Want my 45 ACP reloads to work in both guns

[Rich H.]

I shoot a Springfield XDs and a 1911 built on an Essex frame with a Barsto barrel and a list of nothing special parts. Both guns are reliable and never give any issues with factory ammo. Hardball, hollow points, personal defense, blazer brass, whatever.
I tried reloading some and the XDs seems to eat whatever I feed it. The 1911, not so much. It never used to be picky. Used to shoot LSWC in it for bowling pin shootsback in the 90s. Haven't shot the gun much over the years.
Mixed brass, CCI LPP, 5.9 grns HP38, Berry's 200grn Hollow Base Flat Point, 1.135 OAL, .470 crimp. XDs does fine. 1911 FTF FTE stove pipe, slide doesn't go all the way forward. Jams somehow on 3 out of 5 rounds.
I tried some bullets from MBC.
MIxed brass, CCI LPP, 5.2 grns HP38, 230 grn HiTek LRN softballs, 1.268 OAL, .472 crimp. XDs did fine. 1911 FTF FTE stove pipe, slide doesn't go all the way forward. Jams somehow on 2 out of 5 rounds.
I did the plunk test with each bullet on each barrel and everything was good before I went to the range. I have 2 pounds of HP38 so I'd like to use it. I bought a sample pack from MBC and I'd like to use them since they're a local business close by. Neither load seemed too weak or too stout. I don't have a chronograph yet.
Thoughts on improvements?

 

[lbs]

That's a lot of info. I will say I have a cz 97 that just did not like a particular type of powder, stove pipes and all the other feeding problems. So don't rule that out.

 

[Jim Watson]

1.268" is long for the typical cast RN, most are blunter than GI.
Look for the slight step down from bearing surface to nose. Seat that JUST above the case mouth. OAL will likely be about 1.25".

 

[JamieC]

Yeah, 1.268" sounds a bit long to me also. Try loading some up @ 1.260, 1.255, 1.250 see what happens.

 

[kingmt]

5.2 grns HP38, 230 grn HiTek LRN softballs, 1.268 OAL

Try pushing the bullet down to the point your OAL is 1.200".

 

[Rich H.]

Thanks everyone. I'll give the suggestions a try and let you know how it goes. It may take a day or so before I can get back to the range.

 

[reddog81]

With that many issues that sounds like multiple causes. It sounds like you’ve had the gun for quite a while… The first thing I’d do is strip the gun down and clean everything real well. The next thing I’d do is change out the springs – specifically the recoil spring, the main spring, firing pin spring and maybe even the sear spring just for good measure. That sounds like a lot but those springs are cheap – maybe $25 for the whole lot. I’d make sure to clean up the extractor real well and maybe look into replacing it if the failure to ejects don’t go away.


The slide not going all the way forward sounds like either the bullets are too long or the recoil spring is too weak. FTF could mean you need a better magazine or you have a gunked up or broken extractor. Failure to eject could be extractor or ejector problems.

 

[Tcruse]

Do the "Plunk Test" on each gun. Most likely as others have said bullet not set deep enough.

 

[Sunray]

There's 'working' and being accurate. The chances of 2 pistols likely the same ammo accuracy wise is unlikely. You might get lucky though.
5.9 grains of HP38 is slightly above current max for a cast 200. 1.135" is too long too.
1.268" is too long for a cast 230 too.
What weight return spring is in the 1911?
Mind you, "slide doesn't go all the way forward" indicates an OAL issue. Certainly isn't the load.

 

[RunninLate]

As Reddog said, check your recoil spring

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Mags,weak recoil spring or OAL are most likely causes to look at given the gun once ran fine. Charge seems sufficient to my data for reliable cycling. Shorter OAL would be the best place to start. Second mark your mags and note any failures to that magazine.

If OAL does not improve cycle, clean gun and mags thoroughly and check extractor and tune if needed.. If still not there order recoil and mag springs, re-spring, and retry. you should be there by this last step.

Edit to add:By chance did you run standard loads in these matches? if heavy did you put a heavy recoil spring on back then? just an afterthought.

 

[drband]

OAL is too long. Get below 1.230 and let us know. My son's sr1911 needs to be @ 1.225 to feed LSWC 200gr from MBC.
My opinion is that it's an OAL issue. Even a pretty weak recoil spring will cycle a 1911 if the proper OAL is found.

 

[Rich H.]

To answer some questions. I used two different magazines in the 1911. It shot fine with both of them with factory Winchester White box 230 grain. It malfunctioned with both of them with the reloads. I'm not sure what type of recoil spring is in the gun. I cleaned it the evening before I went to the range. I did do the plunk test with each round in each barrel when I loaded the rounds. I'll load up some shorter rounds this evening.

 

[reddog81]

You plunk tested every round in each barrel and none failed? That sounds like a lot of work... If that is the case then a new recoil spring is probably needed. The recoil spring is what pushes the slide into battery. Too weak and it will fail to return to battery and causes excessive wear on the frame.

What do you mean you cleaned it before the range? Did you take the extractor out and clean it? Did you take the barrel out and clean it along with the bottom and top lugs?

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

To answer some questions. I used two different magazines in the 1911. It shot fine with both of them with factory Winchester White box 230 grain. It malfunctioned with both of them with the reloads. I'm not sure what type of recoil spring is in the gun. I cleaned it the evening before I went to the range. I did do the plunk test with each round in each barrel when I loaded the rounds. I'll load up some shorter rounds this evening.

OAL should get you then. let us know how those do.

 

[Rich H.]

So I loaded 10 at 1.233 and 10 and 1.220. 1.233 worked and 1.220 did not. I only bought a sample pack of 100 to start with, so I'll load the rest of them at 1.233 and se how it goes. I appreciate the help. I may have to start shooting this gun more often. It was kinda nice to shoot it compared to my XDs as far as recoil goes.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My Springfield 1911 likes a 230gr LRN bullet over 5.5gr W231/HP-38 @1.255". You will find the OAL that will work for both.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

So I loaded 10 at 1.233 and 10 and 1.220. 1.233 worked and 1.220 did not. I only bought a sample pack of 100 to start with, so I'll load the rest of them at 1.233 and se how it goes. I appreciate the help. I may have to start shooting this gun more often. It was kinda nice to shoot it compared to my XDs as far as recoil goes.

Double check your crimp. Those larger cast bullets tighten the tolerances in the chamber and a tad too much or too little and it will give you feed problems. also remember your ram stroke....be sure its full and consistent. Your about there for sure and often its a combination of a few small things that create big failures instead of one.

 

[Walkalong]

Double check using the plunk test to figure out what OAL is max usable for each gun.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rel-find-a-max-o-a-l-with-your-bullet.506678/

1.268 is long for a RN. Might be the problem. (Plunk test) I run various weight/brand RN .45 ACP bullets at 1.260 to 1.265 OAL. (There will always be a little variance.) You might need to go shorter, but I wouldn't go down to 1.200 with a RN, although that is the right OAL for the old Hornady 230 Gr FMJ that is a FP.

1.235 OAL sounds OK for that Berry's 200grn Hollow Base Flat Point, but I haven't tried it specifically, and since the slide doesn't like to go forward with it in the 1911, you may have to shorten it. (Plunk test.) My be something else though.

5.2 Grs HP-38 is fine for those 230 Gr bullets, assuming they are not loaded real short.

5.9 Grs is kind of hot for the 200 Gr bullet, regardless of OAL and especially if loaded short.

Welcome to THR

 

[Robert101]

Could be a simple issue of the gun not liking the profile of the bullet. Some guns are just sensitive to bullet shape. I would increase the powder charge slightly if only to make certain the 1911 isn't short stroking. Of course check the alignment of the extractor too (make sure it isn't cocked slightly.