Mag not popping out when released

[Arthury]

I have an SW1911PC and I experienced twice on the same day in a IDPA match when I released the mag, it did not pop out. Needless to day, I pressed the mag release button again and nothing happened.

When I examined it further, the bottom of the mag is still at the same level as an unreleased mag. Note that both of these were when the mag is empty with slide-lock.

I came home, determined to reproduce the problem, I tried all the mags and they did not have the issue, except one (original ACT mag) which popped out but only a tiny bit.

To "fix" it, I coated the exterior of the mag slightly oil and then it popped out in full without any issues. I am very leery about putting oil close to ammo.

What do you think is the root cause of the issue? Any thots?

Thanks!

 

[Dragon88]

This is a shot in the dark, but check to see if any of your grip screws are in too far and extending into the magazine well beyond flush. I had a similar problem on one of my 1911s, and it was a grip screw in too far that was riding the magazine.

 

[Arthury]

This is a shot in the dark, but check to see if any of your grip screws are in too far and extending into the magazine well beyond flush. I had a similar problem on one of my 1911s, and it was a grip screw in too far that was riding the magazine.

I just looked at all four of the grip screws and they looked pretty tamed on the inside --- none are protruding.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Arthury]

Incidentally, I applied a thin coat of BreakFree CLP on the outside of the mag and now, I cannot reproduce the problem, no matter hard I try.

I am suspecting the mag is slightly off specs somewhere that's causing it to stick when burnt powder starts to accumulate.

 

[Dragon88]

That sound about right. Not all magazines are created equal, especially with 1911s.

 

[rbert0005]

Take the mag release out and start from there.

If the mags get hung up then you know it's the mag. If not you may have to do a bit of fitting on the release.

It is not at all uncommon to have the mag release go in just a tad too far and rub on the mag body.

Bob

 

[Arthury]

Found the culprit

My last trip to the range revealed who is the culprit. It is one of the Meg Gar magazines that I bought after I received the pistol.

I can reproduce the issue again and again without any problem at the range.

On the very last round, once it is discharged, the case is ejected and the slide will not lock. I will inadvertently press the trigger and it will go click. Then, I will press the mag release and nothing will happen. I will have to use my left hand to drag the mag out with my finger nails. This will certainly kill me in a life-threatening situation and have certainly killed my timing in an IDPA match. It only happens with one of the Meg Gar mag.

It's a good thing I have bought 2 other Chip McCormick mags and I cannot get them to do the same thing. The other Meg Gar mag was also fine as well.

 

[Dragon88]

Glad you found the issue. Stomp that bad magazine with a boot so that it never troubles someone again. Unless Meg Gar will replace defective magazines?

 

[WR Moore]

The stampling process that produces magazine bodies isn't an exact science. A particular example may not react to forming/heat treatment/welding exactly as expected. If the manufacturer won't replace the mag, the sides of the mag can frequently be drawfiled to allow free drop, it generally doesn't take much.

Metalform makes outstanding 1911 pattern mags at reasonable prices. I've never had a bad one.

 

[gboling]

My last trip to the range revealed who is the culprit. It is one of the Meg Gar magazines that I bought after I received the pistol.

I can reproduce the issue again and again without any problem at the range.

On the very last round, once it is discharged, the case is ejected and the slide will not lock. I will inadvertently press the trigger and it will go click. Then, I will press the mag release and nothing will happen. I will have to use my left hand to drag the mag out with my finger nails..

Check the follower in the errant magazine. If it is installed backwards it can cause this.

 

[Arthury]

Check the follower in the errant magazine. If it is installed backwards it can cause this.

Follower looks fine to me. Their follower has a distinct slender front and it is very obvious that is sitting in the correct orientation.

 

[Arthury]

The stampling process that produces magazine bodies isn't an exact science. A particular example may not react to forming/heat treatment/welding exactly as expected. If the manufacturer won't replace the mag, the sides of the mag can frequently be drawfiled to allow free drop, it generally doesn't take much.

Metalform makes outstanding 1911 pattern mags at reasonable prices. I've never had a bad one.

I contacted them and they asked me to send it and they will replace it.

Aren't they the official mag supplier for the Beretta M9's used in the US military?

 

[SMSgt]

I was going to suggest checking width and front-to-back dimensions and the defective one would probably measure larger one way or another. But if the vendor wants it back, send it.

 

[epj]

Follower looks fine to me. Their follower has a distinct slender front and it is very obvious that is sitting in the correct orientation.

He may have meant to say "follower spring". The mag spring can be installed backward or upside down and cause problems.

 

[WR Moore]

I contacted them and they asked me to send it and they will replace it.

Aren't they the official mag supplier for the Beretta M9's used in the US military?

Good to know they stand behind their product. I should also note that magazine wells are occasionally less than perfect. And, as I noted earlier, sometimes the occasional out of spec product somehow makes it past the inspectors to the marketplace.

Mec-Gar makes magazines for a great many firearms manufacturers, Berretta among them. I don't know that they have the military contract. However, due to contractural obligations, it's possible that magazines they sell under their own brand may be similar, but not absolutely identical to, the ones made for any particular brand or under any other specific contract. The differences may be small and insignificant, but they may need to exist.

Why would they be different? Because the original contractor (weapons maker, government, government agency, etc) specifies exclusive delivery of items that meet the specifications contained in the contract. Offered the opportunity to have exclusive rights to develop (with development and tooling paid for) and produce a known number of items per year at a guaranteed price, most companies will sign without a quibble. The alternative being to make the substantial investment in development and tooling to produce magazines for a specific weapon in the devout hope that enough people will buy them to justify the expenses and allow you to turn a profit.

In the case of 1911 mags, the specifications have long been in the public domain and no such restrictions would be applicable. Probably just one of those things.