To the 1911 experts: bad gun or bad mags?

[American1776]

I bought a new SIG 1911 Nitron with the Rail. Gun feels great. Took it to the range today with 215 rounds of 230 gr.FMJ ammo (Fiocchi, Blazer, WWB). Bought 4 magazines, all new. 2 7 round Wilson Combats, 2 8 round Wilson combats.

In the first few magazines, I had two FTF. These occured with the the 7 rounders. After that, heres what happened.

One of the 8 rounders would fail to feed the first round (round would go halfway in, then stop. One of the 7 rounders would always fail to lock the slide on the last round. The other two magazines, 7 rounder and 8 rounder each, were reliable. No further problems with them.

So, I must ask the question for the 1911 guys and gals: Should I consider this a good gun, but bad mags? Or, is the SIG likely a problem, along with those two mags? Or, is this just a lemon of a gun?

When it has those two 'good' magazines in it (the 7 rounder and the 8 rounder), if doesn't seem to have any problems. The other two have the problems mentioned.

Any thoughts? Keep the gun and keep shooting it? Try a different magazine company?

Many thanks!

 

[arjay]

I'd suspect the mags.Try another brand.
You could also replace the internals on the questionable pair with Tripp parts-they work nicely.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Picked up a nice used Sig 1911 C3, CCO .....using the factory mags..... about 50% of the time the last round would fail to feed....... that last round would just be sitting lose on top of the mag.........

Heard this is/was not an uncommon issue...... got some Wilson mags....... need to give it another workout.

I'd contact Wilson........ they've got a good rep.

 

[RobertJ.]

I think it's way too early to consider the gun a lemon!

I don't think this is widely discussed among fans of the 1911, but sometimes, just sometimes, you have to tinker with a 1911 to make it shoot correctly.

In the early 90's, I bought a stock Springfield Armory 1911a1. Brand new, out of the box, it wouldn't get through an entire box of ammo without at least a couple malfunctions, and that was with standard 230 gr. ball ammo. I polished the feed ramp, bought a Wilson stainless steel magazine, added a full length guide rod, and put in a 22 pound recoil spring. After that it'd shoot hot 200 gr. Gold Dots (the flying ashtray!) reliably.

So, don't give up on it just yet, at least not until talking to someone who knows the Sig 1911.

 

[Hapworth]

So many makers in the 1911 game these days, but not all are building to original 1911 specs; this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It does mean, though, that sometimes small variances can have significant functional effect. One of the results, sometimes, is needing to find which magazine manufacturer your particular 1911 likes.

Wilson makes top-rated mags, but your Sig may not like them. I'd contact Sig and ask which brand they recommend, and also put the question on a Sig 1911-specific forum.

 

[pharmer]

I would have blamed the mags except they are Wilson. I also have a Springfield Armory 1911 that couldn't get through a mag. The stock ones bit as did Chip McCormick 8 rd. The 3 Wilson's I have make the gun eat everything. I had 2 bags of "coated lead wadcutter gunshow reloads" that nose dived in other mags. I burned them up without a hitch using the Wilson's. Remember, no autoloader is "broke in" before 500 rds. Keep it. Joe

 

[sellersm]

Which Wilson mags? 47D models are their older ones. The new ETM mags are much better.

I'd contact them and let them make it right... My Sig 1911 has been flawless no matter what mags I've used (WC, Tripp, CMC, Sig, etc.)

 

[wbraswell]

You said a couple of mags worked fine, I'd think that rules the gun out. The more you shoot it, the better it should work. The problem mags might need a little tweak or polish.

 

[DWalt]

I don't remember ever having a misfeed from any magazine while using factory or military FMJ hardball ammunition (Not true with some reloads and other bullet designs). I'd suspect that adjustment of magazine lips or using a stronger recoil spring might help.

 

[jkhouw1]

Did you field strip, fully clean, then lubricate prior to first range trip? As for the mags.. Some 1911 don't like some mfr's Wilson or not.

I had a 1911 that until it was over 1k rounds didn't like Wilson 47d but was fine with ed brown or chip mccormicks
Then after 1k it worked with any mag I tried.

Also.. Does it work with the OEM mags?

 

[sodacan]

Maybe your hold on the gun is weak. If you're limp wristing, you'll get FTF. Having that many problems with good mags might make me check my technique.

 

[gwpercle]

You may want to fire at least 100 or 200 rounds (maybe more) of factory hard ball just to get things broke in. Then if you are still having trouble you can start doing the gun-magazine-ammo song and dance to try and figure it out. Use the factory magazines for break in. In aftermarket mags I've had the best luck with standard 7 round capacity.
The problem with the 1911 is figuring out what works and doesn't work. My biggest problem was a magazine that worked yesterday, then wouldn't work today but tomorrow it would worked fine....
Shoot it a bunch with hardball and factory magazine, if it still malfunctions , it's the gun. Don't just start replacing parts...break in is important.
Don't limp wrist it either, that causes malfunctions big time.
Gary

 

[American1776]

Thanks everyone for the informative replies.

1) I did clean it and lubricate it well prior to the range visit.
2) I have a good amount of experience with 1911's. I've owned 2 prior to this one. A Sig Carry model that had problems. A Colt XSE that was very good. And this one.
3). As to the limp wristing: I purposely limp-wristed the pistol WITH THE GOOD MAGS, and couldn't get the gun to malfunction. I should say, the only REAL stoppages were to the two FTF in the very beginning. After that, just one of the mags would sometimes fail to RTB when charging the first round, and the other 7 rounder wouldn't lock the slide back (but that mag was reliable as well, no stoppages).
4) Probably the big mistake was that I didn't try the OEM mags, just assuming that the Wilsons would be better anyway.
5). While it's nice to know this gun works 100 percent with two of my magazines, it's a little disconcerting to know that it's so magazine sensitive that it might not work with another magazine of the same maker.

 

[getoff]

the platform does require a bit of break in. my BNIB Springfield TRP had issues with the first couple of mags. that includes Wilson, Tripp, Mec-gar and Chip Mc C. buddy of mine got the "Professional" model (the TRP was the comercial version) that was contracted by the FBI. took almost 500 rounds to get flawless function. its not a plastic wonder 9... much more fitting of parts go into even the budget 1911"s. keep it, shoot it. it'll br fine in the end...

 

[sellersm]

I've had great results with the OEM Sig mags for my Spartan Carry. I believe that Checkmate makes the OEM mags, and I've had great results with Checkmate aftermarket mags used in it.

This is all with my reloads as well as factory.

 

[Big Cholla]

Several things: Clean the gun of all lube and go shoot it about 100 to 150 times regardless of malfunctions. Then back at the workbench; polish the feed ramp and 'break' the transition from ramp to chamber just a little and polish that. Pull the extractor and relieve the back side of the hook just a little as a too tight of extractor will delay the feeding of a new round just enough to cause what you are experiencing. Take apart all of the magazines and examine the two good one's followers. Find that follower and change out all the other mags to that follower. If you are close to a range and it doesn't take long to go and come back to the bench it is a good policy to do all these mods one at a time and then go shoot.

If I were doing this, I would change all the mags followers to the good followers first. ............

 

[dmy]

Wilson or not-Wilson Mags

In the mid-1980s, I purchased two Wilson Combat mags for my Series 70 Gold Cup. The Wilsons were brushed aluminum with a rounded plastic follower and rubber padded base. I had successfully used several stock Colt mags and several Pachmayr mags since that time. The Wilsons and no-name off-brand mags were the only ones which would not feed reliably in my pistol. Not sure why. I put the Wilsons in my drawer and did not touch them for the last 30 years. Last week, I decided to try to Wilson mags again. I did not oil or clean them, although I might have done so prior to putting them away. To my surprise, they functioned perfectly for 100 rounds. Not sure I would bet my life on them, but I would certainly use them for informal matches and at the range.

 

[max]

Put some grease on the rails. I had problems with my last new 1911. I tried some RIG Stainless and it works fine. I broke the gun in with 1K rounds of ball ammo. I use McCormick Shooting Star mags a lot.

 

[Arik]

Easiest to check is mag and ammo. Buy some more or different ones. If you still continue having problems it's the gun

 

[BigBill]

I lube my guns with moly. I made sure the gun isn't loaded. Disassemble it, clean it. Take the frame apply some moly to the frame rails, take the empty slide lube the rails with moly. Put the two parts together and lap the moly in. Remove the slide and add a tad more moly to the rails and assemble the gun. Don't forget to put moly on the barrel and bushing and recoil spring. Wipe off the excess moly and cycle the assembled gun by hand 50 times.

On my SA 1911's or any pistol only load the first round from the magazine. Never load the first round by hand. The extractor can become unsprung letting the slide close over a loaded round.

 

[H Richard]

I have a half dozen Wilson mags I've been using since the mid 80's, and have no problems in any of my 1911's, Colt, Springfield, RIA. I have never changed out the springs, but I don't let them sit loaded up. I primarily use 200 gr cast lead SWC's and they feed reliably in all the 1911's.

 

[model70hunter]

Check the lips on the 2 mags that have issues.

New does not always mean perfect. I ordered some mags a couple of months ago. One came out of it's wrap with a damaged lip I did not notice until I as as loading it. I would check to see if they are bent. Or dings on the side.

 

[Harkrader]

Between Sigs issued to me and those I've owned I have experience with some 50 in most models. I currently have a Scorpion Carry, a 1911CA-BSS, and a 220/.45ACP.
Sigs are as reliable as the sunrise, WITH THEIR FACTORY MAGS.
ALL the troubles you describe occurred to me when I purchased after-market magazines by top manufacturers (and a couple junk stores).

I suggest sorting it out with factory mags. If you still have trouble, it's time for a qualified person to take a look.

 

[therewolf]

I have had problems with Wilson mags in my Springfield

1911A1.

Have you shot the "break-in" rounds with the Sig yet?

AFAIK, most 1911s are a little rough till you get 5 to 10

boxes of 230 grn ball ammo through them.

I would try some different mags. It seems unlikely a Sig

would be the problem.

 

[Grayfox]

I never owned a Sig 1911 so I can't swear to it. But I have heard that they do require a pretty good break in period. I'd get at least 500 rounds through it before getting too worried.
As for Wilson mags, they are my most trusted mag. I've got a dozen or more of them and they are all I use for carry or competition. They work perfectly in all my 1911s. Some of them are getting pretty old and still work every single time. I suppose bad mags are possible. But honestly, I'd question the gun rather than a Wilson mag.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

Typically if a 1911 doesn't reliability lock back with quality magazines the slide stop is undersize. I would compare the factory magazine followers to those of the Wilsons. The Sig mags will probably be a touch wider and the portion that engages the slide stop will have a more pronounced edge. As you probably know, replacing the slide stop is easy and will likely solve the issue. Good luck.

 

[American1776]

Thanks for all the great advice. Lots of knowledgeable folks here. I'm always learning.

I'm thinking on buying a Wilson 'bullet proof' slide stop. I think the SIG slide stop is a generic MIM anyway. I'm assuming the Wilson is a drop in piece that doesn't require fitting?

Also, while my local range is closed for renovations, and the closest range is 50 minutes away, I decided to hand-cycle a magazine full with the factory mags, and there wasn't a problem. every round fed smoothly, and locked the slide on empty.

Maybe it just needs the SIG factory mags and a new slide stop.

 

[kilo charlie]

For what its worth...my Kimber runs 100% with Wilson Combat mags, not so with Kimber mags.
My borther's Colt loves Kimber mags....go fiigure.

 

[Flattop5]

Several comments:

1. is the gun properly "broken in" yet?

2. Don't use grease. It slows moving parts. You don't want to slow moving parts. Use oil. (Grease is okay for bolt-action and lever-action guns).

3. the best-functioning 1911s are bone-stock Colts with Colt 7-round mags, firing ball ammo. A 1911 expert once told me that, and my long experience confirms it. (Other 1911 manufacturers often deviate too much from the original Browning design).

4. if you can, try Colt mags. They might work fine in your SIG.



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[Mike in Reedley]

A new slide stop should drop right in, I suggest a Wilson. You can also buy an oversized one that requires fitting. Fitting is not difficult, but requires filing, try fit and live firing and usually more of the same. I'd try a drop in first.