Reason for jams
- Thread starter Icefire
- Start date
Off the top of my head (most likely cause in this order):
Stovepipe: Weak ammunition, Strong Recoil Spring, broken/misalinged ejector or buggered extractor.
Doublefeed: Magazine spring too strong, Magazine lips spread too far apart; bad mags in general.
Stovepipe: Weak ammunition, Strong Recoil Spring, broken/misalinged ejector or buggered extractor.
Doublefeed: Magazine spring too strong, Magazine lips spread too far apart; bad mags in general.
A loose grip can contribute to stovepipe malfunctions but usually in combination with a recoil spring that is too strong.
I don't believe that "tighten your grip" is the proper remediation for stovepipe's. For example, I've been shooting in competition for over 10 years, and I don't have a rock solid death grip; I have a relatively loose grip. I had some serious stovepipe malfunctions last year. Since the jams were a recent thing, they had to be more equipment related than due to my grip.
I changed a number of things; recoil spring, ejector, ammo. I finally figured out the problem was the extractor.
I don't believe that "tighten your grip" is the proper remediation for stovepipe's. For example, I've been shooting in competition for over 10 years, and I don't have a rock solid death grip; I have a relatively loose grip. I had some serious stovepipe malfunctions last year. Since the jams were a recent thing, they had to be more equipment related than due to my grip.
I changed a number of things; recoil spring, ejector, ammo. I finally figured out the problem was the extractor.
Judging by some other threads... the first thing I would do is put your gun back to stock configuration.
Then, make some proper handloads (proper OAL and crimp) and then shoot a few thousand rounds through your gun. Shoot a few matches with a working configuratation, then start optimizing your gun if need be.
I suspect you are trying to do too much too soon. Learn to crawl before you walk... then spend a few years walking before you run. This is probably the best advice I can give to any new IPSC shooter.
Then, make some proper handloads (proper OAL and crimp) and then shoot a few thousand rounds through your gun. Shoot a few matches with a working configuratation, then start optimizing your gun if need be.
I suspect you are trying to do too much too soon. Learn to crawl before you walk... then spend a few years walking before you run. This is probably the best advice I can give to any new IPSC shooter.
Well the only thing I changed was a 14lbs recoil spring vs the 16lbs factory.
Factory ammo is about 180pf while I was shooting around 135-140pf reloads..
5 of my 7 mags were bought "like new" and it was the 1st time I used them, so they MIGHT be faulty...
I normaly shoot lead, 180gr TC at 1.135" with 4.2gr of Universal Clays. At my BB course, over 600 rounds, maybe 1-2% Failure to go in battery, no stovepipe, no double feed (with my only 2 mags that I had).
Now I took some 180gr RN Excel plated that I had for the match. I used the same powder, same crimp, same AOL. What changed was bullet config (RN VS TC) and the 5 "new" mags.
I'll mesure all my mags lips, put my factory recoil spring back, and try some more ammo at my next practice.
Factory ammo is about 180pf while I was shooting around 135-140pf reloads..
5 of my 7 mags were bought "like new" and it was the 1st time I used them, so they MIGHT be faulty...
I normaly shoot lead, 180gr TC at 1.135" with 4.2gr of Universal Clays. At my BB course, over 600 rounds, maybe 1-2% Failure to go in battery, no stovepipe, no double feed (with my only 2 mags that I had).
Now I took some 180gr RN Excel plated that I had for the match. I used the same powder, same crimp, same AOL. What changed was bullet config (RN VS TC) and the 5 "new" mags.
I'll mesure all my mags lips, put my factory recoil spring back, and try some more ammo at my next practice.
First I'd make sure the round chambers in the gun; take the barrel and drop in a cartrige. If it sits high or donesn't fall out freely the OAL is too long for the gun. When bullet hits the rifling the slide won't close and you'll get failure to go in battery. It can also cause FTF
Clean the extractor - it's amazing how dirty it can get. Could be the cartridges bumping into the slide stop. 14 could be too heavy but I cant see it
Take the slide off and strip a few rounds off with your thumb and see if it bumps into anything coming off. Leave some mags loaded fully for a week or two and see if that clears up the double feeds.
Do you clean your pistol? Just curious if you field stip and thats it or do you take the extractor off and such and give them a good going over. It makes a difference.
Good luck.
Take the slide off and strip a few rounds off with your thumb and see if it bumps into anything coming off. Leave some mags loaded fully for a week or two and see if that clears up the double feeds.
Do you clean your pistol? Just curious if you field stip and thats it or do you take the extractor off and such and give them a good going over. It makes a difference.
Good luck.
I just cleaned the extractor tonight, it was a bit dirty, nothing I would say extreme.
I cleaned all my mags to be sure, the 5 I got used have a different spring/follower than the 2 that came with the gun. Looks like they have 1 more coil on each. I guess they are older.
Rounds chambers fines, the gun can take I have read up to 1.170" AOL, I load a the same as CCI Blazer (1.135").
I found 2 rounds from the batch I made for the match that I could set back in the case by pushing them hard. 2 out of 34 rounds left.
I guess it could be a cause too.
I'll make some full load ammo tomorow, just to see if it's running well with the factory recoil spring.
I clean the gun every 500rnds, a nylon brush in the barrel with CLP, clean the powder residue on the breechface/slide/frame.
I cleaned all my mags to be sure, the 5 I got used have a different spring/follower than the 2 that came with the gun. Looks like they have 1 more coil on each. I guess they are older.
Rounds chambers fines, the gun can take I have read up to 1.170" AOL, I load a the same as CCI Blazer (1.135").
I found 2 rounds from the batch I made for the match that I could set back in the case by pushing them hard. 2 out of 34 rounds left.
I guess it could be a cause too.
I'll make some full load ammo tomorow, just to see if it's running well with the factory recoil spring.
I clean the gun every 500rnds, a nylon brush in the barrel with CLP, clean the powder residue on the breechface/slide/frame.
Have you also tried loading one cartridge at a time to see if the slide locks back?
Try that on each magazine a couple times and if the slide isn't locking then your ammo is the first culprit
As mentioned above it's always good to go with factory ammo first when modding, then work from there.
Keep us posted.
Try that on each magazine a couple times and if the slide isn't locking then your ammo is the first culprit
As mentioned above it's always good to go with factory ammo first when modding, then work from there.
Keep us posted.
For my 2 cents worth
Had a G21 Glock that stovepiped for awhile , turned out to be a chipped extractor .
Have a Para that failed to extract completely ( about half out ) and would stuff the next round under/into the half exited case . What a PITA to clear . I tuned and replaced the extractor and all is well .
As for you 14 pound recoil spring I would think it would throw the brass harder and farther .
Had a G21 Glock that stovepiped for awhile , turned out to be a chipped extractor .
Have a Para that failed to extract completely ( about half out ) and would stuff the next round under/into the half exited case . What a PITA to clear . I tuned and replaced the extractor and all is well .
As for you 14 pound recoil spring I would think it would throw the brass harder and farther .
