Ok so I picked up a E Series last week. I have put 40 rds of Federal Premium Hydro-Shok through it 50 rounds of blazzer brass and 350 rounds of blazzer aluminum. My second to last box of blazzer alum had 2 FTF with it but then fired 16 rounds of hand loads from a buddy and another 50 of blazzer alum with no problems. Do you think I should just through those 2 out as being the blazzer alum quality? My tendency is do that after 448 good rounds. I hate seeing any issue in a gun that I plan to carry but I guess they all can have that occasionally. What's your thoughts?
1911 E Series FTF carry?
- Thread starter Howie6267
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Anything is possible. I guess if you really think your life depends on the gun I would do some more testing, particularly with the brand of ammo you intend to use. When you say fail-to-fire, I suppose you mean the hammer fell when the trigger was pulled but the impact of the firing pin was not sufficient to make the cartridge fire? Did you try that same cartridge again? If you did and it didn't fire on the second attempt I'd say you could chalk it up to a bad primer.
Sorry to mislead. I had two Fail to Feed not fire. I have read a lot of others having problem with blazzer so that is why I tend to lean toward ignoring it. Just thought I would ask the question here and see what others thought.
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fredj338
Member
I never test a gun with **** ammo & the alum stuff is pretty crappy. If it has an issue with brass cases ball ammo, then something is wrong, mag or gun. My 1911PD has been 100% with everything, including Blaser alum, handloads, lead, plated & jacketed. I found the S&W mags junk as well, just not a very good mag. Maybe yours are diff, but get a Wilson, Tripp or even McCormick Power mag & try that. The 1911 is a very reliable platform, but nothing kills it quicker than poor mags.
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Howie--was shooting a few boxes through my Springfield TRP on Saturday. One box was blazer. Was loading the cartridges and noticed 4 or 5 rounds only had casing about half way encasing the bullet! They were in a line in the box, same row. I guess the automated machine loading them malfunctioned and crushed or damaged the case in some manner. I would make NO judgements about your pistol based on Blazer ammo. I have never had a problem with it, but sure noticed the defective rounds this weekend.
I second the suggestion on the Chip McCormick power mags--they are outstanding.
Biggfoot44
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Then don't carry Blazer.
Thanks guys. I did get some McCormick mags. I have since put 200 more rounds of ball ammo through with no issue. I did have one issue with Fed Preium hydro-shok self defense ammo. I had 3 rounds of 230 gr mixed with one round of 165 gr and it failed to go into battery on the last round. I'm guessing it was the 165 but not sure. I then fired 20 more rounds of the 230 gr self defense and 50 rounds of the fed white box 230 hydro-shok and had no mishaps. So I am at a total of 710 rounds with 3 fails two of which I would throw out as **** ammo. The 3rd one I'm not sure but I don't think I'm going to worry about it. I've fired a total of 110 rounds of hollow point hydro-shok with the one above mishap. It bothers me but I don't think there is a problem with the gun.
66snub
Member
I have a 1911 E series 5" stainless and it eats anything I feed it. Maybe it just needs more rounds through it to break it in?
fredj338
Member
When ever diagnosing a gun problem, eliminate variables one at a time. Don't switch mags & ammo, you won't know which was causing the problem. Make sure the gun is cleaned & well lubed.most 1911s do not like to be run dry. I gave up on oils a long time ago for my 1911s.
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Rastoff
US Veteran
I joined this forum because of issues I had with a S&W 1911. This is what was happening:
It would do this every 200-300 rounds. I just can't trust a gun that won't go 500 rounds, with the ammo I'll carry, without a failure. I never resolved the issue and S&W refunded my money. I'm really sorry I couldn't get it figured out. That gun had a sweet trigger.
Now, about the CMC Power mag...
They have a problem that is inherent to the design. The follower has the potential to not lock the slide back at the end of the mag. Here's why:
When the last round is stripped off the follower should move forward a little like this:
It might not do it often, or ever for some people, but the follower can stay back like this(note the lack of gap at the back):
When this happens, the follower will not engage the slide stop after the last round. Thus, it won't hold the slide back. This is not the end of the world, but it can cause the shooter to miss an empty mag and cost valuable seconds.
Obviously I'm just one unknown guy on the internet. So, take this with a grain of salt. Even so, I have had this very failure several times in different guns with these mags.
It would do this every 200-300 rounds. I just can't trust a gun that won't go 500 rounds, with the ammo I'll carry, without a failure. I never resolved the issue and S&W refunded my money. I'm really sorry I couldn't get it figured out. That gun had a sweet trigger.
Now, about the CMC Power mag...
They have a problem that is inherent to the design. The follower has the potential to not lock the slide back at the end of the mag. Here's why:
When the last round is stripped off the follower should move forward a little like this:
It might not do it often, or ever for some people, but the follower can stay back like this(note the lack of gap at the back):
When this happens, the follower will not engage the slide stop after the last round. Thus, it won't hold the slide back. This is not the end of the world, but it can cause the shooter to miss an empty mag and cost valuable seconds.
Obviously I'm just one unknown guy on the internet. So, take this with a grain of salt. Even so, I have had this very failure several times in different guns with these mags.
I always start out with a clean gun and lubed. Thanks for the info.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
On the Ammo comments: I agree that Blazer and Comblock steel case are the pits, and are not to be used for reliability determination.
On Magazines; I never had a problem with the "Shooting Star" McCormick 8 shot mags, but that doesn't mean others didn't. Wilson makes about the best mag there is, and you pay for it too, but every 1911 shooter should have at least one set aside for testing.
I have built several 1911's and the problems you describe junk ammo as the most likely cause. However some individual guns don't like a certain bullet, especially with big hollow points. The Fed. 230 Hydro-shok, and the Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Point 185's are famous for feeding when no other HP will. (use whichever one shoots to the sights!)
As my sons reached 21, I gave them each a 1911 (2 of 3 were foreign military Colt contract guns) They got 200 rounds of 230 Ball, cleaning kit, Holster, mag pouch, 3 GI mags, maintenance tools 20 rounds Hydro-shock ammo and one Wilson mag. They can call me or e-mail me from anywhere in the world, and I can talk them through any problem the have, and send them parts if needed. BUT they have to be able to reliably test and describe the problem good ammo and good mags are the key!
Not everybody is able to work on their on pistols,but there is factory service and 1911 pistol smiths everywhere. I'm sure this is easy to remedy. Enjoy your new gun, Ivan
On Magazines; I never had a problem with the "Shooting Star" McCormick 8 shot mags, but that doesn't mean others didn't. Wilson makes about the best mag there is, and you pay for it too, but every 1911 shooter should have at least one set aside for testing.
I have built several 1911's and the problems you describe junk ammo as the most likely cause. However some individual guns don't like a certain bullet, especially with big hollow points. The Fed. 230 Hydro-shok, and the Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Point 185's are famous for feeding when no other HP will. (use whichever one shoots to the sights!)
As my sons reached 21, I gave them each a 1911 (2 of 3 were foreign military Colt contract guns) They got 200 rounds of 230 Ball, cleaning kit, Holster, mag pouch, 3 GI mags, maintenance tools 20 rounds Hydro-shock ammo and one Wilson mag. They can call me or e-mail me from anywhere in the world, and I can talk them through any problem the have, and send them parts if needed. BUT they have to be able to reliably test and describe the problem good ammo and good mags are the key!
Not everybody is able to work on their on pistols,but there is factory service and 1911 pistol smiths everywhere. I'm sure this is easy to remedy. Enjoy your new gun, Ivan
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Howie, all my boys grew up and left me without slave labor. We'll pretend you're 12. and after 9 years of splitting and stacking fire wood in the summer and bringing it inside in the winter, mowing grass and working the gardens. I'll be glad to give you a 1911 set of equipment. Ivan 
Rastoff
US Veteran
Surprisingly little.
The problem showed up in the first 500 rounds. So, I shot some more. After about 1,200 rounds or so, I figured it wasn't a "break in" issue. Called S&W and talked to them on the phone. We even discussed if it was me causing the problem. They said it wasn't me and to send it in; I did.
I got it back within a week. Put another 300 or so through it and had the failure again. Called, same conversation, sent it back a second time.
I got it back within a week again. Put another 300 or so through the gun. This time, I was at an event with some friends so I was able to have several people shoot it. Most didn't have any trouble, but two did.
Called S&W again and asked what do I do now? They gave me three options; send it in for repair again, exchange it for a different gun, get a refund. If they had had another 1911 ready to send me, I would have exchanged it. They didn't so, I opted for the refund. I received a check about one week after I emailed them a copy of my store receipt.
I have always received very good service from S&W customer service.
I am now on my second round of sending it back. I hope to skip the third round. Looks like I'm in the same boat as my story is word for word like yours. And yes customer service is great so at least I have that.
