So I finally got to take my first batch of reloads out and try them at the range today in my RIA 1911. I've owned the gun for about two months and have the original mag and two others from a different manufacturer. On factory ammo, fiocchi and winchester white box, the last round in every magazine nearly always fails to feed. However not a single one of my reloads did this. I can fill the mags with factory ammo and replicate the problem, but the reloads never FTF, I'm at a loss to explain this mechanistically.

The reloads were 4.4 +/- 0.1 grains of bullseye (probably lighter than factory, recoil is significantly less) with CCI large pistol primers and a berry's 185 grain hollow base bullet. The brass is from the same Fiocchi and Winchester boxes that had FTFs. OAL for the reloads was 1.265 +/- .002 inches.

In short, I was hoping you all may have some hypotheses as to why the reloads are not failing to feed but factory ammo does. The range officer said it was the magazines but I am doubtful since the behavior is exhibited by all three mags from 2 different manufacturers.

tl;dr: reloaded 45 acp does not FTF on last round in 1911, factory ammo almost always does. Why?

*Has to do with a combo of the feed ramp on the pistol, and the follower of the factory RIA mags. Try out some better mags and it will fix the issue . I went through the same thing with my first RIA. Now that I use kimber mags it eats everything. MY need to send it to RIA for a re angle of the ramp.

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+1 for different mags . For a GI type non throated barrel you want the flat follower with the tit on the follower . For a throated barrel you want the round top follower . Get a Metalform or Colt mag GI style & see if that cures your problem .

Fail to feed is usually one of two things

Magazine (or spring in magazine) or Recoil spring.

Generally lighter loads will be a problem if the recoil spring is too heavy.

What weight bullets are the factory?????? 230g????

And your reloads are 185??

If so.

Just that would make me think you have a light recoil spring.

You are testing apples and oranges if the factory bullets are heavier??

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Still Running Against the Wind

Well the factory ammo is 230 grain, mine 185. However, the reloads work fine but the factory ammo does not. Thats why I was confused it was a paradoxical situation. I am thinking its the mags though now.

Exactly. that's what confused me. When shooting the 185 gr handloads or the factory, do either of them slam the slide back hard???

If it was mags it would seem to be a problem with both factory and reloads.

So now I am thinking the opposite. That your bullets even though lighter in weigh have more "power" than the factory,

WWB is not know for being a high performance load. What confused me further was the Fiochhi which is usually very good and more potent than WWB.

I find the Wilson Combat mags to be the best in any gun. (not cheap) but they work!

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Still Running Against the Wind

+1 on the WC mags!!!! I replaced my Taurus mags with them in my PT1911Af.........amazing mags!

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Well I haven't noticed the slide slam back hard with either, but if I had to say one was harder than the other I would think factory. Hard to tell with the recoil though.

I had assumed that my loading would have been less powerful than factory, the perceived recoil was definitely less than with factory. I know perceived recoil does not equal energy, but I feel it's a good estimate. However, if the reloads are more powerful, it does explain the feeding situation entirely.

I don't have a chrono but I think if I can find one it would be a good way to see if the loads energy-wise are more or less than WWB.

Which is probably why I only have one centerfire automatic pistol (1911). Between feeding, extracting, & chasing brass, wheelguns are just simplier, for me, but hey, I'm a simple guy!

Hope you get it sorted out.

Usually the expensive 1911s are the ones with issues. The looser its built. The better it works. Ria mags just suck haha

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