Please Help Me Identify The Cause of This 1911 Malfunction

[SammyJoe]

Hello Everyone!
I just recently purchased an older manufactured Springfield 45 Compact 1911. Condition Used (Like New in Box)

After getting it to the range, I was very disappointed in it's performance.

It has a major feeding issue. I can not get through a full magazine of ammo without the below pictured malfunctions occurring.

Tested it with all sorts of ammo; Winchester WhiteBox (230gr FMJ), Speer Gold Dot (230gr TMJ), Sig V Crown (230gr JHP), and Remington Green and White (230gr FMJ).

Tested it with several different magazines as well. Wilson mags, McCormick Mags, OEM, Colt Mags.

Got the same result with all the above variables, I have determined it to being a Gun Related Issue, Not a Ammo or mag issue.

Can anyone help me identify this issue? I want to try and fix this myself if possible.

Thanks Guys. Please ask any questions and I will do my best to answer.
-Sam

 

[Protocall_Design]

I'm a revo guy, but it looks like an extractor problem to me. Might need a little more tension.

 

[OKFC05]

One possibility is that someone "improved" it, maybe with a recoil spring/assembly. I'd start with the correct spring and a careful disassembly/inspection/lube.

 

[lihpster]

I agree it's an extraction issue. If it were mine, this is what I'd try. First get a replacement spring kit. Get factory weights. Then scrub the chamber with a bronze brush to make sure it's clean. If it still fails, then I would replace the extractor. That's assuming a visual examination of the extractor didn't show anything amiss. After that I'd be looking for professional help. But that's me. Good luck with it.

 

[mckenney99]

1911 guy for past 40 years. Learn how to strip your slide and completely clean out the firing pin tunnel and the extractor tunnel. Thoroughly clean the extractor and then examine the extractor claw to mke sure the end of the extractor is not broken off. If the extractor is ok then it probably needs to have it's tension adjusted.
adjusting extractor tension on a 1911 at DuckDuckGo

 

[mscampbell2734]

From your photos its NOT clear if it's an extractor issue or a feed issue.

Is the round sticking out of the chamber live or expended?

If it's expended then yes you have an extractor issue. The extractor is suppose to be made of spring steel and have tension due to a bend. Remove the extractor, clean the channel and go here to learn how to adjust your extractor.
Steve in Allentown Extractor fitting | 1911Forum

If the round sticking out of the chamber is live then you have a double feed/failure to feed.

Double feeds are caused my inertia feed. On recoil the top round jumps out of the magazine and is loose. Then the slide starts forward it strips the top round, causing both to move forward.

Yours seems to be more of a failure to feed, the fact you've obviously locked to the slide to the rear for photgraphic purposes does not help and in fact hurts. Question- round fully in front of the extractor and partly being held by the hook? Is the slide locking back on it's own? The devil is in the details.

 

[stansdds]

That's a fired, but partially extracted case hanging half-way out of the chamber. My first thought is that the extractor is not holding the case rim. Examine the extractor for damage. With the slide off of the receiver, place a live, 230 grain round under the extractor, then with the slide parallel to the floor, give it a little shake. I bet the round drops freely, indicating insufficient extractor tension.

 

[2152hq]

I think the pic shows the jam as it occured and not with the slide locked back for photo purposes.
The bbl hood is visible in the ejection port so I think the slide is partially forward.
The round in the magazine appears to have been picked up by the recoiling slide from the last shot,,so I'm assuming the slide recoiled farenough to the rear.

The fired(?) empty case left partialy extracted in the chamber..
Could be the Extractor lost grip of it so check the extractor tension by way of the arch in the length of the part itself.
Check the claw for a proper shape and no damage plus ability to get close enough to actually grip the rim (may be standing-off from the case too far).

Another problem could be the magazine.
If the next round in line to be chambered is held too high in the feed lips,,especially the front of the cartridge,,it can hit the casing being extracted above it. That can cause the extrcted case to fail to extract all the way and drop off the breech face in the position you show.

The slide continues to the rear and then picks up that next in line rd from the mag and trys to feed it. But the FTExtract case blocks the feeding sequence and results in what your see.

 

[handejector]

Most likely a former owner dropped a round or two in the chamber and let the slide slam shut, which makes the extractor have to "snap" over the rim. That is not good for extractors.
NEVER chamber rounds in a 1911 like that- ALWAYS feed from the mag.
The 1911 is a controlled feed design, meaning the rim slides up under the extractor. Dropping a rd in the chamber and slamming the slide over it bends or breaks extractors.

 

[4barrel]

Buy a Wilson bullet proof extractor. You need a spare anyway. If that works you can put more tension on yours. When the slide closes the bullet in the mag slides up and the rim is on the backside of the extractor. Unless the chamber is dirty the extractor is supposed to pull the fired case an flip it out. <Sorry boss- I didn't realize you stepped in.>My fingers are slow tonight.

 

[stansdds]

Most likely a former owner dropped a round or two in the chamber and let the slide slam shut, which makes the extractor have to "snap" over the rim. That is not good for extractors.
NEVER chamber rounds in a 1911 like that- ALWAYS feed from the mag.
The 1911 is a controlled feed design, meaning the rim slides up under the extractor. Dropping a rd in the chamber and slamming the slide over it bends or breaks extractors.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Truth!

 

[WR Moore]

Given the experience level that the OP seems to have, buying a quality new extractor and installing it would seem to be the best route. A chipped extractor claw often isn't immediately obvious.

 

[marinevet]

Will it chamber, fire, and extract a single round from a mag?

 

[SammyJoe]

From your photos its NOT clear if it's an extractor issue or a feed issue.

Is the round sticking out of the chamber live or expended?

If it's expended then yes you have an extractor issue. The extractor is suppose to be made of spring steel and have tension due to a bend. Remove the extractor, clean the channel and go here to learn how to adjust your extractor.
Steve in Allentown Extractor fitting | 1911Forum

If the round sticking out of the chamber is live then you have a double feed/failure to feed.

Double feeds are caused my inertia feed. On recoil the top round jumps out of the magazine and is loose. Then the slide starts forward it strips the top round, causing both to move forward.

Yours seems to be more of a failure to feed, the fact you've obviously locked to the slide to the rear for photgraphic purposes does not help and in fact hurts. Question- round fully in front of the extractor and partly being held by the hook? Is the slide locking back on it's own? The devil is in the details.

The Round Halfway out of the chamber is a spent round, just the casing and struck primer.
Thanks
-Sam

 

[Tampaxd45]

Yep, extractor issue. Check out this link to Hilton Yam's 1911 Malfunction Guide. Scroll down to "Double Feed or Failure to Extract"

Hilton Yam's 1911 Malfunction Guide - Album on Imgur

 

[Drm50]

Yea, extractor issue. Makes me flinch when I see slide released on round in chamber, or just slammed on empty chamber. Dip Sticks can’t get through their head that such things put undue tear on their piece.

 

[Greyman50]

Quick way to check extractor is simple ,remove slide, turn upside down and slide a round down so rim catches on extractor. Extractor should have enough tension you have to push round in, not drop in. All the above posted references are excellent to watch. Might want to do the “ plunk test” with the barrel. Remove barrel and drop complete factory round in chamber, it should go “ plunk”. Have found many newer 1911s including Colts need some polishing. Let us know what you find.

 

[Old_Cop]

I'll take extractor for $100 Alex.