1911 45ACP feed problem

[lfpepsi]

I recently purchased a Caspian 1911 Frame & Slide at Camp Perry.
Apparantly I didn't notice that the frame was cut for a ramped barrel.
since I already had many hours already invested, I decided to order a ramped barrel. The gun is complete now, and I am fine tuning it to get the bugs out.
I am having a problem feeding 185 grain lead HPs. Some of the rounds want to nose dive out of the magazine, instead of going up the ramp. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[rbernie]

What magazines are you using?

 

[Jim Watson]

The short answer is to not use 185 grain lead HPs. Load either hardball type roundnose or a less stubby ogival hollowpoint. The integral ramp is steeper than the true 1911 ramp and you have to accomodate it.

 

[Oro]

The short answer is to not use 185 grain lead HPs.

+1 - I never had success loading that reliably in my ramped .45. It will work fine with 200gr. once you get the LOA right so the edge of the meplat will mimic the 230gr.'s ogive. I was never able to achieve this reliably with 185gr.

 

[lfpepsi]

What magazines are you using?

I am using Chip McCormick mags. I've tried other mags as well ..... they don't seem to be any better.
I know that a round nosed jacketed bullet works well, however I'm not willing to change bullets. I load 3.5 grains of Bullseye with Zero's 185 grn lead hollow point, and I can achieve 1" groups at 25 yards. I need to find a solution to my feed problem.
Thanks for everyones help.

 

[rbernie]

I am using Chip McCormick mags. I've tried other mags as well ..... they don't seem to be any better.

If you have not tried them, I recommend trying the Colt hybid (tapered feed lips with wadcutter flare). They tend to present the nose of the round higher than most.

http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/gross-anatomy.html

 

[10X]

Well, you need to get the round positioned higher and feeding in an up angle rather than straight on to the feed ramp.

EGW offers a magazine release the positions the magazine higher in the gun.

Colt 7 round (not 8 round) and Checkmate Iindustries offer magazines with hybrid feed lips that position the round higher and feeds in an up angle vs. McCormick that feeds straight. Brownells is tho only place to buy Colt 7 rounders. Top Gun Supply has Checkmate magazines at a good price.

 

[CCW1911]

If you get your feed ramp and throat job looking like a non integral ramped ramp and throat it will feed providing a good magazine. This is why I don't recommend a integral ramped barrel in 45.

 

[schmeky]

What rbernie said . . . . .

I have had outstanding reliability using the Colt hybrid mags, and I've used just about all of them. The hybird will release sooner, which may reduce the amount of nosedive before the bullet nose strikes the ramp.