I think I fixed my 1911...

[sipowicz]

Ever since I owned my Kimber TLE 2, I have had some FTFs and FTEs. The pic is one of the most common I encountered.

My dept. practice ammo is Winchester Winclean and I heard it's not very good ammo and that lots of guns have problems with it...but today, I tried some duty ammo in it...Winchester Ranger Ts. Same problem. I called Kimber and was told I could ship the gun to them but it would be on my dime. Then I searched around a 1911 forum and found it might be the extractor...was steered to a youtube video on how to take it out of a 1911....(I'm not very handy btw). A few minutes later, I had the extractor out and cleaned it (lots of gunk) as well as the channel. Put it back to gether and it seems to be running much better....if it still does it in the future, I might try a lighter recoil spring...(stock is 16 so maybe 14)...we shall see...)

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Howdy Sip.
When it does eject, how far away does the empty brass go? 6-8 ft is a good distance.

I wouldn't go any lighter than 16# recoil spring if you are shooting factory ammo. That should be plenty light enough.

One other thing. Do you have problems with each magazine, or is there just one that is problematic? Number your mags, and check it out. Most FTF / FTE problems are magazine related.

I am going to assume that you have lubed the slide rails. A dry slide will cause what you are experiencing as well.


WG840

 

[27145]

I'm very proud of you.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Howdy Sip.
When it does eject, how far away does the empty brass go? 6-8 ft is a good distance.

I wouldn't go any lighter than 16# recoil spring if you are shooting factory ammo. That should be plenty light enough.

One other thing. Do you have problems with each magazine, or is there just one that is problematic? Number your mags, and check it out. Most FTF / FTE problems are magazine related.

I am going to assume that you have lubed the slide rails. A dry slide will cause what you are experiencing as well.


WG840

Sip sounds like you might have it fixed. WG840 is giving you some good advice. I might just add that if the gun isn't broken in good I would run the slide really wet. Don

 

[rimfired]

OMG! Gals, look! Sip is hydroplaning. Noooo just experimenting. My BAd?

 

[27145]

Try not to shoot so limp wristed, just sayin'

 

[sheriffoconee]

I would certainly expect to have to replace magazines as has been mentioned....MOST 1911 feeding problems can be tracked to the magazine, which is part of the controlled feed system, not just a bullet holder for the next round...

 

[Fishslayer]

If that pictured jam is the last round definitely a weak mag spring.

If you really want to getinto that extractor...

Extractor Tuning Tips

 

[Kanewpadle]

Could be one of three problems now that you have fixed the extractor.

Ejector broke off.
Too light recoil spring or its worn out.
Magazine springs.

Check all three. Wolff Springs can be bought online.

Take the slide off and check the ejector.

If the recoil spring is too light or worn out, the gun will cycle too fast.

 

[BillRR]

If that pictured jam is the last round definitely a weak mag spring.

If you really want to getinto that extractor...

Extractor Tuning Tips

There is a cool Extractor Tuning Tool as well

Could be one of three problems now that you have fixed the extractor.

Ejector broke off.
Too light recoil spring or its worn out.
Magazine springs.

Check all three. Wolff Springs can be bought online.

Take the slide off and check the ejector.

If the recoil spring is too light or worn out, the gun will cycle too fast.

Overall timing on the 1911 is often over looked yet it’s so important.

 

[Big Cholla]

Sip: I have a slightly different take on your FTE problem. I was a 1911 Gunsmith for a long time. This is generally a timing problem compounded by possible extractor, ejector and recoil spring problems. IMHO, the recoil spring is too strong for that particular ammo. The ejector nose is not long enough. And the extractor is holding the rim of the cartridge too tightly. I think that the magazine spring is OK. That extractor/ejector combo should have that expended brass out of the breech before any jamb like that can happen.

I would attempt a cure in this order; examine the ejector and see if it compares to others in the same model handgun. If not change it out.

You have cleaned the extractor now hang a fired brass under it in the same position it would be as when extracted from the chamber. If it has no 'wiggle' whatsoever, it is too tight. Give it just a little more clearance using a jewelers file.

Change the recoil spring out to a known lighter spring by about 2 lbs.

Obviously, you should fire a few rounds after each one of these steps to see if you have cured the problem. When it is 'fixed' stop. ....... Big Cholla

 

[Maximumbob54]

This will fix that problem up:

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC > Catalog > Colt Pistols > Colt Series 70

 

[sipowicz]

Thanks guys....I did check it with different mags...same problem...and it was well lubed...so I will try Bi Cholla's fix and go to a lighter spring and check out the extractor wiggle...thanks gain...

 

[DeadAye]

Try not to shoot so limp wristed, just sayin'

Give him a break... At least he didn't put the pink grip panels on (at least not for the picture).
The man lives in Hollywood - Some things just can't be helped.


PS. I'd get a Spring Pack from Wolff and start with the stock weight and work from there.

 

[mm6mm6]

I'm very confused here. Sip, I found no humor, sarcasm, nor quick wit in your post. Please fix the problem soon.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I like to tinker with things myself. Still... Getting a troublesome 1911 to work can at times involve what amounts to a special sort of voodoo. If the gun is to be anything other than something to take out to the range every now and again, I would have at least an armorer - and preferably an actual gunsmith - take a look at it. Peace of mind and all that (were it a piece of mine...)

 

[M29since14]

The man lives in Hollywood - Some things just can't be helped.

Oh... that's a little mean. But, hey, he did the right thing.

If the gun runs fine after cleaning, leave it alone. If you have to change the recoil spring in that gun, get a new 16# spring and replace the old one. It shouldn't take a lighter spring to make that gun work with standard pressure, duty .45 loads. If it has a shok-buff or similar gizmo, take it out and throw it as far as possible. I have seen those things screw up the function of more otherwise-OK 1911s than anything I can think of, except junk surplus magazines.

 

[sipowicz]

No shock buff Deadaye...and I will check the recoil spring next time I shoot it...Cholla told me to check the ejection and see if the shell ejects 5-10 feet behind me...if not, I will change out the spring to another new 16 and grab a 14 just in case the ammo is too weak.....it is 7 years old but I don't think it has more than a 1000 rounds thru it...

 

[Fishslayer]

My wife would love it if my 1911 tossed the cases 5-10 feet. My light target loads and her less than powerful grip tend to try to put the hot brass right down the front of her shirt!

 

[sipowicz]

I actually had an 18.5 spring in the gun....so I put back the 16 that I found. Still having some problems though...mainly like this...mostly on the last round, and sometimes second to last...kept loading mags up with 3 and it would continue....still, could be crapy ammo...it's also has a very flat nose so maybe it's not feeding right.....