What am I doing wrong?

[Coldshooter]

Need some advice. I have a ParaOrdnance P12 .45 which really ejects casings just past my head. Problem is about every 10th one smacks me right in the forehead. I'm trying to be careful not to break my wrist. I have some failures to cycle with the round chambering hanging up by coming up nose high and jamming on the chamber. I do not have any issues with my P99 in .40 or Glock 9mm. Not sure if these are related or not.

 

[Rule3]

Why would it be you and not the gun?

 

[Coldshooter]

Good point this is my first 1911 type and thought there might be some technique issues.

 

[Rule3]

Is it a brand new gun???

1911's can be finicky with the recoil spring related to the load being used. The ejector and or extractor may need to be "tuned".

 

[Gunslinger808]

Yup, need to tweak the ejector.

 

[Coldshooter]

Is it a brand new gun???

1911's can be finicky with the recoil spring related to the load being used. The ejector and or extractor may need to be "tuned".

I bough the gun used. I have a new magazine which I will try to see if any feeding issues are related. I will take it to one of our gunsmiths to check the extractor. Thanks for the hints.

 

[Rule3]

First thing I would do is put a new stock recoil spring in it. If you are using regular 230 gr ball ammo. Assuming it is a Govt sized 1911 it would be a 16 lb spring. The spring and magazine could be the cause of the failure to feed and extract. It may also change the ejection problem. It's a cheap fix that at least you know the spring is new.

 

[RonJ]

My S&W M&P9 does exactly the same thing. I've been too lazy to send it bsck to S&W.

 

[thndrchiken]

Most issues with 1911 style pistols ejecting straight back is usually limp wristing.

 

[A10]

The little Paras were somewhat troublesome from the start. It will probably take a bit of tweaking to get things smoothed out. Tune the ejector and replace the recoil spring as suggested. You might also have someone take a look at the feed ramp, maybe polish and throat the chamber. IIRC, the magazines on those had some issues too, so you might want to replace the mag spring and make sure the feed lips are smooth.

 

[NFrameFred]

Yup, need to tweak the ejector.

That will help, but the extractor on the 1911 is an integral part of where that brass goes, since the rim of the casing is rolling off of that surface as it gets pushed by the ejector.

When I shot competition I used to radius the bottom lip of the extractor ever so slightly (taking great care, working in small increments, and testing before going further) until the brass went where I wanted. Most of my guns would put all the brass in a two foot circle about two feet the right and three feet back. The extractor should be properly tensioned as well, for optimum results. Just buying and installing a new extractor is a hit or miss proposition.

 

[Iggy]

What NframeFred said.

Sounds like your ejector and extractor need a little bit of tweaking.
Most times a 1000 rounds down the pipe will do it for you. Wears the sharp corners off.
Maybe an oversized firing pin stop to prevent any extractor clocking. could help too.

 

[Engineer1911]

Google "1911 ejector". You will find a link to several pictures and text telling you exactly what to do to fix the 'brass in the face problem'. The other thing is closely examine the ejctor on a 45 1911 that behaves. My Para no longer throws brass at my face, but ejects out to the right almost like a well-behaved Colt.

If I can make a Para work, anybody can do it, even Chuck Schumer.

 

[jkc]

My P12s have been finicky about both recoil and mag springs. Replacing the recoil spring might solve your ejection problems, extra power mag springs may cure the feeding problems. Good Luck!