mine will eat these until the cows come home, once in a while you get a dud round, other than that golden bullets are golden for me in this gun, as well as yellow jackets and mini mags, I firmly believe there is a difference with the size of the rim on those Winchesters, too often they get stuck in the chamber and don't extract, golden bullets in the box and the bucket same same, to the o.p. get some rem golden bullets at least until break in your frustrations with ammo will end, mine pizzed me right off through 2 range visits even after sanding the slide rails and all that stuff
First Pistol: GSG 1911 22LR and Ammo Review
- Thread starter joeRocket
- Start date
mine will eat these until the cows come home, once in a while you get a dud round, other than that golden bullets are golden for me in this gun, as well as yellow jackets and mini mags, I firmly believe there is a difference with the size of the rim on those Winchesters, too often they get stuck in the chamber and don't extract, golden bullets in the box and the bucket same same, to the o.p. get some rem golden bullets at least until break in your frustrations with ammo will end, mine pizzed me right off through 2 range visits even after sanding the slide rails and all that stuff
I meant to add, I was at the range once and a guy had the sig version, exact same probs with ammo, he will only shoot rem yellow jackets in his, also you will like shooting yellow jackets in that gun {gsg}, I realize they are a little pricey but bear in mind they are similar to a cci stinger in velocity, and you can hear and feel the difference even being a 22, get some they are fun
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Welcome to the GSG 1911 club. I've put 3408 rounds (according to my log) through my Sig 1911 (same pistol) and I concur that's it a fun gun to shoot.
One of the unfortunate things about this pistol is that it suffers a lot of cosmetic wear. What you're seeing is normal.
I've already stated my round count and mine is still running solid. The gritty/shiny stuff is again part of the wearing in process. It may take longer for that to go away than you like. Just keep shooting it. I figure I put 1000 rounds through mine until I finally stopped seeing the wear. I find this pistol (other than the cosmetic wear) has two problems. Hopefully you don't have any issues, but if you do, I hope this helps.
Feed Issues
Clean your magazines. It won't take long until you start seeing some feed issues, particularly with the second round. Sometimes the spring doesn't push up on the follower enough and the slide doesn't strip the next round off. This could lead to you firing on an empty chamber which is generally frowned upon with rimfire. In addition, make sure that the magazine springs, when uncompressed, are sitting at least at 6 inches in length. I've found that also has an effect on feeding. If you notice your springs are shorter than this length, just give them a stretch.
If I remember correctly, GSG recommends the use of CCI Mini-Mags. I've never had a feed issue with these, even before all the polishing and wearing in. They just pack enough oomph to get that slide to cycle fully every time. After polishing and wearing in, the only round that have failed to go bang and cycle properly are Winchester bulk 36gr. I'm thinking that's more a commentary on the round rather than the pistol.
Light primer strikes
Also, look for a video on YouTube on how to clean the firing pin channel on this pistol. If you press the trigger, it goes click and nothing happens, chances are that the firing pin is gummed up due to a buildup of powder. My first reaction with this pistol is that if this happens, I immediately #### the hammer and fire again. I'd say 49/50 times the round goes bang doing this. If this doesn't cause the round to go off, I wait a minute in case it's a hangfire and then check for an empty chamber. Some will argue that I should wait a minute for the hangfire and then press check instead of immediately cocking and firing to prevent dry fire. Based on the history of my pistol and how it has performed over the last 2000 rounds, the stats are in favour of a light primer strike rather than an empty chamber. YMMV. Err on the side of safety first and make your own decision later.
If you can find the CCI Blazer rounds, they're solid. Something that is also worth a look is Federal AutoMatch.
Finally, if you plan on using this pistol for something like Steel Challenge or other action shooting, you may want to consider removing the magazine disconnector. Plenty of footage on YouTube on how to do this. The reason for this is because a number of ranges want the hammer down between stages. So, you'd have to either empty your mag or keep an empty one handy, put it back in to the pistol and then slowly release the hammer so you don't dry fire on an empty chamber. In removing the disconnector, I just have to eject the magazine and ease the hammer down.
One of the unfortunate things about this pistol is that it suffers a lot of cosmetic wear. What you're seeing is normal.
Good idea on sanding the rails. You can also stand to do the same sanding/polishing on the inside of the slide where it makes contact with the rails, and where the barrel makes contact with the slide. I'll take pics later but basically my slide is completely sanded on the inside.
I've already stated my round count and mine is still running solid. The gritty/shiny stuff is again part of the wearing in process. It may take longer for that to go away than you like. Just keep shooting it. I figure I put 1000 rounds through mine until I finally stopped seeing the wear. I find this pistol (other than the cosmetic wear) has two problems. Hopefully you don't have any issues, but if you do, I hope this helps.
Feed Issues
Clean your magazines. It won't take long until you start seeing some feed issues, particularly with the second round. Sometimes the spring doesn't push up on the follower enough and the slide doesn't strip the next round off. This could lead to you firing on an empty chamber which is generally frowned upon with rimfire. In addition, make sure that the magazine springs, when uncompressed, are sitting at least at 6 inches in length. I've found that also has an effect on feeding. If you notice your springs are shorter than this length, just give them a stretch.
If I remember correctly, GSG recommends the use of CCI Mini-Mags. I've never had a feed issue with these, even before all the polishing and wearing in. They just pack enough oomph to get that slide to cycle fully every time. After polishing and wearing in, the only round that have failed to go bang and cycle properly are Winchester bulk 36gr. I'm thinking that's more a commentary on the round rather than the pistol.
Light primer strikes
Also, look for a video on YouTube on how to clean the firing pin channel on this pistol. If you press the trigger, it goes click and nothing happens, chances are that the firing pin is gummed up due to a buildup of powder. My first reaction with this pistol is that if this happens, I immediately #### the hammer and fire again. I'd say 49/50 times the round goes bang doing this. If this doesn't cause the round to go off, I wait a minute in case it's a hangfire and then check for an empty chamber. Some will argue that I should wait a minute for the hangfire and then press check instead of immediately cocking and firing to prevent dry fire. Based on the history of my pistol and how it has performed over the last 2000 rounds, the stats are in favour of a light primer strike rather than an empty chamber. YMMV. Err on the side of safety first and make your own decision later.
If you can find the CCI Blazer rounds, they're solid. Something that is also worth a look is Federal AutoMatch.
Finally, if you plan on using this pistol for something like Steel Challenge or other action shooting, you may want to consider removing the magazine disconnector. Plenty of footage on YouTube on how to do this. The reason for this is because a number of ranges want the hammer down between stages. So, you'd have to either empty your mag or keep an empty one handy, put it back in to the pistol and then slowly release the hammer so you don't dry fire on an empty chamber. In removing the disconnector, I just have to eject the magazine and ease the hammer down.
Cool. Thanks.
I've been to the club now twice more, and have maybe 600 rounds of Winchester M22 through it. The last visit had only one stove-pipe, and the mags are dropping free now.
I didn't do much, except clean the mags (hadn't done that the first day).
Seems like it's breaking in well, and likes the M22.
Gonna hafta go check this blueline webpage now, as I think this is my new fave toy - and I'm all about making my toys even cooler!
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!
mine originally didn't like the blazers, mini mags yes, and you are going to love the yellow jackets, my fave for sure, just kinda pricey some places
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Check out Reliable Gun (a site sponsor, look in the header above). Their stock online updates every 4 hours and they're still showing 36gr Mini Mags available. I just bought an arseload from them 
Okay, time for an update. I've added to my ammo cache:
Remington Yellow Jacket
- shoots very well and consistently, packs quite a punch for such a little bullet
CCI Mini Mags (I'm in BC so I got in on the Reliable sale! Just one case to start...)
- no problems with these in terms of cycling the action, but for some reason not so accurate (and they're coated with wax?)
Federal Auto-Match
- very happy with these bulk cartridges - great accuracy, consistent, maybe my best experience so far (and bought on sale, the cheapest!)
CCI Standard Velocity
- works great, I only got a box of 50 so I haven't cycled many through
CCI Quiet
- yup, it's quiet, and it doesn't cycle the slide (rated at 710 fps compared to Remington Subsonic's 1050 fps, which did cycle the slide)
To date, I've fed about 1400 rounds through the pistol and yeah, the gun is fun to shoot especially once it's broken in. I also had a chance at my last outing to try out a .45 ACP 1911 back-to-back, and I can't imagine going through 350 rounds in a day with that gun compared to how I did with my .22 GSG 1911. Seeing that we can't use our pistols for anything other than target shooting, the only reason I might eventually get a .45 is to collect one, or to convert it to a .460 Rowland
Remington Yellow Jacket
- shoots very well and consistently, packs quite a punch for such a little bullet
CCI Mini Mags (I'm in BC so I got in on the Reliable sale! Just one case to start...)
- no problems with these in terms of cycling the action, but for some reason not so accurate (and they're coated with wax?)
Federal Auto-Match
- very happy with these bulk cartridges - great accuracy, consistent, maybe my best experience so far (and bought on sale, the cheapest!)
CCI Standard Velocity
- works great, I only got a box of 50 so I haven't cycled many through
CCI Quiet
- yup, it's quiet, and it doesn't cycle the slide (rated at 710 fps compared to Remington Subsonic's 1050 fps, which did cycle the slide)
To date, I've fed about 1400 rounds through the pistol and yeah, the gun is fun to shoot especially once it's broken in. I also had a chance at my last outing to try out a .45 ACP 1911 back-to-back, and I can't imagine going through 350 rounds in a day with that gun compared to how I did with my .22 GSG 1911. Seeing that we can't use our pistols for anything other than target shooting, the only reason I might eventually get a .45 is to collect one, or to convert it to a .460 Rowland
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Seeing that we can't use our pistols for anything other than target shooting, the only reason I might eventually get a .45 is to collect one, or to convert it to a .460 Rowland
Check out Action Shooting sports like IPSC, IDPA, PPC, Steel Challenge, 3 Gun, etc. Yes, you're still just hitting targets, but with the additional stress of accuracy under a timer, and safe movement. All of the sports I mentioned (except Steel) specify that you need a centerfire pistol. I wouldn't assume you'd get a .45 just to collect it. If you wanted to (putting the cost of .45 ammo aside), you could easily put that thing to work and get your money's worth out of it.
Glad you're having luck with the Federal Auto-Match. I've put two GSG's side by side before, mine loved the Mini Mags, the other one had 1/5 shots as a flyer. .22's can be tricky beasts, so now that you've found some stuff that works, grab it whenever you can.
Yeah, mag safety removed and barrel fixing screw removed. I really wish the gun came this way to start, but even so it's relatively inexpensive to get the pistol to this point - aside from the sights, I think there's nothing else I'd like to do to it. Only other problem is the wear on the slide stop notch - I'm pretty sure now it's because of how it's so quickly peened that's why my mags don't drop free.
My GSG 1911 has somewhere between 4-5 thousand rounds through it. POS firing pin broke on me xmas day. Just ordered the parts kit that includes the firing pin from Blue Line Solutions. Of course seeing as how I was there, I also ordered the ZRTS Ultimate Performance Package for said gun. Looking forward to getting it back in action.
You won't regret that decision,for sure. When you're done,don't forget to give us a 10 round update in Clobbers 25m B-8 target threat.
CG
5500 rounds thru my GSG already, since it has all of the same workings as a full size 1911, I polished all parts including taking flitz to the frame rails and slide. I also changed some components to improve accuracy from CW Accessories LLC, barrel bushing, barrel cone, guide rod and spring.
1. Winchester bulk any qty box - 25 per 100 - worse ammo for the GSG
2. Remington bulk - 3-5 FTF per 500
3. Blazer bulk ammo - 3-5 FTF per 100
4. Federal bulk blue box copper dipped - 1 FTF per 1000 (WOW) this is now my choice for all of my .22 pistols
Just my .08 cents of experience. I have kept a log for the GSG and the above info comes directly from my notes.
1. Winchester bulk any qty box - 25 per 100 - worse ammo for the GSG
2. Remington bulk - 3-5 FTF per 500
3. Blazer bulk ammo - 3-5 FTF per 100
4. Federal bulk blue box copper dipped - 1 FTF per 1000 (WOW) this is now my choice for all of my .22 pistols
Just my .08 cents of experience. I have kept a log for the GSG and the above info comes directly from my notes.
How did you manage to get the CW Accessories?
Well, I've taken my dremel to the magazine follower pin on both my mags and they now drop free. I've also taken the pistol with the ZRTS kit to the range and I can say that my groups are pretty much entirely on me. The Mini-Mags used to go all over the place but now I can keep them to within 3 or 4 inches at 10 yards (wow, right??). I feel like I need to go through all the different brands of ammo all over again, it's like I'm shooting a different gun (but more fun this time!). And, time to develop some marksmanship technique!
Some observations:
- there's a lot more friction in the start and end of the slide action (seems like friction between the new bushing and slide alignment cone/barrel cap, and then some internal friction I assume from the new guide rod)
- I'm getting a bunch of FTF's with the Mini-Mags (1-3 per magazine - I didn't try any other ammo). I'm guessing it'll take some time to wear in the new parts? a few hundred rounds? I've put 160 through so far.
- there's still some slight wiggle (don't know how to describe how slight...) between the slide and the frame, but way less than before - without the barrel fixing screw, I guess the barrel is free to move from the frame, and with the slide? (actually I don't recall how tight the barrel was to the frame with the screw before the upgrade)
- it's not as easy as before to pull the "upper half" (what do you call the combined slide+barrel?) from the frame with the new guide rod - needs more force to slide it off
Some observations:
- there's a lot more friction in the start and end of the slide action (seems like friction between the new bushing and slide alignment cone/barrel cap, and then some internal friction I assume from the new guide rod)
- I'm getting a bunch of FTF's with the Mini-Mags (1-3 per magazine - I didn't try any other ammo). I'm guessing it'll take some time to wear in the new parts? a few hundred rounds? I've put 160 through so far.
- there's still some slight wiggle (don't know how to describe how slight...) between the slide and the frame, but way less than before - without the barrel fixing screw, I guess the barrel is free to move from the frame, and with the slide? (actually I don't recall how tight the barrel was to the frame with the screw before the upgrade)
- it's not as easy as before to pull the "upper half" (what do you call the combined slide+barrel?) from the frame with the new guide rod - needs more force to slide it off
