1911 Barrel Hood Question on RIAs

[powwowell]

I have two RIAs, one a GI model, the other a Tactical. I bought the GI new in 2006 and the Tactical used in 2008. The barrel hoods are not the same. The GI has a chamfer on the underneath the back edge of the hood. The Tactical does not. I had an occasional 3 point jam with the Tactical. I replaced the recol spring with a new 16 pounder and I changed the full length guide rod, to a standard one. It's still has a rare jam. I would like for it to be 100%.

Should I grind a chamfer on the Tactical hood? Does it really matter if there is chamfer? If so, does this mean that the Tactical has had a replacement barrel? Both barrels have the same stamp "CAL. .45 ACP". The GI barrel has a 2 stamped on the bottom lug, while the Tactical has a 5. I've switched the barrels and both pistols work when cycling. Function and lock up seem OK. Is it safe to test fire them with the switched barrels?

 

[rbernie]

To fix a three point jam, it's probably best to try a real Colt magazine with the tapered feed lips. The original 1911 design used a magazine with tapered feed lips, which effectively helps raise the round as it moves forward and helps prevents three-point jams. The modern magazines with parallel lips do not, and essentially just 'release' the round when the round reaches the 'flare' in the mag lips.

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

 

[powwowell]

Barrel Hood?

Thanks rbernie for the reply. But, what about the chamfer on the end of the barrel hood? Is it suppose to be there?

 

[rbernie]

I am not a 1911 design expert, but as far as I know there should be a light chamfer - just enough to break the corner and keep the case mouth from catching if the nose gets forced up too high. But in a proper feed cycle, the case mouth shouldn't get tipped up enough to where it could reasonably catch on the bottom trailing edge of the hood. That's where using the proper magazines will come into play.

 

[powwowell]

Thanks again rbernie. The mags I'm using are an 8 round Novak, an 8 round Mec-Gar, a stainless 7-round Springfield, three blued 7-round Springfields and four el-cheapos, bought at a gun show. Lately I've restricted my mag use to the Springfields. They appear to be exact replicas of Colt hybrids. Other users have told me that they are made for Springfield, by the same folks who make Colt mags. My GI has no issues with any of the above mentioned mags. When I noticed that the barrel hoods were different, I wondered if I was on to something. Probably not!

 

[powwowell]

Thanks again rbernie. The mags I'm using are an 8 round Novak, an 8 round Mec-Gar, a stainless 7-round Springfield, three blued 7-round Springfields and four el-cheapos, bought at a gun show. Lately I've restricted my mag use to the Springfields. They appear to be exact replicas of Colt hybrids. Other users have told me that they are made for Springfield, by the same folks who make Colt mags. My GI model has no issues with any of the above mentioned mags. When I noticed that the barrel hoods were different, I wondered if I was on to something.

 

[rondog]

Contact Advanced Tactical in Pahrump, NV, ask for Ivan. They might want you to send it in for some warranty work to correct the problem, if there is one. Their smith, Arnel, is supposed to be real good.

 

[Funderb]

Triple K mags are pretty good I hear, and if they don't work you get a new one free!

 

[rbernie]

The Springfield mags have a very slight taper but not nearly like the Colts.

 

[f4t9r]

Contact Advanced They are Excellant !!