Ruger SR1911 Issues

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GunfighterAlpha

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Hey guys, buddy of mine just picked up a new SR1911 and he is having a lot of FTF's. We have tried 4 different types of factory ammo, 4 different types of mags and still, the problem persists. The rounds keep getting caught up on the frames feed ramp. My initial though was lemon recoil spring or QC issue with the frame.

He returned it to place of purchase so they could test it and send it away if need be. The store "tested" it, then replied with "you're just limp wristed, the gun is fine". Now I've personally shot this SR1911 and I'm no stranger to a 1911 in 45ACP. Put 9k through my spartan without many issues at all. I was having the same FTF's with this SR1911 in question.

So is the store just providing bad customer service so they don't have to deal with him? Or is there another issue you guys can think of that I'm overlooking. Any help would be great, look forward to your replies.
 
I have a few 1911s including a Ruger one, the ruger does seem to have a heavier recoil spring and jumps quite high (highschool physics coming to good use, finally!). it's true that if you aren't used to it then your wrist absorbs a lot of the force that was supposingly used to cycle the action. But mine didn't have any problems in that regard even though I'm fairly new at shooting (though I shoot at almost every chance I get). If anything, find a buddy w/ a SR1911--if you live around Toronto or go to silverdale gun club, we could always meet up--and have a feel and try at their gun to isolate what the problem is. That's helped me with my tt33 jamming issue too!
 
I live in Brandon, MB (kill me now) so there's not too many people out here who shoot seriously other than the IPSC crowd. Yes, the rounds nose dive and will not feed even if you try and force the slide closed on the round. I hate the fact 1911's use the frame rather than a feed ramp on the barrel, as I have seen this issue before, just never this bad. Ramp looks polished, next step is a dremel if the store won't send it away.
 
Check and see if the lip of the feed ramp on the frame is below the level of the ramp on the barrel. If it is, that might be your culprit.
 
I had the same kind of issues. Check the slide to frame clearence, without the barrel or spring installed.
Also i found that the retainer plate on the guide rod can get out of position during reasembly. Good Luck!
 
I found the SWC ammo I reload to not feed worth a crap in the match grade or tight slides, the "looser" the slide the easier it fed, My buddy actually has a guide rod that has a nut that makes his slide and recoil springs all very tight, no feedy the swc!! as well as the Chinese norcs with the full length recoil spring guides brand new, way tight and lots of ftf but the round nose stuff should rack through all of these mentioned slides
 
A couple of thoughts. First consider putting a known 16 lb recoil spring in and trying it. 2nd check that the extractor tension isn't too tight. Take the slide off and slide a dummy round up the breech face under the extractor. It should go in smoothly. A fired case should be held firmly by the extractor but a loaded round should drop out if the slide is shaken. Read up on extractor tension too much = FTF too little = FTE I'll try to find a link later

Next check that the mags aren't sitting too low. Try a friends mag, a completely different brand. Try firing the gun with firm upward pressure on the mag bottom with the palm of your non shooting hand.

DO NOT dremel or polish the feed ramp, it is rarely the direct cause of feeding problems. More feed ramps are screwed up with dremels then any other cause.

Lastly post this problem on the American forum 1911forumdotcom in the gunsmithing section. This is a heavily visited forum with a whole pile of professional 1911 gunsmiths. Lots and lots of Ruger 1911 fans there.
 
If there are horizontal machining marks, or the feed ramp/barrel troat feel rough it could be the problem. See if it catches your fingernail at any point. Other than that, check for burrs on the extractor hook, and tension.
 
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Its all been ball 230gn. Mags have been Ruger, STI, Chip and ACT, all same issues. I'll give what you guys have said a try and get back to you. Heddok you seem quite knowledgeable in this area so I will give all of that a shot ASAP.
 
When you load your mags, give them a few good raps on your leg to make sure the rounds are all the way back in the mag. EGW sell a mag catch that is cut to seat mags a little bit higher....that might cure the nose dives as well
 
If simple remedial fixes mentioned above don't work. Send it back for warranty repair/replacement! Don't f**k with it or look at replacing parts as others have mentioned and void your warranty. The pistol is new and your buddy has warranty coverage even if the retailer plays the "must be the shooter" BS game.
 
Trinimon said:
If simple remedial fixes mentioned above don't work. Send it back for warranty repair/replacement! Don't f**k with it or look at replacing parts as others have mentioned and void your warranty. The pistol is new and your buddy has warranty coverage even if the retailer plays the "must be the shooter" BS game.
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Agree..good advice
 
A new 1911 should be able to work right out the box using factory ball ammo and good mags(which you are).If it doesnt,there are major issues with the pistol.The excuse that it is your fault due to "limp wristing" is just a fob off as Ive tried many times to get my 1911s to malfunction using a really weak grip/gun on side etc,all without success.The 1911 is also less prone to limpwristing than glocks as there is more weight in the gun and using factory 230s makes this even less likely.You actually wonder whether they even actually tested the gun.

Also,dont be tempted to break out the dremel tool or "polish the feed ramp".This will usually do nothing other than potentially wreck the frame and void your warranty.The 1911 works within a very narrow range of anfle of the feed ramp,and changing this,rounding angles etc .Ball ammo should work,even if there is some roughness on the feedramp.

The EGW mag catch may help as it hold the rounds higher in relation to the feedramp and may help the nose down malfunctions,but at the end of the day,take the gun back to the dealer and insist that they send it back to Ruger for warranty work or replace the gun.
 
My ruger sr1911 has been flawless. accurate and never on ftf/fte even right out of the box.. however the front sight did pop off mid shooting, i called Location Snap Shots inc. in Montreal (which is the shop that does all warranty work for ruger) i got in touch with them right away and mailed it off and they took care of it quickly with no problem or cost. i would recommend giving them a call they could definitly fix it or at very least tell you why this is happening.
 
MartyMorningwood said:
My ruger sr1911 has been flawless. accurate and never on ftf/fte even right out of the box.. however the front sight did pop off mid shooting, i called Location Snap Shots inc. in Montreal (which is the shop that does all warranty work for ruger) i got in touch with them right away and mailed it off and they took care of it quickly with no problem or cost. i would recommend giving them a call they could definitly fix it or at very least tell you why this is happening.
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I hear about the site issue with about every SR1911. Why don't they fix this?
 
Its funny you say this, as that was another reason he took the gun back lol. After a shot he said "um, where is my front sight?" She snapped clean off.
 
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