Frustrating range day

XTAV750 · Nov 28, 2011

So I decided to go to the range today to work with my carry gun, the S&W 3" 1911. I brought 200 rounds with the intention of giving it a good workout. Up to this point I've never had any real problems with this gun. Today was different. Out of 200 rounds I had maybe a dozen or more failures to go into battery. That's more than I've had with any gun. I've seen it occasionally with my full size 1911, but never with my M&P or Glock. So I'm trying to decide what the problem is. I didn't feel like I was limp wristing, although that is definitely a possibility. I'm wondering if it's the mags or the ammo. I was shooting Federal Champion 230gr ammo ala Walmart. I've put maybe 800 to 1000 ronds through it since January, so I'd be surprised if it was the mags. Any thoughts?

drgrant · Nov 28, 2011

Gun dirty? Did it work well before this outing? Mags dirty? How far out of battery- eg, way out, or only out enough that just tapping the sldie put it into battery?

Recoil spring installed in right direction? Recoil spring worn out? (Officer's mods and other subcompact 1911s have stupidly low recoil spring lifespans, maybe it needs a replacement already. )

On the other hand it could be gods way of telling you that you should have gotten a G30 or a commander sized gun. (I'm not a fan of 1911s that are smaller than an Officer's mod... usually they end badly). .

-Mike

bill o · Nov 28, 2011

What was the nature of the misfeeds? Bullet nose against the feed ramp, 3-point jam?

XTAV750 · Nov 28, 2011

drgrant said:
Gun dirty? Did it work well before this outing? Mags dirty? How far out of battery- eg, way out, or only out enough that just tapping the sldie put it into battery?

On the other hand it could be gods way of telling you that you should have gotten a G30 or a commander sized gun. (I'm not a fan of 1911s that are smaller than an Officer's mod... usually they end badly). .

-Mike

Good questions Mike. The gun was just cleaned this weekend, but I don't think I've cleaned the mags in a long time. Before this outing it was fine. The very occasional failure but nothing that really concerned me.

It was usually out of battery enough that I needed to tap/rack it back into place. A couple times I was able to just tap it forward and keep going. But this was the exception.

The spring is in the right way. I had considered the possibility that it had worn out. I would be surprised after such " lowish" round count.

I've been considering making a drive up to MFLR and try out some of the smaller glocks. Not sure where that $ is gonna come from though.

XTAV750 · Nov 28, 2011

bill o said:
What was the nature of the misfeeds? Bullet nose against the feed ramp, 3-point jam?

Once or twice is was stuck on the feed ramp, the rest was bullet nose in the chamber and the slide not pushing it the rest of the way in.

mike93lx · Nov 28, 2011

Were there any visual deficiencies with the ammo like damaged brass, out of shape bullets, etc? If you have any of the ammo left, it might be worth measuring OAL (assuming that you have calipers). Was it happening with multiple magazines?

PH5795 · Nov 28, 2011

My guess would be the recoil spring. Small 1911s eat them like candy.

Given the recent cleaning, I'm assuming it was well-lubed....

XTAV750 · Nov 28, 2011

Yeah, I lube the hell outta my 1911's. I'll look into replacing the spring. I didn't realize they needed to be replaced to frequently.

PH5795 · Nov 28, 2011

Some manufacturers have even gone to flat wire springs to maximize the compression available in such a small space.

XTAV750 · Nov 28, 2011

That's what's in there. I'm having trouble locating a replacement though. What weight should I be looking for?

Disregard... I found it through midway.

andy t · Nov 28, 2011

Your gun is most likely the problem. There is a reason why LAV recommends 5" 1911 in .45 as a gun designed for serious use. As you said yourself, neither your Glock nor M&P have issues. Why not carry them and get rid of the 1911?

Supermoto · Nov 28, 2011

Check for crap under the extractor, and clean your mags.

The very occasional failure but nothing that really concerned me.

every failure should be a big concern and should never be brushed off. You need to find out why it occurred as soon as possible

Admin · Nov 28, 2011

Supermoto said:
every failure should be a big concern and should never be brushed off. You need to find out why it occurred as soon as possible

+1

Failures will get you dead. Figure out what the issue is and correct it.

XTAV750 · Nov 29, 2011

Your gun is most likely the problem. There is a reason why LAV recommends 5" 1911 in .45 as a gun designed for serious use. As you said yourself, neither your Glock nor M&P have issues. Why not carry them and get rid of the 1911?

My Glock is a 34 so I think a little big for every day carry. But since i got it, I've been thinking more and more about getting a smaller model.

every failure should be a big concern and should never be brushed off. You need to find out why it occurred as soon as possible

Failures will get you dead. Figure out what the issue is and correct it.

Both good points. That was the feeling I was left with when I left the range. Can I depend on this gun if I need it? Before I would have said yes, but now I'm not so sure.

Business · Nov 29, 2011

In regards to the mags, somebody on NES once said "everything that is broken was perfect the day before" Every time I have had a problem like that it was either from the gun being gunked up or the mag failing

mac1911 · Nov 29, 2011

I hope you took advantage of these malfunctions and learned how to correct them quickly.

Recently had a friend piss and moan about his gun not function correclty......AR. I asked him about his mags and if ever rebuilt them(they where old and well used when he got them) I asked him if he cleaned them.....they been in my range bag and I only used them a few times.....same range(gym bag) he crams everything even is spent brass picked up of the sandy ground. I always start with the mags,then ammo, especially if something other than I usually shoot. then look to the gun.

seanc · Dec 2, 2011

Sounds like a class 6 malfunction to me..

I was once captured on a top secret mission to luxembourg, that I am still nit able to talk about. I was suspended 300 feet over a volcano by my big toe with dental floss over hanging a pool of sharks (yes, the infamous evil lava dwelling sharks, also top secret). Using 3 saltiness, a cigar band and a wad of chewing gum, I was able to repair and spot weld the issue and escape.
But, that's because I am a real OPERATOR..

FSTC · Dec 2, 2011

seanc said:
Sounds like a class 6 malfunction to me..

I was once captured on a top secret mission to luxembourg, that I am still nit able to talk about. I was suspended 300 feet over a volcano by my big toe with dental floss over hanging a pool of sharks (yes, the infamous evil lava dwelling sharks, also top secret). Using 3 saltiness, a cigar band and a wad of chewing gum, I was able to repair and spot weld the issue and escape.
But, that's because I am a real OPERATOR..

Prove to us you are not lying......What flavor was the gum?

Frustrating range day

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