1911 feed ramps

[RogersPrecision]

Tuner,
I thought these pics might be of value.
Please feel free to relocate to the appropriate area.

I do not know the source of this picture. I believe it to be fairly accurate,
although I prefer a bit deeper for reliable function with modern hollowpoint ammo.



Slightly shallow original feedramp. Measures .335" deep.



Setting it up for re-machining at 31.5 degrees.





After final polishing. Now measures .400" deep.

[1911Tuner]

Good info and drawings, Chuck. Many thanks.

Machinists...Start your vertical mills!

[beachjumper]

Great presentation RogersP. I'm too chicken to try something like that.

[ironlung]

Just a couple questions for my first post.

Was the weapon being worked on in the photos having feeding problems before the work was performed?

What is the tolerance on the feed ramp depth and angle?

Did you indicate the slope after getting it close with the angle gauge?

Is the .360" vertical ramp height a minimum? How was the angle height measured? I would imagine a coordinate measurement machine is needed to get the intersection of the magwell and ramp relative to the "top" to get three decimal place precision.

Is the angle and the depth more important than the location of the ramp relative to the hole (.790" dimension)?

Am I being to picky? .360" min +1/16 and 31.5 degrees +- 1 degree close enough?

Is there a spec for flat land between the radius cut of the endmill? Is that a standard size endmill?

By the way some beautiful work done over at rogers precision.

I guess that was more than a couple.

[ironlung]

One more question if any have the time to reply.

How much would a job such as this cost if done by a competent gunsmith?

Thanks

[ironlung]

Nobody wants to talk to me?


I guess this tool and die maker has to go buy a book.

[Jolly Rogers]

Start a new thread and post a link to the sticky to reference your questions.
Most of the posters probably have read and now ignore the stickys.
Sorry I don't do machine work so I cannot answer any of your pertinent questions myself.
Joe

[Wvladimire]

Very informative. I liked it very much.

[franconialocal]

When I first bought my Spingfield EMP (snubby 1911 style 9mm) the ramp was SO new and steep that (esp. with hollow points) there was a "lip" at the top of the ramp where it met the barrel that would physically catch the round and stop it from going into battery. It was very frustrating, and not wanting to mess up any warranty issues I just let the problem ride with FMJ's for a while to "wear it down" rather than get into filing, milling, etc. Now....several hundred rounds later it works perfectly even with hollow point bullets. For a $1,100 gun I was kind of dissapointed at first, but now that it's "loosened up" a bit it shoots perfectly. I never thought I would own a gun that the tolerances were TOO high.....now I know what "quality" really means. For anyone looking for a great 1911 style CCW this one is AWESOME!!

[ppcgm]

I'm not sure I actually lust over that much equipment but they sure look like nice toys and no doubt save a lot of time.

The trick with getting an old style (unramped) 1911 like this to feed is to get the ramp angle polished out to match the bullets you want to shoot, as pictured, and at the same time to match the small feed ramp on the barrel itself to the new frame ramp. I do mine with 600 grit paper and often take the gun to the range a couple of times before it's considered finished. Yes, it does take a lot of time and effort. But I'm still enjoying the first Colt National Match that I did in 1993 and it still shoots as well as ever with even 152 gr. lead semi wadcutters and countless thousands of rounds in IPSC, PPC and whatever else I could find to shoot it in. So it's well worth the time and effort.

Great pictures and explanations. Thanks for taking the time and effort to explain it all so thoroughly and well.

A fine point that I borrowed from 1911 Tuner in another thread though; "For another, the bottom of the barrel ramp isn't supposed to match the top of the feed ramp...feathered or not. It should sit slightly forward...a minimum of .030-.035 inch. It can be a little more...but not less." ... I've seen more than a few guns that the owners of gave up on shooting semiwadcutters in because the "gunsmith" who worked on their guns didn't know this point. They would still work OK with hardball, but not with hollowpoints or most lead bullets.

[Skid_McCoy]

Comment deleted by your friendly neighborhood Tuner.

[tooltech]

And the reason for this slam is?

[1911Tuner]

And the reason for this slam is?

Precisely what I was wondering.

Skid...I assume that you've got something to base that on...before I delete your comment, that is.

Having seen several pictures and actually getting my hands on one of Chuck's pistols...I can't say that I'd describe anything that I've seen as a "hack job."

Anything to back this up besides an accusation or personal conflict?

[BBBBill]

Apparently, he has very thin skin and no sense of humor.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...80#post6255180

[1911Tuner]

Got it. Gave both of'em a gentle tap with the ol' High Road cluebat. Hope that's the end of it.

Move along. Nothin' to see here.

[1911Tuner]

And...to keep this one from drawin' more fire from the combatants, and because there's not a lot more to add to the thread...

It's closed.