Another 1911 9MM nosedive (different)

[Walkalong]

I recently purchased a used Kimber Tactical Pro (5") in 9MM. It came with a "Springfield" type mag. I was told it had a built in "ledge", or whatever, which was supposedly the best mags for 9MM 1911's. It looks like the one Brownells sells, but I can't be sure. I took it out with my Ranier 115 Grain RN reloads that I shoot in everything else with no problems. (1.130 to 1.135 O.A.L.)

It almost never fails that the first two or three rounds feed and fire just fine while the 3rd, 4th, or 5th will nose dive into the ramp and stick. Almost every time without fail.

If I rapid fire sometimes it will shoot every round, but not always. Very frustrating.

Any ideas? Thanks, AC

 

[schmeky]

Walkalong,

This is very similiar to the problem I have. I specifically ordered the Metal-Form "Springfield" 9mm magazine for my 1911 project pistol.

For me, this mag was part of my problem. I luckily had a factory Colt mag on hand from my 9mm Commander. There is a big difference between these 2 mags in the front or forward facing area of the mag. I don't know about Springfield 9mm 1911's, but these mags will not work properly in my 1911.

 

[schmeky]

Here's a picture of the "Springfield" mag on the right, Colt is on the left.

 

[Walkalong]

Thanks smecky

The mag on the right looks like the one I have, but I do not understand this happening with the middle rounds in the mag and not the first 2 or 3. The first two or three never fail to feed, only the middle rounds. Very strange. I guess I could get a Kimber and/or Colt mag to see if that will fix it. I hate to buy a bunch of mags if it is something else.

 

[jmorris]

Remove the spring and follower from the problem magazine and polish any burr that exists in the area shown in photo.

 

[schmeky]

Walkalong,

Neither do I understand. On my Springfield mag, the metal extension (where there is none on the the Colt mag) would cause, what I call, a magazine jam. The round would hit the high wall of the Spring mag, meaning the jam actually occurred in the mag. Hope this makes sense.

With Colt mags, if the round being stripped nose dives, there is nothing in front of the bullet nose to hit/jam against.

The Springfield mags just don't work in my 1911/9mm.

 

[Jim Watson]

Walkalong,

Do you ever get up to Steel City for IDPA? I could bring along the four or five different magazines that all work in my 9mm Colt and let you try a selection.
Colt and Metalform rear spacer original type 9mm.
Metalform .38 Super
McCormick .38 Super
Metalform 10-round 9mm.

 

[Walkalong]

Mighty nice offer Jim. I don't get up that way though. Which mag do you suggest I buy to try. Thanks, AC

Thanks jmorris. I will give that a try. AC

 

[rcmodel]

The first two or three never fail to feed, only the middle rounds.

Spring pressure gets less as the mag gets emptier.

Could this be one of those rare applications for a Wolf extra-power mag spring?

You could also try bending the top spring-loop front-end up to put more pressure on the front of the follower and see if that helps.

You could also bend the follower up slightly and try that.

Myself, I think all 9mm 1911's should really be .38 Supers!
They work more better because the cartridge fits the gun!


rcmodel

 

[Jim Watson]

Strange as it may sound, the Metalform 9-round .38 Super magazine with their round follower is the one that has never failed to feed 9mm in any of my guns. And it is much the best about engaging the slide stop.

The blue one is only $17 from Gil Hebard # MCB-38 (Unless they have had a price increase and even if they have, they will still probably be cheapest.)
(309)289-2700

 

[Walkalong]

Metalform 9-round .38 Super magazine

I will give it a try Jim. Thanks, AC

The first two or three never fail to feed, only the middle rounds.

Spring pressure gets less as the mag gets emptier.

Could this be one of those rare applications for a Wolf extra-power mag spring?

Well, I thought about that, but I thought (there I go thinking again) that since it fed the last ones OK, after nosediving the middle ones, that it wasn't a weak spring. I could, obviously, be wrong about that and a spring would be cheap to try. Thanks, AC

 

[Walkalong]

Well. I took the mag apart and there was a nice burr along the top of the built in "ramp" of the mag. I removed it with a small round file and polished it with 400 and 600 grit paper. I polished the feed lips with the same. I also knocked the corners off the follower with the 400 and 600 grit paper and then tumbled both the body and the follower overnight to polish them a bit more.

I stated earlier that the rounds were nosediving into the ramp, but they were nosediving into the "ramp" on the mag.

I took the gun out today and shot 5 mags of the Raniers without a single malfunction. I then shot 2 mags of Berry's 124 Gr HP which is a finicky feeder sometimes. My Bennelli despises them. I shot two mags of those without a malfunction. Then I shot 2 mags full of alternating 115 RN and 124 HP rounds with only 1 malfunction. One of the 124 HP'd nosedived into the "ramp" of the mag.

Overall I though this was a success, since this is a range gun and I am not going to carry it. If I carry a nine it will be my awesome little EMP. I still think an extra power Wolff spring will help and I am also going to order a new mag monday from Gil as suggested by Jim. I may try a Colt mag as well.

Thanks to all. AC