Colt MK IV 1911 40Cal. SW

[drrogerc]

I have a Colt MK IV 1911 in 40Cal. SW that is not as reliable as it should be in feeding rounds. I have sent the gun back to Colt where they polished the feed ramp and adjusted extractor/ejector, all done at no cost. While I am on the subject of no cost, I will add that I just sent the slide back to Colt because of having problems keeping a pinned front sight, I assume due to the snapper recoil of the 40 caliber. They installed a dovetailed Novak front and rear sight at no cost to me. That is great for customer customer service. Took about 30 days round trip.

Back to my problem and question. I was thinking about replacing the double recoil spring that Colt puts in the gun with a Wolf single recoil spring of the same weight as the double spring (I believe the combined strength of the colt springs is 19 pounds). I realize I would also have to replace the guide rod with a 45 Caliber rod due to the diameter of the rod itself that is made to fit the internal 40 caliber spring.Would this help my feeding problems. And also if I am not correct in the poundage of the recoil spring, what poundage would you suggest.

The 40 caliber mag holds eight rounds. At times, when the round number seven is fired and ejected, the gun will also eject the unfired number eight round on the ground. I know this sounds like a weak mag spring, but this gun was doing that when all three of the mags were new. What suggestions or advice can I get regarding this? I really would like this gun to be reliable as I really do love shooting the gun and it is accurate.

 

[1911Tuner]

The 40 caliber mag holds eight rounds. At times, when the round number seven is fired and ejected, the gun will also eject the unfired number eight round on the ground.

That's a little trick called jumping the lips. When it happens on the last round, leaving the last round loose on top of the magazine with the slide locked...it's called jumping the follower...and it's a magazine spring problem.

On your feeding issues...Provide details. i.e. Top round or last round? Describe what happens.

Failure to feed or failure to go to/return to battery? There's a difference.
Failure to feed means that the round stops before it gets into the chamber. If it makes it into the chamber...even a little...it's a failure to go to battery.

Next time it happens...Look at the breechface. Is it behind the rim, or is it forward of the rim, in the extractor groove?

If it's a failure to go to battery...can you push on the rear of the slide and get it to go...or does it lock up solid, forcing you to eject the round and start over? If it will go into battery with a push...How hard do you have to push?

We'll come back to the recoil spring.

 

[drrogerc]

Will do 1911 Tuner.

I'll get back just as soon as I am able to get out and shoot some more, probally soon after the 4th. I will pay closer attention.

I appreciate your reply.