1911 discussion

[dbuck1031]

Originally Posted by AZ5326

Gents, using either Wilson or Chip McCormick 8 round mags. Every now and then it will fail to completely go into battery (nothing "tap/rack" doesn't fix), or on a fresh magazine it will fail to feed the first round as I manually rack the slide to load the first round (and I'm definitely not "riding" the slide home). Always ran well lubed.

This has happened with ball practice ammo, not defensive ammo.

Just a suggestion, order a bit heavier Recoil Spring. I've had this issue before and it was resolved with a new spring maybe 2# heavier (16# to 18.5#). Depending on how many rounds you already have downrange, it could be "time". As I am sure you are aware, the recoil spring in a 1911 is like changing the oil in your car. I change mine every 2500-3000 rounds, personal preference.

[Attila175]

I've got a Wilson, two Nighthawks, a Springfield PRO, an STI 9mm, two stock Colts to go with one from the Colt custom shop, and a full custom gun built for USPSA single stack in .40. The least reliable is the USPSA gun, but that is partly because it was built in .40. My NH GRP has the most rounds through it. All the .45s are reliable as long as I keep them reasonably cleaned and lubed, use good mags (Wilson, Tripp or CMC) with good mag springs and change the guns' springs.

[dbuck1031]

Double Tap - Sorry.

[AZ5326]

Originally Posted by GPC

AZ,I was just looking at the papers with my Wilson's from the 2001 time frame and it had a list of recommended ammo.

I agree with other posters try diffent ammo.I didn't know the CQB comes with a FLG now.
I'm not a fan of them myself intend to replace the one in my Protector with their flat wire kit.
Do the new Wilson's still come with shock buffers?That might be a factor?Take it off and try that too?

Mine came with a full length guide rod. The buffer was the first thing to get tossed the first time I disassembled it! Lol! I think I just need to break down and buy the parts to replace the guide rod with the original parts designed by St. Browning...

[AZ5326]

Originally Posted by dbuck1031

Just a suggestion, order a bit heavier Recoil Spring. I've had this issue before and it was resolved with a new spring maybe 2# heavier (16# to 18.5#). Depending on how many rounds you already have downrange, it could be "time". As I am sure you are aware, the recoil spring in a 1911 is like changing the oil in your car. I change mine every 2500-3000 rounds, personal preference.

Put a new #17 in it before the last range trip, and maybe 200 rounds downrange that trip (had a couple of hangups on the feed ramp when manually dropping the slide on a full mag, but no other issues). I think I like the idea of a slightly heavier spring. Think I'll try out a #18.5.

[AZ5326]

By the way Leopardprey, great thread. One of the best we have had in the Weapons section in a while. Lots of good info going on.

[leopardprey]

I have to admit, this Ed Brown Special Forces with the "battle Bronze" color is pretty sweet looking. Heard they replaced out their "Cast" parts now also, such as their thumb safeties, with stronger forged parts. So maybe would not have that issue with a cracked safety I had before.

[Xdeth]

Pictured alongside an M79 ha ha.

[dbuck1031]

Or you could do what I did, and replace EB parts with WC Bullet Proof parts, made me feel "dirty" in a good way.





Leopardprey - offer's still open if you want to borrow the Dan Wesson's I have.

[leopardprey]

Originally Posted by dbuck1031

Or you could do what I did, and replace EB parts with WC Bullet Proof parts, made me feel "dirty" in a good way.





Leopardprey - offer's still open if you want to borrow the Dan Wesson's I have.

I may take you up on that. Will send ya a PM>


Now what type of grips are those? Wood/maker? Very nice.

[dbuck1031]

Originally Posted by AZ5326

Put a new #17 in it before the last range trip, and maybe 200 rounds downrange that trip (had a couple of hangups on the feed ramp when manually dropping the slide on a full mag, but no other issues). I think I like the idea of a slightly heavier spring. Think I'll try out a #18.5.

I just re-read that you are using 8 round magazines - try this, load 7 rounds and see if the problem persists. If this corrects the issue, it's the mag springs having too much tension, and as others have said, load them full and let them sit.

If it doesn't, or the problem exists with only 7 rounds loaded in an 8 round mag, I would start looking at polishing the feed ramp, looking at barrel throat angle, etc. (Keep in mind, if these may be the issue, I would contact Wilson and let them sort it out for you. They have really good CS and turn around on repairs to existing customers.)

Just some simple suggestions, and easy fixes.

Trust me, I've been through the gambit on 1911 issues, and all mine run like sewing machines now.

And the grips on my EB are by Arizona Ironwood LLC, in case anyone was wondering.

What some may find funny, is this is actually the "crown jewel" in my collection in my opinion, just because what it is, and how low a production run they were. Not to mention it has been carried more than any of my other 1911's:

[8654maine]

Awesome pics.

[edd1e22]

Originally Posted by AZ5326

Put a new #17 in it before the last range trip, and maybe 200 rounds downrange that trip (had a couple of hangups on the feed ramp when manually dropping the slide on a full mag, but no other issues). I think I like the idea of a slightly heavier spring. Think I'll try out a #18.5.

A well built 1911 should be able to feed any type of ammo and utilize any quality magazine. I had a similar issue to what you described and it was an issue with the locking lugs being out of spec. Gun manufacturers are simply not fitting barrels and slides together properly and you can tell by inspecting for wear in that area.

I've owned over 40+ 1911's which run the gamut of all the manufacturers and the only good mainstream builder as of 2011 was Les Baer(I stopped keeping up with guns after that). Many other brands mentioned start off good but quality goes downhill quick once production ramps up. If Kimbers are your thing, find a Series 1 made in Clackamas as those were great guns. Best 1911 I've owned and the only shooter I kept is a Valtro 1911 made by John Jardine.

[AZ5326]

Originally Posted by edd1e22

A well built 1911 should be able to feed any type of ammo and utilize any quality magazine. I had a similar issue to what you described and it was an issue with the locking lugs being out of spec. Gun manufacturers are simply not fitting barrels and slides together properly and you can tell by inspecting for wear in that area.

No unusual lines of wear in the area of the locking lugs (pistol has well over 1,000 through it), and the feed ramp is polished like a mirror straight from Wilson Combat (pistol was made around 2005).

Still waiting on my order from Brownell's to come in so I can lose the full length guide rod, and move to an 18.5lbs spring. If I'm still having issues my suspicions will turn toward the extractor interfering with smoothly chambering a round. The thing ran like a top the first few hundred rounds, then started hiccupping.

[AGates]

Bill's best smiths left in 2005 to start Night Hawk, I traded a CQB for a Pro - no regrets, still looking for a Ted Yost that isn't $4000+... the Baer Stinger is a nice carry gun but heavy...

Nick - Joe's guys are currently carrying Chip's 10 round mags if they are using a 1911, but you probably know that - I stopped a deputy at the SGC and asked him what he was carrying, that was maybe 11 months ago.

[The Fat Guy]

Originally Posted by AZ5326

Put a new #17 in it before the last range trip, and maybe 200 rounds downrange that trip (had a couple of hangups on the feed ramp when manually dropping the slide on a full mag, but no other issues). I think I like the idea of a slightly heavier spring. Think I'll try out a #18.5.

FTF can also be poorly tuned extractor.

[AZ5326]

Originally Posted by The Fat Guy

FTF can also be poorly tuned extractor.

Copy that TFG. That's the next suspect on the list if the fixes I'm going to implement don't cure things.

On a side note: Brownell's seems to be moving like molasses lately. Heard that they are in the middle of moving their operation. PSA: if you need your parts with any kind of quickness, it may be good to avoid Brownell's for a bit.

[AZ5326]

Originally Posted by AGates

Bill's best smiths left in 2005 to start Night Hawk, I traded a CQB for a Pro - no regrets, still looking for a Ted Yost that isn't $4000+... the Baer Stinger is a nice carry gun but heavy...

Nick - Joe's guys are currently carrying Chip's 10 round mags if they are using a 1911, but you probably know that - I stopped a deputy at the SGC and asked him what he was carrying, that was maybe 11 months ago.

Ted is a great guy to do business with, and extremely knowledgeable. First met him when he was the head Smith at Gunsite.

No ten rounders for me these days. I work plainclothes now, with the occasional need to go concealed.

[Tango Chaser]

I have a SA 1911 that was cobbled together by SA as a give away prize gun. Slide and frame combo doesn't match anything in their catalog. 500rds and not a single hiccup. This includes a couple hundred rds of steel case Russian stuff. I am going to get a beaver tail grip safety as it does bite me on occasion.

[AZ5326]

Finally got my parts in from Brownell's. Need to hit the range ASAP.