I have a 1911 Springfield government model (I think it is a 1911-A1). It has seen several hundred rounds but no abuse.

It has a problem feeding ball ammo from the magazine. Usually one round in a magazine full will stovepipe jam as it tries to enter the chamber. It does this with magazines that work in other 1911's, so I do not think it is a magazine problem.

Any ideas?

500,

Do you mean that the unfired round stovepipes (turns sideways) in the ejection port, or that the previously fired case "stovepipes"?

I have never heard of a case where the unfired round turns sideways, but I believe that the "usual" stovepipe (fired case turns sideways) is due to a weak/worn-out extractor. I think it may also be caused by using too strong of a main spring - the slide does not come all the way back.

Colts should be treated as "CRF" guns - only load from the magazine into the chamber, as putting a round in the chamber and allowing the extractor to snap over the rim will cause extractor damage.*

* There is a new type of pivoting extractor that will allow the extractor to snap over the rim, but no Colts, that I am aware of, have this type of extractor.

I am no Colt expert, just speaking from personal experience - I had the same problem on a Series 70, new extractor fixed it right up....

(Edited to add) After re-reading your post, it does indicate that the unfired round is stovepiping. I can't find any "troubleshooting" information for this type of failure. Most feeding problems were attributed to "faulty magazine", so I would keep a record of which magazine(s) this occurs with, and set them aside for practice only. If it occurs with all magazines, there may be a problem with the extractor, feed ramp, etc. This link has a lot of good information, but unfortunately does not address your specific problem:
http://www.m1911.org/notebook.pdf
You also might drop a note to Bill Wilson to see if he knows what to try:
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/
Would sure like you to post "the answer" when you get it figured out!

Regards, Bill

[ 08-05-2003, 01:28: Message edited by: Bill M ]

Just because a given magazine works in one 1911 does not mean that it will work in another, especially the 8 round mags. Military 7 round magazines, not the cheap knock-offs, generally work in most any 1911, but the 8 round magazines are far more finicky. Try some different magazines. If the gun has the same problem with all magazines, then there may be a problem with the feed ramp.

The LOADED ROUND (ball ammo) coming out of the mag hits the top of the chamber and gets stuck about 1 round per magazine.

I tried military mags and commercial 7 round mags with rounded followers and there was no difference. These mags work in 2 other 45's without trouble.

Bill, thanks for the research and the links. When I find out the source of the problem, I will post it here.

[ 08-08-2003, 00:41: Message edited by: 500grains ]

500grains,

This kind of problem is hard to diagnose without actually observing the problem. The extractor could need a little tuning...maybe a replacement or heavier recoil spring may help it. If it hasn't been throated/polished that would help also.

Well, it could be a rough breech face, the rounds might not be sliding up under the extractor, the magazine release may not be holding the mag in proper position, the feed ramp could be mis-machined or poorly machined.

It could just be a POS Colt 45 too! Sell it and buy a modern autoloader. I would suggest something from Sig, myself.

Kent

Well, in my experience, the FIRST thing I check is to see if the extractor is too tight. Often you will find the extractor is griping the case to tightly and not allowing it to slip up under the extractor lip fully.

you can check by disassembeling the pistol and slipping a round under the extractor lip. It should hang down at the bullet end, but still be held snugly by the extractor lip. If it's too tight it holds the round pretty much horizontal. Not good.

You can adjust it by removing it and putting the base end in a padded vise and taking some of the bend out of it. When you remove it from the slide? If it's hard to pull out? That's usually an indicator it's too tight.

Only after playing with the extractor should you even think about polishing anything. JMHO.

Regards,

Eric

If these are reloads could the COL be a bit long? derf

Having owned a lot of .45 acps, most rather worn military jobs, I can sympathize with your frustration. But this is part of the fascination with these guns. Some are just real bastards to make feed reliably...but usually NOT on military hard ball ammo.

I believe you said you have tried other clips? A different clip fixes many.

Another good trick is to POLISH, POLISH, POLISH. A dremel tool and some polishing compound should touch up the bullet feed ramp.
And I wonder if someone may have done some "mods" on this pistol before you got it. Do you know it's history at all?

Replacing the extractor and recoil spring would be pretty cheap things to try. It could be the recoil spring has just given out and is giving bullets a weak shove towards the chamber.

Will it feed other types of ammo? Handloads? Will it feed SWC's?

I've owned .45's that just changing the seating depth a tad made them happy. Usually the cure is simple. Finding which "simple thing" to satisfy the gun can be maddening.

The good news is when you get it figured out, you usually have a friend for life that will never trouble you again.

Good luck and let us know what you discover.

The problem was with Winchester 230 grain ball ammo, and it happened with several different clips.

I sent it to Springfield Armory to have them figure it out. I will post the results when the pistol is sent back.