Problems with new SAM 1911

Norincodude

Norincodude

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So I just got back from the range where I tested out my new SAM Military 1911A1 that I bought from Wolverine a few weeks ago.

I bought the pistol because I liked the look and finish and had read some favourable reviews. It appeared to me to be as close to an original 1911 in look without all the fancy hammers, serrations and other stuff that many 1911s have nowadays. Nothing against them, I just wanted a simple, stock-looking 1911.

I was using 230 grain RN handloaded with 5.4 grains of 231 - a load I have been using reliably through thousands of rounds through my Glock and Norc. I put about 20 rounds through the SAM and the shells were consistently mangled, some beyond reuse as evidenced in the pics below. As well, the pistol was shooting a good 8 inches above point of aim at 25 metres.

My questions are as follows:

1.Has anyone experienced this with a SAM or other 1911s, and if they have, are there any simple remedies?

2. Should I be thinking about returning the pistol?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Do a 1911 extractor tension test (internet search)

looks like not enough tension

Last pc of brass is a toss, others you can use again just push out the dings before sizing
 
I haven't had the ejection issue but mine also shot way high. Contact wolverine - they sent me a replacement front sight post which is much taller than the original. Haven't installed it yet but should do the trick...
 
My solution to the dented cases was to reduce the amount of powder used (230 grain RN 4.6 grains of Unique) my old Colt 1911 and the SAM were denting factory Ammo as it was being ejected, someone suggested that the ejection port on old 1911's as well as the SAM's aren't cut out enough to allow clean ejection.
 
Humm... looks like they are catching on the ejection port.

5.4 grains of W231 is a light load and could be causing the problem. The SAM has a military grade recoil spring and it is pretty heavy. You could use a lighter recoil spring.

I use 6.1 grains of W231 with 230gr FMJ and this puts it at 850 fps. I havent had a problem with dented cases out of my SAM commander.

just my 2 cents.
 
"I use 6.1 grains of W231 with 230gr FMJ":eek:

Wow, where are you getting your reloading data from?

M
 
I had a few mangled brass with a new Jericho 941 in 40S&W,
and a new Norinco 1911 in .45.
After a couple hundred rounds were fired, everything was fine.
In the .45, I was using Norinco factory ammo.
Reloads,using the Norinco brass, was 5.2grs. Unique with Cam-Pro 200gr. truncated.
 
Thanks everyone for your ideas and opinions. As a result I will try different loads to see if that will make a difference. I will also email Wolverine and see about the front sight (thanks Mikeyman). I also tried the extractor test as suggested. It was a little loose but not drastic.

It is really a nice pistol and I am loathe to return it. Hopefully the brass crushing thing is just "teething pains" and playing around with the loads will change that. As has been noted this may be a temporary behaviour. Besides all that I had a lot of fun with it. The trigger is great and the fit and finish are good quality. I'll give 'er another go tomorrow. :)
 
So I got my 1911 back from Wolverine a few weeks ago. Finally tried it out at the range. Works well now. Wolverine installed a taller foresight and reworked the extractor. I only had to pay to ship it there. So point of aim is good, no more mangled cases.
Thanks Wolverine.
 
enefgee said:
Strangely, most 1911 extractors need a bit of contouring and tensioning when new.
Click to expand...

Think it's strange? I'm no expert, but it seems to me that if there is one part that would need fitting on a new 1911, it would be the extractor. It requires fine machining to tune the hook, and fine tuning to get the tension right. Both of these processes would be expensive at the factory, so I'd guess that this would be more pronounced on lower-end models.

Anyways, glad the OP got it sorted out. I would have expected the retailer to cover all costs in this case, but that's just me.
 
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