1911 feeding problems?

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JimmieA.

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I have a new to me .40S&W 1911 that was worth $1500 new. It will remain unnamed at this point. When I got the gun used (not from this site) it failed to feed basically once every magazine load of 6 shells. I took it home and found the gun was filthy so I cleaned it as best I could(not the trigger area). The gun looks like it has shot a lot of rounds as there is noticeable wear on the inside of the slide and on outside of the bbl. I went back to the range today, it was +7C and sunny, I was using ball ammo, hand loads, lead but I also bought factory ammo that could be called semi-waddcutter I guess, little flat spot on the ball, FMJ. My handloads had a fail to feed on the 4th of 6 rounds three times in a row and the round ended streight up, lead up, slide closed and jammed. I tried the factory rounds and they didn't FTF in 2 magazines. I have no more 8 round magazines for this gun but have 5 10 round mags so next time I will try one of these, they look new.

Since this gun is very well used I'm wondering if I should change the return spring on it as a maintenance item? The magazine seems like it is dirty, I guess they can be opened up? It has a plastic bottom on it. I think there is a little hole in the centre bottom. I hate things that just plain don't work so I have to get this issue sorted out. I'm kind of cheesed off as I paid top $$ for this gun used and should not be having issues with a higher end 1911 bought from a gunsmith. I was supposed to get 2 8 round magazines but didn't and I expect it is hard to find magazines for a .40S&W 1911.

Looking for advice regarding the FTF issue and the return spring change out I guess.
 
I think you're on the right track. Mags are the first place I would look. If you can borrow some known reliable mags to test that would be great. If not maybe you could pick some up. I would buy new. Also strangely the Tripp Research mags didn't work in my 10mm 1911 even though they have a great reputation so it may take some experimenting. For my 10mm the Colt and metalform mags work great.

The ammo you're using is the other major factor. The power factor should determine the weight of recoil spring you use. I run lighter handloads and use lighter springs as a result. I had nosedives with my 10mm 1911 when I used 20lb springs but when I went down to a 14lb spring the problem went away. The other key to reloads is bullet length. You may be too long or short and that will have an adverse affect of feeding.

As a side note do you know what make of ball ammo you were using? I've had a hard time finding anything but flat point in .40/10mm.
 
I had an STI Trojan in 40.
With it's original mags,would jam up with 40 factory ammo.
Did some searching on Brian Enos site.
Bought some 45acp Wilson 47d mags,loaded my rounds a little longer and never ever had a problem again.
I was using once fired police brass and would get the odd bulged Glock brass.
That did not want to feed.
Took a case gauge and checked my rounds and if a case was bulged it would get turfed.
Check your recoil spring also.
It may be past it's prime
I used ISMI springs,but it's been a whille and can,t remember the weight.
It was possibly 13 lbs.
Check your powder load.
Is it too light?
Give everything a really good cleaning.
You don,t have to take the mags apart.
Take a patch with your cleaner,push down on the follower and clean inside the top of the mag.
With the rounds sticking straight up,it sounds like more of a cycling problem than a feeding problem.
You will get the pistol running,even though at the moment you have to do a little troubleshooting.
I should have kept that pistol.
Shooting 40S&W through it was a joy.
Kind of like a hopped up 9mm.
 
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Its pretty much a mag issue for most 1911 feeding problems, followed by the extractor. As already mentioned, .45 mags work just fine with .40 ammo, sometimes better. I use the $18 ACT mags from Wolverine Supplies in my .40 and .45 1911's with no issues. I shoot mostly WWB 165gr in my .40 with no issues.
 
Doesn't hurt to clean out the mags every so often. Just take a small punch and press into the hole on the bottom of the mag while sliding it forward. Make sure you're wearing protective glasses when you do it!
 
This lead is made by Cactus Plains. It comes in white pails in 1000 round lots for $100 at my local dealer. I don't think they stock it any more. I have this lead in .38, .40, .45, and .44. The softness and shape is all over the map. I have had major issues with one batch of .45 ACP round nose, mainly too soft but no trouble with the stuff shape like a wadcutter/cone end. I wouldn't recommend the stuff, I'm using it up and going FMJ after this. The lead causes me too many issues vs. the cost savings.
 
The mags I have have a metal spacer at the back, primer end. This is at least 1/8 inch offset from the back edge. To look at the .40S&W and the .45ACP mags they are really close. The .40S&W has more crimp at the top to hold the bullet but not much. I'll try a .45ACP mag as well on this gun. Thanks for the reply.
 
I called the man who built this gun. It is a semi custom build. He wants me to try different mags and see if that works. If not he will sell me a new recoil spring or send him the gun. I think I'll get a couple new mags and a new recoil spring at any rate. He thought I should get a 16 pound spring. This gun cocks much easier than my STI .45ACP so the spring could be weak. It wouldn't surprise me if this gun has shot 4,000 rounds, just a guess but it has a lot of wear inside. I have had good luck buying used guns on here but I sure got screwed this time, live and learn.
 
4000 rounds really isnt that many. But it very well may be the original spring, Ive changed the recoil spring on all used guns Ive purchased just so I know where to start the maintenance intervals. Unless something like the extractor needs replacing once you find the right spring and mag combo it should be fine, especially considering it ran fine with factory ammo? This isnt unheard of for any .40 cal 1911, Im sure there are some who have them run well out of the box but most require some tinkering to run 100 percent.
 
The life of the barrel is probably 75,000 rounds.....slide and frame will never wear out. You got a long way to go before that gun is done...get a couple .45 mags, 14 and 16lb recoil springs and start shooting.
 
JimmieA. said:
I called the man who built this gun. It is a semi custom build. He wants me to try different mags and see if that works. If not he will sell me a new recoil spring or send him the gun. I think I'll get a couple new mags and a new recoil spring at any rate. He thought I should get a 16 pound spring. This gun cocks much easier than my STI .45ACP so the spring could be weak. It wouldn't surprise me if this gun has shot 4,000 rounds, just a guess but it has a lot of wear inside. I have had good luck buying used guns on here but I sure got screwed this time, live and learn.
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I don,t think you got screwed, but whoever sold you the pistol should have had it in working order before they sold it to you.
As Hitzy had stated earlier,check your extractor tension.
Before you spend too much money on springs,mags,etc.,check the tension.
Go on youtube or find a tutorial on checking it.
In less than 5 minutes with a piece of your brass you can check the tension.
It could be too light.
I hit a point where my .40 1911 was having problems and I was having a fit trying to figure what was wrong.
I knew nothing about extractor tension or how to adjust it,but found a tutorial online and adjusted the tension.
Never had a problem again.
You'll get the gun running perfectly,but you have to do some troubleshooting
 
Hitzy said:
The life of the barrel is probably 75,000 rounds.....slide and frame will never wear out. You got a long way to go before that gun is done...get a couple .45 mags, 14 and 16lb recoil springs and start shooting.
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slide and frame fit will wear out before the barrel does most likely, or about the same time. slides will also crack sometimes. But i agree its got a long way to go, my super cheap spartan is at 10k and the same as when i got it... minus alot of the finish...

.40 1911s are also the most finicky of 1911s so a few troubles arent unexpected
 
Lef T said:
I don,t think you got screwed, but whoever sold you the pistol should have had it in working order before they sold it to you. You'll get the gun running perfectly,but you have to do some troubleshooting
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The gun is worth $1550 new, I paid $1300 plus tax for it plus around $70 shipping. I traded in a Browning HP that was less than 3 years old for $500 because I was really honest about it's maybe issues and didn't want to screw someone on here. I was supposed to get two 8 round mags and didn't. At this point the gun isn't very accurate, likely the worst gun I own. The seller is a gunsmith. I think the price paid was for a cream puff gun and this gun is not a cream puff. Like I said, live and learn. I believe the man that built the gun is good and all will be OK in the end. The gun looks perfect on the outside so that is something. The trigger is very nice.
 
I made up some more of the lead ammo and went to the range down the road. I used the 10 round .40S&W magazine and the 8 round .45ACP mag. I had one FTF with the .45 mag but the .40 was flawless. I retried the original mag and it jammed right away. I going to try to take apart the original mag to see if I can fix it. I'm going to order a new 16# return spring as well. I am still having accuracy issues but that is getting better. It was cold and I was wearing gloves so my grip wasn't the best. That gun sure has a hair trigger. Have to be careful with it. I'm a little happier now. Never been to that range close to home. It isn't all that nice but close so that is good.
 
How bout a picture of your new toy. I'm guessing it's probably got some promise once you get it running. As for the accuracy you may want to try experimenting with different bullets/loads. Also make sure that when you're testing accuracy that you're shooting from a secure rest.
 
I'm too cheap to have a smug mug account and the google photo sharing account I don't like. Right now the gun shoots low and to the right but most likely it is me, like 99% likely. Getting it running 100% is the main objective right now, accuracy will come later. I am a awful pistol shot at the best of times, for sure with a semi-auto. I have to get used to the trigger that is way softer/shorter throw than anything else I have except SA revolvers.

Here is a picture from the builders web site, it is a .45ACP model but mine looks close.
https://www.dlaskarms.com//popup_image.php?pID=16&osCsid=bb14ecc800de9012bd95a1aa95d7fb00
 
Nice gun you have Jimmie.
If the pistol is sited correctly and you are shooting right and low it sounds like you are a lefty.
Check your rear sight and see if it is centered.
I like a light trigger for target shooting.
You're going to end up loving that pistol.
It's a quality piece of machinery.
 
In the end I know it will be good, taking a while to get there. I am a lefty. I think the sight is centred but I'll look again. I contacted Dlask about one of his Pro Plus models but he has been away for a few weeks. Maybe wait till this one is sorted out first on that. Looks like I just got a S&W .357!
 
load heavier bullets and your poi will raise up...... I have 8 mags for my 1911, 2 of them cause me grief yet the other 6 run flawless, I suspect it is the follower springs in the mags as they are easier to load then then the others. Look into mec-gar mags for the 1911..they run well and are priced right...marstar has them.
 
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