Cracked barrel on 150 round Remington 1911 R1?

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ricohman

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I bought this very low round count R1 from a well known and very well respected CGN member. And before I go any further, this would have been an unknown problem to him. If this even is a problem.
Anyway, this gun has under 150 rounds and is like new. I put 50 through it today and took it apart for cleaning. I have noticed what appears to be a crack on the ramp.
Anyone else experience this with a Remington? I am new to the 1911 world but my Norinco from the Canam deal has nothing like this.
If this is a crack, is it safe to shoot?
And if it's not safe, how easy is it to buy a barrel?




 
trebor2880 said:
Contact Remington. They may correct the problem for you, free.
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That's a good idea. I sent them a message.
I've tried to remove this with a brass brush, and some of the black on the ramp is gone, but the black crack inside remains. I am going to fire another box through it tomorrow and have another look. As a mechanic I've seen my share of cracks in metal, and this sure looks like that. But I don't want to send it anywhere if there's nothing wrong with it.
But if it's a safety hazard then I will stop shooting it right now.
 
It is hard to tell , but if it is an actual crack , and not just a scratch......then it would probabley not be a good idea to shoot it . As stated above , you may have to contact the factory customer service rep. as it may well be very dangerous to shoot.....
 
I would clean it again perfectly. If it still looks like a crack you can take it to any reputable engine rebuilder and ask them to magna flux it for you while you watch. Should not cost too much at all. I would not shoot it at all until I knew for sure.
 
Lead hammer said:
I would clean it again perfectly. If it still looks like a crack you can take it to any reputable engine rebuilder and ask them to magna flux it for you while you watch. Should not cost too much at all. I would not shoot it at all until I knew for sure.
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Great idea. A little magnetic powder will tell the tale for sure. I will see if my local shop is open tomorrow. I've taken lots of machine work there so maybe they'd help me out.
 
There are 2 Remington Aurthorized Repair Centers in Canada. Give them a call and see what they can do for you. But, being in Canada it's not an easy process to get any warranty/repair work done. As for replacing a barrel, you can import one from Brownell's but, most 1911 barrels require some fitting.

Gravel Agency
1530 Provinciale
Quebec City, Quebec G1N 4A2
Phone #: 866-662-4869
Fax #: 418-682-3343

Wortner Gun Works LTD
P.O. Box 411
433 Queen St.
Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K5
Phone #: 519-352-0924
Fax #: 519-352-4380
 
If it's a crack then you'll be able to get the tip of a sharp knife to catch in the crack. If it's just a mark then the tip of the knife will scrape it away.

If it IS a crack then DO NOT SHOOT IT! The whole wall needs to be there to hold back the pressure. Anything that interrupts that integrity will make your barrel act like a pipe bomb. Would you fill an obviously cracked high pressure cylinder? I thought not....
 
ricohman said:
Great idea. A little magnetic powder will tell the tale for sure. I will see if my local shop is open tomorrow. I've taken lots of machine work there so maybe they'd help me out.
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It will only take them a min. or two to do, and since you go there for other work they should do it for free. Good luck. Just watch them to make sure they don't white primer the barrel unless they have to, although paint thinner should remove it, you could bring some along so the paint doesn't stick to hard after you test it.
 
They are closed today.
Maybe I can send Remington a pic. Am I right to assume I will have to mail away the entire pistol if a new barrel has to be fitted?
Anything wrong with using a bit of 0000 steel wool to try and remove this blackened mark? I guess I am still holding out that its not a crack.
 
I wouldn't do anything to it.
Email pics off to Remington and wait for a response.
Most likely you will have to send it to one of the two repair shops here.
 
personally i wouldn't shoot anything through it.

was this brand new? take it back to the store you got it at.

so the question is, were they reloads?
 
GQBalla said:
personally i wouldn't shoot anything through it.

was this brand new? take it back to the store you got it at.

so the question is, were they reloads?
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Not new. But it had under a 100 rounds when I bought it. It was bought new last summer by the P/O.
I put a box of Norinco ammo (canam deal) through it. But since its used I doubt there is any warranty.
 
Maybe the "under" 100 round count was off.
One of the reason I don't buy used guns.
Like another said maybe double pressure hand load...
 
ricohman said:
Not new. But it had under a 100 rounds when I bought it. It was bought new last summer by the P/O.
I put a box of Norinco ammo (canam deal) through it. But since its used I doubt there is any warranty.
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Never hurts to check, to me that seems more like a defect in the material then an issue with ammo causing it.
 
Lead hammer said:
It will only take them a min. or two to do, and since you go there for other work they should do it for free. Good luck. Just watch them to make sure they don't white primer the barrel unless they have to, although paint thinner should remove it, you could bring some along so the paint doesn't stick to hard after you test it.
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Why would a local shop who does not specialise in firearms take the liability of fixing it.
What guarantee could they give that this would not have a catastrophic failure in the future and I can almost guarantee there insurance would not cover this.

Just contact Remington and get them to fix it.
 
why don't you just dip it in gasoline. You'll know if its a crack in about 30 seconds.

I suspect you had a case leak and that is a gas burn. If you kept your cases, inspect them for a crack/fissure near the base.
 
rgv said:
why don't you just dip it in gasoline. You'll know if its a crack in about 30 seconds.

I suspect you had a case leak and that is a gas burn. If you kept your cases, inspect them for a crack/fissure near the base.
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I forgot about this old trick. We used to dip exhaust valves looking for cracks. Going to give this low buck method a try later tonight.
 
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