1911 question

[Desert Heat]

Of course polishing the ramp is one of the last things you want to try.

1) Magazines are the #1 problem with feeding. Get some Wilson Combats #47D or
Chip McCormac Power Mags. STAW AWAY FROM THE CHEAP STUFF!

2) Your ammo’s hollow point can be too aggressive or wide. Like Speers Gold Dots. Although I have not had many problems with them on my 1911’s, many do. A really great hollow point is the Remington Golden Saber. It almost mimics hardball and packs a punch to boot. As stated before. Try various JHP’s. If you can afford em these days. Oh yea, the Hornady XTP (I think they call it that) is also a good HP for feeding in 1911’s.

3) Sometimes the recoil spring may need a different poundage. This will show the most improvement with +P and lighter target loads. 16# is standard factory (or is it 18#?) Spring kits from Wolf Springs makes this easy.

4) Don’t forget, 1911’s do require a break in period before making any changes. Kimber says 500 rounds. Most say less. I believe less is appropriate, but I shoot the hell out of anything I use for serous social work. Funny about Kimber, the only time I have feeding problems with them is after 500 rounds.

5) Access the type of jam. Is it a nose dive into the ramp. That could be a ramp problem. Or a 3 point jam, Nose of bullet jammed on top of chamber, extractor still clinging to cartridge rim and brass jammed kinda sideways on the ramp.. (Did I get this right?) I have had this many times. If after magazine & ammo change and still no relief I move to adjusting the extractor.

This is just the starting points. There are still many other issues to deal with after this. Also know that most production 1911’s today will not have a shinny feed ramp. That’s ok. There is Bluing, Parkerizing and other finishes from various manufactures in the feed ramp that may deceive you into thinking it’s not polished. It's probably good as is.

Aluminum frames will always have some finishing on them in the feed ramp. That's good too. Never polish an aluminum feed ramp unless you really know what you are doing. In fact that applies to any feed ramp.
More damage has been caused by amateur feed ramp polishers than I can count.

This stuff keeps guys like bigkahunasix in business. A good gunsmith will never want for work. There’s just too few. Git you’re baby to a gunsmith. They know what they are doing. Not the range rat with the kitchen table gunsmithing tools (like me.)

BTW, I love my gunsmith. Ya better tel em that and often.
They’re sensitive guys don’t ya know?

Good luck and safe shooting.

 

[bulgron]

1) Magazines are the #1 problem with feeding. Get some Wilson Combats #47D or
Chip McCormac Power Mags. STAW AWAY FROM THE CHEAP STUFF!

I recently purchase a Kimber Raptor Ultra Carry II. It's a subcompact 1911. I'm still breaking in the gun, but I can tell you that the stock magazine that came with it is absolute junk. The gun misfeeds on the last round every single magazine.

I borrowed a buddy's KimPro mag while I was struggling with that stock mag and the KimPro worked like a charm. Not one misfeed in over 100 rounds.

So then, just for chuckles, I tried the stock mag that came with my buddy's Ultra Carry II. I had premature lock opens about every third shot with it.

I've since purchased a KimPro and a Wilson Combat magazine, and I'll be heading out to the range this Saturday to continue breaking in the gun and to test the mags. I have high expectations for both of them.

The stock mags that come with Kimber 1911s have a real reputation for problems, especially for the subcompacts. It kind of bites to spend that much money on a firearm only to get a substandard magazine with it.