Adjusting 1911 mags?

EvilGenius · Oct 24, 2014

Howdy.

I've got an RIA 1911 Tactical. Has about 1,700 rounds through it. The last 2-3 times I've taken it out to shoot competitions both of my back up pro mag magazines have failed to feed the first round out of the mag. It usually stops with the first round about halfway out of the mag and I usually just slam it home by bumping the back of the slide with my hand. Once that first round is in, they feed flawlessly. I have not had this issue at all on the factory ACT mag that came with the gun and I replaced the recoil spring with a standard 15lb wolf spring about 200 rds ago (the issue started before then).

I am going to be replacing them with some better quality mags, but in the mean time I'd like to know if I can tell if the feed lips are bent possibly? Maybe it's a mag spring issue?

drband · Oct 25, 2014

Mags are cheap. Time to replace. Wilson's are consistently good and they also offer replacement spring/follower kits should you wear them out. If you have LOTS of cash, I believe Wilson recently released some kind of new super duper mag with "lifetime" springs of some kind. [emoji12] most folks are satisfied with the 47d-- I like the ETM's. Others swear by the McCormick mags. There are plenty of really good mags to choose from. Factory supplied mags are often not very good. Oh... Don't forget Mec-Gar mags. Solid performers. Promags are not known for their quality though many use them.

JTQ · Oct 25, 2014

...my back up pro mag magazines...

Practically nobody uses or recommends ProMags. I say practically, since you know there is always somebody that likes them.

...but in the mean time I'd like to know if I can tell if the feed lips are bent possibly? Maybe it's a mag spring issue?

I can't help you with the feed lips issue, as there are a variety of basic styles and each company has their take on each. However, you could buy a caliper (for $55 at Brownell's http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-tools/calipers/digital-caliper-prod7998.aspx ) and check them as Hilton Yam suggests here...

http://www.10-8performance.com/1911-magazines/

As far as the spring goes, you could take the followers and springs out of the ACT-Mags and put them into the ProMags just to see if it is a spring issue.

There is no way I'd spend money on new springs and followers for those ProMags. A spring/follower kit would probably cost what you'd paid for those mags. I'd just throw them out if they aren't working.

highlander 5 · Oct 25, 2014

I've Tripp,Metalform, Ruger,Wilson and Act/S&W magazines all work in my S&W and Ruger 45 autos with both jacketed and cast bullets.

1911Tuner · Oct 25, 2014

Unless they've been stomped on or run over, it's highly unlikely that they've gotten bent through normal use.

Remove the extractor and see if the gun will feed the top round. If it does...you've got an issue with the extractor. Clean it and the channel and see if that helps. Just for giggles, clean the breechface with a stiff toothbrush, paying attention to the corners.

MikeJackmin · Oct 25, 2014

If the problem is not remedied by trying a new spring, my method for adjusting bad magazines is to throw them in the trash. Obviously you need a more subtitle approach if the mags are rare or collectible, but for off the shelf stuff like this there is no point in messing with them.

Try swapping springs with a mag that works. If that fails, get some new mags. If it works, get some Wolff springs and you're good to go.

jbj · Oct 25, 2014

I'd think about replacing the recoil spring as well. 1700 isn't a ton of rounds, but it's enough

HDCamel · Oct 25, 2014

That type of malfunction is called a stem bind and it usually indicates an extractor issue.

EvilGenius · Oct 26, 2014

Some will cringe, but I grabbed a couple of kimber mags to replace them.

Their reviews seem iffy according to some folks, but I figure they can't as bad as the pro mags.

As I had mentioned in the first post, the recoil spring has been replaced recently. So it shouldn't be an issue.

What exactly should I be looking for to see if the extractor is causing problems?

9mmepiphany · Oct 26, 2014

As posted in Post #5, remove the extractor and see if it will feed the top round.

If I've replaced the magazine spring and it isn't the extractor, I'd throw it away and just buy another mag.

You should remember that 1911 magazines are considered consumable items, just like the springs. When they start causing problems, you should replace them.

It has been my experience that ProMags make excellent magazines for practicing Failure Drills

Adjusting 1911 mags?

EvilGenius

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drband

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JTQ

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highlander 5

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1911Tuner

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MikeJackmin

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jbj

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HDCamel

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EvilGenius

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9mmepiphany

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