1911 Improvements.

[Galadren]

So I have a Springfield Armory GI .45 and I've noticed sometimes it has problems feeding a new round into the chamber, the round often getting caght on the lip. A while back I saw a thread saying putting in a new recoil spring and getting new mags would help.

Any suggestions on a new recoil spring?

 

[Candiru]

Increasing recoil spring weight to force a round into the chamber is just going to mask the real problem, if it works at all. As long as the slide is capable of returning to battery, it should chamber a round.

With respect to magazines, what kind of magazine are you using now? And when the round gets hung up on the lip, what do you mean by the lip? Does it occur at the beginning, middle, end, or anywhere in a magazine?

 

[Galadren]

Usually when chambering the first round, but it happens at random points when firing. Maybe every couple of mags or so.

Right now I'm just using the two factory mags that came with it. Think just getting new mags will solve the problem?

 

[Candiru]

Depends on the nature of the problem. Where exactly is the round hanging up, on the frame part of the ramp or the barrel part of the ramp?

 

[MT GUNNY]

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_magazines.asp Thats all I have to say about that!!

 

[Zerodefect]

More info needed.

But,..........lose the stock mags. i used all my stock Springy and Kimber mags for target practice. Get some Tripp 7 round flush mags.

I used to use Wilson but the Tripp mags are better and do hold the round up higher for better chambering.

 

[Candiru]

I'm going to suggest taking a look at my magazine articles and deciding for yourself:

first article
followup article focusing on feed lips

 

[Coronach]

Interesting second article.

Query: if you were carrying hollow points, would you still recommend the hybrids? Because that's my situation. I shoot ball ammo for practice, but if I ever carry the 1911 "for real", it would be with a quality hollow point. I've done some cursory reliability testing with Colt hybrid mags and Hydrashoks, and it seems to work fine, but I'm always interested in hearing someone else's educated opinion.

Mike

 

[Geno]

I have 6 Colt 1911s. All 6 function fine even with Winchester 230 grain Personal Defense HPs. These things look like frying ash trays! I use both Colt and Kimber magazines, and both function flawlessly.

I seem to recall 1911Tuner pointing out before, that even some thing so small as if the extractor is improperly tensioned, that can reduce feeding. That is only one problem. The feeding ramp, the barrel improperly machined, etc. I'm no 1911 expert, and I can't afford the Holiday Inn this week, so the best I can do is say:

Drop Tuner a line.

Geno

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

semantics

If the pistol is suffering frequent stoppages, it needs to be repaired - i.e., put in proper working order - not "improved."

 

[DeepSouth]

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_magazines.asp Thats all I have to say about that!!

+1

7 rounders to, not 8.

 

[lnlreloader]

Increasing recoil spring weight to force a round into the chamber is just going to mask the real problem, if it works at all.

A different recoil spring is not necessarily just forcing a round into the chamber. It may just change the timing enough that the round will feed.

 

[loop]

Here's the answer for 100% reliability.

Wolff +10 percent mag springs and a Wolff 18 1/2-pound variable power recoil spring.

The rounds are not being pushed up quickly enough to be caught squarely by the slide. The mag springs will cure that.

The slide is returning too quickly to allow the mag spring to push the round into position. The variable power spring will slow the slide down a bit.

If you want to play gunsmith the issue can probably be resolved by a new firing pin stop plate and judicious filing and polishing. You have to be really good to do that, though.

It is a timing issue. The springs will take care of it.

 

[2RCO]

IMHO opinion springer mags seem to have some issues. My SA's for whatever reason (I think it's the shape of the feedlips) don't like their factory mags. They will however eat like champions from Kimber, Wilson, Colt, USGI, and some Stainless Mags I had made up for 2RCo that I haven't put on the market yet.

 

[cjw3cma]

If the pistol is suffering frequent stoppages, it needs to be repaired - i.e., put in proper working order - not "improved."

Of all the posts this one is the most appropriate. rather than spending $$$ trying to solve your problem, take it to a competent 1911 gunsmith and have them do a reliability check on the gun. Worth every penny if you ever plan on carrying it as personal defense.