I've just noted a problem with a newly manufactured 1911 and need a little advice. The pistol in question has a tendency to misfeed the last round out of the magazine. It seems as if the last round is pushed prematurely nose high as it's being stripped and jams nose up and slightly left just inside the chamber. The rim is jammed under the extractor. For information purposes the barrel is ramped and the pistol is equipped with an externally mounted extractor. I've noted misfeeds with heavy hardball loads and with midweight SWC loads. The pistol has less than 400 rounds through it and a total of a dozen misfeeds. I have not had a misfeed with heavy loads using 230gr Hornady XTP bullets. I've tested three different magazines from three different manafacturers and have had misfeeds with them all.
So, what's the verdict? New pistol teething problems, bad magazines, extractor need adjusting, er, what? Otherwise, great, accurate piece. However, I'm not crazy about carrying a six shot then throw away 1911.

You only metioned one magazine. I highly suspect your problem is a magazine issue. I would try a different mag. I like Wilson's and Chip McCormick mags myself.

I may be a poorly shaped follower, check other mags or other brands of mags. Also "jammed under the extracter" may mean the extracter needs work.

These pieces often take 500-600 rounds before they "break" in. Live with it for a few more.

[ 07-07-2003, 17:01: Message edited by: Jim Kobe ]

bend the lips of the magazine in a little

Try changing magazines, That is the most common problem. Wilson combat make very good mags. Greg

As I wrote in my original note, I've tried three different magazines from three different manufacturers. Lips and followers are slightly different in all three examples. While not absolutely definitive, that would tend to rule out magazines. Any 'smiths betting on an extractor problem? If so, what would be the fix? Radius the bottom edge to relieve the angle? What about brass? I'm currently using TZZ because the price was right. Could it be too thick in the rim causing interference?

Try asking here: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/

Bye
Jack

Tom, I've owned a bunch of 1911's and loaded for a lot more. Some of them are just ornery as hell about feeding and the ammo they will chew.

Usually a good gunsmith can help with a touch here and a polish there. The fact this happens on the LAST round seems to indicate to me and the others that it's a magazine issue. But as you've tried several mags, this isn't as simple as most magazine fixes wherein the offending mag is tossed and replaced with good ones that DO feed.

I'm going to suggest a little different approach that won't cost you anything but a little messing around with different loads.

First, you have already found one load and bullet that works fine in this pistol. I'm going to suggest you experiment with SLIGHTLY different seating depths, bullet shapes and charges. Find what combination of the above this gun wants and shoots well and then feed it that.

Seldom have I encountered an automatic pistol or revolver I couldn't make feed reliably simply by tinkering with the ammo. You will proably settle on ONE load for this pistol anyway, so when you find that load that seems good to you AND the pistol both...problem solved.

This would be my first plan of attack and then if it doesn't work go spend some money on a smith and see what he can figure out.

Sorry to be so vague but I think there often isn't a definative answer.

I think you have given me the correct approach here and will try modifying the loads in COL then charges. As it is I can see certain trends with specific loads.
Changing recoil springs on the other hand, will be much more difficult to accomplish with this particular style and manufacture but further break in may also help in that direction.
Thank you for your help, I do appreciate it.