On my Sam military enhanced the slide isn't fully returning all the way forward while cycling. Doesn't happen all the time, but happens with both factory a reloaded ammo. Do I need a heavier recoil spring? What weight and where to get? Really like the gun, very impressed for the price.
SAM 1911 recoil spring
- Thread starter brewmech
- Start date
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
SAM's I found came with light springs. Friend of mine has the same issue. But 16# spring is a good weight for a 1911.
- Location
- West Quebec
Your dealer should have a few around they are not that expensive..
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I wouldnt put another SAM spring back in. Too weak.
Before you worry about the spring field strip the gun and do a "plunk test" of your ammo into the chamber of the barrel. In particular the ones which stuck for you.
It may be that your chamber is not cut correctly and the ammo is sticking in the chamber. Perhaps it's a small burr that you can stone away easily or it may be something else.
If it was ONLY reloads I'd say you're not sizing things correctly or some other reason. But if this is occurring with factory ammo as well it suggests that there's something not right with the chamber fit. Or at least that it needs to be tested with the ammo.
The "plunk test" is where you hold the round over the chamber and when released it should "plunk" directly into position. Then when tipped up the round should be able to slide back out well before you get the barrel much past a 40 degree tip angle. If it's binding at all then something is wrong.
It may be that your chamber is not cut correctly and the ammo is sticking in the chamber. Perhaps it's a small burr that you can stone away easily or it may be something else.
If it was ONLY reloads I'd say you're not sizing things correctly or some other reason. But if this is occurring with factory ammo as well it suggests that there's something not right with the chamber fit. Or at least that it needs to be tested with the ammo.
The "plunk test" is where you hold the round over the chamber and when released it should "plunk" directly into position. Then when tipped up the round should be able to slide back out well before you get the barrel much past a 40 degree tip angle. If it's binding at all then something is wrong.
To add to BCRider's comment: Remember, these pistols are not finely finished Colt Gold Cups. So, some attention to detail might be lacking. I would definitely check the chamber first. Is it smoothly polished? Are there any obvious machining marks or rough spots inside? Some attention should also be paid to the barrel's feed ramp. Could be that a bit of polishing of the ramp is in order, too. It is possible the cartridges are catching on some unseen rough spot on it, on their way into the chamber. Enough to cause the firearm to fail to go fully into battery. Likewise, in and around the chamber mouth. Also, check the barrel to slide lockup. Does anything look abnormal on the contact surfaces? While you're at it, check the link. Cracked? Installed properly? I'd definitely try the "plunk" test first though, if for no other reason than to eliminate one variable.
If changing out the spring still remains an issue, you might Google: "Wolff Springs". Before replacing the spring, try to find out the "weight" of the spring the SAM pistols use. Then make your choice. One last thing.....it may also be possible that, during sustained fire enough powder residue or gunk builds up in the chamber to cause a momentary hangup while chambering a round. How much smoke are you seeing exiting the barrel, when it is fired? Are you getting more hangups before or after, 50 to 100 fired rounds? Before or after, switching from factory loads to reloads...or vice-versa? Sometimes you have to do some Sherlock Holmes sleuthing to get to the bottom of these things, but the answer will usually reveal itself once you eliminate all the possibilities.
If changing out the spring still remains an issue, you might Google: "Wolff Springs". Before replacing the spring, try to find out the "weight" of the spring the SAM pistols use. Then make your choice. One last thing.....it may also be possible that, during sustained fire enough powder residue or gunk builds up in the chamber to cause a momentary hangup while chambering a round. How much smoke are you seeing exiting the barrel, when it is fired? Are you getting more hangups before or after, 50 to 100 fired rounds? Before or after, switching from factory loads to reloads...or vice-versa? Sometimes you have to do some Sherlock Holmes sleuthing to get to the bottom of these things, but the answer will usually reveal itself once you eliminate all the possibilities.
I can usually manage a couple of mags before the problem appears. Plunk test is fine. I'm shooting 230 gr cast and plated round nose bullets with 4.5gr of titegroup. Stuffed a cotton ball in the chamber and pulled it out fine, no strands hung up on burrs. Mechanically everything seems fine. Ive had 1911's in the past and haven't had a similar problem. I will polish the feed ramp first and go from there. Not a big pistol fan, but every nutter should have at least one. Thanks guys.
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Its the spring. Your not the first person that said oh my SAM 1911 doesn't fully chamber. 20$ spring fixes the issue. Being they ship the guns with too weak springs to begin with.
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Yup but nobody listens.
- Location
- West Quebec
Are the dealers stepping up for replacements ??
- Location
- West Quebec
True but if it's such a well know /cronic issue you would think there would be replacements available if customers complained about it so much
- Location
- West Quebec
Nice.. what a place ..
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Sending out a spring I got to fix another SAM.
Thanks for the offers guys, got a #16 on the way. Been in comms with the fine folks at wolverine supplies and they offered to straighten her up under warranty. I can get a spring easier then going that route. The bys of cgn are awesome. Thanks for the help.
- Location
- West Quebec
That's another positive vote for Wolverine and shows how customer service should be done..that's what I would have expected if it's a know issue.. good on them
