Polishing feedramp in Colt 1911 .45ACP question

Patriot

Patriot

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I find shooting LRN bullets that I have more problems than with than with my FMJ rounds.
Actually I don't have any problems with my FMJ's at all. The OAL of the LRN is 1.230" and
the FMJ is 1.250". I noticed that when I cleaned them the feed ramp was munged up pretty
good from the LRN. Thinking that a polished feed ramp might be a key to getting better
feeds with the LRN can anyone recommend a method of polishing it without having to
send it off to a gunsmith? I was thinking a buffing wheel on a Dremel using jeweler's
rouge for an abrasive.

I am using Northeast 230gr LRN and Winchester 230gr FMJ in series 70 and 80
Government Colts.

(Interesting note: My OM eats everything I throw at it without a hiccup, ever!
Most reliable .45 I have ever owned.)
 
My Springfield 1911 eats lead rn without a problem. You might want to play around with seating depth and the crimp before polishing. I added a Lee Factory crimp die to the RCBS set on my Dillon. I don't like seating and crimping in the same step.

I'm deadly with a dremill and would probably destroy anything I touch. Maybe try some Flitz and polish the ramp by hand first.
 
I have a hand held dremmel with a variety of buffing wheels and points. I used auto buffing compound to get it to a mirror finish. Auto rubbing compound is a rougher grit.
 
That's funny, I was just polishing one of my feedramps last night.

You can clean the feed ramp with rouge and not hurt anything but it might not cure your problem. It could need more.

A gunsmith could do more than poilish it to make it work. Why not give a gunsmith some business? If you bring your gun to the gunsmith, leave it dirty after firing those rounds that don't feed all the time. Let them seen where they are hitting the ramp.
 
I would avoid using a dremel tool. If you take off too much metal you can basically ruin the frame and have it result in a costly repair. If you are doing it yourself, BE CAREFUL.

Have you tried different magazines yet? Different mags often change bullet feeding on a 1911.

In any event, it might be worth talking to a gunsmith... I like GTOshooter's suggestion of leaving the thing dirty so the smith can see where the bullet hits on the ramp.


-Mike
.
 
I would echo what Mike says: avoid using a dremel tool...your best bet really is to take the pistol to a competent gunsmith. Before that, trying different magazines might also clear up the problem.

Mark L.
 
A mag catch that is not holding the mag up high enough can cause similar problems - and is easily fixed with a bit of welding by someone who knows what they are doing.
 
stoneypete said:
I wrapped 400 grit sandpaper around my index finger and rubbed with oil till all was smooth.
Click to expand...

I used the same method, but 600 grit. I've only used it on one of my 1911s that was giving me some FTF now and then. The others worked without trouble, so I left them alone.

Whatever you do, go very slow and easy. You are polishing the frame, so if you take off too much material or change the geometry you can ruin a gun.
 
When I had my custom Essex .45, I polished the feedramp (both frame and barrel) myself with steel wool and a little elbow grease. The steel wool is so fine, it will not leave any type of stratches on the surface. Mine was real smooth to the touch once I was done.
 

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