gr W231, 760fps).

Thanks, sounds like you are on top of your maintenance. I was just curious if there was any correlation between a worn recoil spring and ejector peening but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

[azgsmith]

If you are not using steel case rounds the heat treatment was off during manufacture,