SA 1911 GI problem

[Devilfrog]

I've been having this problem since I bought my Springfield 1911 GI .45-
When firing the next round fails to chamber (see pic). This doesn't always happen each shot, sometimes its every other, but always on last shot. Ammo brand and type doesn't seem to be it, I've tried Federal HPs, American Eagle ball, Fiochii ball, Gold Dots, reloaded ball, and several others. This happens with all of my Factory Springfield magazines, so I don't think that has anything to do with it. I've put about 350-400 rounds through it so far. Yes, it is lubed, I've tried more lube, less lube etc. but no luck there either.
Looking for any ideas??? :banghead:

 

[Mags]

Sounds like perhaps your followers in your mags may be burred or weak/kinked springs, take apart your mags debur, and reassemble.Or try an aftermarket mag.I threw out my factory mags they weren't worth a crap. My SA 1911 didn't act right till about 700 rounds. Good Luck.

 

[Holgersen]

Same problem

I had the same problem with a lower end 1911 in my small and meager beer budget collection.

Basically how I fixed the problem was I stuck it in my safe and just brought it out for range sessions, because it was very accurate. After about 500 or so rounds it just started to run flawless. I also started using wilson combat lube and replaced the recoil spring to an 18.5 pound spring instead of the 16 pound. I don't really think those additions did much, but the last few times I've gone to the range with it there hasen't been any problems.

Don't know if that helped, but my problem seemed to solve itself after a few frustrating range sessions.

Sadly it only sits in my safe still, because I have more comfortable guns to carry. Especially since the start of summer.

 

[Shimitup]

The picture shows a pretty typical stoppage if any of or combination of; burr on the firing pin hole, rough breech face, sharp edge on the bottom of the extractor, rough chamber. It appears to have made it past the feed ramps and out of the mag lips. I had a Colt Gold Cup and currently a Randall both of which had one or more of those issues. A gentle twist with a countersink on the firing hole and stoning a slight radius on the bottom of the extractor worked wonders. along with polishing the chamber. Of course before you do anything take it apart and give it all a good inspection with a magnifier and look for any marks on the case from sharp edges.

 

[loop]

I agree with the 18 1/2-pound recoil spring. I put them in all my full size 1911s. Three of them functioned flawlessly through 200 rounds of ammo at the range today.

I always, before I even shoot a new or used 1911, put in an 18 1/2-pound spring from Wolff. I also put in Wolff +10 percent mag springs. I suspect your problem is either a mag spring that is not lifting the round high enough for the round to get a square shot at the chamber or a recoil spring that simply doesn't have enough umph to chamber the round. Either way, a few springs will cure it at a cost of about $20.

 

[Holgersen]

I still say fire the mother #$%$%% for a few more rounds than see how it acts. If it still sucks than I don't know send it to a gun smith for x amount of dollars, but I still find it funny that the almighty 1911 needs more tinkering than a saturday night special. But I do love 1911 for the tinkering. LOL

 

[loop]

How many Saturday Night Specials do you have to own before you know a 1911 takes more tinkering?

 

[rhtwist]

Hello,
I am having the same problem on a different brand. Since it's the last round, IMO it may be the mags. If you are able, I was told to remove the extractor, put the gun together and hand cycle some rounds thru it. If the problem goes away its probably the extractor. Be careful.
rhtwist

 

[gyp_c2]

well...

...send it back...
It will come back functioning and won't cost anything...send the magazines with it...

 

[Zerodefect]

Let me guess? Metal folowers in Springy mags?



Wilson 47D mags and an 18 pound recoil spring should solve your problem.

 

[Dan Crocker]

I had a guy at a class whose SA 1911 was doing that too. My Wilson 47Ds did a great job clearing it up.

 

[Cloudpeak]

I'd start trouble shooting with the extractor, then mags. I have 7 Springfield mags and they've never had a problem but I had two Springfield's that would jam as you showed in your picture. I lessened the tension on the extractor and changed from the Lee 200gr SWC to the Lyman 200gr SWC and they performed 100% after that. I also installed an EGW oversize firing pin stop (with a small radius) to prevent clocking and improve recoil characteristics.

http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm
http://www.brazoscustom.com/magart/ejection perfection.htm
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104729
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=23697&highlight=external+extractors
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=99404
http://www.brazoscustom.com/magart/0609.htm
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=208379

 

[krs]

You all need these:http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_32&products_id=239

 

[M&PVolk]

Holgerson wrote:

I still find it funny that the almighty 1911 needs more tinkering than a saturday night special. But I do love 1911 for the tinkering. LOL

HaHahaha...one of the reasons why I am still on the fence about owning one. I have been really interested in them lately, but they truly seem to require an awful lot of tweaking and TLC to run.

1911's are beautiful and cool guns, but the perfect design for a combat handgun should work out of the box. It's funny how many people give the 1911 a pass when it malfunctions, but the AR-15 gets ripped. I want a 1911, but when it comes to "must go bang" situations, give me modern combat tupperware.

 

[Holgersen]

I didn't exactly mean it as a rip on 1911s I was just saying that I have more inexpensive handguns that have never malfunction after 1,000s of rounds. They're also not exactly saturday night specials but they're no Les Baers.

 

[Steve C]

If you load one round in the mag and cyle the action by hand does it jam the same way?

Put one round in the magazine and then slowly push it out from the back with your thumb to see if you can detect any roughness or catching in the rounds passage. It could be a rough spot on the follower or on the feed lips. If you find it take the magaine apart and use some emory cloth to remove it. Just using the magazine enough times can smooth out the rough spots often attributed to breaking things in.

 

[M&PVolk]

Holgerson wrote:

I didn't exactly mean it as a rip on 1911s I was just saying that I have more inexpensive handguns that have never malfunction after 1,000s of rounds. They're also not exactly saturday night specials but they're no Les Baers.

I didn't take it as a bash on 1911's, nor did I intend to bash them either. Like I said, I want one. I just am having a hard time justifying spending 1911 money on a gun I have a good chance of needing a gunsmith for right out of the box. RIA, Charles Daly, and Para both have me seriously considering one just for the lower cost of entry in case I have to go to a GS. I can't imagine dropping $1k+ for a gun and immediately taking it to a gunsmith to get it to work.

I do mean the AR15 thing, though. Why do 1911 malfunctions just get accepted and overlooked while the AR gets bashed? I bet the failure and issue rate for both is very similar. Just an honest question...

 

[mljdeckard]

I'll tell you why I'm pretty sure it's a mag problem. I took a small box of 1911 magazines from my arms room when we traded them in for M9s in 1992. I took them home, and found that they varied greatly in quality, about half of them worked fine, but the 'oldest looking' ones malfunctioned in a variety of 1911s exactly as you described. It sounds to me like your magazines are.....a little too authentic. Some of those old mags might well date back to the end of WWII, when we quit buying new 1911s.

And M&PVolk, if I bought a Vietnam M-16A1 spec AR, and it malfunctioned, I would blame the weak mag springs, bad followers, and other components that caused early M-16s to malfunction. No malfunctioning gun gets a pass, no matter how new it is or how much you paid for it. I paid $630 NIB for my Kimber, and it hasn't hiccuped.

 

[Devilfrog]

Well looks like I'll be giving Springfield Armory a call on Monday. If I can get this fixed free by the manufacturer I will certainly take them up on it. If not then I'll try some of the other suggestions.
Thanks for all the input!

 

[weisse52]

HaHahaha...one of the reasons why I am still on the fence about owning one. I have been really interested in them lately, but they truly seem to require an awful lot of tweaking and TLC to run.

Not so sure this is true.

I currentyl have three Colts and one Norinco in shooting rotation and have not had a FTF / FTE or any other problems in I do not know how long. Two of the Colts (a 70 retro and a 80's series) where new out of the box and I have not had a single problem with either.
One mid-70's Combat Commander purchased used and a Norinco full size also used. I replaced spring sets with fresh Wolff and no problems.

One thing they all have in common is they are box stock and mil-spec.

Colt, Wilson, and a few CMC magazines

I have shot all types of hardball, from WWB to Wolf with no problems. I have used Federal Hydra-Shok (230 gr) with no problems.

So am I really that lucky?

Now, I also have owned SA and Wilson 1911's. No problems with the Wilson, No real problems with the older SA's. Did have some problems with one GI that had FTE problems when new. One trip to SA and no more problems.

NO "break-in" on any of them.

I still wonder why I hear so many problems and I have so few...

 

[sterling7c]

weisse52:

I still wonder why I hear so many problems and I have so few...

Same boat and an old argument isn't it - the unreliable-tweak-needing OOB 1911. Guys, the GI 1911 is built to exacting mil specs whilst few manufacturers follow the specs in the same manner. I've owned or shot just about every 1911 that's ever been made over a 50 year period and have to say it is and always will be a great platform. So you may have to tweak a cheaper 1911 ... is that such a big deal? When it IS tweaked it'll run like an oiled wheel just about forever and never let you down. Mags, springs, ejector. slide stop etc. can all be tweaked/changed to suit your needs and your pet ammo and isn't that part of the enjoyment of gun ownership - personal customization. The 1911 Vs. everything else debate will go on forever and all I can say is untill you get bitten by the 1911 bug you'll never understand its appeal. FWIW my hackaround Springer 1911A1 (PX9151L) didn't even let me play with it - it ran like a top OOB and has done for many 1,000's of rounds. No flames please .. I also love SIGS/HK's/and all the rest too

 

[loop]

I like tweaking 1911s. Unfortunately, I only buy good ones and they rarely let me do very much...

Even my darn Warthog worked like a top OOB. I bought it last week thinking it would be a project. I finished the break-in period with no malfunctions. Now I have to find extra stuff to do or get a "jammomatic" from someone who doesn't know what they are doing...

When's the next gun show?

 

[sterling7c]

loop: LOL ... drat those 1911's Bought my first TGO-1 many years ago and have several other 1911's from cheapie RIA's up inc. Baers and Wilsons. No cheapie jammos with decent mags (I still like Tripps) - boring isn't it

 

[loop]

sterling7c,

Honestly, I'm bummed. I read so much negative feedback on forums about the Warthog I thought I'd have a project gun right out of the box. I was looking forward to fixing its issues. It's $%@^ perfect.

Why, oh why, do I have so many 1911s that are 100 percent?

All I want is a 1911 that malfunctions so I have something to work on in the evenings...

At least I found some things to do on the Warthog. A fiber optic front sight and ghost ring rear would be nice. So would an arched mainspring housing. And, I found a guy who makes scrimshaw grips for the Warthog.

I am so bored!

Somebody, please, sell me a jammomatic!

 

[CWL]

The first most likely reason why your pistol fails to feed is because of the magazine.

The second most likely reason why your pistol fails to feed is because of the magazine...

Try a different brand magazine, or replace the stock springs with Wolff +10% replacement springs.